The "shortage" does not apply to the number of qualified pilots in the US. The shortage applies to the number of those pilots that are willing to come out and fly for minimal wages.

Offer commensurate pay, and watch how many come out. It's time for the greed to stop.

 

There's also no shortage of how much money and energy Byron will use to keep from treating his employees like valuable assets. Keep closing those bases Byron, remember we choose to commute.

 

Sooo...Bedford argues that 1,500 hours and an ATP doesn't mean you're qualified to fly jets. But, he argues that folks with less time are?

Okay. Got it.

 

That explains so much. He's just a wannabe that gave up on his dreams, so now spends his days ****ting on other people who had the balls to do what he couldn't. Huh. Almost feel bad for him. Almost.

 

"...1500 hours and an ATP does not make you a qualified pilot."

-Bryan Bedford, President/CEO, RAH

...smh

Actually, very little of what he has to say makes sense. He simply sounds desperate to protect his greed.

Did I hear him say first year FO's at RAH make in excess of $30K? Is there a new payscale somewhere or did he just sit there and lie?

 

It's amazing what you can do with numbers. I'm sure he is looking at the outliers on the top end and saying "see! He's a first year pilot and he made over $30k." Of course, that pilot also probably credited over 100 hours a month and was never home.

 

Bedford trying to make an argument on the behalf of regionals in regards to military pilots was completely dishonest and I wish Capt Moak could have chimed in and called him out on it. Arguing that military guys can land on an aircraft carrier but not have meet the requirement of 750 hours to fly commerically is absurd. That is a theoretical problem that has no practicality whatsoever.

First of all, military pilots contracts are extensive. Navy requires 8 years after winging. Air Force is 10 years. The amount of flight time accrued over that time...even amongst the pointy nose guys that get less time, will all leave over 750 hours and be eligible for a restricted ATP. Maybe if that certain servicemember only did a 1st tour flying tour, and NEVER did another...then maybe he could be that low. But even then, that would require some crazy circumstances. And if he didn't fly afterwards...there's a good chance he's not interested in flying on the outside; at the very least he wouldn't be remotely current. I left my first flying tour with 1300 total time. I'll leave my current flying tour with 2000...and I'm punching at my commitment. Guys who stay for the long haul will obviously be much higher. I don't know of a single guy who left his first tour with less than 750 TT.

When asked how on average how many times a military pilot could run into this "problem" and leave the service at not have 750 hours...he completely sidesteps the question and says "I think today we are seeing very few military pilots actually coming into the commerical airline business. Uh, so, one of the challenges we have is a that the commericial airlines business is a seniority based oppurtunity...blah blah blah."

Absolutley speechless.

 

Years back Comair management took out a full page ad in the USA today saying how a 1st year pilot can make $67,000 /year.
How is this possible?
Well you get hired. Then in 3 months you upgrade. Hold a line and fly your butt off. Theoretically possible. Yes. Realistic? Not in a million years.
But now all the public is aware of is that a first year right out of college kid can make $67,000 first year.

 

Yeah, in addition to sending letters to the congressmen on the committee, I sent a brief note to Moak about that very topic. Moak should have commented that regionals like Republic COULD choose to hire pilots with as low as 750 hours separating from the military but no military guy is going to a crappy regional unless he/she has no other choice for obvious reasons.

The other comment I made to Moak was that the "flying circles in the sky" that Cohen (RAA) frequently makes and Bedford made today just screws me into the ceiling. Bedford basically stated in his testimony that the time a new pilot gains from 250 hrs. (Commercial Pilot Certificate) to the 1000/1250/1500 hrs. required by the ATP is pretty much wasted time "flying circles" and learning bad habits. I don't know about you guys, but between 250 hours and 1,500 hours I was flight instructing in simple and complex aircraft and flying Part 135 freight, all in good weather and bad. To imply that I (and my peers) are/were "flying circles in the sky" is pretty darn insulting to the guy/gals out there working and learning. Moak does a great job reinforcing the whole low pilot pay issue, but he also needs to reinforce the fact that the time building between 250 hours and 750/1000/1250/1500 is not wasted.

 

I though Moak could have used his words more eloquently instead of just saying it is economics.

It's not just economics. It's the fact that the brand carriers are responsible for things like 3407, low FO pay, and crappy service. Yet when questions are asked they are no where to be seen.

I expect no less from Bedford, he is management. Will say whatever he has to.

The bottom line is this is the brand carriers fault. They created the model and I hope it collapses on them.