LTPs can pass the training obviously, because the test is taught to them; can they be a copilot, in many cases sure because they likely have a competent captain with them who can handle the plane alone if needed. My biggest fear is the fact that in the near future the basics learned as a PIC in another job prior to the airlines will be lost on these pilots. The first time they gain any real PIC time is as a Captain of a jet at an airline with no prior history showing the ability to command well. I would rather my family avoid these flights.

There is a fix to this: change the FAA minimums to ATP for FAR121 flying, stop waiving the ATP PIC requirements, and establish a 4 year degree requirement for ATP as well. This will bring the profession back into one that can command a descent wage at all levels, and provide quality applicants to all airlines who are willing to compensate. The other airlines will fail, and we can limit burning excess fuel, polluting the air, and releave the over burdened ATC sytem, as well as command appropriate prices for the airline service provided, and stop flying empty airplanes around. The pilots who love to fly will succeed, and the current airline pilots will be grandfathered in. This is something I want to see ALPA push while aligning the our pilot concerns with that of the traveling public.

All this talk about global warming; Aviation and Aviation Support is a huge polluter of the world that is in many cases unessessary.