B-737NG line-training. Legitimate or scam?

[humilitypilot]

Is the MSD Aviation B-737NG co-pilot line-training program in Dhaka, Bangladesh legitimate or a 55,000euro scam? This is the main question. If legitimate, could any of the pilots flying presently in this 500hour line-training program kindly say how it is going from the beginning to present in terms of the training quality aspect or sad lack of training by line-training captains, cost of the program if it can be negotiated with MSD, cost of living in India in terms of rent, car or scooter and living expenses, can the cost of the program be paid on the first day when in the classroom of the airline when beginning training as is done in European based line-training programs? I would like to see the cost for getting someone these positions being deducted from the pilot's monthly salary instead of large sums being paid prior to starting. With a "letter of intent" which is not a contract, money paid into a foreign bank other than India, no guarantee concerning anything in this program, it is frightful with someones life savings and bank loan.55,000euros is a very very large sum of money; some people never see this kind of money in a lifetime.I am hopeful in getting coherent, truthful responses in any language preferably fluent english that may enlighten and benefit everyone. Thank you.

[pakythepilot]

Nothing can be negotiated in this program. If you are willing to fly those 500hrs you have to pay what they ask and you are officially one of their slave-worker. Also be careful that you will strictly follow their terms and conditions because in case you won't, they are ready to put you off from the program and obviously no money back. These programmes are too much risky and I am still wondering why people even consider to enroll in programmes such this one. Don't know maybe they have money so they don't care to share with a bit of indian brokers. As I can see you are from US, a country where you can work your way towards a jet seat without wasting a large amount of money. I know it is gonna be hard and full of sacrifices but it is still better and rewarding than risking to have a negative bank balance of 55000 euros.

[galwaypilot]

You're a complete :mad: if you pay for 500hrs. Bloody joke

[JB007]

Even if it's legitimate, why? why? why?...It's exactly what's degrading yours and everyone else's future...:ugh:

Anyone else in the USA considering moving to Bangladesh to pay to be an airline pilot?!? No, exactly...so step away...:mad:

[spaceshipone]

I thought all those 737/A320 heavy jet "line training" programs were not available to US-FAA ticket holders?

Obviously there is a big risk like those you pointed out. But, maybe if you do it you could land a job in Asia or somewhere on the 737 or A320 because of the time in type requirement which would make the steep price justifiable assuming you also can get your ATP. Maybe if you start the program with 1000 hours or so and get the 500 hours 737 and ATP at the end of it it could open up some opportunities?

Maybe the more reasonable thing would be to just stay in the US, CFI or use the money you were gonna spend on the line training to buy 152 and split the time with someone? Apply to Air Cargo Carriers on the SD360, Cape Air, Great Lakes, Key Lime or go Climbto350 and apply to all low time F/O jobs you can find? Then go for the US regionals? The risk in this is that you could spend 5 - 10 years doing all this for super low pay and possibly never landing a high paying job on a heavy jet?

In any case though, I thought they tightened the restrictions on all of this and won't even allow US-FAA ticket holders to do these 737/A320 heavy jet line training programs? Don't you need EASA tickets to do this now? And it's not like you can just sign up and do this, you actually have to do tests and interview for the privilege of paying money for the line training "job".

[Stage5]

Humility pilot,

Please do some homework on Part FCL requirements for a 737 TR, or any TR for that matter.
Will your licensing authority recognise these logged hours in Bangladesh? Will you have to convert your licence in order to operate on the intended airline's AOC in their territory? Will the TR be recognised elsewhere?
Email the likes of CAE oxford who are listed as training partners, have they ever heard of them?
Even if it is legit, you pay and sign, and you will not see that money ever again even if the TR and hours become utterly useless too you.

Does 55,000 Euros even remotely sound like a 'good deal' to operate in a third world country and give MSG and them (the airline) free labour? It doesn't even sound like 55,000 Zimbabwean Dollars worth of value. The Bangladeshi labourers of the Middle East will be better off than you by the looks of things.

But at least you could pick up some nice pearls at a good price in Dhaka.

I know pprune tends to be a very bitter place where every dream is put on a downer, but really this does have warning bells about it.

[McBruce]

Also be aware that having those hours for a pay to fly scheme may look badly on your cv when you apply for a credible job. Your 500hrs for 55k is nothing compared to a RYR/Norwegian 737 FO looking to join another airline with credible hours.

Your best bet is to join the pain game like everyone of us and keep trying for a job, eventually you will land on your feet. Use some of that money for an instructors rating in the meantime.

[sandboxpilot180]

Did anybody go for this program?

If so, any luck? And how is the flying?

[turbopropulsion]

General consensus was that OP's idea was a no go!!

[humilitypilot]

Hello pilots,

I found out it is a scam! Several pilots were scamed as they showed up at the airlines however the airlines were not aware that they did not ask the paying to fly pilots to come to their airline at all. It would seem that the pilots that were scamed were very embarrassed at losing 55,000Euros that they could not even bring themselves to the forum to talk about it and warn others. MSD Aviation is perpetrating this scam on desperate pilots. I told the scamed pilots to post their experience and lost with MSD Aviation.

[Dufo]

I wish this would happen more often. More these bloody poseurs get scammed, less likely someone will have an idea to try this crap in the future.