Originally Posted by
Mobiusixi
Also accepted into this program. I am not trolling, what would be the point?
My confusion lies with the, "You didn't spend 10 years at a regional, so you won't have the experience".
In my early days when I was trying to get my private pilots licence right out of high school. I worked as a fueler for United's contractor as I knew it was the best way into the cockpit and talk with pilots. I fueled thousands of United express ERJs and others.
I always imagined at the time these pilots had years of experience but I was surprised early on to learn most of them were put behind the controls of these planes with 250 hours or a hair above.
My point being I suppose, they didn't get replaced with more experienced pilots when the crosswinds we're gusting at 30 knots or when an engine faluire occured.
Why can't I, assuming I pass the course, be the SIC on an E190 at 1500 hours?
The devaluing of pilots may hold true, but the expirence thing throws me for a loop.
Please understand, I'm not at all trying to be a jerk, I'm trying to understand at least this aspect of the aggression towards this program.
Because 1500 hours is 1/3 to 1/4 the starting experience level that currently sits in JetBlue cockpits. We are a major airline, not a training ground for apprentices, and I expect the person to my right to be a fully qualified professional with a few years of decision making under his belt, not a newbie who was flying a Diamond twin last week. If ALPA doesn't manage to squash this expect to be doing a lot of walk arounds and radio calls. You'll be great at moving the gear and flap handles in no time. The 250-hour regional FO phenomenon was an anomaly in our industry which does not need to be extrapolated to the major airline level.