Originally Posted by
rickair7777
If you look at old history (> 10-20 years) there are numerous examples of human-factor accidents. But we have made great strides in this area.
We have not seen a large uptick in accidents caused by substandard pilots yet because (as airline managers well know) that is harvest that you reap down the road. The puppy mill crop of the 2004-2008 has mostly not upgraded yet.
Unfortunately I don't think we have seen the last of Colgan...I'm surprised that it took as long as it did. Congress will probably not take retroactive action to remove pilots already in place.
Airline CEO's are not worried, they expect to have exercised their leveraged options, filed BK, pulled the golden parachute, and ridden off into the sunset long before this bird comes home to roost. Cash on the barrel NOW, damn the future consequences.
I guess we will find out. However currently the nation is being crossed overhead by pilots who had less than 300 hours at the time of hire. So far they have not caused a rash of lawn dart accidents across the nation. One or two accidents have happened however I don't think they can be pinned on inexperience.
I don't think there will be any negative reactions as a result except that airlines will be able to prove that know nothing neophytes can do the job and can be hire for peanuts.
Skyhigh