Are Low time new hires at regionals safe?

[G4dude]

I keep flopping back and forth on this issue! 350 hour pilots in RJs, are they adequate FOs? What kind of captains will they make? How long before they are upgraded? Creepers! I put this on the fractional section because we all travel on the regionals so frequently.

 

[fly4funcrj]

I think they are good pilots. They are just lacking experience. As a captain at a regional, I flew with some of these guys/gals. The problem will surface when a weak captain and a new f/o are paired. The lack of experience of both pilots will make for a dangerous situation. Of course I was at a regional a few years ago. Don't know about the current quality.

 

[CALRepublic]

We all hate that, the regionals, the flying public, you and me. But its not like the regionals have an option, do they? they gotta keep those airplanes manned.

My friend is a captain at a regional, he says "always be ready to say MY AIRPLANE". He did just that last month, his F/O was taking off, the kid wanted to make a smooth rotation, and almost ran off the runway. I think he gave him back the controls during the climb, but the winds were gusting up to 25 at the destination airport, so he took the controls right back.

Let's not forget that was us, 5, 10, 15 years ago....

 

[amaineiac]

Let's not forget that was us, 5, 10, 15 years ago....

10 years ago I was low time with 1700/700 when I got hired into the Saab. There are guys getting hired now with commercial certificates that still have wet ink.

 

[Photoflight]

I've been told the record at IOE for mesa is in the 150 hour range to get someone passed.

How much yah wanna bet somebody just said screw it and signed the kiddo off.

 

[CALRepublic]

I've been told the record at IOE for mesa is in the 150 hour range to get someone passed.

How much yah wanna bet somebody just said screw it and signed the kiddo off.

If that kid is flying a prop, I don't think its a big deal. The Captain has enough time to react and take the controls, but if he's flying a Jet, hum.......I don't know...

How will Mesa advertse pilot jobs around 2015-
" have you solo? if you have, come and join one of the fastest growing airlines in the country."

 

[j41driver]

If that kid is flying a prop, I don't think its a big deal.

150 hours to get through IOE and you don't think that's a big deal? Wow...

 

[On Your Six]

You can thank automation for making things a bit safer despite lower-time pilots. Sure, you need the experienced PIC, but most glass cockpits make things a lot easier for the newbies... Plus, they're used to it after years of Nintendo and X-Box.

 

[Eot Sugnuf]

I once had a RJ crew make a PA announcement that there was weather ahead and since they were running late they weren't going to deviate so tighten up your seatbelt.

 

[WabiSabi]

We all hate that, the regionals, the flying public, you and me. But its not like the regionals have an option, do they? they gotta keep those airplanes manned.

Actually, they do have an option. They can pay respectable wages and maybe they wouldn't be hemorrhaging experienced pilots. Instead of raising the bar, they lower standards so much that they have to go to pilot factories for fresh starry eyed grads. Also, the flying public doesn't know and probably wouldn't care even if they did know. They just care that their tickets are cheap.

BTW; Not cutting on starry eyed flight school grads. just cutting on the airlines. Hell, I wouldn't have turned down a jet job at 300 hours.

 

[Ultra Grump]

10 years ago I was low time with 1700/700 when I got hired into the Saab. There are guys getting hired now with commercial certificates that still have wet ink.

So who would be the safer bet as captain of that airliner - you as a street captain with 1700 hrs (how much of that is dual given?) and no time in type, or the guy who was hired at 350 hrs with 1350 hrs in type at the airline?

 

[say again]

So who would be the safer bet as captain of that airliner - you as a street captain with 1700 hrs (how much of that is dual given?) and no time in type, or the guy who was hired at 350 hrs with 1350 hrs in type at the airline?

They wouldn't hire you as a street CA with 1700. Bad comparison. But a 1700/700 would make a better FO then the 350 hr wonder pilot.

 

[FLYLOW22]

We all hate that, the regionals, the flying public, you and me. But its not like the regionals have an option, do they? they gotta keep those airplanes manned.

My friend is a captain at a regional, he says "always be ready to say MY AIRPLANE". He did just that last month, his F/O was taking off, the kid wanted to make a smooth rotation, and almost ran off the runway. I think he gave him back the controls during the climb, but the winds were gusting up to 25 at the destination airport, so he took the controls right back.

Let's not forget that was us, 5, 10, 15 years ago....

All of us had 350 hours at some point. We did NOT have a chance at an airline job at that point, however.

Maybe with 800-1000 with some decent ME time.

No way at 350TT. It's not enough experience I think. Too much, too soon for abnormal ops on bad days.

More time in the oven is needed.

 

[Bruce Dickenson]

I remember the day where I truly realized how to land with a crosswind. Prior to this day a strong crosswind landing was very difficult for me and I just hoped to get it down safe without bending anything. I was flying a 172 and had about 430 hours.

 

[say again]

I remember the day where I truly realized how to land with a crosswind. Prior to this day a strong crosswind landing was very difficult for me and I just hoped to get it down safe without bending anything. I was flying a 172 and had about 430 hours.

Which is a perfect time to learn, and not flying around 50+ people.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

I dont really know about other guys but I know personally that I didnt have the slightest idea what I was doing at 300-350 hours.In fact I didnt learn how to fly, well how to really fly, until I had my CFI and about 100 DG under my belt.

...but who knows...maybe some are better than others...

 

[ALIMBO]

What!

I remember the day where I truly realized how to land with a crosswind. Prior to this day a strong crosswind landing was very difficult for me and I just hoped to get it down safe without bending anything. I was flying a 172 and had about 430 hours.

I hope that this was you barely flying at all cause i think I mastered x-winds at around 100-120 hrs.

 

[airplane wizard]

Don't the Airforce guys only have 200hrs when they start flying the T-38's? It's not quantity that counts it's quality of training.

 

[ALIMBO]

Its more than that they start in the newer T-6 then graduate on to the plane that will fit the one their assigned to. Like the beech400 is for guys going into tankers and cargo. T-38 fighters you get the picture

 

[G2T]

Actually, they do have an option. They can pay respectable wages and maybe they wouldn't be hemorrhaging experienced pilots.

I will probably get hammered for this, but I don't think it is a pay issue. Raising the pay does not reduce the number of seats to fill. It will not increase the number of pilots to fill those seats either. Previous pilots had to wait their turn and find other flying. I think part of the issue is the rapid expansion of regional slots available. You can't compete for jobs if there is nobody to compete with. Almost Every airline is hiring, including majors, creating even more seats. I believe it is more a supply issue than a pay issue.