Commuter Hell
#51
#52
I really do not have any problem with the article, and I do not think anyone should. It seems pretty darn balanced to me.
That aside, and in defense of younger pilots:
How old do you think the average fighter or bomber pilot was during WWII? Not to mention any war!
Paul Tibbets was only 30 (and he was "old") when he dropped the "bomb" on Hiroshima out of a B-29.
Granted, he didn't have EFIS or an FMS while crossing the Pacific.
Also, last time I checked, the worst-ever accident in aviation was caused by a very experienced, senior captain. Of course this was before CRM had really taken over the cockpit.
Then again, I still find myself laughing, or it is crying over posts here where some wonder why Sully took over the controls of 1549!
That aside, and in defense of younger pilots:
How old do you think the average fighter or bomber pilot was during WWII? Not to mention any war!
Paul Tibbets was only 30 (and he was "old") when he dropped the "bomb" on Hiroshima out of a B-29.
Granted, he didn't have EFIS or an FMS while crossing the Pacific.
Also, last time I checked, the worst-ever accident in aviation was caused by a very experienced, senior captain. Of course this was before CRM had really taken over the cockpit.
Then again, I still find myself laughing, or it is crying over posts here where some wonder why Sully took over the controls of 1549!
#53
No! Parts of this article are crap and enough is enough! Write to this author!
By playing up the age and big plane vs. small plane issues Joe Brancatelli is just playing to the lowest, dumbest plublic common denominator.
Yeah, drive more America, because statisically, it's way more dangerous, but 20 to 25 year old children are one of the crewmembers! Oh no!
Instead of using his piece to use public leverage to improve regional ("commuter") pilots' relations to parent companies the article tramples the graves of two of our fellow aviators (in my opinion).
Further the piece insults anyone flying professionally who is
1) young in age
2) is/was regional affiliated
3) recently upgraded; "but he'd only been in command of a Q400 since last December"
4) or non military; "When I got out of the Navy, I had 1,800 hours of experience before I even got into commercial aviation" "a reality celebrated last month when 58-year-old Chesley Sullenberger, an Air Force vet with..."
5) fill in the blank
If you feel like I do, follow the link at the bottom of the Washington Post article, and contact Joe Brancatelli and tell him respectfully and briefly what the truth is.
Basura!! (garbage!)
By playing up the age and big plane vs. small plane issues Joe Brancatelli is just playing to the lowest, dumbest plublic common denominator.
Yeah, drive more America, because statisically, it's way more dangerous, but 20 to 25 year old children are one of the crewmembers! Oh no!
Instead of using his piece to use public leverage to improve regional ("commuter") pilots' relations to parent companies the article tramples the graves of two of our fellow aviators (in my opinion).
Further the piece insults anyone flying professionally who is
1) young in age
2) is/was regional affiliated
3) recently upgraded; "but he'd only been in command of a Q400 since last December"
4) or non military; "When I got out of the Navy, I had 1,800 hours of experience before I even got into commercial aviation" "a reality celebrated last month when 58-year-old Chesley Sullenberger, an Air Force vet with..."
5) fill in the blank
If you feel like I do, follow the link at the bottom of the Washington Post article, and contact Joe Brancatelli and tell him respectfully and briefly what the truth is.
Basura!! (garbage!)
When I was driving the Beech, I felt it was one of my responsibilities calm the anxieties of some of the passengers that boarded the plane. To some its quite a shock as you get on. Lets be honest, these aircraft (RJ's included) are not exactly what people are expecting when they book the ticket. While the 1900 is much different than a RJ, some still have that perception when they see 2x2 or god forbid 2x1 seating. I heard an E-170 referred to as a puddle jumper once!
This is perhaps one of the greatest challenges of a regional pilot is to understand the fears and anxieties of our passengers. I always liked telling my passengers that they should feel much better about a "kid" driving a 1900 than a guy with silver hair (no offence to you late starters ). Dealing with their issues in a proffesional and frank manner will go much farther than any smart or snide comment. Even to your First Officer.
#54
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Posts: 30
#55
A few suggestions for you lucky folks who look too young to fly:
Smoke cigars... gravelly voices command attention
Don't exercise so much.... a slight paunch (or as one suit maker calls it "the corporate build") shows you take your work more seriously than your health
Cut back on your sleep and rub your eyes often... the resulting bags will prove you have been around
Get a high maintenance trophy wife (rent one if you need to).... to keep a hotty like that, you gotta be a real success.
If you do all these things, you will get the added bonus of gray hair and a receding hairline.
Smoke cigars... gravelly voices command attention
Don't exercise so much.... a slight paunch (or as one suit maker calls it "the corporate build") shows you take your work more seriously than your health
Cut back on your sleep and rub your eyes often... the resulting bags will prove you have been around
Get a high maintenance trophy wife (rent one if you need to).... to keep a hotty like that, you gotta be a real success.
If you do all these things, you will get the added bonus of gray hair and a receding hairline.
#56
Agree. I still look a lot younger than I am, and I'm enjoying it while it lasts. I just ask inquisitive customers if they remember "Doogie Howser, M.D." and explain that my parents had to drop me off at the airport, since I'm not old enough to drive.
#57
I was on a 757-300 last weekend to Seattle and was in the very aft section in row 45. The lady sitting behind me was talking on her phone before we pushed and she told the person on the other line the she is in a small airplane
#59
For the record, I'm mid forties FO with 10 years in the business (left the Navy in 96) And I have done all the things listed in my previous post (yes, she was rented).
#60
The article was reasonable to me. The author explained things well, and when he got into the negatives, he didn't portray them as facts, he said it was public perception.
He did complain about about experience levels, but that is a fact at the regional level. If you are a very young airline pilot, you are lucky in a way...that opportunity is usually not available. The public would prefer that their doctors, investment brokers, lawyers, and pilots not look like they graduated yesterday (or have yet to graduate).
If people give you crap, just smile...you will have the last laugh when you are a widebody captain before you have too much grey hair. But do your part to alleviate public perception...frosted, spiked hair, ipods, and a guitar-hero interface strapped to your rollaboard do not enhance the image of regional pilots. All that stuff is fine, just not in uniform
He did complain about about experience levels, but that is a fact at the regional level. If you are a very young airline pilot, you are lucky in a way...that opportunity is usually not available. The public would prefer that their doctors, investment brokers, lawyers, and pilots not look like they graduated yesterday (or have yet to graduate).
If people give you crap, just smile...you will have the last laugh when you are a widebody captain before you have too much grey hair. But do your part to alleviate public perception...frosted, spiked hair, ipods, and a guitar-hero interface strapped to your rollaboard do not enhance the image of regional pilots. All that stuff is fine, just not in uniform
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