bcrosier

Honestly, I don't think it's about the mechanics of flying - given enough bananas you can teach an ape do operate an airplane. What many on this thread keep pointing out (and I'll second) is the experience aspect. It's not knowing to push the rudder during a V1 cut. It's having the experience to make the right decision when stuck in a hold, weather everywhere is crap, you're not a min fuel yet, but you're headed that direction and 100+ people are counting on you to get it right.

Yes that's a captain's decision, and yes I realize we're talking about ERAU people as FO's. HOWEVER, the FO's should be able to back up the captain's decision making and challenge it if wrong (think of the United DC-8 that ran out of fuel). I just don't see where they have the experience to draw on to do that in many circumstances.

Is it outright dangerous? Maybe not. Is it marginally less safe? Absolutely, and as has been pointed out, there is no reason to do so. There are plenty of highly experienced airmen in need of jobs. So why Spirit is taking this approach?

FNG1

The CRJ 700 has a capacity of 70 passengers, how is it that different from your argument?. If the idea is the weight difference then you have a point and im not the one to say how different a CRJ will be from an Airbus 320, but if Spirit think is ok and Jet blue thinks the same (since they dont requiere turbine time with the cape air program) then your argument should bit a little more convincing.

I cant personally say what is better, since I dont have any 121 or 135 experience. But I also think that base somebody preparation only on flight hours can also be a safety concern. For example, Joe gets all his flight training at a local FBO, joe goes to an small regional with poor CRM and ADM, joe then goes to Spirit.----how is that example less dangerous than the riddle guys?

Slice

Thank you for validating the uselessness of your posts on this subject.

paxhauler85

HAHA...nice.

SeamusTheHound

I am also a Riddle grad. I didn't know anything about the aviation industry when I decided to go there, no daddy or uncle who was a pilot, so it seemed like the best place to become immersed in aviation. It wasn't until later that I learned how many other avenues (FIT, UND, Purdue, OSU, or even FBO) that I could go to accomplish my goal of getting a degree and quality flight training. Knowing what I know now I probably would have gone to a bigger school with more diverse academics and a decent flight program. Riddle wasn't even remotely as expensive then as it is now, so cost wasn't such a huge factor.

That being said, my education at Riddle paid off well for me. I earned good grades and was selected to be an intern at United, which ultimately led to an interview and a job (after 2200 hours of outside flying experience including corporate and commuters).

Just to be clear, a United internship was no guarantee of a job. You needed to perform your duties well for a semester so that you could get a favorable evaluation. Then you were only guaranteed an interview after you built some flight experience. Some pilots were able to leverage relatively low experience into a successful interview, but most had copmaratively competitive flight experience with others being interviewed.

While there are exceptions to every generality, most former interns completed training and gained line experience without any problems. Also, many interns that I know at United have become involved in ALPA leadership and continue to work on behalf of their fellow pilots to improve their profession.

While it worked OK for me, I don't think I'd do it the same with what I know now. Especially with Riddle's current astronomical cost, even a shot at a major job at graduation is a risk that might not pay off. You could lose your medical, or perhaps just decide that you don't like the industry. Also, I do believe that there's something to be said for gaining a broader background of experience that you can bring to the cockpit.

B757200ER

AGREE 110%. No shortcuts, no going to the head of the line before others who HAVE paid their dues.

BoredwLife

Nicely said.

mooney

"The CRJ 700 has a capacity of 70 passengers, how is it that different from your argument?. If the idea is the weight difference then you have a point and im not the one to say how different a CRJ will be from an Airbus 320, but if Spirit think is ok and Jet blue thinks the same (since they dont requiere turbine time with the cape air program) then your argument should bit a little more convincing."


Because they were talking V1 cuts. A V1 cut in a CRJ is basically a non-event since it has basically centerline thrust (altho i've seen plenty of peeps screw it up). Throw 2 big jets or turboprops way out on the wing and it's a little dicier...

AA gear puller

ERAU guys going straight to Spirit? Be afraid, be very afraid!
What ever happened to paying your dues? What a joke!

Freightcowboy

Having a FAA on the jumpseat it after the whole SWA deal doing investigations on all airlines, sounds like the program will be ending. There seems to be some question about passing up qualified applicants....Take it for what its worth