APM145

Let me be clear, I dont fault an unexperienced teen or low time pilot that doesnt know anything about the airlines for doing this. They want to be professionals like us but dont know that Being an "intern" pilot may not be as safe for passengers, crew, or persons on the ground.

Saab, I agree there is an issue if a pilot feels they need to pay the employer to keep the flying job. Paying for thraining while almost non exsistant in todays US airlines had a history of straining pilots pockets in the late 1990's when the majors still flew the BAE 146, F100, B717, and DC9-10 at the mainline. There were more jobs and the pay was dramatically different. The experience level of pilots was also different. Continental Express would waive the Pay for training if a pilot had over 2500 hours (I think thats what it was). but most airlines wanted 1000-1500 hours as a minimum. Not to say there werent execptions but that was the avg.

Now we have almost 2400 ALPA pilots on furlough, almost that same amount are furloughed from the Teamster, APA, Independant unions, and we still see the "shortage" of pilots sold to our next generation of pilots.

Little more than a decade ago we saw the mainline flying much of the routes now about 50% of all flights are Regional flights. The idea of staying a a regional for a year or two is not relevent in todays world...

Please lets your friends know how this industry has changed. Regional pilots tasked with the same responsibility as their mainline bothers and sisters, Moving people safely through the sky...

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