I think we need a little bit more mature answers to this thread. Remember we are profesionals, and if you are not willing to comment or talk about the mentined subjects, feel free to express your concerns but in a polite and professional manner.
I keep hearing complains about regional pilots like: "nobody knows what it is to be a regional pilot", "they don't know how bad our working rules are and our pay sucks" "public thinks that we are overpaid bus drivers" "nobody appreciate our work"
This might be an opportunity to speak up... now I do have my concerns too, but remember that you might be able to reach an agreement where you remain anonymus and your face doesn't show. I've seen tons of special reports where FBI/CIA/DEA agents testify but with a "dark or blurry face". If any of you q400 guys want to talk I think it would be great, but make sure you run it by ALPA's legal dept. first and make sure that "our" interests are protected during the interviews and it doesn't end up being edited to make us look bad.

 

You guys ought to quit being a bunch of friggin wienies and speak up. I'm sure you have plenty of gripes....or are you satisfied with the satus quo.

 

Shoot him an email then.

 

Are you serious? You really think one hour on a public channel will change the status quo? Money talks, bullsh!t walks...PBS is NOT a lobbyist for regional airline pilots and they certainly aren't going to change anything.

This isn't a bash on PBS, Frontline or Mr. O'Brien. I hope that they do a excellent program on airline safety, but realistically that's all it's going to be.




OO.

 

I sent Miles the contact info for the MEC Chairs. That should be a pretty solid group of sources, and those that can not only speak- but know the "behind the scenes" discussions going on in terms of new changes and programs towards safety.

 

A few places to investigate:

- The zero to hero schools and how corrupt some of them are like Jet University
- Pay to play like Gulfstream Academy

A few ideas to discuss:

- The whipsaw effect
- The rail road labor act and the contract negotiations process and how corrupt it can become (Read: Pinnacle and their struggle for a new contract)
- The effect of Chapter 11 on our contracts
- Do a cost analysis on how much extra it would cost the passengers to double the salary of a first year F.O. and get them off of food stamps. You will be shocked how little it is.

 

Not if you darken the faces and put in the deep voices. You'd have a line out the door. Airline pilot confessionals.

 

Blah Blah Blah.......Remember we are profesionals.....It's always one in the bunch.

 

This isn't just happening to Q pilots.

The appearance is that the FAA has basically gone on a witch hunt against ALL regional pilots. They refuse to acknowledge the problems that they themselves have allowed and instead apparently are becoming aggressive against regional pilots performance as if the primary problem is faulted outside of the system they have created and approve of, i.e., it's just bad pilots.

The FAA has become defensive and reactive to this situation. Instead of working WITH pilots (line pilots) to better understand their issues, their problems and what is truly effective in altering poor performance and THEN making necessary changes in operation, training and performance, they've instead decided to come blasting out of the gate to stand regional pilots against the wall.

Many wonder what happens when this method of resolution fails (it will). It seems as it stands now, putting the spotlight on regional pilots themselves deflects scrutiny away from the relationship of the FAA to air carriers and its resulting inadequacies allowing the previous business as usual problem to continue uncorrected.

I doubt many currently employed pilots would risk their jobs and careers to assist in any such documentary as part of the business as usual philosophy is that silence is golden. Exposing many of the fundamental problems in this industry will end up costing money and profit is king here, therefore a dim view will be taken against those that participate in rocking the boat in any manner contrary to what the RAA and ATA declare to be reality.

Ask either of these two groups about this and they'll just claim that training and testing need to be ramped up a little to weed out the weak or bad pilots and then we'll be fine, but STAY AWAY from any issues within either the carriers themselves or their relationship with the FAA as their is certainly no problem there.

 

Are YOU are one of those pilots who are unwilling to risk your job to try to improve things? If so, don't whine about how nobody is willing to fix things for YOU, because YOU are part of the problem.

It's unfortunate that the FAA runs on tombstone regulation, but right now, we have a chance to have a voice if WE have the 'stones. I have contacted Mr. O'brien (have not heard back yet), but I AM willing to make a statement.

This boat we are all in is called Aviation, and it's taking on water. Grab a bucket and bail, or else don't be surprised when you drown!