CTC - Is it worth it?!

[birdofprey]

I have read a number of messages about CTC vs other reputable training establishments. I have been selected to attend stage 2 of the assesment centre (the one you pay for!) and wondered if any of you seasoned CTCers out there could shed some light.

I am currently 29 and am approaching the upper age limit for selection. Having always thought about giving it a crack, I sent in an application but have since learnt I am too old for the Easyjet / Thomas Cook scheme.

By the time I finish I will be 31 (ish!) and dont want to join the pool of fresh trainees looking for a seat in the cockpit. Does anyone know the recruitment prospects for a 31-year old CTC graduate? Is it not easier to apply to someone like Oxford, packing a big loan without the hassle of paying for assesment centres and fighting against some zealous school leavers?;)

[Blinkz]

Whilst OAT is easier to get into then CTC you will still have to have an assesment and pass it to start at Oxford, and this costs £195. So if you are doing it to just avoid the assessment I suggest you go modular :=

[birdofprey]

The assesment stage is laborious and Oxford seems to be the "easier" of the two but there is also the job pospects at the end. Being of the nearly at the age limit generation, so you think I am likely to be less saleable to an interested airline??

[supercruise593]

BoP,

Where did you learn that you were too old for Easyjet & Thomas Cook? Look at point of source information & research everything thoroughly (30 at point of application).

I'd concentrate on passing the selection process. As you said, it's quite demanding! Also you're on your 'last legs' age wise for the schools you are refering to. This is your golden opportunity!

1) The fact that you have already passed Stage 1a means that CTC will train you upon successful completion of the selection process.

2) If CTC train you then they have to place you. If they know right from the start that they can't place you (because of something as simple as an age parameter) then they will not train you, meaning you would not be going to Stage 2.

"Is it not easier to apply to someone like Oxford, packing a big loan without the hassle of paying for assesment centres and fighting against some zealous school leavers?" Oh dear!

1) Oxford apparantly charge more than CTC for the PILAPT phase of selection. :confused: :confused:

2) Lets say hypothetically the average fee for assessment is £200 and the average cost of the standard training phase £65,000. Then the assessment amounts to... 0.3% of the training costs. Is it worth the loan to skip the 'hassle' of the selection phases? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: &.. you're not 'fighting zealous school leavers'? :confused: :confused: You're 'fighting' yourself to reach the required standard, it has nothing directly to do with what the other guys score..

Good Luck with your assessment..!!

593...

[birdofprey]

Words of wisdom supercruise593, many thanks - its a big step into the unknown, out of a comfy office. Misinformed about the age limit on CTC, I think I will go for it now - £200 is nothing in the grand scheme of 30 years in the business!!

:ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :confused:

[A38lephant]

A few points,

1) Agree with above post, 0.3% is sweet FA in the grand sceme of things.

2) As mentioned above they make it clear at the selection that you're not against others. If you make the pass rate you move on. If you don't, you don't! There is no grading system as such.

3) There were about 3 or 4 28+ yr olds on my selection day.

4) the selection is actually quite fun.

A3

[Pilot Pete]

Interestingly I know of pilots who were turned down directly by airlines on the grounds of age, who then got placed by CTC in one of those airlines....

It would appear that CTC have thus taken away some of the perceived 'risk' in the eyes of the employer, through their selection process and their training scheme (ie you work for peanuts for 6 months and therefore if you fail the airline aren't out of pocket).

PP