Why does the FAA impose hiring minimums on Part 135 IFR but not on Part 121?? Having ATP minimums for any pilot of a 121 carrier would do wonders for regional pay. When companies like Skywest, ExpressJet, Comair, Eagle Republic, etc... need to hire thousandsS of pilots, they could not lower minimums any lower than ATP. They would need to think of more creative ways of attracting pilots (raise pay, raise QOL, more out and back lines, whatever....)

I would be happy if the FAA imposed ATP minimums for any pilot of a 121 carrier.

Since when are there minimums to sit right seat 135 :confused:

lighter-than-air hours count toward ATP, so it is possible to have 500 hours fixed wing with a multi-engine ATP....

well...as far as I know there aren't, except for the ratings and cert.
But, if the a/c is required to have a two man crew...does the SIC have to be rated in the a/c? It would make sense though

600 hours is a lot different than 200. I'm not saying I'm "deserving of a jet" or anything, but I just cleared 600 hours last month and I've been instructing in one way or another for a year and a half now, and I know I'm a heck of a lot more capable than a 200 hour pilot. Granted some of that comes from flying last semester in a Cessna 404, but we still went to places such as Atlanta and O'Hare with it. I know I'm going to get my head bitten off for this, but seriously folks. What is the point of complaining about young or inexperienced pilots when it's the future whether we like it or not? Yeah times used to be different. So what? I'm guessing some of you complaining about "when I was your age" issues flew civillian. Well guess what? There was a time too when military guys worried about all those crazy civillian pilots coming up the ranks.

Sooner or later, you're going to have a young and inexperienced FO in the cockpit sitting next to you. What are you going to do? Harass him for being stupid? Or make a difference? If he's having problems, try to help him out instead of belittling him. It's like complaining about someone in a political office when you don't vote. Moral of this story is when you get down to it, stop complaining, accept the fact that there really is a shortage of pilots in training while the industry needs more. Accept the fact that the jet jocks get younger and younger and their logbooks are getting thinner and thinner every day. And yes I too am not a big fan of the ATP schools, and the 90 day wonder flight schools, but hey, don't crap on the guys who are training in a legit fashion, and just happen to be what the airlines are looking for. Seriously. What do you guys propose they do? Not apply until they've instructed for 2000 hours and no longer enjoy the career field we are all sworn to?

Once again, I'm not trying to tick people off, I'm just trying to shed some logic on this.

By the way, I too am a student at MTSU, as well as an instrctor for the flight school.

HAHAHA.....

I honestly don't think that pilots should be judged by the amount of hours you got...
Unless ofcourse ur >5K
Some ppl just have it in them....like a 25hr student pilot thats ready for checkride....compared to some guys that need 75hrs...
thats 3 times as much.....
So someone with 400hrs...could be as good, if not, have better skill than someone with 1200hrs?
Hmm....Think it has more to do with WHAT and WHO you know.....not just stick and rudder

I read only three sentences of gliders post and have already decided he is a DORK !

read the last line of his post yes he certainly a DORK.

A part 135 cargo pilot is flying by himself in hard IMC on many occasions. He needs to be experienced. an airline FO has a 2000 hour ATP sitting next to him that can watch and monitor him Thats whay I think