Sigmar/My Travel A320 self funding

[tetebolete]

anyone going for it?
what about MYTRAVEL ?
do they pay well to get the cash (€49k) back?
after the 150h , any chances of getting a job?
thank you for your replies

[Kerropi]

Don't forget to add the VAT:uhoh:

[nuclear weapon]

I applied yesterday and got a reply this morning. obviously they are eager I am however trioubled by the fact that you could fail thhe bridge course after spending close to 6k. Is there anyone who has done it and what is the success rate. If they are going to chuck me after spending that I might as well go with the astreus scheme where the assesment is simply to see how much trainingyou need and I know a couple of guys who have done it and have gione on to jobs with other airlines.


Here's what i recieved this morning.


ALTEON-MY TRAVEL A320 TYPE RATING PROGRAMME
Our A320 First Officer Jet Bridge Transition programme completes the training begun at any academy flight school, and has been specifically designed to provide the knowledge and experience that airlines are looking for in a First Officer. Specific airline Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) are integrated into a two-month training programme. The training philosophy of this programme allows cadets to develop competency and confidence in jet flight operations.


The Alteon-MyTravel A320 Type Rating Programme is designed to take a prospective self-funding individual through an appropriately structured programme such that once the line training and experience is complete he /she is highly marketable to airlines. It provides an opportunity to gain real-world airline experience. In today's pilot job market the practical experience gained whilst flying for an airline is invaluable.


After completing the modular First Officer Jet Bridge Transition course, as described below, the qualified student will undertake base and line training as a First Officer, flying an A320 for MyTravel Airways, a United Kingdom based airline. The qualified student will be guaranteed 150 hours of flight time with the airline including line training. The student will also be eligible for additional flight time contingent upon the crew staffing needs of the airline and, should an opening exist, could be offered employment with the airline upon successful completion of line training. During this time MyTravel Airways would pay the student expenses and transport costs when operating away from their assigned home base.


The programme is split in to a number of key segments, as follows:
· Application – Sigmar Aviation
· Selection – Psychometric (Sigmar) and simulator assessment (Alteon)
· Bridge and/or Jetoc – Groundschool and simulator
· Type Rating – TRTO course taught by Alteon and MyTravel staff
· Base Training – conducted by MyTravel
· Line Training – conducted by My Travel
· Line experience – conducted by My Travel


Application
Application is made by sending your CV to Sigmar Aviation for review. Prospective candidates will be selected and recommended for psychometric and simulator assessment, taking place in Luton, UK.


Selection
A Psychometric assessment will be conducted using the COMPASS system, which tests motor skills. This is combined with an interview conducted by training staff from My Travel. In addition, there will be a 45-minute simulator assessment, to be conducted on one of Alteon’s 737-300 simulators by both an Alteon and MyTravel Instructor.


Bridge and/or Jet orientation course
From the results of the above process, the successful pilots will continue on to the full programme. Depending on their experience and/or skill levels, the student will proceed to the Bridge or Jetoc course. This course, taught by Alteon instructors will prepare individuals for the fast jet and multi-crew environments and precedes the Type Rating.


Bridge
This course is obligatory for Candidates with the following minimum requirements: Frozen JAA ATPL, 100 hrs PIC, Multi Engine I/R, MCC Certificate (must be issued by a UK CAA approved school).
For the above students this course must be completed prior to the A320


Type Rating Course. It consists of 15 days of instruction and includes 6 days of Instructor-led classroom tutorials, 5 FTD exercises and 4 FFS details.
Note: Candidate progress is assessed at the end of the Classroom Tutorials, FTD and FFS exercises. Unsatisfactory progress may result in curtailment of the training.


Jetoc
The course is obligatory for Candidates holding the minimum requirements as listed above and who have at least 500 hours MPA (multi pilot) experience.
For the above students this course must be completed prior to the A320 Type Rating Course. It consists of 4 days of Instructor led classroom tutorials and 4 FFS details.
Note: Candidate progress is assessed at the end of the FFS exercises. Unsatisfactory progress may result in curtailment of the training.


Type Rating
Type Rating course. This course is centred around Alteon’s standard TRTO course. The groundschool, the so-called technical part of the course, will be conducted by Alteon instructors, whilst the simulator phase will be conducted by either MyTravel or Alteon instructors and Examiners.


The Type Rating Course is TRTO approved by the UK CAA and holds JAA validation in respect of the Airbus A320 aircraft. The approved course consists of Instructor-led Tutorials, CBT, PTT and FMGC training, leading finally into a Full Flight Simulator training programme carried out by JAA qualified SFI/TRI/TRE's in JAR-STD1A approved simulators. Successful completion of the approved curriculum will result in a Part 1 type rating endorsement entered in the holders JAA ATPL.


Pilots who graduate from the Type Rating Course will proceed directly to Base training followed by Line training on the aircraft of MyTravel Airways. The course will include a minimum of 150 hours of line experience, including line training, for each student.


Base Training
This is a JAR-FCL1 requirement for type rating issue and consists of a minimum of 6 take-offs and landing in the aircraft (A320). My Travel Instructors will accomplish this on MyTravel aircraft.


Line Training
Following the issue of the A320 Type Rating, students will progress to Line Training. This will be carried out in MyTravel aircraft, with MyTravel Instructors during normal line operations and will lead to the Final Line Check. This marks the end of the training phase and successful Students will continue with the Line Experience until they have attained 150 hours total flight time on the A320, inclusive of line training.
Facts at a glance – Pricing
Application Free of charge
Psychometric Assessment £150 inc. UK VAT
Simulator Assessment £200 inc. UK VAT
Bridge Course £5,440 inc. UK VAT
Jet Orientation £3,350 inc. UK VAT
Type Rating, Base, Line £26,563 inc. UK VAT


Pricing: The price for the Bridge and Type rating is £32k Inc Vat.
The price for the course with Jetoc will need to be reduced in line with the difference between the Jetoc and Bridge.

[PPL152]

Any link for the above?

[nuclear weapon]

I've been accepted onto this scheme, it looks good except for the price, there are others, I won't be starting until April due to currrent employment contracts. Will be doing a diary thread when I do though.


How much have you been asked to put down upfront and were you at any point told you could be dropped after spending x amount of money. Also can you post what the selection procedure was like for us. Thanks

[class a]

I looked at this programme had all the details etc

I decided to call operators of the A320 and agencies etc to ask what the chances of getting a Job with a 150hrs got the same story from them all 500hrs is the minimum.

For the price there are much better deals around for 35k you can get the type rating and 500hrs on type not 150hrs that way the agencies will take a look at you

Just call and ask see what they say

[SinBin]

What have agencies got to do with anything? Loads of airlines just interested in a type rating, BMI, Air Malta, BMed to name but a few! Easyjet want 50 hours on type! Even if airlines want 500 hours on type, it's highly unlikely they'd get that from newbies and it would be highly unlucky not to land a job soon after completing. There is a chance of being kept on for the Summer at MYT and even permanently, and that'll get you up to the 500 hour mark, providing you start fairly early in the season.

To answer the question, you pay in installments and unless you are completely inept, the likelihood of being chopped is low due to the rigourous vetting to get onto the scheme in the first place.

[boogie-nicey]

Class A, what 'other' deals are you refering to? For example 35k with 500hrs on type, is that dollars, euros or pounds? Would be interested to know...

[class a]

Eagle jet for one $40,000 for 500 hrs thats around £21k plus the type rating at $26,000 JAA approved with Unitied thats a total of around £35,000
The only reason I see for going for the My Travel one is in the hope you get kept on after the 150hrs
Ill say it again why should they keep you on when they have another 20 people lined up to give them 30k+ they are in the business of making money
Whatever you decide the best of luck I hope it works out for you all but I know that I would rather have that 500hrs in my log book at the end of it.

Infact Eagle jet are offering 500hrs A320 time for $33,000 at the moment just had a look at the website

[Captain Douglas]

I cant believe that anyone with half a brain would comtemplate such a scheme! get out there and try and get a job directly with the airlines. Times have not been so good for years and will deteriorate eventually!

[SinBin]

CD,

Your profile says wannabe pilot, show me these jobs that are available with no time on type, when most are now paying for their type ratings and I'll go quietly. I don't think you are qualified to air such an opinion.

Times are good supposedly, but recruitment is slow at the moment :ugh:

And I have a higher than average IQ thanks very much, so I suggest you pipe down!

Nuclear Weapon,

Selection Procedure
3 hours of Aptitude tests and Phsychometric tests (COMPASS)
A verbal reasoning test
A numerical reasoning test
A technical and business interview with someone from Alteon, MYT HR and MYT Training Captain.
Sim Check on 737-300, Take off, SID, some steep turns, radar vectored ILS, and radar vectored ILS assymetric

[High Wing Drifter]

I can understand the logic behind SSTRs, but I have to say, this does sound quite bizarre! Bridging this, JOC that and you even have to pay to fly an airline's revenue earning flight!

Sort of an inverse Monty Python joke. "Tell the old folks that, and they don't believe you!"

:\

[SinBin]

Well, I'm going for GECAT possibly too! The only other job I've been offered, and I have applied everywhere more than once, is a low paid job flying a Seneca,

Capital outlay of say £21K at GECAT with a job worth double the Seneca pay at the end, + career progression straight into jets could bring a fledgling career forward by 3 years. Saving me money in the long run due to higher earning. The other fact is I've worked my butt off in my current career and I do earn a good wedge. If you're 21 and have no job, then this route probably ain't for you.

[ItsAjob]

There is no job guarantee at the end with GECAT.
Does anyone know anyone that has not passed the Sigmar 35k assessment?

[class a]

No job guarantee with any of the SSTR schemes

You pay your money and you take your chances

[SinBin]

Yes! He went for the selection again and passed! GECAT have a proven record though of placing people in jobs! There is no guarantee with all flying, Ryanair has no guarantees once finished with CAE.

Like I keep saying, show me the jobs! All require a type rating. The blame I'm afraid is squarely with the economy. It's strong and people are prepared to pay for TR as they have access to the money. If interest rates were higher (early nineties level) then i think we'd be in a different scenario. People can complain all they like, even militantly never would pay, but fact of the matter is you ain't gonna get a job over someone who has a type rating.

I know many people who have gone through GECAT and all, yes 100%, have got jobs, regardless of integrated, modular, OAT, or others. Incidentally much of the patter that OAT spout about getting people jobs, many have got those jobs through GECAT and not OAT.

I'm sure many people who are thinking about doing the MYT course and those who are slagging us off should remember, that I spent half what some at OAT would have spent on just the CPL/IR, and I will have spent the same as them but have a TR and 150 hours on type with a reputable airline. Who would you chose to fly your planes?

I am not blind to this scheme, I see a sales patter when there's one, and yes they exist in this scheme as all others, but to get an edge on every other bugger, and I can afford it, then why not.

Oh and by the way it's £32K and VAT is included

[ItsAjob]

Well why dont you just go for the GECAT one, its a lot cheaper, and if it has worked for all your friends?

[SinBin]

I haven't done the selection yet! :rolleyes:

Sim check this week

[YYZ_Instructor]

The only place I have seen "pilots", and i say that loosely as most don't have the hours to be considered professional yet, that would actually spend that kind of money on training is only seen in Europe and I can't understand why you would put yourself in such a big debt when you will make 1/3 to 1/4 of what you spent on a type rating per year. That is insane! And sometimes it makes me laugh.....seriously.
I had the money to pay for it, yet I value my money as I work hard for it and I didn't need a type rating to get through and it wasn't luck! All you do is build your hours in steps. Oh let me repeat it incase some wannabe pilots didn't get that....Steps!
There is absolutely no reason you need a big jet at 250 hours. Why not buy a type rating on the Discovery at NASA?!? Its only 2.5million GBP and I am sure the bank will loan the money if you tell them NASA will hire you at the end as a professional Astraunaut. No hours on type but you could handle that baby no problem if the electronic systems went.
There are jobs out there....and for those that don't believe it pay all you want! Some young smart pilots I've met that know exactly how to do it....travel the country in your car....beg in every office and fly anything out of anywhere....It works...so keep flying. Money isn't great, but the experience you will build will further you career more than any A320 type rating can teach you.

[ItsAjob]

Why is it that the instructors in Britain always seem to come across bitter?
There is more than one way to skin a cat.

[SinBin]

YYZ you have no idea what you're on about! I value money too and who's in debt here? It's a business decision. This scheme costs £32K, so I would be earning £7-10K a year flying a Bus? I don't think so!!

Go laugh, I'll be laughing at you next year! Good luck with the spam cans!

[nuclear weapon]

The only place I have seen "pilots", and i say that loosely as most don't have the hours to be considered professional yet, that would actually spend that kind of money on training is only seen in Europe and I can't understand why you would put yourself in such a big debt when you will make 1/3 to 1/4 of what you spent on a type rating per year. That is insane! And sometimes it makes me laugh.....seriously.
I had the money to pay for it, yet I value my money as I work hard for it and I didn't need a type rating to get through and it wasn't luck! All you do is build your hours in steps. Oh let me repeat it incase some wannabe pilots didn't get that....Steps!
There is absolutely no reason you need a big jet at 250 hours. Why not buy a type rating on the Discovery at NASA?!? Its only 2.5million GBP and I am sure the bank will loan the money if you tell them NASA will hire you at the end as a professional Astraunaut. No hours on type but you could handle that baby no problem if the electronic systems went.
There are jobs out there....and for those that don't believe it pay all you want! Some young smart pilots I've met that know exactly how to do it....travel the country in your car....beg in every office and fly anything out of anywhere....It works...so keep flying. Money isn't great, but the experience you will build will further you career more than any A320 type rating can teach you.


While I have to admit I am currently looking for funds to pay fo a type rating. YYZ is mostly right we as pilots are responsible for the state of this industry. I was speaking to the head of an integrated school yesterday who told me that the problem started years ago when the first guy went to a company and said I will pay for my own type rating. This has spoilt things for the rest of us.


Yes there is a huge shortage of pilots but then there are hundereds out there willing to pay to work think of it. If you ran a low cost airline why pay for type rating when pilots are willing to pay to work. Sooner or later we will be told to pay for maintanance of the aircraft . I am not proud or happy about it and the truth hurts but then that is maret forces in a capitalist society.


Some airlines are now making it a business Altheon/my travel to train and quote give you experience. Why will they hire pilots and pay them salaries when there is healthy queue of eager pilots willing to sell thier soul to work for free. All they need to do now is get rid of thier first officers and use free pilots without worrying about FO's salaries unions, pensions and the lot of it.


Ten years ago companies like easyjet and ryanair would have bought thier own sims at least three or four each to train thier own pilots but there is a huge savings on getting us to pay for the priviledge of flying jets. I think thwe American system is far better than the European one (despite the negative coverage they are forever recieving in the press).


Until the market dictates otherwise we are stuck with these absurd practices. Good luck everyone.

[SinBin]

I ain't happy about it, but what choice do we have, I'm 30 now and I've got to get on with it. It's no use moaning about it, it will never help!

[Captain Douglas]

Listen Sin Bin. I dont not want to get into a slagging match with you on this. But why the hell do you think that anybody that has a different opinion to you doesn not know the hell what they are talking about.
Firstly airlines that do not need a type to name but a few: FLYBE, AIR SOUTHWEST, EASTERN, AURIGNY, LOGANAIR, BMI REGIONAL, FLIGHTLINE,(or are you too special to fly turboprops) MONARCH, GB, THOMAS COOK, THOMSONFLY AND TITAN thats just in the UK.
I would go as far as saying that most of the jet operators would not touch you with a barge pole if you paid for own rating! I know my company wouldn't.
Secondly, until you get your first foot on the ladder I would go as far to say that you do not know what you are talking about!
Good luck with your endeavours and keeep knocking on doors. Took me 7 years to get first airline job and believe you me recruitment has never been so good for 10+ years.
:sad:

[LeFreak]

i'm 3 months away from turning 30, started ab-initio training in september 2004, got the CPL-ME-IR in June 2006, did the MCC on a 737-200 in August 2006, had my first interview in October 2006 and got hired in December 2006 .. now doing typerating without having to pay anything, i only had to sign a bond for 3 years .. all this for a national carrier, on a jet and with good salaries..

i didn't go to a major school and i don't have relatives/friends who have something to say in the airline industry .. don't give in to paying for your ratings, but if you do have to pay, make sure you are getting something that's worth it, f.e. a long term contract or at least 500+ hours on type .. all these 150 hours / 200 hours programs seem like easy money programs for the companies to me, with very little benefit to those who pay ..

just my humble opinion ..

don't give up your hopes guys!

[YYZ_Instructor]

SinBin...my post was not only for you and it wasn't out there to make you feel bad, I just hate it when pilots who have no hours complain that they can't get a job flying. Flying is not just a jet. I am also 30. I was an instructor yes, but I am not bitter as "Its a Job" put it. I am flying on a turbo prop and I enjoy it. The problem comes around in the cockpit....When you are a captain and you get a 250 hour guy in a high performance aircraft you feel uncertain. Think about it a little. Its almost like flying single pilot again.
MyTravel is getting you to pay to work, while they role in the money on their charters and at the end of the summer season they tell you to get lost while their fleet heads over here to Canada to do the South America Winter holidays.

Don't fund these schemes.
You will be the one that loses, its the only way it works....

Just fly...you will be happier with yourself when you look back.
I've flown in crap weather in the UK and I've flown in northern Canada where icing is severe and temps below -40C on gravel strips. That experience is second to none as we have had emergency after emergency.
Real flying.....

[Tubbs]

If I were you (Sinbin) I would take the Seneca job in an instant. Also, after a very enjoyable year instructing my handling skills and situational awareness were much improved. Please stay away from these pay-to-fly schemes as they can turn into horrendous situations and are blantantly exploiting the desperate and the stupid. I know of two people forced into poverty by schemes like this which went wrong. Always remember - there is no such thing as a company with a conscience.

[CarbHeatIn]

I've a good friend who paid 28k for type rating and line training on 757.
Straight into a job, starting salary circa 40k.
No reduced salary to pay for rating and no bond so he's free to move on if a better offer comes along.
And at least one of the airlines Captain Douglas mentioned, took guys off his course.

[Airgus]

If you are talking about business decision, there plenty of ways to invest that amount of Money, that as soon as a year you will get that amount doubled... (and I am not talking about Narco business!) := but not in this way!!....

...Aviation will never be a business it is just an expensive need...
Make an airline go on strike and you will see how the goverment react... instead if the Sony Employees go on strike, nobody cares...
It can be that this "business" have good and bad clycles, now it is clear that we are in the good one, but in couple of years it will sink again... how do the airline survives this bad cycles? because they are a "need" and Daddy Goverment will have support some of them...

Anyway, going back to the topic... (in my opinion) if you have that money, Daddy's gonna pay it and/or for you is like a change of coins, go ahead and pay your Hobby (like glider pilots buy the 200000Euros gliders), but do not say it is a business decision...
A Bond is a different story, but paying for your TR is sad...
Anyway, good luck feeding the pirates... :ouch:

AirGus...

YYZ you have no idea what you're on about! I value money too and who's in debt here? It's a business decision. This scheme costs £32K, so I would be earning £7-10K a year flying a Bus? I don't think so!!

[wilcoluca]

Where did he complete the training? Which school?


I've a good friend who paid 28k for type rating and line training on 757.
Straight into a job, starting salary circa 40k.
No reduced salary to pay for rating and no bond so he's free to move on if a better offer comes along.
And at least one of the airlines Captain Douglas mentioned, took guys off his course.

[Pilot without a Jet]

I totally agree with YYZ, it is quite true, that if you do gain valuable knowledge in building hours and experiance the correct way it will help you alot, we are responsible in the condition of the industry today, and the senior account managment are laughing at us, yes why not let them make loads of money, its not them that have to pay the debts...Well said YYZ..hope people to start to learn..

[high-hopes]

The problem comes around in the cockpit....When you are a captain and you get a 250 hour guy in a high performance aircraft you feel uncertain. Think about it a little. Its almost like flying single pilot again.


YYZ, I agree with you and I like your take on this subject.

however, if what your say it's true, particularly in the bit I've quoted, then it almost sounds like most jet operations with a low houred first officer are unsafe. I would like to think this is not the case.

h-h

[YYZ_Instructor]

I'm not saying they are all unsafe. You can take a normal person with no licence and teach him what to do in a cockpit over a week of line training and he will be able to do it just as well as any other pilot, but have an emergency that is not straight in the books and everything can go very wrong very fast! A pilot who has experienced other aircrafts and systems has a "better chance" to think of what could be the actual problem. Pilots with 3000 hours flying aircraft of various types have a wider knowledge of different systems and have had to handle problems on a smaller scale and can sometimes remember where those problems started from. Its just experience. You can pass any type rating with engine failures at V1 or rotate, even in the air.....yet look at most problems that resulted in fatalities;
Most were not from a simple engine failure. Flying the aircraft only on the engines....as captain would you feel better having a 250 hour pilot controlling an airplane with no hydraulics and only on engines with 180 passengers?? I know I wouldn't.....just my opinion.

[CarbHeatIn]

The problem comes around in the cockpit....When you are a captain and you get a 250 hour guy in a high performance aircraft you feel uncertain. Think about it a little. Its almost like flying single pilot again.


BA, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Aer Lingus and many more reputable operators have been employing 250 hour pilots for over 40 years.

The captain is a training captain. The reason he gets paid extra is to not feel uncertain.

[SinBin]

Why do I feel everyone has ganged up on me, I'm leaving this thread as it's beginning to sound like an embittered slanging match which I want no part of!

[PicMas]

Your profile says wannabe pilot, show me these jobs that are available with no time on type, when most are now paying for their type ratings and I'll go quietly. I don't think you are qualified to air such an opinion.

Why don't you go looking for them instead?? Why is it that these kids with their wet certificates think the industry owes them a shiny jet immediately. Times have been rough, and there has been a surplus of pilots - Thats a p!sspoor reason for paying for your job!
Who says you shouldn't wait, and in the meantime build some experience you can actually use...
BA, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Aer Lingus and many more reputable operators have been employing 250 hour pilots for over 40 years.
Very true, I have personally instructed in such a program, very stringent and procedural AND 2P CONCEPT!!! how much of your training included standardized call-outs?? These pilots are trained by the airline for the airline. You will not hear these pilots say "T's&P's in the green".
If you could only arm yourself with a bit of patience instead of insisting on "there are no jobs out there" 'cause there are!

[planeshipcar]

I wouldn't knock anyone if they thought this course was right for them.

However, I just think if youre going pay for a type rating and get line experience. You may as well just do the Ryanair course and get paid to fly. If you don't like it after a year - you have 850 hours more and haven't spent £30 K, you'll also get some money be that not much.

I realise this can't be done on Airbus.

[SinBin]

Er, Picmas, I have, why do think I'm going down this route?

Every stone has been unturned thanks with no result.

I don't expect anything and nobody owes me a thing. Don't put me in that basket, I have my eyes wide open, I can tell you. Hell I'm not even definitely going for this scheme.

If airlines hate low hours people with 250 hours which I have significantly more, then why does our (Britain) flag carrier take integated bods with just 200 hours? Are they significantly better pilots, i think not. People get into airlines in so many different ways, it's not only 'the work your way up' route, which I would love to, but couldn't afford the paycut. My Dad has never paid a bean towards my flying and I've done it off my own back seeing as I'm a grown man! Tell me how to afford a wife, kids, house, 2 cars and living in the South East on an instructors pay. Which is why I termed paying for a TR as an investment. I currently have a very well paid management job and through someone like GECAT, who get people interviews, I could get an equally/only slightly less well paid job. It suits my circumstances, but probably not others.

I am not an enemy though and all I'm trying to do is break my way into this business which is apparently the 5th most desired career in the UK.

[CarbHeatIn]

Very true, I have personally instructed in such a program, very stringent and procedural AND 2P CONCEPT!!! how much of your training included standardized call-outs?? These pilots are trained by the airline for the airline. You will not hear these pilots say "T's&P's in the green".
If you could only arm yourself with a bit of patience instead of insisting on "there are no jobs out there" 'cause there are!

Not to be pedantic but these airlines also take self funded low hours pilots, who have not been sponsored or trained by the airline.

[BigGrecian]

The only reason I see for going for the My Travel one is in the hope you get kept on after the 150hrs

So just like every other we give you 100-200 line training system and may offer you a job....in reality equals you won't be offered a job - be careful the vast majority of people don't get offered employment.

[ttoam]

Hey Guys,

The Alteon/My travel type rating programme management came to my integrated school a couple of months ago to give a presentation. Perhaps it was the first time they had done the presentation but I know of no one present in the room who was impressed with their offer and no one since who has even considered it as an option.

Their presentation was very much focused on the fact that candidates WILL end up working for Mytravel and even dared to talk at length about staff pay and what it is like working for Mytravel!.... so we asked:

"Are we guaranteed a job with Mytravel on successful completion?"
"eer.. No." (Obviously)

Following on from this question, someone asked if they had any facts and figures on likely placement numbers. I can’t remember the exact answer but it was something like - it was the first time they were running the course, so they had no idea how successful the placement record would be or the likely numbers of FOs Mytravel will need in the future.

"Where will line training take place?"
Ans - Don't know. Could be anywhere. Also might change from flight to flight.

"How long will line training take?"
Ans - Don't know.

"Why are you so much more expensive than other type rating operators?"
Ans - Blah, Blah, Blah... "Because we offer a far more stringent testing procedure." (??????)

"So, why should we choose you over GECAT or others?"
Ans - a short silence, followed by blah, blah, blah, we think our course is great... management speak, then a bit about how fantastic Mytravel is. (Completely unconvincing answer.)

At the end of the presentation the CE of our school got up to say a few words and even he (sensing the mood of the audience) basically apologised for wasting our time!

No one asked any questions about how to apply, course dates etc… in fact the whole thing was laughable.

Good for you if you’ve decided it is the course for you; I honestly wish all wannabes every success, i know how difficult the road ahead looks.

As for myself and my colleagues, some have now decided to go with other type rating providers (with proven track records and 300hrs line training) and the rest of us are in the recruitment process only for airlines that provide type ratings.

[SinBin]

Here's a dilemma. GECAT or Alteon/My Travel. I am going to have to go with the former as it's a more trusted and proven route. Having just been accepted onto the GECAT Pilot Program, and it's cheaper and they help get your foot in the door with an airline, I have to do what is best for me. Yes I know I'm paying for the type, but I think it is worth it as I won't be bonded to an airline on a ****e salary and will probably get an interview orchestrated from GECAT.

+ Not sure I trust Sigmar in finding a job at the end of their scheme. My gut feeling now is that after the 150 hours on type with MYT, you would be left on your own, and back at square 1 sending out the CVs and not even getting a snifter of a reply or even a PFO letter.

[OBK!]

nuclear weapon...

MYT are hardly making money out of this scheme. True they've saving on a first officers salary (well really, you'd be a second officer). MYT are purely the airline picked by Sigmar to give quality training as they have very many experienced line trainers.

Also, MYT are limited to how many in experienced pilots are allowed to be in the airline, as are many.

[mikehammer]

Sin Bin

May I offer you support in what appears to be a sea of antagonism? You have clearly thought through your decision which is made for the harshest economic and sound reasons. Good luck with whichever course you finally decide on, and I look forward to reading your diary with interest.

It's horses for courses, and an option not available to all, but if you have decided to go down the type rating route, having weighed up all the options available to YOU and NOW then who's fit to criticise?