If the ATP rule goes away in the US, all you’d need is a PVT, INST, COMM-ME, and 250 hrs. That will “fix” a pilot shortage here. More realistically you’ll probably see some form of MPL sponsored by the legacy airlines.

 

Would you become a pilot with the ATP rule in place?

GF

 

He!! no!!! That rule is one of the best things to happen to this industry. Take it away and watch the payscales, QOL, etc. go back to where they were 10 years ago.

 

Why do pilots always sling poo at each other? Why do we always beat on our chest talking about how we survived the hard days like it’s something to be proud of? Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing to me to say that I once knowingly took a job flying a plane making less than 20k a year. I was briefly a part of the problem, if it wasn’t for me and my classmates taking that job maybe that airline would have tanked even sooner. I could have found another job in a different career, but I didn’t. Therefore I don’t sit back and tell someone how easy they have it when they feel like things could be better.


Life is all about choices. We all made choices to attain the ratings and pursue a career as a pilot, we made choices to work for certain companies for a certain level of compensation knowingly so. Last I checked, our military was an all volunteer service for the last 50 or so years. So we all made the choice to enlist or seek a commission and expose ourselves to the conditions that were presented to us. Time to stop the poo slinging and collectively better the career for those that follow

 

Somehow not "paying your dues" means you're not a pilot and am just some entitled millennial... Or something like that

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It is the regionals.

 

Couldn't agree more! We're all on the same side wanting the same things. Saying no to airlines offering subpar pay and quality of life helps every single one of us, whether you've been flying for 20 years or 6 months.

 

Not crapping on anyone. Just pointing out the realities, the economic and social forces involved. It's important to understand that, since there will almost certainly be a downturn or change in the balance in the future. Best not to get caught financially like a deer in the headlights when that happens, and even better to have a balanced perspective and long-term view of things. You'll be unhappy someday if the apparently endless upward trajectory of the industry falls out from under you unexpectedly.

Re. the last point, yes it would be nice if we all helped each other out generation to generation, but that's a tough nut to crack. Greed is one reason. Another is dues paid in the past. Let's say I paid about 20 years of dues during a fairly sucky period in the industry. Now with kids approaching college, things are working out better for me and my family. Should I ask my union to have the company give 30% of my pay to the regional pilot groups to "help them out"? No, my family was along for the dues paying, so it's their turn to enjoy some upside.

Also while I don't necessarily think anyone should pay dues just because I did, I have a real problem allocating part of my compensation to noobs who haven't paid any dues. If they can hold out for more and get the regionals to pony up, good for them. But I'm not wasting my negotiating capital on their problems. Especially since they typically will have about 20 more years than I did to get an ROI.

 

It's not a zero sum game though. Regional pilot pay raises do not result in main line pay cuts. In fact American Airlines pilots won a pay raise just a year or so ago.

I know it's frustrating seeing new young guys and gals coming into the industry and having an easier time of things than you did. It was frustrating for me to see new hires at PSA get $16,000 sign on bonuses when I came on line before those. Our timing just didn't work out, and they got lucky.

That being said, the younger guys and gals having an easier time and being paid more is the only thing keeping the flow of pilots moving, which pushes our seniority up and up while costing us nothing.

The airlines are making more money than they've ever made before. They only paid poverty wages because pilots agreed to work for them because we're passionate people who want to do this job. Seeing pilots finally say enough is enough and choosing not to work for airlines that try to pay them bottom dollar for highly skilled labor is good news for every pilot.

 

Not true. Things would stagnate for a couple years to grab the 250 hour wonder kids. After that there would be nearly ZERO CFIs left to keep the machine going at the abysmal pace it currently is. The ATP rule is the only thing keeping this thing rolling.


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