Additional Training

[BE20 Driver]

I'm fortunate to have a bunch of free time right now. I am trying to think of ways to use my time to my advantage. I'm getting to the point in my career where I should be applying to 705 operators.

Over and above basic qualifications like total time, a current IFR etc., what skills and courses make candidates stand out from the crowd? Is there value in doing some of those online FlightSafety courses? Improve my second language French training? Take an intro to glass cockpit course...?

Any thoughts from the people who are already at an airline or involved in pilot hiring and training?

[TrailerParkBoy]

I've never hired for a 705, but if a company hires you for because you've improved your French or took a course on glass cockpit, I would be very surprised! Get a 737 NG type rating (joking of course). My advice is to keep flying and get experience and while you're doing that, keep applying to bigger and better jobs! Don't feel bad for leaving a job that you have only been with for a few months if it's going to improve your flying career! Just as in life, nice guys finish last!

[Scuba_Steve]

I'm fortunate to have a bunch of free time right now. I am trying to think of ways to use my time to my advantage. I'm getting to the point in my career where I should be applying to 705 operators.

Over and above basic qualifications like total time, a current IFR etc., what skills and courses make candidates stand out from the crowd? Is there value in doing some of those online FlightSafety courses? Improve my second language French training? Take an intro to glass cockpit course...?

Any thoughts from the people who are already at an airline or involved in pilot hiring and training?

Improve your French it'll open a few doors, or start a distance Ed degree......in French perhaps!

[BE20 Driver]

I'd like to think I have the personality and basic skills to get on with an airline. I hope to be hired on those alone. That said, I have the time, I have the resources. I might as well do some courses for personal interest that would benefit me in getting my foot in the door. Look at it as improving my non-flying skill-set.

[dashx]

the personality and basic skills to get on with an airline

All joking aside can you put into more detail what kind of personality and basic skills an airline is looking for? From a pilot (that might also apply to an AME) perspective.........

I say that because my personality and (more than just) basic skills did not work out at JAZZ (or Bombardier).....I never did bother with Air Canada WestJet etc etc.....(BTW I spoke with a Bombardier employee years later and he clued me in on how to handle an inteview with Bombardier HR and I just laughed (I can't lie...)).

Not to worry however it didn't deter my current employer from hiring me........

[scopiton]

BTW I spoke with a Bombardier employee years later and he clued me in on how to handle an inteview with Bombardier HR and I just laughed

can you tell a bit more about that? just curious...

[scopiton]

I'd like to think I have the personality and basic skills to get on with an airline. I hope to be hired on those alone.

well from what i understood from their personnality test - which doesn't tell you what will qualify you - questions try to determine if you have a supple mindset, won't spend your time arguing or trying to make a point at any price, to harass your co workers and if you'll let go your opinions if they may offend your interlocutor.
if you're politically correct and always agree with what you're being said i guess you'll have a good test result or interview.
i can be wrong concerning the above, that's just what i felt during the process.

[single_swine_herder]

BE20 .... wanting to be a "self-improver" is frowned upon in Canadian aviation. After all, to do so separates you from the crowd .... and that's bad for everyone else by making them appear to be lazy, or lacking in motivation. Not unlike the position put forward by union stewards I guess. Do the absolute minimum required to barely stay a day away from being fired and life is wonderful.

For personal improvement, I'd recommend the Dale Carnegie courses, for professional development, do whatever you'd like ... a 737 type rating would be nice, but be prepared for a lot of heat from people saying you're ruining Canadian aviation by stepping ahead of some poor fellow who decided to stop at professional improvement the day he got his bare CPL, then sold his study books. Upgrades are the exclusive responsibility of an employer. The concept that someone might do it because its fun, interesting, and gratifying to learn something new is verboten by the masses, and don't you go getting uppity and putting on airs.

http://dalecarnegie.ca/Default.aspx

[scopiton]

Do the absolute minimum required to barely stay a day away from being fired and life is wonderful.

+1
you don't need more to succeed in aviation.

[BE20 Driver]

I see hypocrisy abounds on these forums. We jump all over the 200 hour wonders to tell them to learn as much as they can about an aircraft, its systems, icing characteristics etc. We tell them to do anything they can to stand out from all of the other 200 hour wonders the puppy mills are churning out. When a guy who is further along the career path says he wants to do some additional learning he is told to do no more than necessary to not get fired. Nice.

I honestly don't know what attitude airlines are looking for. I'm not going to go in and pretend to be someone I am not so I'm stuck with the attitude and qualities I have.

The learning is mostly for me. I have the means, the time and the finances to do some courses over the fall and winter. Why not make good use of my time and learn something that might be of use in my near future? For example, I'm sure at Air Canada, a course in conflict management or labour relations might be useful (or maybe not since Air Canada pilots no longer have any rights). I think they still hire on a points system so I can see learning some basic french would be useful. Yes, a 737 rating would be nice. Apparently it'll get me a winter job at Canjet tomorrow. No questions asked.

Let's say I was aiming for an airline where the qualifications are a little more than a type rating and a heartbeat and competition is much higher. There must be something that would make a guy more desirable. Let's not forget that learning something new can actually be enjoyable as well as challenging. Much better than sitting around and watching reruns of MASH all winter long.

Has anyone done any of the FlightSafety e-learning courses? Are they worthwhile?

[helicopterray]

When a guy who is further along the career path says he wants to do some additional learning he is told to do no more than necessary to not get fired.

That was sarcasm.

[dashx]

just curious

Yes. Yes I can.

Tell them what they want to hear.

There is no correct answer to any of the questions they will ask you.

Here is an example: You are working next to someone and notice he is making mistakes. What do you do?