In the case of Luftansia and Air China Ab Initio programs, each airline pre-screens and test applicants BEFORE training starts. Then the company takes the pre-screened applicant from zero time to about 400 hours flight time (and hundreds more of ground instruction) that follows a very stringent and airline specific training profile.

From what I'm seeing in the current US regional airline hiring practices there are absolutely no parallels to established ab-initio programs. While I think many people understand ab-initio exists, I'm missing your point.

I'd agree that the traveling public is focused on ticket prices and leaflets won't do much, although what are YOU focused on? Do you really think that taking a 250 hour cessna pilot and throwing them into a jet in a high traffic 121 environment is the safest operation?

No doubt that this supply and demand curve is a wonderful opportunity for low-time pilots who want to pursue poverty level wages. I do think you'll see a lot of regional captains flying "single pilot" on many flights. No offense to the new guys - they just don't have the experience under current training rules to effectively do the job outside of normal ops. I'm certain that many new pilots are sharp, they just lack experience.

As working line pilots, how can we collectively balance the demands of inexperienced (albeit enthusiastic) new pilots with airlines who don't want to spend a penny more than required AND keep the operation safe?