Originally Posted by
ewrbasedpilot
You're probably right, but when I first applied to them in the late 80's, that was their MINIMUM hourly requirement and was what was needed to get an application to apply. Many here think that if that's the minimum requirement, then that's how many hours are goint to get you hired. I highly doubt it. I know a LOT of ex-military pilots flying at the commuter/regional level. When they left the military, many only had 1000 hours..........of B-1/B-52/Harrier/etc.... time. Hours mean nothing.........experience and skill do. That is my point. People need to get off this "he was hired with 550 hours stuff so he HAS TO BE unqualified. Your best insurance up front is a good, smart, and skilled pilot. In spite of that, I have seen pilots with 1000's of hours who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag.
you are absolutely correct but i doubt your friends with 1000TT are going to be applying to a horrible company such as colgan or great lakes unless they are absolutely forced into that situation. With 1000 hours hopefully they know better and value themselves more than <20 grand a year. That is my argument. New hires who value their skills as a pilot so low that they wont be able to pay their bills? A quick upgrade is great when you have talented, skilled pilots... but when you have people who are willing to accept the horrible pay, horrible maintenance, horrible working contract,... your pool of competent pilots dwindles. You just have the guys trying to get out easy with quick pic time no matter what ex-colgan pilots say or how bad the operation is.
Total hours dont mean dick but a little common sense, research into this industry, and talking to other pilots.... your not going to be applying to colgan.