It will be no surprise that someone with recent experience in a regional jet will be better positioned to adapt to the 170 than someone without that background. For example, quite a few of our folks come from the EMB-145...both right and left seat. These folks have filled most of the learning squares already...the 170 has a slightly different FMS, a more advanced autoflight system (primarily autothrottles), and a different flight control 'feel'. These folks generally have few problems in our program. For them, the experience is one of 'adaptation'...taking what they already know and doing it in a slightly different way.

The 'new guy with not a lot of hours' is something else entirely. This person is typically a FO with a prop background (piston or turbine) from a smaller regional or sometimes corporate outfit. Or this person may be even less experienced...and have light twin or single engine time in a non-airline environment (night freight, for example). For all of these people, the demands of our program are elevated, especially for those coming from a non-airline background.

But these folks too are 'trainable', but obviously they may start off slower than someone with more experience (the 145 person). If this person has the basic skills, it's not unusual for them to have caught up with the more experienced person towards the end of the program. Our program is a 'firehose' training experience...some can handle this level of intensity and some cannot. Most have proven they can.

There is no doubt that low experienced people are getting hired into regionals. They are coming to our program. It's not my place to pass judgment on this...it's mostly a function of supply and demand. My job is to teach you, not be judgmental about your background. If you can jump through the hoops, you will pass. If not, then you are out of luck.

Competency is a difficult thing to define. My idea may be different than yours. One thing is certain. Age and experience is something that can only be gotten one way...living long enough. Competency involves one heck of a lot more than just flying an ILS. Our airline operations are so 'canned' today that the importance of individual competence has been marginalized by the structured operational environment. Usually things go according to plan...in this case, a person's background is relatively unchallenged.

It's when 'stuff happens' that the issue of competency arises. Simply put, someone who has been there before is far more likely to find a way out of a problem than someone who has not. This experience is only gained the old fashioned way. Sometimes this becomes an ego problem, particularly with young folks. I have no sympathy for these people. This is a demanding business, and hurt feelings or bruised egos are often part and parcel of the training and learning experience. Those who can accept this are much easier to teach and are far more successful at learning.

Yes...I've seen 'trash talk' here. That's exactly what it is...trash. I have had the pleasure of working with some extremely talented young and inexperienced people in the 170 program. I am as proud of their accomplishments as they. The fact of the matter is that these folks can do the job. But not all of them. In a former life, I was a USAF Fighter Weapons School instructor...not everyone that came through our program was all that 'competent'...not to mix apples and oranges, but 'competency' is relative. Some get it, some don't.