BizPilot

Some type of pilot shortage will emerge from this law. I have heard some new student pilots complaining about the law as they expected to be a jet FO with 350 tt. 1,500 hours is a logbook entry to far and they don't want to demean themsleves by becoming a CFI. It's the instant gratification crowd complaining.

Counselor

They are going to finalize the rule this coming Spring (it was supposed to be done August 1st). We will see what effect the comments and suggestions will have on the final rule. With some regionals already paying a signing bonus to get bodies in the door, I would imagine that airline lobbyists are working hard to soften the qualifications to get an ATP.

block30

Because asking for pilots engaged in ATP operations to have ATP levels of experience is like asking them to make "lunar landings."

Counselor

Not sure what the point is here. My point is that the 1500 hour requirement has already been watered down in the proposed reduction for the military (750 hours), and Riddle-type schools (1000 hours). I would imagine that airline lobbyists are seeking further relief to fill regional FO classes.

block30

My point is I agree with you. I agree that lobbying is going on to water down the bill.

My personal take is that flight experience matters, it takes time to develop one's self, just like any other profession. Certain institutions are looking to keep pilots replaceable---read that also as "use and abuseable."

I say no more. Time for management to step up and negotiate with us, instead of hacking down entire pilot groups at the knees. Time for the aviation consumer to pay the little extra that will make companies eek out a small profit, too.

HighFlyer22

Really wish they would just make a final ruling on the restricted ATP. I am sure regionals would hire military and av. college pilots who have less than 1,500 tt if they knew that the NPRM was going to go into effect. That's a few spots on a seniority list.

Potato Heat On

I'm certain there is lobbying going on behind the scenes, but I also think just general politics are playing a factor. With an upcoming presidential and congressional election, I would bet the FAA is doing the old 'wait and see'.

That being said, I have heard that at least Piedmont is still hiring UND grads and the like with hours that should only make 1000 by next August.

93Sierra

The complaints are not only from the student pilots.... I am a pilot and complaining (680 ish total time, 60 ish multi, high performance-complex, tailwheel, instrument rated. I have been pursuing this dream to fly for a living for the past 6 years and between a combat deployment and life ( getting married, going to school... Graduating from school .... Go ASU! ) have tried to fly when not working. However it takes time to get there , and I understand that... But many pilots are supporting this rule and themselves were hired in the regional boom of 05-07 with 300 on up total time. For the old salty pilots on here who say " when I had xxx hours and low time wet commerical I did xxx" yet as time has passed those flying jobs are harder to smaller in numbers to find. Even building 1000 instructing is a huge feat and my hats off to all instructors who have passed that milestone, but again outside of pilot mills ( for foreign and domestic) and some universities, flying that many hours will take years....

It just sucks that this is blood legislation in response to a crash whose pilots would have passed these minimums ( minus the ATP) and for those like myself who started charging down this road years ago and now sit with experience and several hundred hours under my belt needing to gain almost all I have worked for to date.

USMCFLYR

And some would say that it is too bad that it took "blood legislation" to get the ATP rule passed.
For full disclosure - I'm not sure which category you would put me in (especially since I'm not an airline pilot), but I fully support this rule and don't support any watering down of it for university/large school/0-Hero programs or the military.

USMCFLYR

coryk

Yea, this! Filler.