Baron50

no disrespect, but...

Would you feel the same way if you were sitting in the back with the Buffalo Colgan crew?

Onfinal

You would be dead...however if you were sitting in the back with the Continental Crew landing on Z at EWR, Delta landing on M in ATL, Continental in DEN, NW 150 mile excursion in Detroit, American in Little Rock you would be around to answer this question but, only because of good fortune, not because of good experience!

Gomerglideslope

Personally, I do...and as a result I will not let my family ride on an RJ

Romulus

Arrogance can be deadly. Ask Captain Jacob Louis Veldhuyzen van Zanten.

Onfinal

Yes, the epitome of a highly experienced, mainline pilot!

4th Level

Really? I don't seem to recall too many RJ's running around in WN colors. Or perhaps Wendy doesn't consider WN a "major airline".

sgt98c

And a degree makes you a better, safer pilot because why? How about a degree in Liberal Arts? That will make all the difference, huh? Don't tell me that it demonstrates that you can be committed to something, becoming a professional pilot alone demonstrates that. And, yes, I do have a degree.
A degree, thousands of hours, an ATP, being a former CFI or freight hauler does not make anyone a safe pilot, it makes them an experienced pilot. A safe pilot has experience, personal limitations, good judgement, a willingness to learn, humility, good communications skills, appropriate knowledge and a respect for crew, plane and Mother Nature.

jayray2

Yes it can be, and I will never let my family fly on a 747 . . .

STILL GROUNDED

Recently while deadheading on a work assignment I had a professional pilot "miss the hump" on 23 in CLT and touch us down (slammed us to the ground after someone pushed it over) midfield instead of fessing up and going around. I figured we were about to be speared by a 757 taking off 18c but somehow at about 40 knots the captain managed to make the last exit before running off the end. Every piece of carry on luggage and anyone with slip on shoes had to pick them up 3 rows forward from what most certainly max breaking. All the passengers looked at me and my colleague asking if they had just survived wind shear. Of course we calmly smiled with a business as usual "everything is fine". Fact was ACE just about broke his A321 with me on board.

If you for one minute think a mainline pilot is not capable of screwing something up as bad as the Buffalo accident you are living under a rock.

The Colgan flight got more media play then any fatal accident in recent history. It was sensational that the ATC tapes were online within an hour of the accident. More information about this accident hit the media before anyone really knew what had happened but the cat was already out of the bag and the media had already decided for the public who was guilty. It wasn't two pilots but entire fleet of pilots.

Where is the cvr tape from the American flight that over shot the runway and nearly went swimming in Jamaica. There were cry's of fatigue there. The Union came to rescue with the work rule excuse. Why didn't those MORE professional pilots call out because of fatigue. Where is the out cry, no one died that's the only difference. And they did not die not because the pilots did such a great job. A great job would have had the plane at the gate not on the beach.

So I honestly don't take your question with much merit. It has shock value and that is what the media is here for.

The Buffalo accident was not a cross section of the regional airline pilot group. It was one accident which should not have happened. To lump all regional pilots in with this crew is wrong. Just as wrong as it is too lump all mainline pilots in with those who have had bad things happen. I wouldn't do it to them, I'd appreciate the courtesy of not doing it too me.

It is almost as though you people think the public won't fly on a regional aircraft if you make enough noise. You ought to know better. They will fly on the cheapest ticket they can get, look at the success of Southwest. Look how they brought the rest of the industry to its knees. It wasn't outstanding service, better pilots, better meals or A, B, or C boarding priorities. It was the cheapest ticket. Once the sensationalism is gone they will go right back to doing what they do. Besides it's not like your companies are going to stop farming work out.

dojetdriver

I believe the ACTUAL minimum was 350 PIC, not total. Going from the scantron after it removed various breakdowns of flight time, like dual received, etc.

I wonder how many CA's had check ride busts from some of the already mentioned;

AA in Columbia and LIT
DAL (S) in ATL
DAL (N) overflight
AA in Jamaica
CAL taxiway Z
FedEx
UAL in SFO

As examples.