Because you like me for my personality

 

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!

 

Exactly what parts of this article are inaccurate? While I agree the lady at the end is pretty obsurd, the author does a good job explaining the relationship between mainline and regionals/code-shares. In fact he does more than any other reporter has done in debunking at least some of the myths surrounding "commuter" airlines. And while he somewhat glosses over the fact that we are trained to the same standards, he does have a point that experience counts. I know I would rather have a 30 year old drive me to the airport rather than a 16 year old. That doesn't necessarily mean the 30 year old driver is any better at driving, but the perception is there.

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.

 

as long as you get it on the ground it's all good with me. anyway, if the landing is rough blame the 24 yr old pilot

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

I'm still trying to figure out how to make $25,000 as a new regional FO! That, my friend, is inaccurate

 

Actually, I get a bit of a kick when people (rampers especially) approach me as if I were the captain. I just smile and ask the captain the question myself. They always look a bit embarrassed.

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).

 

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