Originally Posted by
TheDashRocks
Originally Posted by
skybolt
About my first point. For decades, a pilot spent many years as a civilian actually flying airplanes. Either as an instructor, or freight dawg flying checks, or any one of hundreds of other positions that allowed/forced the pilot to gain real stick and rudder time. Military pilots accelerated the process, but the large majority of their time was spent either training, or being trained.
During this period there were still crashes due to poor airmanship or a lack of judgement. I favor requiring an ATP to be hired by a Part 121 carrier. However, I cannot help but worry about how difficult it might make it for someone to begin a carrier. I do not think CFI or other jobs that woild give someone the opportunity to gain experience are easy to find right now. The economy has also allowed airlines to raise their minimums. I doubt anyone is being hired at 500/50 right now.
The Dash Whisperer
Of course there were still crashes due to poor airmanship and or lack of judgment. But those crashes did not kill innocent passengers who bought a ticket expecting to be flown by safe pilots.
This debate is not about the difficulty factor surrounding the airline pilot career. It's about preventing airline crashes. It took me until 36 years of age before I managed to get a decent airline job, so I know how difficult it can be, but that in no way excuses a system that has been placing unskilled pilots in control of peoples lives.
Would you put your mother on a regional flight if you KNEW that the pilots never developed any flying skill before getting into that RJ/turboprop seat?