Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
All the while grown up and experienced pilots sit on the sidelines. There is no pilot shortage only a shortage of people foolish enough to do it for the compensation offered. High school kids however will do almost anything to escape college and McDonald's. Brace yourself for the next generation.
Skyhigh
Holy crap Sir, you just described PERFECTLY what is going on with a certain flight school, in a certain branch of the military. Prior experience excluded, the active side of the house is recrtuiting kids out of high school to be combat helo pilots. The selection rate is good too.
Short story...I was in the elevator headed to class on base when in walks this kid, no mroe than 20 who was sporting wings and a flight jacket. I asked him what he flew, he told me, and I asked "Sir, no disrespect, I am sure you get this all the time, but do yuor parents know that you are flying a combat airframe?" He laughed, said he did in fact get that alot and he had just gotten off the phone with his mom.
We were in the same astro-physics class. I got a better grade than he did.
Indeed be prepared for the next generation, but don't dog on them until you know them. There are a still a few good apples out there who were raised right and have a decent work ethic. VERY FEW, but they are out there.