Originally Posted by
Silver2Gold
I could not agree more. Unfortunately, commercial aviation has lent itself to the notion that, with enough time and money, any rating can be obtained by anyone. I'm not for creating some sort of club of elitists, but rather a corps of professionals who have met demanding, uncompromising standards that not everyone can meet. The Air Force has probably washed out thousands of pilots over the years for landing a T-38 10 knots fast or a couple hundred feet long - and God Bless that. There is no do over, no re-test, and no amount of money can get a guy his wings. I would love to see the FAA take a similar approach to standards. Instead of flooding the market with cheap goods, ala Wal-Mart, our government would be wise to see the return of the American pilot as the gold standard of aviation. Our licenses are a joke to the European and Middle Eastern carriers.
It's good to see that someone who would know what they're talking about can add to my comment. I have to point out that my comment is the perception of a time-building chotch that has neither flown 121 nor been in the military. Time will tell if I'm going to be in a position to back that comment up...that is to say, I'm either going to make it to the service as a pilot and put my money where my mouth is or I'm going to continue to step on my lingham on the forums.