Originally Posted by rickair7777

If memory serves me here, neither met the proposed standards when they were hired. Shaw stated that she had never been in icing on the CVR, so she did not meet the standards at the time of the crash.



Would be nice but political realities mean this isn't likely to happen. I am actually OK with new requirements...I think we we are lucky to get as much we did...thanks colgan families. I think I almost prefer 800 with some icing and larger twin time than 1500 VMC in a 172.



I tend to disagree. The idea is for pilots to experience certain conditions before they ever get near an airliner. Shaw did something totally unexpected and totally inconsistent with her training. Might that have been due to the fact that she was in icing for the first time and uncertain what to expect? Who knows...

I agree that this might be a boon for places like GIA, but the reality today is fewer students and even fewer lending institutions see the logic in investing $100k+ to get a $20K job. There will always be a few trust-fund babies out there, nothing we can do about that, and they are not all bad pilots.

But most applicants will not be able to afford to buy time in FIKI airplanes. They will need to get a 135/corporate job for that...which means in turn they will need to CFI to 1200+ hours first anyway. This might not turn out so bad after all.

This will definitely reduce pilot supply, but by how much is the question. It's possible that it will be significant to the point where regionals demand "no poaching" agreements from their major partners (yes this has happened before). In that case you would simply have to apply to majors who don't have contracts with your regional.

Worst case, the pilot supply drop will causing airlines to increase entry-level pay to incentivize new applicants. Unless it gets so bad that airlines have to significantly reduce schedules due to long-term lack of manpower, this will be a net positive for pilots and the public. If the very bottom end of the pax market gets priced out of flying...oh well, safe reliable transport is not free.




I'm sure pilots have been involved, but not any 121 line pilots...the folks providing input are all alpa leaders, FAA, 121 management, or flight school professors. If you want anyone to listen to your line perspective, you will probably have to get into some other role, like alpa safety/accident rep, etc.