Originally Posted by
saabguy493
Ok, this would save time and money. You have to look though at how it would affect new pilots' skills. A lot of the decision making and gaining of experience is learned through all the steps of different licenses, especially flight instructing or other time building methods. I have only been in the 121 industry for a few years, and have talked to captains about some of the lower time guys. Some are just fine and others, well, some wonder how they even got here! The point is that if continue making training "shortcuts," and continue hiring even lower time pilots, it is only going to increase the chances of having an accident.
It is true that low time guys can cause accidents, but so can high time guys through complacency. As far as I know there has never been an accident attributed to a low time pilot, however there are plenty of crashes blamed on complacent older flight crews.
My understanding of a Multi-Crew License is that training will be concentrated solely on air transport aircraft and part 121 operations. As such graduates would come to an airline with less flight time but a much higher knowledge base and understanding of the job than if they had spent the last 1000 hours in a 172 doing touch and go's.
Even now the regionals are hiring pilots with 300 hours or less and are making it work. A specialized and concentrated approach to training would produce pilots who are more able in a 121 environment. New Multi-Crew Licensed pilots would be pre-screened in their abilities in regards to hiring. In addition, initial training would be faster and for a reduced cost.
SkyHigh