I've been making deposits in the bank of experience: education & training- CA Sully

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Oh, so there is the implication that fewer military pilots means unsafe airlines. Good grief. Military pilots are good but they're no better than properly trained civilians.

 

[Reebo]

Capt. Sully Worried About Airline Industry

Feb. 10, 2009 (CBS) The amazing story of US Airways Flight 1549 might have frequent fliers thinking more about something often taken for granted: the experience of the pilot. The captain of Flight 1549 told CBS News anchor Katie Couric that he's concerned the industry will soon have trouble attracting experienced pilots. The reason? Money.


"One way of looking at this might be that, for 42 years, I've been making small regular deposits in this bank of experience: education and training," said US Airways Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. "And on January 15, the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal."

Sullenberger is uncharacteristically worried. He's worried that when it comes to the bank of experience for airline pilots, there may someday be a significant shortage.

"I don't know a single professional pilot who would recommend that their children follow in their footsteps," he said.

There was a time when airline pilot was a coveted job - glamorous, respected, with plenty of benefits.

But now: "The airline employees have been hit by an economic tsunami. Pay cuts, loss of pensions, increased hours every day, days per week, days per month," Sullenberger said. "It's a heavy burden."

Last year alone, more than 6,000 commercial pilots were either furloughed or permanently laid off.

Couric said: "What effect do you think that is having on the industry itself and on the people's it's attracting?"

"I know some of our pilots, who have been laid off, have chosen not to return," Sullenberger said. "I can speak personally, for me and my family, that my decision to remain in this profession that I love has come at a cost to me and my family."

Sully says five years ago he and the rest of his fellow pilots at US Airways gave back almost $6.8 billion in pension, wages and other concessions, to keep the airline flying.

And while annual salaries can average anywhere from $37,000 for a first officer and well into the six figures for a captain, the shrinking workforce means pilots are often spread very thin.

As Capt. James Ray of the U.S. Airline Pilots Association said: "Twenty years ago, the average airline pilot would maybe work, oh, 70 to 80 hours, about three times a month. Now, that pilot's working 70 to 80 hours every week," he said.

"It started with deregulation in 1978. The onset of low-cost carriers really started to put stress on the system," said Peter Goelz, the former managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board. "Then you couple that with 9/11, the spike in fuel costs, you've really got the prescription for a very challenged industry."

The majority of pilots hired today are civilians coming out of flight school, who began their career at smaller airlines. And few have the military background Sullenberger had flying for the Air Force.

In 1992, roughly 90 percent of those hired by major carriers had flown for the military. By last year, fewer than 30 percent had.

"I think that there will always be people who want to do this," Sullenberger said. "It just may not be the same people who are doing it now."

"Are you concerned that that means if another situation like this one comes up in the future, you won't have as qualified a pilot flying the plane?" Couric asked.

"That just follows doesn't it?" Sullenberger said.

But despite the harsh economic realities, for the first time in jet aviation history, U.S. commercial carriers have gone two consecutive years without a crash fatality.

When contracted about Sullenberger's concerns, the Air Transport Association, which represents the principle U.S. carriers, had no comment.

The story of Flight 1549 has been a boost to the country. But it's also given those who work in the struggling industry a shot in the arm.

"Probably the most important words I've heard have been from my peers. That I have made them proud," Sullenberger said. "That they feel pride in themselves - a pride in their profession they hadn't felt for years. Sometimes decades. And they also tell me, especially ones at my airline who know me, that they were glad that I was the one flying that flight that day."

"Why does that make you feel so good?" Couric said.

"Their praise isn't given easily or readily," Sullenberger said.

But this pilot hopes his moment in the spotlight will remind the airlines - and those who fly - that attracting those with the right stuff may make all the difference.

It only took 48 hours

 

[Mr.B]

Wow, 1 man has stated more for this industry then his EX Union has in about 20 years........

GOOD POINT.

 

[Turtle21]

Sully is full of it. Yeah, I said it. It follows that civi pilots have less experience?!?

You military knuckleheads need to get off your high horse. If the service is so damm great, then why'd you leave?

Well duh, a Marine isn't happy unless he can claim his job is tougher and his circumstances suck worse than everyone else's. So Marine aviators are leaving the Marines in droves to become civilian aviators... because it sucks the most.

 

[JungleJett]

Uh...I think Sully was AF.


Rez, how will your plan work? I will accept a PP presentation.

 

[CopilotDoug]

The military has standards. Anyone cannot be a military pilot. ANYONE and I mean ANYONE can go to a pilot factory like Gulfstream or Delta Connection Academy and get all their ratings.

Interesting. The military pilots I have spoken with seem to think that anyone...yes, ANYONE can be a military pilot. Get over yourself, Hot Shot.

 

[The Prussian]

Well duh, a Marine isn't happy unless he can claim his job is tougher and his circumstances suck worse than everyone else's. So Marine aviators are leaving the Marines in droves to become civilian aviators... because it sucks the most.

Now that brought a smile to my face!...:laugh:

 

[SkiFishFly]

I think you guys are focusing on the wrong part...

The important thing Sully is using his 15 minutes to say is that airlines have cut pay, pensions and quality of life so much that they are no longer attracting "the best and brightest" into aviation.
He is trying to help get the word out that the further erosion of pay and work rules is not the way to go.

 

[GuppyWN]

Every airplane that has departed the prepared surface at WN has been driven by and Air Force pilot.

I don't know if it's a coincidence or shear numbers of ex military on the seniority list.

Gup

 

[slapstick]

a quote from the great Ernest Gann, from "Old Number One". Still rings true today:

"Yet Slonnie was incapable of snobbism, nor did he subscribe to the prevalent airline pilot hauteur as a standard for his own estimation of other flying men. I have heard him lament, with full complement of rueful gestures, "Hell...that man will NEVER learn to fly!" Often enough he was referring to a ten- or fifteen-thousand hour airline veteran, and when I stopped to consider the addressees of Slonnie's invective, I could only agree. The typical man he scorned was indeed a pilot, a rough and mechanically thinking driver totally preoccupied with the pay and seniority aspects of his job. Such a man could tell you instantly his bidding prowess according to seniority, the pay details of every run on the system, the exact date of his retirement and the emoluments to be received thereof; but the runways all along his route were dented with his landings and his most elemental aerial maneuvers were erratic and uncertain.

 

[IBNAV8R]

They all want Sully. But they won't PAY for Sully.

Sadly, it all comes down to whether the public will: 1). Insist on it; and 2). pay for it. Look at seat comfort, leg room, food, china, excellent customer service, larger planes, on-time performance, amenities, etc. Oh, they will bitch about not getting it. But, they won't pay an extra dime, or switch loyalties, to get it. And, this industry knows that.

 

[Motive Flow]

They all want Sully. But they won't PAY for Sully.

Sadly, it all comes down to whether the public will: 1). Insist on it; and 2). pay for it. Look at seat comfort, leg room, food, china, excellent customer service, larger planes, on-time performance, amenities, etc. Oh, they will bitch about not getting it. But, they won't pay an extra dime, or switch loyalties, to get it. And, this industry knows that.

Yep. The flying public will heap praise on Sully until he brings up pilot pay. Then they will immediately go deaf to anything he says.

Hate to be a Debbie Downer on this, but as long as the pax get their $99 ticket, they don't care who sits up front. It could be Short-Round from "Indiana Jones" or Stevie Wonder for all they care.

 

[Colonel Savage]

Every airplane that has departed the prepared surface at WN has been driven by and Air Force pilot.

I don't know if it's a coincidence or shear numbers of ex military on the seniority list.

Gup

Navy guys are IMHO the best group of ex-military types to fly with, including the occasional ex-Marines (part of the Navy, I know).
Navy guys have a definate leadership quality about them, they instill a spirit of cooperation among the entire crew that often is refreshing, and seem to understand the advantanges of real team work in getting a difficult job done.

 

[GINCHBLASTER]

Oh my god please don't let this get in to a civilian vs. military thread. It isn't what Sully was saying. He was saying that when you pay people lower wages and benefits, you get lower quality workers. That's why he's concerned about the future of his profession. The people that have a good head on their shoulders are going to do something else, because they know that being a pilot isn't worth it anymore.

 

[vetrider]

This will all pass like it always has, its nothing more than a 15 minute discussion. If things are so bad, why is Sully wasting his time gracing the aviation industry with his presence?

Back in the glamour days we had great pilots and average at best pilots, much like we do now? We're all making a big production over nothing.

I'm not trying to belittle us, but looking at it from the outside that's what I see. Not saying I like it either, its just what I see.