Originally Posted by
globalexpress
And this is the problem the FAA really needs to address with the regional airlines. Regional airline training is designed around the pilot applicant that they USED to attract- a high time, highly experienced pilot. Since the regional airlines are completely unwilling to pay the salaries that will attract a high time, highly experienced pilot, they need to significantly change their training program to reflect that fact. Of course, the regional airlines will not willingly change their training programs in any meaningful way, so they need to be FORCED to do so.
I agree in concept with most of what you've said, except for the forced part.
I believe that the intent of FAA requirements is to set a
minimum/baseline standard to be followed by the airlines. In years gone by, most airlines would meet and exceed the minimum requirements for training because that was the right thing to do. However, nowadays cost has over-ridden many former good practices.
I believe the airlines have been able to get away with this for a long time now, because, as you said, “they USED to attract a high-time, highly experienced pilot”. The airlines have brought this on themselves. The poor treatment and low pay have constricted the pipeline that used to produce more experienced and higher caliber new-hires. The smart airlines will adapt and modify/augment their training programs if they are to keep their airplanes flying. Those that don’t change deserve to stop flying.