It would absolutely decimate the ranks. Heck you probably wouldn’t even have to instruct a single hour in this environment.

The 1,500 hour rule might be kind of stupid, but it’s not the problem. It’s actually a good idea to force CFI’s to fly 1,500 hours from a stability standpoint. Just to dumb it down, a 141 school graduate requires a 1,000 hours before leaving for a regional. That CFI usually receives all his/her Ratings with around 200 total hours, then has to instruct for another 800 to get their 1,000 hours. That’s around 4 students they can produce to replace their position. That’s good, it produces more future aviators.

Maybe Kirby has changed his viewpoint on where the shortage is an issue, but not too recently he blamed it on student training costs and the 1,500 hour rule. That’s not where the major issue lies. It’s regional Captains, that’s where the ranks are on the verge of decimating the future inflow of well trained pilots into the industry. EAS routes will shrink dramatically (and already are) due to lack of Regional Captains to fly those routes, but that’s just the Preliminary or “Undercard” to the Main Event.

 

I’m left scratching my head why you all are brainstorming how to fix this problem. The same problem that gives us incredible leverage to advance the profession in our respective Section 6 negotiations.

I hope to hell that the 1.500 rule doesn’t get repealed (for safety’s sake as well).

 

It seems to me the only realistic long term solution is for mainline aircraft to pick up the slack. More 737s and A320s will be on routes once serviced by 175s. The A220 will become a much more popular aircraft. Overall a great thing for pilots. But I don’t think the realistic solution lies in changing hours one way or another. Adapt to the pilots that are available.

 

Once the E295 shows up on American shores I’ll believe it.

 

Man, you and I both. And the talk about reducing the SIC time of 1000 hours to upgrade makes me cringe. 1000 hours in the right seat is absolute minimum to be qualified to sign for a jet in which 76 souls are entrusting their safety.

 

I am coming out the military next year as a Aircraft Commander in the V-22 (24 passenger capacity) and I will only have restricted ATP mins. I am having a hell of a time finding a job besides the regionals. I would say your ability to conduct safe flight operations highly depends on the quality of flight time that a pilot has.

 

Most majors do not hire R-ATPs, the best ones require full ATP.

Maybe some ULCC's do, but they might to be VERY reluctant to hire a winged mil guy/gal, because they know for sure you'll be gone once you get 1500-2000 hours.

So kind of catch-22, probably just need to pick a regional with a junior base near where you want to live and get on with it. It's OK to line up an airline job in advance and then drop out with some reasonable notice if you get a better offer later.

Keep pressing, in this climate you never know. But where you ultimately want to end up at your age is big three or FDX, due to mass retirements.

You could also do corporate/135 but regional 121 experience and a transport-category type rating will do more for you app scoring than most corporate.

 

Try Breeze and Avelo. Startup ULCC = faster growth and movement potential over a regional.

 

So what’s your suggestion? Repeal the 1,500 hour rule because it doesn’t benefit you personally?

Also, the fact that you even have an R-ATP is because someone agreed with you about the quality of the flight time. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you should be thanking your lucky stars you can go straight to a regional instead of hacking out hundreds of hours as a CFI.

Also, you should have known what the requirements for airlines were before you jumped ship. Being salty about a rule that benefits the profession as a whole because of your (possibly) poor planning is not a good look.

And this is no hate toward mil guys, I was/am one.

 

I didn’t read his post as him *****ing or being salty, I think he’s just stating the obvious. It’s hard to find a job other than a regional with less than 1500tt and an unrestricted ATP.

And no way in hell we should repeal or roll back the 1500 rule. Same goes for the 1000sic to upgrade. Hell no