Airbus Captian at 25....

[SkyBoy1981]

Why does everyone assume that just because someone succeeds at a young age that mommy and daddy bought their way to the top? It may be true in some situations, but it certainly isn't always the case. It really isn't fair to put someone in that category without knowing their background.

 

[Captain Morgan]

I just want to know why that First Officer in the picture has only two stripes. Did he just upgrade from Flight Attendant or something?

 

[Mookie]

it's his "special friend."

Brokeback Co-Pilot...

heheheheheeh...

mookie

 

[PapaGiorgio]

I read an article in AOPA more than a few years back that UPS had a 747 captain that was 23 or 24. Got the slot through some kind of a merge or something about 25 yrs ago. But I guess that might not have been as unusaul back then as it would be now.

 

[blade230]

I just want to know why that First Officer in the picture has only two stripes. Did he just upgrade from Flight Attendant or something?

Generally overseas, FO's have only two stripes. Cathay Pacific is an example where Junior A330/B777 FO's were 2 bars. 2.5 bars is an FO, while 3 bars at Cathay is a relief Captain.

This goes for Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airways as well. 2 stripes=FO, 3 stipes=Senior FO/relief Captain, 4 stripes=big paycheck.

 

[Palomino]

I read an article in AOPA more than a few years back that UPS had a 747 captain that was 23 or 24. Got the slot through some kind of a merge or something about 25 yrs ago. But I guess that might not have been as unusaul back then as it would be now.

could be the story i heard. goes something like this: UPS wanted to buy someone else's operating certificate in order to expedite the startup of their airline freight business. so they bought some small cargo op with the demand from the seller of said certificate that he be provided UPS seniority #1.

that's the story i heard. maybe some Brownies can clean up the rumor and make more sense of it.

 

[flyboydk]

G200 where in the article did the $150K come up? Besides he is still further ahead than he would if he had spent $100K on a 4-yr aviation college and started his first flying job at age 22..

I used to flight instruct for the Oxford Aviation program, these people pay a minimum of $120,000 for the program, if they require any extra training, they pay rates of, for example, $375 per hour for dual instruction in a warrior.

 

[Lear70]

No, there are some guys in their late 20s and early 30 over at JB. Saw him on Carson Daly about a year ago when he flew the show's crew to the left coast, and they were clowning him for being so young.

Correct. One of my Lear F/O's went to Colgan while I stayed in Lears. When I was applying to jetBlue, so was he.

He got an interview because he held the 1,000 hours over 20,000 lbs required at the time because he had been flying larger aircraft from the right seat while I was commanding a Lear. They called me at the same time but I didn't have the 1,000 hours over 20,000 lbs and couldn't interview me. He upgraded in 6 months. That was 2000, I was 29 and had just upgraded to Captain on the 727 flying cargo. He was 25 when he upgraded on the Airbus and is one of their most senior Captains.

They're out there.

I used to flight instruct for the Oxford Aviation program, these people pay a minimum of $120,000 for the program, if they require any extra training, they pay rates of, for example, $375 per hour for dual instruction in a warrior.

Correct. And if you read the article again, you'll see that he "self-sponsored himself" through the program, meaning he either borrowed it as a loan or got it from Mom and Dad.

Makes me sick... When so many thousands of pilots busted their A*S to get where they are and 18 year olds will buy their way into an airline job ahead of those of us who have been around for years. I know that Europe is different with their "ab-initio" programs, but it's only a matter of time before that kind of sh*t starts happening over here - the trend is already starting.

 

[duc driver]

its true, the airlines in europe used to pay for all your traning, private tru ATP. i almost got on with Aer Lingus in the 90's. now its pay for everything, come to use ready to fly this 737/A319 and mabe we'll give you the job and it's starting to slide in that direction here too.

 

[pilotyip]

Lear 70 PFT in the US is all but dead, do you forget how common PFT was back in the mid 90's Exec Jet, ACA, Valuejet, etc.

 

[Lear70]

Lear 70 PFT in the US is all but dead, do you forget how common PFT was back in the mid 90's Exec Jet, ACA, Valuejet, etc.

INCORRECT! Good luck next time.

We have SEVERAL PFT companies still in existence including Gulfstream Academy, the ERAU Capt program, the list goes on and on.

According to recent info, over 60% of our new-hires at PCL are GIA or ERAU CAPT program graduates.

You are sadly, sadly mistaken at how much European airlines threaten U.S. pilots. Virgin America is the most recent obvious example. Their low-wage mentality, if allowed to flourish here, will finish off what's LEFT of this profession.

 

[hoover]

Read the attached article. It says the RAF sponsored him through the training. It also says he started in November 2001 on the B737, transitioned to the A320 at some point, and then upgraded to Captain in June 2005. This means he has passed at least 3 airline checkrides, including one Captain checkride, and has at least 3000 hours hours in commercial transport aircraft.

I am so sick and tired of the mantra that the only acceptable way to get into an airliner cockpit is to "pay your dues" by spending years instructing, flying freight or for the commuters, or whatever. He obviously can do the job, so where's the problem?

 

[DX Rick]

Am I the only one who noticed this guy's name? LMAO!!!! Peter Gibbons. Nice.... Uh, Yeah... Were gonna need you to come in on Saturday... That would be great. Oh, Oh... I almost forgot....

Peter... Whats happening?
Beautiful.

I caught it. Pretty good stuff. But he looks more like Malcom in the Middle.

 

[pilotyip]

No lear70, I am probably more correct than incorrect. PFT is only 10-20% of what is was 10 years ago. In 1996 I was offered a job a ACA, $10K for an F/O check out in the BE-31, I applied at ValueJet $10K for a DC-9 type, Net Jets $10K for a CE-550 type, which I already had, but I would have still had have paid the $10K. If PLC is hiring a lot of GA guys, it is because they feel that is the best they can find. It is a free market. If you are unhappy, you should get together with all of the other unhappy pilots on this site and start your own airline; it could be a pilot's dream job. The brother hood would praise you forever.

 

[Lear70]

Read the attached article. It says the RAF sponsored him through the training.

Looks like you need a reading course, Slick.

Peter, who lives in Oxton, Wirral, did an RAF flying scholarship at the age of 18 and self sponsored himself through Oxford Aviation Training.

That's an RAF SCHOLARSHIP, not SPONSORSHIP. He paid for his own training. Clear?

I am so sick and tired of the mantra that the only acceptable way to get into an airliner cockpit is to "pay your dues" by spending years instructing, flying freight or for the commuters, or whatever. He obviously can do the job, so where's the problem?

Where's the problem? If you don't understand the dangers of PFT, then I'd be preaching to a brick wall, so do us all a favor and go get educated then come back and we'll discuss it when you understand the erosion of the profession this causes.

YIP, you and I have disagreed before and will probably continue to disagree, so why bother debating it? I see PFT alive and well, you don't. I don't think I'm in the minority here...

 

[pilotyip]

Lear 70 I debate it becasue I think you are wrong, were you job shopping in 1996?

 

[GogglesPisano]

Why does everyone assume that just because someone succeeds at a young age that mommy and daddy bought their way to the top? It may be true in some situations, but it certainly isn't always the case. It really isn't fair to put someone in that category without knowing their background.

I'm sure by the age of 18 he had been able to save $120,000 mowing lawns.

 

[Green]

How old's the youngest Airbus CA in the states? 45?

I've flown with several guys in their early 30's who are Bus captains here at AWA.

 

[Green]

I just want to know why that First Officer in the picture has only two stripes. Did he just upgrade from Flight Attendant or something?

In quite a few other countries there is something called a "junior fo" where you only wear two bars. Usually that only lasts a year or two. Similar to probation for us.

 

[Lear70]

Lear 70 I debate it becasue I think you are wrong, were you job shopping in 1996?

Yup. Was flying King Airs looking for a regional job. About 1/3 of the jobs available were PFT.

My POINT was that PFT is still alive and well and now taking a new form, where in order to be on the "preferred" hiring list, you have to go through a school similar to the European ab-initio training.

It's a trend I don't like seeing and it's been on the increase the last 5 years.

 

[CaptainMark]

How old's the youngest Airbus CA in the states? 45?

i upgraded at 35 at fdx and i know of another guy who did it at that age too...with the growth here there will be a lot more younger widebody captains in the future...

 

[Flyingdutchman]

A good friend of mine is a A-319/320/321 captain for Spainair.. He is 23 y/old... got hired at 19...

I flew traffic watch and (VFR) cargo in a C310 at 18, King Air's at 19 (SIC) and PIC at 20... I dont see your point.

 

[John2375]

Looks like you need a reading course, Slick.


That's an RAF SCHOLARSHIP, not SPONSORSHIP. He paid for his own training. Clear?

Looks like YOU need the reading course, not-so-slick!
Direct quote copied and pasted:

Peter, who was sponsored through Oxford Air training school by the RAF, now flies passengers to holiday destinations from Manchester Airport.​

Clear, dumbass?

 

[flyboydk]

When I was working for Oxford, there were no more "sponsorships" by the RAF or any airlines... anyone who was there either had mom and dad pay for it, took out a huge loan, or actually had the money themselves to do it.

 

[FlyinScotsman]

no college degree required, see if you want to be a pilot you fly airplanes. Experience wins over the degree in this case.

Why Oh Why?!?!?!?!?

Do you have a sixth sense for these threads?

Anyone mentions college and flying and like Superman coming to rescue Lois Lane..............SUPERPILOTYIP!!!!!!!!!! Defending undereducated people everywhere!

Are you a councelor in a high school? If not it would be a great job for you.

Look at me, I didn't go to college and I turned out fine!

Please don't tell my friend, Donny, bartending at The Dugout (it is the best he could do after high school). It only pisses him off and I don't need to be beat up anymore.

 

[PTWOB_Flyer]

Can't really say I'm floor-struck by his position at the age of 25. I'm sure he's not the first and/or the last. Hell, just look above the skies of many Air Force bases and you'll have 23 year old kids zooming around the skies with loaded 20mm cannons, flare/chaff, and live missiles.

In your moments of envy, just be glad you're not the douche posing in your airline get-up for your coworkers to see!

Have a good weekend everyone...

PTWOB

 

[Rook]

Why Oh Why?!?!?!?!?


Look at me, I didn't go to college and I turned out fine!

.

I think YIP actually has a grad degree or 2. He's just saying...oh never mind.

Rook

 

[Lear70]

Looks like you need a reading course, Slick.


That's an RAF SCHOLARSHIP, not SPONSORSHIP. He paid for his own training. Clear?

Looks like YOU need the reading course, not-so-slick!
Direct quote copied and pasted:

Peter, who was sponsored through Oxford Air training school by the RAF, now flies passengers to holiday destinations from Manchester Airport.​

Clear, dumbass?

No, it's not, asshole. My quote was direct copied and pasted as well, or did you conveniently forget to check that?

What we've PROVEN here (besides the fact that you're a little sensitive about this young Captain idea and looking at your background in your profile I can see why) is that the media is contradicting themselves in this article. At one point they say he had an internship at the RAF and self-sponsored, then later they say the RAF sponsored him. They need to pick one.

I know the main point of this thread was to point out that the guy is WAY young in comparison to what the average age for Captains on that type of equipment is, but contrary to that idea, I don't give a rat's ass if a guy makes Captain at 23, 25, 35, whatever. I was a King Air Captain at 26, a Lear Captain at 27, and a 727 Captain at 28, it would be awfully hypocritical of me to put down someone's achievements based solely on age.

The difference, if you haven't grasped the fundamental of MY argument yet, is in HOW you accomplish that goal. If the guy paid for his own training through this VERY EXPENSIVE flight school, rather than being sponsored like 99% of everyone else seems to be over there, then he's another PFT guy, just like everyone over here who's done it, and we all know what everyone who ISN'T a PFT guy or gal thinks about PFT.

 

[CaptainMark]

Easy Lear70..your gonna make him cry...

 

[John2375]

Easy Lear70..your gonna make him cry...

Actually he's making me laugh! You guys just can't stand it when someone goes ANY other route BESIDES CFI or military; the blood just pulses in the little vein on the side of your heads!
I may very likely go the CFI route myself, but if an opportunity came long that allowed otherwise, I would avoid it.
I copied and pasted my text directly from the article, so why don't you clam up and get back on your high horse?
Oh and my background? Why would I be sensitive about a young captain? I don't think there should be any age restrictions, young OR old - there's plenty of 35 y/o dudes who should'nt be at the helm and plenty of 65 y/o who could and should - case by case basis -
Take it easy there tough guy - now get back on that high horse and ride off into the sunset...