Username, thanks for someone finally posting some intelligent, well-reasoned comments in a debate that usually provokes endless emotional flaming from both sides.

- Your points are all well-taken. 1000 or so hours of dual given make one a better pilot, even though many seem to question and openly deride the value of teaching pattern work in a 172.

- Alas, the reality is, with the decline on new student pilots, the growth of regionals, and the ever-declining regional QOL, low-time FO hires are a reality that's likely here to stay.

- One can only hope the regionals improve their QOL :(, raise their standards (yeah, like either of those are going to happen :mad:), or at least develop ab initio programs that can teach low-timers the right way from day one.

BTW, love your "username"

......or raise first year pay so that they can lure candidates from other regionals. The reason most of us are stuck where we are at is because we don't want to lose pay.