Originally Posted by
upndsky
Again, I respectfully disagree. An ATP only proves that you can pass a check ride (and an easy one at that) and doesn't show what experiences you've had leading up to those magical 1,500 hours that made you eligible for the thing. Referencing my analogy in a previous post, the 750-hour pilot who somehow managed to get quality real-life experience is more of an ATP than the 1,500-hour CFI who has spent his entire career in the traffic pattern.
We all agree on this: You've got to get the experience somewhere. The answer lies with having Captains in the left seat only after they have the experience and the hours so they can transfer that experience to their FOs.
I still believe that "magical" 1500 hours counts for something. You miss my point. Yes we can all tell specific stories of this "750 hour pilot" that I know who is lots better than this other "1500 hour pilot" I know. What I am talking about is in the BIG picture, if you are selecting from a pool of pilots who has 1500 hours and an ATP or better as opposed to a pool that has 300 hours or better, the OVERALL level of quality and quality of experience is higher. This to me = safer. It raises the level of the quality of the base (on the average-yes we can all find specific examples where this is not true) on which that 121 experience will be built.
Yes, as you mentioned flying the new 121 FO's with experienced Captains for a time period is a great idea as well.
