Help with upcoming Regional Express Cadet pilot Interview
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So, Wesky...
Quote:
expected time to command time - 2 years
You got told this in January 2008. It is now May 2009. Command should only be 8 months away now....
Quote:
expected time to command time - 2 years
You got told this in January 2008. It is now May 2009. Command should only be 8 months away now....
I never signed up to the deal
As a side note, I've been in contact with a couple of the 'cadets'... boy am I glad i'm not one of them!
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Pray tell.
Dear Wesky,
now that you've got all of us sniffing for blood, could you please share with us, for the greater good of all thinking about the 'cadetship', why you're glad that you did'nt take the leap of faith?
thanks
now that you've got all of us sniffing for blood, could you please share with us, for the greater good of all thinking about the 'cadetship', why you're glad that you did'nt take the leap of faith?
thanks
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Hi all, i Have been silently reading this forum for sometime now but have never posted anything up untill now. I along with many people have some interest in the Rex cadet program. about 6 months ago i applied for it, did the wombats test, got an interview and a few weeks later got offered a spot in the program.
I also had many concerns with how it was possible to make capitan etc. and after many nights of no sleep i eventualy decided not to sign the contract and i declinded their offer. I am 21 yrs old now and am just about to graduate From uni with a bach of bussiness.I have some flying logged, about 50hours of flight time. And am having 2-3 lessons a week currently.
Anyway i Just wanted to tell everyone in particular krusty and a few others that you helped me make the decison, You raised some serious questions when i was very confused which when forwarding onto the rex group they could not answer to my satisafaction. After doing alot! of research about the program since i turned it down i still feel like i have done the right thing and so do many very informed people i have spoke too.
Now i have my degree and im getting my hours up and studying really hard.(And absolutlely living it)with alot of hard work and abit of luck hopefully it will all work out and i look back in 5 years and will be glad im still not locked into that very dodgey contract with rex.
P.s Wesky im also very interested on what you have heard and why you are now glad you didnt take up the job?
I also had many concerns with how it was possible to make capitan etc. and after many nights of no sleep i eventualy decided not to sign the contract and i declinded their offer. I am 21 yrs old now and am just about to graduate From uni with a bach of bussiness.I have some flying logged, about 50hours of flight time. And am having 2-3 lessons a week currently.
Anyway i Just wanted to tell everyone in particular krusty and a few others that you helped me make the decison, You raised some serious questions when i was very confused which when forwarding onto the rex group they could not answer to my satisafaction. After doing alot! of research about the program since i turned it down i still feel like i have done the right thing and so do many very informed people i have spoke too.
Now i have my degree and im getting my hours up and studying really hard.(And absolutlely living it)with alot of hard work and abit of luck hopefully it will all work out and i look back in 5 years and will be glad im still not locked into that very dodgey contract with rex.
P.s Wesky im also very interested on what you have heard and why you are now glad you didnt take up the job?
'raufo16' that's a nice human interest story there, well done.
I hope you can take that hard learnt advice from the many in here whom are in the know & make more good decisions along the way to hopefully a life long career in aviation. Come back here in say 30 yrs time (Krusty & I & many others older in here will be drooling at some airfield fence line by then) & tell all how a decsion for you like this one payed off
Wmk2
I hope you can take that hard learnt advice from the many in here whom are in the know & make more good decisions along the way to hopefully a life long career in aviation. Come back here in say 30 yrs time (Krusty & I & many others older in here will be drooling at some airfield fence line by then) & tell all how a decsion for you like this one payed off
Wmk2
The important thing is that you made an informed decision. Not necessarily because of what others here have said, but because you asked the questions that needed to be asked. You thought carefully about the answers, and when they didn't add up, you made the appropriate choice. Well done!
As far as the REX cadetship goes, there are many as yet unanswered questions regarding career progression. Anyone who invests that kind of money and commitment without being 100% positive of where it is heading, is probably not quite facing the reality of the situation, or at best is engageing in wishfull thinking. Ironically most of us have headed down a similar path at some stage or another in the pursuit of our careers! There are certainly no garantees with the "traditional" route either, so I guess who can blame any Cadet for taking the punt?
But remember this, REX are currently overstaffed with First Officers. The number at present is approx 30 and will grow even more with each intake. If REX lose even a modest amount of captains or the few remaining upgradeable F/O's to the major airlines, the situation will become critical. If they lose anywhere near the number they lost 2 years ago, the situation will be disasterous! REX management have painted themselves into corner with this one, and I can tell you it's keeping them up at night. Like a cornered animal, their final solution to the problem may be unpredictable. Cadets will just have to trust those pulling the strings won't decide to end their career's before they start! Have a good look at the "contract" before you sign?
Personally, I trust them about as far as I could throw them!
As far as the REX cadetship goes, there are many as yet unanswered questions regarding career progression. Anyone who invests that kind of money and commitment without being 100% positive of where it is heading, is probably not quite facing the reality of the situation, or at best is engageing in wishfull thinking. Ironically most of us have headed down a similar path at some stage or another in the pursuit of our careers! There are certainly no garantees with the "traditional" route either, so I guess who can blame any Cadet for taking the punt?
But remember this, REX are currently overstaffed with First Officers. The number at present is approx 30 and will grow even more with each intake. If REX lose even a modest amount of captains or the few remaining upgradeable F/O's to the major airlines, the situation will become critical. If they lose anywhere near the number they lost 2 years ago, the situation will be disasterous! REX management have painted themselves into corner with this one, and I can tell you it's keeping them up at night. Like a cornered animal, their final solution to the problem may be unpredictable. Cadets will just have to trust those pulling the strings won't decide to end their career's before they start! Have a good look at the "contract" before you sign?
Personally, I trust them about as far as I could throw them!
Last edited by KRUSTY 34; 20th Sep 2009 at 14:35.
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Hey Krusty,
Now i know you have most likely explained this before and are probaly sick of talking about it. But as you all ready know i had the chance to be a rex cadet, and turned it down. Now there are many questions to be answered in regards to the cadetship, which we all know about. But the main problem i had with it was the uncertainty of being able to make captain during your time employed with Rex. I now have a freind of mine who was talking about joining the program and i was trying to explain to him this problem but im not very good at explaing it because i dont know all the laws and requirements very well like im shore you do. If its ok could you please explain to me in a basic way why you dont think it is possible to progress to this point? it would be greatly appreciated. ta..
Now i know you have most likely explained this before and are probaly sick of talking about it. But as you all ready know i had the chance to be a rex cadet, and turned it down. Now there are many questions to be answered in regards to the cadetship, which we all know about. But the main problem i had with it was the uncertainty of being able to make captain during your time employed with Rex. I now have a freind of mine who was talking about joining the program and i was trying to explain to him this problem but im not very good at explaing it because i dont know all the laws and requirements very well like im shore you do. If its ok could you please explain to me in a basic way why you dont think it is possible to progress to this point? it would be greatly appreciated. ta..
To hold a command of a Rex SF340 which is a Low Capacity RPT aircraft over 5700kg you need a few things-
1. ATPL
2. 500 hours Multi engine command or ICUS (In command under supervision).
The second one is the problem, as you will not have even 1hr multi engine command with the cadetship. Bearing in mind even doing a command multi engine instrument rating- the training is all dual and does not count at all to that 500hr requirement.
So you need command hours to hold a command position, but you don't get any command hours in rex, and its doubtful if the company would be keen to put a Training captain in the RHS to get you all those hours.
As much as rex will tell you they are trying to get the rules changed- it will not happen IMO as the current buzz around the industry is how to get MORE experienced pilots into regionals, rather than LESS.
If your friend tries to use Qantas pilots as an example of cadets holding commands, that is completely different as they operate under a High Capacity AOC. Different rules.
1. ATPL
2. 500 hours Multi engine command or ICUS (In command under supervision).
The second one is the problem, as you will not have even 1hr multi engine command with the cadetship. Bearing in mind even doing a command multi engine instrument rating- the training is all dual and does not count at all to that 500hr requirement.
So you need command hours to hold a command position, but you don't get any command hours in rex, and its doubtful if the company would be keen to put a Training captain in the RHS to get you all those hours.
As much as rex will tell you they are trying to get the rules changed- it will not happen IMO as the current buzz around the industry is how to get MORE experienced pilots into regionals, rather than LESS.
If your friend tries to use Qantas pilots as an example of cadets holding commands, that is completely different as they operate under a High Capacity AOC. Different rules.
Spot on Chadzat. The only way REX can provide ICUS is with a candidate sitting in the left seat, and a qualified Check and/or Training Captain in the right. Huge tie up of resources!
Sorry for the belated reply raufo16, but I will go a step further. The ATPL is also a problem for Cadets with no previous flying experience. To hold a Class 1 ATPL the candidate requires a min of 100 hours command. It doesn't have to be multi, but it has to be command, no ICUS. The REX Cadet program I do believe only provides around 70 hours Command. Now 30 hours may not seem much, but try affording that on your own time whilst making $42K P/A.
I've heard that REX may include the extra 30 hours (at a price) in the cadet program. That may help with the ATPL, but then there's the 500 hours Multi-Command!
Either way it's a gamble. In 6 years time, because that's how long it will take before you reach the minimum hour requirement for command, things may have changed.
Then again, they may not!
Sorry for the belated reply raufo16, but I will go a step further. The ATPL is also a problem for Cadets with no previous flying experience. To hold a Class 1 ATPL the candidate requires a min of 100 hours command. It doesn't have to be multi, but it has to be command, no ICUS. The REX Cadet program I do believe only provides around 70 hours Command. Now 30 hours may not seem much, but try affording that on your own time whilst making $42K P/A.
I've heard that REX may include the extra 30 hours (at a price) in the cadet program. That may help with the ATPL, but then there's the 500 hours Multi-Command!
Either way it's a gamble. In 6 years time, because that's how long it will take before you reach the minimum hour requirement for command, things may have changed.
Then again, they may not!
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Notwithstanding the req's for a command at REX, I believe they would be derelict in their duties by putting soemone in the left seat who has only had a few years exprience in the industry.
And, has only been subject to an insulted way of doing things..
And, has only been subject to an insulted way of doing things..
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Is the Cadetship some sort of prison camp, where you get to pay $80,000 for staying there. Just reading the FAQ's for the cadetship and it says you are not allowed to leave during the week and on some weekends. Who are they targeting, 12 year olds or something. Treat people like children, and they just might act like them. This offer looks insane to me.
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that's what happens when the head of check and training is a complete physcopath.
he even had his ground instructors throwing people out of class on ground schools when they did something he didn't like. i,e forgetting to turn your phone and it rings....get out!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw it first hand!! I thought they were going to make you do lines after class!
amature hour to say the least...
he even had his ground instructors throwing people out of class on ground schools when they did something he didn't like. i,e forgetting to turn your phone and it rings....get out!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw it first hand!! I thought they were going to make you do lines after class!
amature hour to say the least...
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Thanks to all who replyed so quickly! As i mentioned before it really was appreciated. That clears things up nicely and makes it alot easier for me to explain. Im still happy with my decision, The idea of short term glory straight into an airline is so tempting as im shore you can understand,but im shore in the long one it wouldnt be worth it.
Just in case anyone was interested. I actualy drove over to Wagga last Sunday as there was an airshow at the RAAF Base, And the rex cadets had a little tent sent up. I went up and asked them how it was all going an some didnt really reply, then one guy said it was ok. There was only 7 or 8 of them there so i asked if that was it? He said that all that was still in that class, meaning 3 people have left recently after they dropped 5 grand which they dont get back for 5 weeks of being there. I also was chatting to a family friend who had a close member of his family finish the course early this year, And after finishing they didnt have any spots for him so they have forced him to take leave and he is just sitting around waiting to be offered a spot. I think thats so unfair and feel so sorry for him.. anyways thanks again for clearing that up for me.
Just in case anyone was interested. I actualy drove over to Wagga last Sunday as there was an airshow at the RAAF Base, And the rex cadets had a little tent sent up. I went up and asked them how it was all going an some didnt really reply, then one guy said it was ok. There was only 7 or 8 of them there so i asked if that was it? He said that all that was still in that class, meaning 3 people have left recently after they dropped 5 grand which they dont get back for 5 weeks of being there. I also was chatting to a family friend who had a close member of his family finish the course early this year, And after finishing they didnt have any spots for him so they have forced him to take leave and he is just sitting around waiting to be offered a spot. I think thats so unfair and feel so sorry for him.. anyways thanks again for clearing that up for me.
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How is it that this airline won Regional Airline of the year award? They have treated people like crap for years, they seem to be treating cadets like crap. I don't get it!
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Well spotted "FONZ121". Im usually abit of a perfectionist when it comes to my grammar. After posting that last reply, i thought to my self someone will shorely comment on that poor attempt . There was plenty of errors.Thanks for the tip though..
. There was plenty of errors.Thanks for the tip though..