Originally Posted by
Pineapple Guy
And I believe that the profession, at the majors, unfortunately, will be able to attract pilots who are safe at current wage rates. I wish it weren't so; I really do. Perhaps they are not as safe as you or I; that's pretty tough to judge. But I'm confident those who make it to the majors will be safe.
The regionals are a different story; and on several occasions, I've stopped flying certain regional carriers when the hiring standards dropped too low in my personal opinion. But with the majors, even at current rates, I don't think you can play the safety card successfully. Just my opinion.
And where are these pilots going to come from in the future? I can't see too many military pilots wanting to fly for the airlines when they can make just as much staying in the military (and get their military retirement) or by pursuing any number of other careers that are just as lucrative or more lucrative. And if the civilians are going to be lower quality individuals (because the profession no longer pays well enough to attract them), then where are you going to find quality pilots for the majors. You can't just wave a magic wand and... poof... you have a quality pilot!
I fully understand that there are still plenty of quality individuals in the pipeline at regionals to supply the majors for a few more years. But once that pipeline dries up, what will we have left? It seems to me that all it takes is a little foresight on this issue. Look beyond the snapshot of what you see today.