Originally Posted by
UpAndAway
What's your solution, then, other than proclaiming your goal is to make people's lives miserable simply because they don't want to endure the same lifestyle that pilots complain about on these very forums? Feelings are definitely not hurt, but five minutes and an internet connection is all it takes to realize the current model is broken.
Also, which you seem to ignore, how do Regional pilots get by every day? Why does this not apply to Regional FO's? How are they managing on the same experience? You just give them a pass because that's the way it is? Are the lives in the back of the plane not as important on a Regional flight?
So, I can instruct people to fly around in familiar airspace and buzz around the pattern in a 172 until 1,500 hours, then that's okay for me to start as a FO at a Regional? That's all I have to do?
Regarding European airlines, the difference is pay. Many of their ab-initio programs are sponsored, too. Airlines like British Airways pay back the entire cost of training for graduates of their ab-initio program who stay with the airline. That's a great incentive and last time I checked BA flights weren't dropping out of the sky.
Solution to what? You keep saying something is broken. The only thing that is not right is the pay at the regionals for FOs but as we hire EXPERIENCED pilots those regional FOs move to the left seat. Left seat pay at some are pretty decent. Not MAJOR pay but decent. Why should you skip that over those guys with experience? You keep saying I'm ignoring something but I'm not. The experience you gain as a regional FO is important. I don't think you want to hear that. You keep saying you get the same experience at the majors. No you should have that experience BEFORE YOU GET HERE. You are putting down every regional pilot by saying you can get the same experience flying for a major after flying a 172. You have no idea what experience you get with a regional. The system isn't broken it's the pay for regional FOs that need to go up. This program needs to be shut down and it will.