Originally Posted by
Andy
The change to requiring 1500 hrs to fly 121 as a result of the Colgan accident would not have prevented the Colgan accident. The Ca had more than 3300 hrs and the FO had more than 2200 hrs. Prior to that change, one could be hired at a 121 carrier with just a commercial pilot's license.
Marvin was hired with a very sketchy record and 600ish hours. Given the opportunity to fly 1500 before going into the 121 world would have given himself enough rope to hang himself before going to Colgan.. If he would have flown 1500 boring hours watching students do stalls, over, and over, and over, his brain stem reaction would have been different. How many stall spins have you practiced in 121? Marvin attempted (1).
If he had flown some other odd jobs to gain 1500 hours he would have either (1) killed himself or (2) learned from close calls. He would have also had a harder time hiding a 1500 hour marginal record then he did a 600 hour one.
After the 1500 hour rule was in place Todd Norrish was on the same track as Marvin, except he killed himself, crashing, scud running to build 1500 hrs thus eliminating himself from the gene pool before flying 121.
Some people should not drive cars.
Some people should not ride motorcycles.
Some people should not fly airplanes.
Some people should not fly part 121.
1500 hours is simply (1) vetting point. Not the only one.