Why dont we all stop being shortsighted about thinking 1500 hrs is a magic bullet to get pay rates raised, and start paying attention to what was really said in the article. He wants to make sure the Quality of training is there along
with the quantity, not just arbitrary numbers, I for one think this is good that he is standing ground on this issue, 1500 hrs before hire would not have prevented 3407. Period, better training oversight might have.
Some members of Congress and pilot unions have said they hope a requirement that all airline and cargo pilots have an Air Transport Certificate — which mandates a minimum of 1,500 flight hours — would force regional airlines to hire more experienced pilots and indirectly raise salaries.
Are we not as guilty as the lobbies when this is a unions real reason for wanting 3371 to go through???
“Raising the quantity of hours without raising the quality and nature of the time … may not ensure the improved proficiency we all want,” Babbitt said at a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s aviation subcommittee.
I am all for pay to rise, but it needs to be for the right reasons, not because of a knee jerk reaction that will do nothing to increase safety...He took this stand simply saying that we can not sacrifice quality of training simply because of a rise in quantity....
As usual I see pilots jumping to knee jerk conclusions without looking fully in depth...JMO