Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
Low time pilots have always been hired. There is no direct correlation between low time pilots and accidents. The military hires pilots with Zero time and within a year and a few hundred hours they are fighter pilots. Europe and in other parts of the world they commonly hire low time pilots. At different times in our airlines history low time pilots have been hired to no ill aftermath.
The failure here was in the certification process at the airlines. It is very difficult for an airline to get rid of a bad pilot. Political correctness, the union and fear of a lawsuit keep pilots in the job long after they should have been let go.
There are thousands of pilots crossing the country right now with as little as a 3 month cram course academy flight training program and king tape education. We do not have planes raining down out of the sky all over the nation. It is not a question of training or experience.
Skyhigh
If you are referring to 3407, the union had only just been voted in. Since the crash, we have probably had MORE pilots fired for cause than prior to the union. (I am neither defending nor attacking the dismissals, only refuting your statement.)
There are thousands of drunks driving tonight who WON'T get in an accident. That does not mean we should allow drunks to drive. As one who came to the regionals with ten times the "minimums" flying Caravans and piston twins, I was (and still am) learning almost every day. The notion that experience has no value is just plane wrong. Take Brett Favre, now he is a great QB, but look back at his time with the Falcons: same guy today, but with a lot more gray hairs.