Picture attached.
Cessna 404 - Cargo

• Cruising Speed: 212 mph
• 48" x 48" Cargo Door
• Cargo Capacity: 2200 lb

 

I love this!!!! Ya, in this biz you never know who's gonna' be your boss (or a connection to your next flying job)!!

 

I have to disagree for several reasons. One, times have changed. When there is a shortage of applicants, you have to adjust hiring practices. Second, a pilot's flight time is not always a good indicator of their skill. I am an instructor and have instructed individuals with thousands of hours of time, and in some cases a student pilot could fly better than them.
Last, hiring and promotions should be done by qualifications. In addition to flight time, a college degree, veteran status, work experience, etc., is just as important as flight time in considering an applicant. Personally, if I were the hiring manager, I would take an instructor with 600 hours that has a college degree over someone with no education and 2000 hours.

 

I 'd give the Furloughed Pilots first shot, and other Pilots with 121 experience and Airline type ratings.

At 600 hours, one hasn't even had time to get wet behind the ears and Unless you are coming from the Military, 2000 hours ain't much to brag about either.

 

As I do see where you guys are coming from, and yes, 200 hours is a small amount, but I'm sure as you know, these times are different. It takes about 6-8 years to try to make it to a major carrier. So thats really 6-8 years of making barely enough money to support yourself, and/or family. Nowadays pilot pay is low regardless, due to the price of tickets. Atleast regionals are giving us a chance to build up and move on.

 

Shouldn't it be kept in mind that the pilots (high or low time ones) aren't the ppl posting the low hiring times??? it's the airlines. They wouldn't be hiring at these times if they didn't feel they could sufficiently train the pilots. Even if the airlines do post low times, thats no guarantee that the pilot is getting hired/through training.

Bottom line is: aviation is a business, airlines are going to do whatever they can to keep the costs down, even if that means hiring the low time pilots who will fly for nonexistant pay and QOL. I'm not economics afficiando, but its simple cost/benefit and risk/reward analyses.

I don't think there are many career-minded pilots out there who wouldn't take advantage of the lower hiring times, I'd be lying if i said i wasn't going to. It may not be right, but that seems the nature of our business, the sooner you get hired, the better. If you don't take that job, someone else will. Its sad but for most of us, the price of noblity & the moral high ground is just too steep.

Anyway, I just think we shouldn't be attacking each other over the decisions we aren't making.

Personally I think that more often than not, flight time is an accurate measure of our skills, however there are always exceptions. IMHO, if someone came out of a 141 paper mill as a "good" pilot, that probably would've happened anyway, and not everyone coming from the part61 schools is automatically entitled to the airline seat. It all depends on the pilot.

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Just so i don't get flamed too bad: I've been flying for 10yrs through high school & college (not aeronautical sci major) & CFI'ing for the last 1.5 yrs. I considered ERAU when I was a senior in h.s. but i'm glad i ultimately took the route I did and i feel i'm a better pilot because of it. I have no airline experience (yet ) so you guys already with the seats know better than i do, this is just the logic i've made of the whole situation.

 

One of the best (and most logical) posts I have read. Thanks.

 

The FAA requirements for 121 and 135 SIC are a commercial ticket.

Many 135 operators operate ASEL and AMEL (often turbine AMEL). The AMEL time is more desireable and pays better (especially turbine), and seniority determines who flys what. For this reason 135 new hires go into ASEL which are usually single-pilot...hence many 135 new-hires have to meet 135 PIC requirements. 121 operators usually hire for SIC only.

 

And a reason being that the regionals hire us low timers is because we're the ones that will do it for less....the ones that wanted MORE $$ for their jobs were the ones that arent there anymore (perhaps moved on to majors/corporate)...so dont be mad at us youngsters trying to get in the cockpit of an rj. It's in fact partly YOUR fault that we're eligible to fly the plane your wife and kids are on

 

That is a stupid post and directly reflects your immaturity. You're 18? I wouldn't let you fly my bags around in a 172, let alone an EFFING regional jet.

Another reason why a degree should be required...to keep teenagers out of jet cockpits.