Originally Posted by
CaptainNameless
The MCL will (most likely) never happen at any regional. Are you aware how little training an MCL has? Something like 60 flight hours in a piston single and 200 hours in a simulator. These most junior crew members should not even really be called pilots at the MCL level. If the captain becomes incapacitated enroute, there has to be a competent pilot remaining to land the airplane safely. So if you operate a 2 man crew, a real pilot (#3) would still be needed on board somewhere to step in. An MCL apprentice would never be allowed to be the crew of last resort.
Ummmm, yes I am aware of how little training the MCL entails. And management is also very much aware. That is why I am raising the warning. Not sure how far things will go in Congress and the FAA, but managment is definitely lobbying for the cheapest way to get butts in seats. Which I understand controlling costs, but management is so far out to lunch on pilot seasoning it is scary! Oh, and I'm tired of feeling bad for their short sighted, reactive not proactive management style. Boo boo.
My objective isn't about bickering with people on some anonymous forum, but becoming aware and reaching out to congress, representatives, industry, pilot periodicals, etc with what is really happening.