GuppyPuppy

I found it quite ironic that the UAL MEC (Wendy) mentions that these regional carriers hire "minimally experienced pilots" when her company lowered the minimum qualifications to a commercial pilot certificate and 350 hours total time.

I personally know of at least a half-dozen United pilots who were hired with minimal experience in the '89-'95 time frame, some never flew anything bigger than a Duchess. None of them had turbine experience, none had any airline flying experience.

Wendy does make some good points. I think the underlying issue is that fewer intelligent young people see this as a career. Wendy's right, you get what you pay for.

GP

B757200ER

"I found it quite ironic that the UAL MEC (Wendy) mentions that these regional carriers hire "minimally experienced pilots" when her company lowered the minimum qualifications to a commercial pilot certificate and 350 hours total time.

I personally know of at least a half-dozen United pilots who were hired with minimal experience in the '89-'95 time frame, some never flew anything bigger than a Duchess. None of them had turbine experience, none had any airline flying experience."

I agree with Wendy from UAL, but your post makes sense, too. It is very ironic that UAL's MEC would make this claim, after all the low-timers UAL has hired. But, UAL pilots didn't control who UAL interviewed/hired, management did.

satchip

I think that was the result of a Federal Court order due to an anti discrimination suit. If not an actual order then a defensive move. Don't know the specifics, wasn't there.

GuppyPuppy

Four of the minimally qualified pilots I know who were hired there are white males. One intern and three who worked the ramp.

Of the three women I know, one was an intern and the other two had no ties with the company.

Of these seven pilots only four of them were even CFI's.

I believe it was United who lowered the minimum requirements. The court order just said they had to hire more women/minorities. I can't believe that a court order would dictate the actual hiring minimums.

GP

acl65pilot

I know of one individual at UAUA that was hired at about 400 hrs back in 1998.

They had not even completed initial IOE at the regional they were at. Yes, he/she was an intern their while in college.

Fishfreighter

And none of those "minimally qualified" F/Os at UAL was flying with a 3000 hour Captain with 5 checkride busts.

chuck416

Without slandering an individual, or exposing yourself to libel, (or just generally being a jerk), could you elaborate just a bit? I am genuinely curious. Thanks,
Chuck

BoilerUP

I think he's referring to Colgan CA Renslow of the BUF crash.

After leaving Air Wisconsin in late 2007 I was a Citation captain at age 24 with only 3000 hours...flying our entire company's management team around. Oh, the horror!

I haven't busted any checkrides, though...so I got that goin' for me

strfyr51

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What I can't understand is WHY is this NOT abhorrent on ALL sides of the Airline Pilot spectrum?? For the regional guys, this means it's that much LONGER for you to gain a mainline seat. For the Mainline guys it that much Fewer opportunities for you to LOSE a mainline seat and progress UP the food chain. Both Sides are LOSING and you're wonderng is this good for UAL ,ALPA, AMR or APA?? Are you Kidding me?? What hurts ONE Group Hurts ALL Groups!! ya gotta stop with the "Local Gang mentality" and become an entire Airforce because that's what you are! The US Commercial AIR FORCE. If you look at it rationally.. The Major airlines need NOT "employ" Regional Partners they should be part OF the Major.
ONE SENIORITY LIST for every Airline,One training regiment.AND! One standard FOR all Pilots. If that standard be an ATR?? Then So BE IT!! If it includes a Degree?? Then no MATTER if a few get hurt if it benefits the MANY. Maybe the Non-degreed guys could work in Flight ops or Flight Standards while getting their Degrees with a 40 month reprieve from losing ther Seniority Number.
You could work it out IF you REALLY Wanted to!! But if all you want is to do NOTHING becuse you don't have a dog in the Hunt?? Then whatever Befalls you, Befalls you, and you brought it on yourselves!

STILL GROUNDED

It is not my intention to denigrate regional airline employees, who are often just as dedicated and hard-working as the employees of the major airlines. The pilots and flight attendants who perished in the Buffalo crash were just as much victims as their passengers. They were the result of a deregulated airline system that is rushing to park airplanes, lay off experienced pilots and replace them with the lowest-cost subcontractors.

Personally I appreciated this line. Time and again I read how poorly trained and minimally qualified regional pilots are. This is mostly from those at mainline operations. These pilots were apparently born with experience or had it passed too them through DNA. Or Maybe being an ALPA member gives you some knowledge the rest of us are not privy too.

Regardless, I appreciated the fact that Wendy had made it a point to recognize that most regional pilots are a product of the industry and no less dedicated to aviation then the next professional. To those who continually criticize regional pilots, feel free to find another way home if you are not comfortable with your flight crews abilities.

I understand the reason for the message if it is too require higher standards to help bring the career back but its not coming off that way. It is simply coming off as more talking down.