Originally Posted by
ATCsaidDoWhat
I think this may already be in the works. There was something on the press wires right after the Colgan NTSB hearings about something between the Business Travellers Coalition and the Teamsters calling for developing some kind of policy that covered the whole range from experience to pay.
I'll see if I can find the link.
I could see starting pay in the 35K range and new requirments for ATP's for all new airline pilots with more extensive training upon hire. That would probabaly satisfy the politicians and make it look like they did something. The general public would then feel more confident.
Anything more then that approximation is HIGHLY unlikely. Yes, it appears some may use this to further their own financial agendas and leverage to gain more at the bargaining table, but most travelers are not in unions, are generally anti-union and consider many pilot groups fairly greedy (right or wrong) and thus wouldn't be interested in that. The politicians know who has more clout with them (big business) and would have to appease a workable solution for them.
The primary motivation for politicians to enact change will be to :
A. Look good to the public and their consitituents.
B. Consider the needs of those that have sway with them (big business).
C. Consider the cost to the taxpayers.
D. Not unduly burden the consumer (in this case passenger) by excess.
E. The interests of airline employees (very distant 5th here).
Any changes that do come will be fairly modest.