Originally Posted by
deadstick35
The thing is that the right seat meat isn’t required. The company really has no reason to fill that position unless it helps them long-term. They’re an expense that only subtracts from the bottom line unless they stay.
I just realized...this is a perfect way to resurrect PFT/PFJ. I’m NOT advocating it, but if there’s no guarantee the SIC will stick around after they hit ATP mins, why should the company take a huge gamble with salary and training costs? However, if the pilot forks over $xxxxx, then works to PIC qualification AND then works as a PIC for 18 months, they get that upfront money returned plus interest. What about that?
It still sucks, but the company doesn’t need SICs who aren’t required by certification or operation. They need PICs.
It is PTF in some ways, with the contract. You are 100% right, they need PIC’s, all they need to do is whip out the checkbook and they will show up. Lots of pilots with 1200hrs out there needing 300hrs more to go 121. Make the pay nice, schedule reasonable and such, people will stick around past 1500hrs. Imagine how bad the piston feeders have it.... that might take its own thread to sort out though.