Originally Posted by
colonials13
On the "desperate for pilots" point - is the contract still on the table? Seems they would have better numbers if it wasn't.
Yes the contract is still on the table. Cape air doesn't really need FOs in their 402 operation, but they slap them on EAS routes so it doesn't matter if they FO fills in a seat since Cape Air is profiting regardless if they have a 0% load factor.
However, here's the dichotomy. They need FOs to become Captains. The only pilots that are going to Cape Air with an ATPL is forced retired pilots. A lot of captains that are currently flying were FOs flying on the right seat.
Cape air was tired of seeing FOs leave after they hit 1500 hrs and go off fly shiny jets at the regionals. Flying the 402s in the right seat will make you a better pilot than being a flight instructor. If you don't want to be a captain in the 402, hop over to Guam and be an FO in the ATR.