Originally Posted by
CaptUnderhill
If it's going to raise regional pilot pay then I am all for it, but if its to increase safety then I'm confused. I don't understand why the FO needs to have the same qualifications as the captain. A doctor in his residency can perform surgery with a licensed doctor supervising, once they are out of residency and pass the board exam they are a licensed doctor and make good money. It just seems that this pilot profession requires additional certification without having anything happen to pay. Please clarify if I misunderstood something.
Comparing this career to that of a Physician is both common and deeply flawed. That said, IMO the argument that you are really making is that Captain qualifications should be raised. And they should be, since a 1500 hour ATP is in no position to be in command in a 121 operation.
However the insurance companies have taken care of that. So while it appears that the two seats have the same qualifications, there is in reality a higher bar on the left seat.