Air Service to Small and Rural Communities | U.S. House of Representatives

So Bryan Bedford, may Allah bless him, was up talking to the Subcommittee on Aviation today, along with Lee Moak and a few others. Much was said about the "pilot shortage," and Bedford got some beauties in. My favorite lines from Republic's fearless leader were that he is TRYING to pay his pilots more, but the unions won't let him! HA!

He also made some statements about the 1,500 hr. rule not doing what was intended, that we can trust low time military guys/gals to land on carriers but theoretically they wouldn't be qualified to fly for a regional (no mention in the selection process or difference/intensity of training of course!), and that despite having adequate applications on file, he can't find "qualified" pilots to fill his ranks (again, no mention of the type of pilots he attracts in the first place considering his reputation in the regional airline business or his crappy pay/work rules).

So basically, he went to the Hill to whine about the 1,500 rule and how he's suffering. Cry me a river Bryan!!

Just watched the entire video and wasn't suprised one bit, Moak wasn't much better either.

Pilots need to be more like Paulie...


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Yeah, there were a few comments Bedford made that he let "slide," but I think the problem is that if you "shout out" or generally misbehave in hearings such as those, you're not invited back. They're very, very structured as you can tell.

Moak has been doing a good job, though, of reinforcing that the pilot shortage (or at least what is happening right now) is an economic issue and not really a true shortage (yet).

Also, didn't realize that Bedford was a pilot, or at least claimed to be one in his past.

LOL the Committee Chairman called him Byron. Must have been a blow to the ego.

Bedford used to tell employees he wanted to be a pilot and has his commercial license, but decided to go into accounting because he could make more money....no kidding.

It's "Byron."

he-he......

My name is BBBrRrRrRrRYYooOoooooooooooooonnn!! (Brian Regan reference)

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.