Originally Posted by gettinbumped

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.