Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
I had a really good question posed to me; 1500 v 500 and the ramifications of choking the supply to the point that the lawmakers opted to allow foreign pilots to fly within our boarders because our requirements were too high.
At a min in made me think about the question, and the implication. I would also point out that with almost everything a "One Size Fits All" type of approach seldom works. I do agree that 500 is to low, as it is still close enough to buy your time, but in many instances like the military 1500 is overkill. I much prefer a graduated law that takes in to account ones educational background, where the Part 141/142 or 61 school took place, and if they offered an Approved Jet Transition course. I submitted my suggestions.
As for the NPRM I saw a list today of the gripes or issues that ALPA has with em, and guess what?, Many of the ones listed on this board are the same issues that their National Union holds.
I don't think it will. It means we will have to sign a reciprocal agreement with the EU/other countries allowing their pilots to fly here and vice-versa. In the post 9/11 world, it is very very unlikely to happen. Lots of security concerns behind it as well. It is just not gonna happen.
Even if our government wants to sign off on it, most other countries will not sign such a deal. Their unions are more afraid about cheaper American pilots taking thier jobs than we are of them! Just take a look at the international payrates. We lag embarrassingly behind. Like I said, contrary to what you guys think, foreign pilots are not drooling to come fly over here at the current wages. US pilots are among the lowest paid airline pilots in the world when you look at the wage:cost of living ratio.
Now what if the governments mutually agree and allow cabotage...worst case scenario? Nothing to be that scared of. US airliners will expand as our cost structure is lower. The likes of Lufthansa, AF, KLM etc have much higher cost structures than us. Hell...even Ryanair cost structure is not that low. (They pay their employees in GBP). That is why none of these will happen in the near future.
Answering the second part of you reply: Most here don't think 1500 hrs is an overkill. Your suggestion of approving certain educational quals, jet transition etc leaves room for too many loopholes which will be exploited by the likes of ERAU, UND etc. Make it simple and clear: 1500hrs.