Originally Posted by
CBreezy
Because airline pilots are still one of the most truisted professions in the US. When you have one using hyperbole and half truths to try and scare the public into giving us more money, we all come across as money hungry unions and not professionals deserving better wages for the responsibilty. If anything, telling people that even with the 1500 hour rule, there is enough inexperience in the cockpit that it could kill you will result in higher entrance barriers than already exist.
I think the pilot profession reputation has been severely degraded over the past several years. I think that degradation has been intentional on the part of management. It best suits them that we are JUST a labor group. The prestige and professionalism associated with being a pilot needs a revival. I am not sure how to accomplish that but wages and compensation are a start.
1500 hours is a drop in the bucket of experience especially considering the airplanes most of us fly. A 1500 hour pilot in a Kingair is marginal enough, but when you start putting the 1500 hour pilot in a jet, especially a pilot who was flying a C172 last month, it's ludicrous and yes there is a severe safety concern. Fortunately, the majority of regional captains currently operating CRJs / ERJs have several thousand hours and can absorb some of the new FO's inexperience (I'm a new FO by the way).
I think one of the most dangerous types of pilots is the one who does not recognize his limitations. More importantly doesn't vocalize those limitations to the guy / gal sitting next to him. For example, "Hey, Im new. Watch me and make sure I don't f@ck this up". I have generally found the guys I fly with to be receptive to that methodology and it doesn't hurt my pride one bit to admit it. Just my perspective.