Originally Posted by
CBreezy
I don't think that was the place for that argument. No one one the panel really wanted to hear a union/company bickering. Plus, since they were IBT, he really didn't have the business commenting on their union negotiations and Bedford knew that.
Unfortunately, Bedford does have a leg to stand on in that all "experience" in terms of time is not created equal. He has a point that, in this mythical world where military pilots are getting out with 400 hours, they aren't qualified to be a regional FO. That is ridiculous. There is also a problem saying that a ERAU 1000 hour applicant is more qualified than a non-college graduate with 1500 hours--or even a ERAU graduate who did his Private-Commercial in high school and now has to wait until 1500.
The idea that these military guys are turned loose at 3 or 400 hundred hours is laughable. After they get their wings, military pilots still have to go through equipment training on type and specific training for their community, during which they are closely monitored, and have 600-800 hours by the time they get to a squadron and are completely finished with training. And guess what? The requirement for pilots with military training is 750 hours which is what these pilots should have when they are completely finished with their training pipeline. The only ones that won't are the pilots that wash out, which according to Bedford don't meet Republic's "high standards" LOL.
The fact that Lee Moak, a former military pilot, sat there like a potted plant and let Bedford make these ridiculous statements tells you where ALPA stands in regard to regional airlines. They don't care. Once again it appears airline management is going to run rings around ALPA and allow them to get the one thing (new hiring requirements) that has given pilots real leverage to get wages increased repealed.
But hey, we're all over this Norwegian thing though......