“Let’s go. It’s time.” With this self-admonition, I stood up, glanced in the mirror, straightened my tie and left the hotel room. It was only a quarter to 7, but there was no way I was going to risk being late today. To my surprise, the lobby was already filled with 22 men and women whom I surmised were my new classmates, given their virtually identical “aviation interview” attire. Nobody was chancing it this morning. We rode the shuttle van to the training center in pensive silence, those of us who knew each other exchanging muted pleasantries. You would have thought we were going to a funeral, not the first day of class at one of the world’s largest airlines. It was a big day, and everyone was clearly on edge.
Taking Wing: Training Days
Key Takeaways:
- The article details the author's comprehensive and rigorous new-hire pilot training at a major airline, encompassing orientation, ground school, extensive simulator work, and initial operating experience (IOE).
- Joining a decade after his first airline job, the author navigates adapting to a new aircraft type and corporate culture, emphasizing the constant scrutiny and need to excel during the probation period.
- Despite the demanding nature of the training and evaluation process, the author maintains his deep passion for "hand flying," which is noted by his instructors and captains.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
