Originally Posted by
satchip
Maybe not, but it will go a long way towards solving the problem. First, an ATP requirement will give these low quality entrants some valuable experience and development. Maybe it will weed out the real morons. Secondly, the laws of supply and demand work both ways. by limiting the supply the price will rise. This should in turn attract more qualified and smarter people.
I think our biggest problem will be the lack of military pilots in the future. The Air Force already makes more UAV pilots than real pilots. If the demand rises as predicted, you will see more pressure for the not quite qualified foreign cruise pilot license. That will be a disaster.
I'd be curious to get Bar to weigh in on this but maybe the best way to shift flying back to mainline and significantly change course would be to make mainline just as liable as the outsourced regional. After watching Bethune get flustered last night on that documentary the more I began to wonder if that should be the strategy to shift flying back. Analogy time? We all like analogies, but think about how personally liable you are when your clueless 16 year old goes out and drives your car? Now get that kid to go do your errands in downtown rush hour, would you still allow them to go or would you rather do that driving yourself?
Its a thought.
You're very right Satch, between the UAV push in the USAF and the helicopter push in the Navy it seems like there will only be a trickle of guys coming out prior to hitting 20 years. Just listening to guys whose kids are or just recently completed training in both branches. Thats too bad.