Originally Posted by
minimwage4
That's very true but the thing is that a lot of those questions (JAA) at least some examples I've heard is they go unnecessarily in depth, ie. I heard there's like 30 questions just on the compass. Plus there is the supply and demand factor that is different around the world than in the states.
I have the JAA certificates as well as FAA. Got the JAA ones first, in Switzerland. Yeah, the written tests are harder and could be considered very in depth. But having made it through I have to also say that those who didn't maybe shouldn't have the jobs. It's another filter and if you study hard and are diligent you will pass.
The steps to becoming an airline pilot shouldn't be easy. And the US/FAA written exams are considered a joke in the rest of the world.
That said, the flying part is not a joke. I converted my JAA to FAA certificates in 2003 and had to take a Comm/ME and the IFR/ME checkrides and they were not easy.
So I am not just bashing US aviation at all. But I wouldn't mind seeing the written exams more thorough than they are.