Donk 74,

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you 100% and I talk about the lost art of mentoring often. I can tell that you have a background that would indicate that you are one of the exeptions to the rule and as you progress in your airline career you'll begin to see what I see.

I was and always will be a flight instructor at heart. Believe it or not I do remember when I was an FO and the Captains I admired most were the highly experienced and patient mentors who went above and beyond breaking me in. I vowed at that time that I would always be a professional and a mentor to the new guys.

I realize that there are some excellent pilots still coming up and I'm generalizing but the "new generation" of pilot I'm lamenting about and the trend I see is the growing number of totally unprepared newhires that I've been flying with over the last few years. I'm not talking about being unproficient at 121 operations and unfamiliarity with company's procedures. I'm talking about a lack of the most basic aviation fundamentals.

These people are supposedly commercial multi-engine instrument pilots and I'm often shocked at the total lack of understanding of the rules, regulations and weak flying skills. I often wonder if I'm not paired up with imposters. What concerns me even more is that these people don't seem to really care about their lack of knowledge. I guess they only have their peers to compare themselves to.

I do worry about my chosen profession and I'm only voicing my concern over the lack of professionalism and aviation knowledge displayed to me daily. The huge demand for regional pilots over the last few years and the lack of oversight by the FAA has allowed a flood of unqualified people into the airlines. It was a challenge for me and my peers to get into the airlines. It now seems as though there are no filters

I hear alot about airline pilots not getting any respect anymore and that we are losing pay and benefits because we are not valued. I suggest that we were once respected and valued because we presented ourselves better.

I don't expect many to understand what I'm talking about because they haven't witnessed this trend over a period of time. My intent is not to insult but to do exactly what you suggest; get "gruff." I'm no Chuck Yeager believe me but I shouldn't have to explain the pitch/power relationship or L/D Max or how to read METARs and TAFs etc. to a Part 121 pilot.

I often get recently upgraded Captains that I have previously flown with call and tell me that they appreciate what I did for them and that they now know exactly what I'm talking about concerning the slackers out there. When you are a good FO you don't see the laziness of your peers. If you are a good pilot and upgrade you'll say to yourself, "Oh, now I see exactly what that old tool "Grandpa" Winglet was talking about".

Here's me being gruff: Crack the books boys and girls. Make an attempt to gain the missing knowledge and skills the ticket factory you came from cheated you out of. You may just need them some day.

How's that Donk 74?

Good FO's make good Captains

Winglet