The AMA controls the number of doctors and surgeons, develops revenue streams to healthcare, and provides avenues to specialize their craft.

We do none of that. In fact we do many things counter to it.

If the AMA was tasked to "fix" the pilot profession they would do the following:

(1) Part 121 ops could only be flown by pilots who both held an ATP MEL w/PIC type. No one with less than 1,500 hours would fly part 121.

(2) FAA exams for Commercial/Inst, CFI, FE, ATP. Would be rewritten. No answer book "memorize" the questions without understanding of the subject material. You would have to comprehend the subject matter to pass the test.

(3) No part 61 schools for anything above private.

(4) Part 141 schools required for anything above private. Part 141 schools would be aligned with major universities. Undergraduate degree required BEFORE entry into aviation program. Undergraduate degree would NOT be in aviation.

(5) Entry into 141 school would be by competitive selection based on:
(a) ACAT (Aviation College Admission Test) score,
(b) Undergraduate GPA
(c) Interview with faculty team selection officer

(6) 141 school would be 4 years long and be similar to military flight school with a follow on in test pilot school.

(7) Board certification and specialty training for various types of flying.

(8) Recurrent certification and testing beyond current FAA/Airline requirements.

Before anyone is offended and feels these hoops to jump through are too high, let me ask this: If the current hoops are so low, so easy, that anyone can jump through them, what good is jumping through them if by the time you do it there is no reward at the end?

Setting the hoops low creates a perpetual surplus of pilots that will always expand and contract with the market. This is why there never is and never will be a pilot shortage. Just lower the hoop a little more if needed.

Let me also ask this: If all of the above was in place; The left seat guy on 3407 was being paid 175K; The right seat gal was being paid 150K; Do you think 3407 would have happened?

I have been flying since 1976. I know the answer.

Some are going to respond with “That level is too hard and not required for the job”. Explain to the family members of the passengers of 3407 what level is enough because to them the current level is not good enough.

The most difficult aviation duty I have ever had to perform was to knock on a door at 1:45am and tell a next-of-kin their family member was dead. Hoops 1-8 would have been easier.