Originally Posted by
Ottolillienthal
Like you, all types. Mostly very sharp folks. But sometimes in just discussing the industry and the profession, I get the weirdest comments from former interns. I just get the impression that their dues paying process was much shorter than those who were out there busting their humps. The FO's I fly with are all very-very sharp. Most have had significant time in the regionals and have great weather and instrument experience, and their procedures are very sound.
It's more of a subtle nuance that I notice that while an applicant thinks they are getting a leg up on the competition by getting an internship, they may be short changing their actual pilot education in terms of experience. With quick upgrade times it may be wiser for the company to focus on experience in the future. I am sure the internship program has its merits.
A good discussion. However, it should be noted that a discussion about experience, former interns, and whether they have short changed their aviation education includes Scott. When it really really counted, he made a split second decision and the only call that kept a plane load of people alive and probably saved United Airlines based on its tenuous financial state at the time.
The discussion about knowledge vs experience is as old as aviation. There are some great pilots who are relatively low timers and some horrible pilots who have been here 30 years. There are incredible aviators coming out of the military, and some from the same branch who really struggle to see "the big picture". I've given IOE to former regional check airman who I didn't think I was going to be able to pass, and flown with some brand new pilots who water my eyes every time they touch the stick.
As the "pilot shortage" grows, airlines large and small are going to have to get smarter about how to find and hire pilots who have more going for them than a big number in the "total flight hours" column.