Originally Posted by
Otto
I wish you were right but I think when faced with the choice of paying more or starting an ab initio program, we all know the way it will go. I hope the ATP requirement happens but in the long run when Congress is faced with ticket prices going up for the American public to cover the extra costs (of hiring experience) or lowering the standards via ab initio, the outcome is clear...they will lower standards. The irony is there is no shortage of experienced pilots, just a shortage of pilots willing to work for $18,000 a year.
Ab initios work other places because there's a gap between a 172 and a 737, they can't get experienced pilots so they have to make their own. With so many qualified pilots here I don't think we'll see ab intio for a very long time. To people that think it's not fair, it's for the best. The article did a good job of rasing the other point, yes it's going to be harder for people to start flying, but what about when you actually make it to an airline? Right now, all that means is horrible QOL and low pay for years. So is it worth it anyways?