Wow! I guess I stirred up a nest of hornets. Been away from the board for a while, out flying a C-150 around in circles. I found that I can count 100 hours of my sim time, so that gets me closer to the majic number. I'm not sure what good its going to do me. Once I get my ATP, I'm still going to be short of the experience requirements almost all jobs require, but I'll be that much closer.

My attitude has evolved a bit. I'm no longer disgusted with the whole industry, just my crappy corner view of it.

I had a tremendous opportunity, took advantage of it and got to fly the DC-8 and 767 for about 400 hours. You all are correct in that as a former PFE, I don't get to count anything over 500 hours of that time toward my pilot experience. I don't expect to. I'm not a 400 hour pilot, I'm a 900 + pilot, just trying to find a way to get someone beside myself to pay for some of that time. I'll keep plugging away at it, while I'm working on the gas pipeline.

My disgust is now focused on the airline (mis) management that furloughed me, then added 70 more above me before adding a merger and ISL on top of that.

I was encouraged by a friend who told me, "Don't let those *******ers win," but I gotta tell you, I kind of like being home.