You do realize, like many issues in this industry, that those seats should not have been offered in the first place. I find any concept, including ones that would cost my current seat, that would place more value on experience and education as a premium as one that I would embrace.

I went to a 4 year university and put in all that time building hours STRICTLY to be seperate from those that didn't. Management wants us to think that it was a major waste of time but I am in favor of placing more value on the seat again.

 

Just wanted to share my general thoughts. The problem I see with any of this is that the very people who can raise hiring standards (and as a result wages) have no interest in seeing it happen, namely airline managers and the government.

To become a school teacher you must generally complete a bachelors degree in your area of teaching, including a regulated certification process. To be a librarian you generally have to have a masters degree in library science. To be an airline pilot you have to have a high school diploma and a very minimal amount of flight experience. Airline managers benefit from the current situation.

For this to change one of two things needs to happen, either the education requirements need to increase or the flight experience requirements need to increase. I don't see airline hiring departments increasing their requirements if it is going to increase their labor costs. Airline management benefits from the market power that comes from an excess of pilots therefore they are not going to be eager to change things.

Additionally, I don't see any concern for pilot salaries from either politicians or the general public. With the lobbying that airlines engage in and the fact that they are pretty united with regards to labor costs (see AIR Conference - Airline Industrial Relations Conference for further reading) I don't foresee the FAA increasing the flight experience requirements for airline pilots anytime soon.

Unfortunately what I think will happen is that people will leave the industry as things get worse (and less people will seek a career as a pilot), the surplus will go down and wages will start to come up with demand.

Another difficulty that exists is there is not really a good metric for distinguishing how good a job a pilot does. If you haven't had an accident, violation or failed a checkride then you are as good as the next guy. There is no differentiation between the super Captain or FO you fly with from the guy just getting by (at least not in terms of compensation or job security).

WJI

 

I too went to a 4 year university, but I empathize with the people who started flying when they were young, and by the time they are 18 have the time AND experience to go get hired by an airline. Yes, they might not have had the big airplane systems classes like us 4-yearers, but if they can pass indoc and systems then why not let them fly? From my experience, training dept's don't really care how many hours you have, as long as you've been hired. They train everyone to the same standards, and if you don't/can't meet those, then you don't pass. So what if someone has an ATP, if they are trained the same ways, by the same people, and to the same standards, then how are they 'better'? There are some things that the 18 year old pilot with 3,000 hours might understand BETTER than an ATP. Just like there are things that the ATP will understand better, but when you are working as a crew, your goal is synergy. So, pretty much if you can pass training, you are just as "safe" as the next guy...

Also, obviously the FAA doesn't see an issue with safety by letting these people fly, otherwise they WOULD raise the minimums to an ATP.

 

I have nothing against someone advancing their career with less education or experience when the system allows it. I have a problem with the system allowing it.

I hear what you say about the FAA. Now the NTSB, they have a whole different take on a LOT of what the Fornicated Aviation Administration thinks.

The FAA, again, is allowed to have that position as there isn't any personal ramifications for management, or their, actions. They get to create this work environment without regard.