Maybe the DPE has a list of CFIs he's had bad experiences with, like students that aren't ready, and is extra hard on them?
I cant say if this is the case with mine or not. My CFI was the DPE at one time and the rolls have now reversed. When my CFI was the DPE he was offered another opportunity as a professional pilot and was the one who made the recommendation that this DPE (a CFI back then) be the one to replace him. They since have had a close relationship, but he admittedly avoided using him for a DPE for private pilot students.
I do believe my experience would have been different if my CFI had sat in with me because we did a pre-meeting with the DPE and he was completely different.
I can only comment on my experience and what has been relayed to me by my CFI, a handful of other DPEs in the area and students. I wont mention names regarding this either.
My intent was to relay the fact that I had busted, and to check that my experience wasnt "normal". It has been confirmed, as I suspected, as not the usual.
The largest amount of things that were of concern happened during/immediately after the oral. I left so frustrated that I talked with several others (two DPE, a three CFIs I know) in the area in a much less detailed manner, without names, and in broad general terms. A couple of them guessed who it was what I described (not location).
It was evident to me that something had gotten back to him and I knew I would have busted regardless of performance. There are others on here who have contacted me privately who have had similar experiences, other who had decent experiences.
I can personally say that I will have no further business with the individual of any kind, personal or professional, and I when I meet other students I will advise them of the same. The more I read about what should have happened vs what did, the more I see how far off it was regardless of my own performance. It was also entirely inconsistent with how he said it would go.
The positive to this is that two not-so-local examiners have reached out to me and offered to do a check ride for me, for virtually next to no cost. I just arrived in Colorado and have an appointment locally to meet with someone about potentially doing some refresher training, altitude flying, and a check ride here. Otherwise there are a few who are quite happy to fly with me when I get home.
All that being said, I encourage everyone to get their own experience. If you want my opinion, I'm happy to share it (and have here), but I encourage anyone to take a broad sample. If someone was in my area and considering it, I would suggest making your own calls to CFIs in the area, calling other students and pilots, etc. I have a hunch what the the general view will be based on my calls alone. But when you walk in from your checkride with your CFI and 3 or 4 other pilots waiting, you start to explain and they all talk about how he "went hyper" on me, because that side is well known, it's a sign.
EDIT: cut some sarcastic remarks about the actual post-check ride "advice"
Yelling hasn't bothered me much ever since.
