Originally Posted by
STLaviator
Well said, FlyJSH. This has been a heated debate for quite some time with Congress passing that bill requiring all Part 121 pilots to have 1,500 hrs of flight experience (effective August 2013 I think?). It's nearly impossible to guarantee the quality of someone's piloting skills simply because the bottom right column in their logbook adds up to a certain number. I could be an amazing pilot with 500 hrs and not make the grade because my time doesn't meet the requirement. On the other hand, I could have 2,500 hrs and not be capable of flying straight and level.
There are exceptions but the 2500 hour pilot is going to do a much better job than the 500 hour pilot. Yes there are exceptions but when you put a 500 hour pilot in the right seat of a regional it burdens the Captain to now have to babby sit and play flight instructor for the entire trip.