While supply and demand has this industry in a chokehold, the problem is that people still need a few things to get to a right seat interview. You need MONEY, and a good bit of it- you need instructors to teach those students, Where are they? O wait, RIGHT SEAT JOBS! You also need the time to go from ads and ideas of $250K a year airline jobs to a CMEL- which is 6months even at the fastest pilot pump (ATP or equivalent). So there are a few HUGE issues that keep this industry in a lurch. There is a definate problem with management running the train on the pilot groups. I have friends that are sitting at 600/100 or better and they cannot get interviews because all these regionals (including mine
) are booked solid with ATP, RAA, etc. b/c of the nice kickback they get for actually hiring the guys. It would be my hope (for previous reasons stated) that I think the FAA should have 121 SIC mins. i wouldnt make them too restrictive- say 500TT, 250PIC, 50night,25act, 75xc, but enough to make these academies have to at least employ the applicants as instructors. The shame of it is that the industry will have to see a safety issue in order for this to happen- look at the FAA's past, the vast majority of regs and limitations comes from the deaths of aviators and civilians (as sad as it is
). However you cut the mustard there is a shortage in supply, and a constant reminder (with each airplane order) that more pilots are needed. Pay /benefits/ and overall QOL need to be improved to keep this industry a good one. The current path is not one that promotes a good career in terms beyond a W-2. Days off, scheduling's ability to jerk the chain, retirement, and health care benefits are huge items that need to be addressed. As much as everyone plans to go on to a major carrier, many will find a happy median and comfortable spot at a regional and stay there- that fact should not be met with the realization that all you worked for has just left you alone, in debt, and unhappy in life. The days of $79.99 round trip tickets needs to end- sure its great, but I am willing to bet a hell of alot more than $79.99 on the fact that if this industry continues and we have 23 year old 1500 hour captains, and 21 year old 250 hour first officers something will happen to some innocent people. Would you pay a few dollars more to know the guys up front are more experienced and enjoy coming to work- aka they "care"? Would you want your family to be on a plane with a 1500 captain and a 250 hour FO? I have nothing against age- I am looking to make captain at 23- but I also expect to have a bit more experience than 1500 hours. I am approaching 1100 now and every flight I learn something, even a couple times I have saved the captain's and my ass from a possible violation. At PCL there was the 3000 hour min to capt- I am a firm believer in that. I have flown with new 3000 hour guys, and even to them some things are still new. ALPA needs to step up and do things not just to keep getting 2% of our dismal paychecks. We need higher standards for both our enjoyment and furthurance in the career, but also for safety. No matter what- safety comes first right? I see it as coming second to a significant crash due to inexperience and corporate greed. Look at the comair crash- I dont call those guys inexperienced, but work rules killed 50 people, and -by all accounts- a great captain and family man and ruined the FO's life- he has to live with the fact that 49 died, why? pilot error? sure, you keep me up all night and I cant blame him. These guys were not reckless, they were following their ALPA contract, but how many people can stay up and operate a $20M piece of machinery after being up all night? I was lucky in college to get the coffee pot to work in the morning after an all nighter! I have "high speeds" at PCL but after the comair crash I make sure I get at least an afternoon nap of a few hours as well as at least a 3 hour nap in the middle of my "continous duty". It is time for ALPA to do something. I have seen no effort on there part- other than inflating a giant rat that to me shows no significance! Ok.. fingers are sore now!