k_EAT=ho_ME said:
Now that I have your undivided attention.

A little mental masturbation for you.
What would happen to the feeder/regional industry if the feds decided that, hey, maybe we oughta make 121 operators put someone in the right seat with at least 135 PIC mins, i.e. 1200TT, etc?
Anyone feelin' frisky?
I think, and its only an opinion, that if the FEDS (I say again the FEDS) start requiring a total time to be SIC, then SIC pay needs to be brought up to reflect that. Before someone goes off the long end of a short pier, think about it for a moment. Currently the PIC is the final authority, buck stops here, cliche cliche cliche. While I agree there has to be some finality as to who is in charge both people up front are putting just as much on the line while flying the airplane and if the FEDS start requiring X number of hours to be a SIC then I think the concept of Captain in training is gone and the concept should be Co-Captain(s) ie both paid a similiar wage.
I realize that rationalle is a little flawed in that 1200 TT in no way constitutes Capt quals, just like 5000 TT in C152 doesnt qualify as Capt quals either. The point is, SIC is and should remain a position of "training" and learning to be a Captain, not as a position occupied by a Captain who simpley gets paid less because of the side of the airplane he/she is sitting on.
Of course that doesnt mean an SIC shouldnt be competent and a sound pilot but as soon as the FEDS start demanding that I or anyone else aquire X amount time to be an SIC then pay needs to reflect that. As it is now anyone with 3lbs of grey matter 3 feet above there a$$ can be taught to be a competent and able pilot within 600 -1000 hours. Will that person have all the experience and tools necessary to comabt every situation he/she might encounter, of course not, thats why there are two up front, its called synergy.
Total time comes down to quality not quantity, albeit there is something to be said for time in enviroment, but as long as you keep learning...
It is up to each airlines training department to start training for line flying and not for triple electrical failures followed by catastrophic engine failures. Emergency training is important but so is the every day operation, its a fine line and to be honest Im not sure how to structure it.