why sq?
 

maybe someone has talked about this before, but it just struck me today that i don't really understand why there is an sq "base" for the london flying. wouldn't it be better for us and the company if everyone (obviously i mean everyone on the 320) were trained and qualified for that stuff? i mean, it's all the same type rating.

it seems like it would be easier to build trips that have a london turn in there somewhere, even a trip that starts in fll or mco...or maybe even lax, and to have everyone bidding for the stuff they want to do, out of all bases, then to have it only for a select few. maybe there's rationale that i'm just not seeing.

i know it's probably slightly better for us that it's a separate qualification, but given it's a very small amount of people, i'm not sure it makes a huge difference.

anyone have any ideas?

Same idea with the red line S.America stuff, which everyone will be getting trained on soon.

I suspect over time the same will happen with SQ flying.

I suspect an airline who just got etops has a proving period with the FAA. Sort of a probation.

This. FAA mandated

training and currency is the only reason for it.

This is the reason. It’s the same plane, but requires a bit of currency and regularity to maintain proficiency. There are just enough logistical pieces and requirements where it would be less than ideal for someone to be qualified and then two years later do an ETOPS trip.

Any pilot can do it as it’s not difficult. It is however unique and different enough where it can’t be done passively in an occasional pairing.

QDL fixes this. The JetBlue Way ;)

True however work rules that address sq are almost non existent for the sq fleet. Not worth going to unless you really have a passion for the flying.

Until they add a bunch more destinations, doing an ETOPS check for 1400 JFK and 600 BOS pilots would be close to impossible with a couple flights to London.

Imagine the logistics involved with giving the entire JFK and BOS pilot group a random 3 day of IOE.

even if they had 6-10 EU destinations it would be a logistical nightmare.