Originally Posted by rickair7777

They do that overseas and they get computer programmers who seem to have trouble actually flying an airplane if God-forbid they should ever have to do that. How many airliners have crashed overseas in the last decade? How many here in the US (we account for a disproportionate share of total world-wide flying).

Military comes closest, but their screening is rigorous and their training is unforgiving. Even then, the ones who fly solo have ejection seats, and they use them on a regular basis.

An FO's *primary* role (once off IOE) is to be a backup PIC, not an apprentice getting OJT.

Fortunately the colgan families don't seem inclined to let this one go easily, so I doubt any lobbying will stand up to political and media scrutiny.