Reply to ACL's post:
Not drinking any sort of Kool Aid. I have an opinion on this issue that is not that of a rumored position of ALPA. I have my own opinion. What I am illustrating with the Emirates issues and the Foreign Military Base issues, Cabatoge, and Foreign Ownership issues, the 1500 v 500 hr rule, and the NPRM is that we as pilots like to isolate each issue and take a stand on each issue. Well the ugly truth is that many other entities combine all of it, and it becomes a game of best option for everyone.
ACL..just to clear, my issue is with ALPA and not you. What you told us last week (Emirates vs. 1500hr issue) was very similar to what the union reps I talked to last week stated as well. The union rep I talked to specifically told me that we are supporting lowering the 1500hr requirement to keep Emirates away. This week the reps I talked to changed their tunes and now they are talking about MPL, cabotage etc. Heck..may be they are reading the crack-pipe! To date, no union rep has been able to give me a consistant explanation on why ALPA is not supporting the 1500hr rule. Their opinions and reasons change week by week...which is leading me and others to believe that it is BS.
I would not be pleased with a 500 hr rule as I see that as an area of time that is still in the range of many to purchase. You go to the 800-1000 hr range and it tied with, strict AQP 300 course work, and min standards on a variety of procedures that airline data shows as lacking in addition to minimum work experience you probably have a better safeguard in place. Add to it, having aviators seeking accredited degrees does a lot more for this profession in the long term.
Then why are you defending ALPA which publicly stated they support lowering the requirements to 500hrs in agreement with the' FAA committee led by the regional airline official'? ACL, I see so significant difference between implementing what you're suggesting and implementing 1500hrs. If you can't find pilots with 1500hrs, where are you going to find pilots with 1000hrs+aviation degree+AQP 300 course work (whatever that is)? So how is that going to keep MPL, cabotage, foreign pilots etc away when 1500hr rule cannot?
ACL, like some previos posters mentioned:
Never negotiate anything away for a future promise....remember how taking a paycut to save the pension worked out for our folks.
Peace