Originally Posted by flyerfly
There are lots of young guys and girls out there that want to be flying the big tin can more than anything. I think its important that we respect eachother because we are all in the same community. No matter how we get our training shouldn't matter. What matters is quality. There are good students and bad students. Along with that, there are good captains and bad captains. But lets always remember the only enemy here is those SCABS out there flying jets for dirt....their the ones hurting the industry. Not us low time pilots getting hired and working for a reputible airline.
Which scabs are these? I didn't know there were any scab operations in this US at this time?
I agree that quality is what matters, but unfortunately you cannot get quality out of a 300-400 hour PFT program...quality in this business requires dedication, initiative, and experience as a PIC. None of this stuff is rocket science, you don't need a 2 semester class on RJ systems or a type rating...you will get all that in 4-5 weeks at your first airline, assuming you can hack it. Anybody that really needs a 12 month prep session for regional airline new-hire training doesn't belong in this business, period.
A PFTer can sit FO in an RJ for several years and likely never be scared or have to make a tough decision...he has a babysiter after all. When he upgrades, he has no practice with cockpit leadership of handling tough situations.
But I appluad anyone, PFT or otherwise, who holds out for the better airlines. Unfortunately PFT folks will not have as many options, and some PFT programs lead to only one place.