Originally Posted by
Kilroy
Back in the 70's I would agree with you. However, since the regional boom and the two catastrophic events, 911 and the age 65 rule, there are extremely qualified applicants who fly in the airline system and has proven to be worthy to sit in a main line aircraft. Just because one is a pilot in the military does not make him more qualified then a regional pilot. It's just a different type of flying. I bet you could take the majority of regional pilots and train them in a f16 or whatever aircraft just as easy as a military pilot is trained in a 121 style flying. In fact most military pilots come out of service with less hours than a regional pilot flying for the same amount of years. When it comes down to it the regional pilot is more experienced than the military when it comes to 121. If you were going in the military type flying then the military pilot is more qualified. I will agree that management, non pilots, are conditioned to think the same as you when it comes to military but the fact is the regional pilot is more qualified.
I don't think he is stating that rj pilots are inferior, that is why they are not being picked first. For the airlines it is probably easiest with their big pool of applicants to apply a filter and that first one,which is highly respected, is military pilots. The pool of rj pilots is huge and most of them will look very similar on paper. It will be the hardest for them to differentiate, and therefore be the later of the hires after the pool of highly qualified mil pilots are taken. It is petty for one to compare oneself against someone who put their country before them and their career. Everyone is going to have a shot. It just may take more time for others to be eligible for the interview. Don't forget that the eagle flows will comprise a certain portion of each new hire class and therefore yield a decent ratio of mil to civilian break-up in the classes. I am anxious as well having been in the business for over a decade and awaiting my opportunity. Don't let certain attitudes get to you. You are better off preparing for your chance and getting the job when your number is pulled.