Babbit Selling out On the 1500 Min Hire Rule....

[Skywest Pylot]

Rez,

I want to hear ALPA's stance on this issue. And don't give me the, "it's inevitable" line we got with age 65. Not only are the 200 hour pilot factories unsafe but they have caused a LOT of damage to our profession.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

A 200 hour wonder has no business being in the right seat of a commercial airliner, PERIOD!


But he or she can fly a high performance jet or a large transport in the military to defend your freedoms? I am not ex or present military!

There are a LOT of pilots at the regional level who could never make it as a military pilot. As it stands right now, all it takes to become a regional pilot is a nice installment from Daddy's (or Uncle Sam's) credit card. Zero to hero in $100k. As others have already stated, you are comparing apples to oranges.

 

[Golden Falcon]

"zero to hero in 100k"....thats well put...

 

[PCL_128]

Rez,

I want to hear ALPA's stance on this issue. And don't give me the, "it's inevitable" line we got with age 65. Not only are the 200 hour pilot factories unsafe but they have caused a LOT of damage to our profession.

Since you're a non-union "Skywest Pylot," why do you care? Jerry will just take care of everything, right?

 

[Skywest Pylot]

Since you're a non-union "Skywest Pylot," why do you care? Jerry will just take care of everything, right?

Thanks for the stereotype jack@ss. Maybe if you did a little research you would figure out that: 1. I am pro-union (voted for representation during my time at SkyWest). 2. I don't work for SkyWest anymore but pay ALPA dues just like you.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Rez,

I want to hear ALPA's stance on this issue. And don't give me the, "it's inevitable" line we got with age 65. Not only are the 200 hour pilot factories unsafe but they have caused a LOT of damage to our profession.

I can't give you ALPA's stance... not sure if they even have one as of yet... I can offer my personal view....

Legislation is the better way to go.... Babbitt wants to fix the problems "in house" so he can get the credit... that is fine. But the problem is.. policy changes are easier implement AND to reverse or alter than a CFR.

I'd rather see "an Act of Congress" then a FAA department policy. Recall, GWB changed the DOL's LM2 reporting requirements for unions costing us dues payers millions of dollars in admin costs...

It might be that a President a couple of terms from now, simply has the FAA or DOT secretary change, not for the better, these polices that Babbitt made...

Concerns are in the details... policy or legislation with vague words that allow corporations wiggle room. Worst is language that allows airlines voluntary compliance. Airlines will never comply. As soon as one airline ignores a voluntary compliance and gains a competitive edge, the others will follow... perhaps 8 hours scheduled rest is an example...

Even after the policy or legislation is real, there is the lobby to deal with the interpretation of the language....

We will have to see...

 

[PCL_128]

Thanks for the stereotype jack@ss. Maybe if you did a little research you would figure out that: 1. I am pro-union (voted for representation during my time at SkyWest). 2. I don't work for SkyWest anymore but pay ALPA dues just like you.

My apologies. I must have you confused with another Skywest poster.

 

[jonjuan]

Still, even as a sell-out, it's better to have him there in that position rather than some lawyer or politician.

Like Obama...

 

[B-atch]

Every man has his price... It didn't take long for the ATA to figure out Randy's!! Hes in there pocket. What shocks me is how blatantly obvious they push their agenda without any recourse..

 

[Skywest Pylot]

I can't give you ALPA's stance... not sure if they even have one as of yet... I can offer my personal view....

Legislation is the better way to go.... Babbitt wants to fix the problems "in house" so he can get the credit... that is fine. But the problem is.. policy changes are easier implement AND to reverse or alter than a CFR.

I'd rather see "an Act of Congress" then a FAA department policy. Recall, GWB changed the DOL's LM2 reporting requirements for unions costing us dues payers millions of dollars in admin costs...

It might be that a President a couple of terms from now, simply has the FAA or DOT secretary change, not for the better, these polices that Babbitt made...

Concerns are in the details... policy or legislation with vague words that allow corporations wiggle room. Worst is language that allows airlines voluntary compliance. Airlines will never comply. As soon as one airline ignores a voluntary compliance and gains a competitive edge, the others will follow... perhaps 8 hours scheduled rest is an example...

Even after the policy or legislation is real, there is the lobby to deal with the interpretation of the language....

We will have to see...

I've already emailed my congressmen and hope that my colleagues are doing the same. I believe we have a unique opportunity to bring about some very positive changes. Thanks for the information and keep it coming.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

My apologies. I must have you confused with another Skywest poster.

Apology accepted. It is clear that we are both very passionate about this profession and the direction it is headed. Let's keep the campaign going. :beer:

 

[inline]

There are a LOT of pilots at the regional level who could never make it as a military pilot. As it stands right now, all it takes to become a regional pilot is a nice installment from Daddy's (or Uncle Sam's) credit card. Zero to hero in $100k. As others have already stated, you are comparing apples to oranges.

And there are military pilots who don't succeed in 121 flying as well.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

And there are military pilots who don't succeed in 121 flying as well.

Yeah,
The willingness to bend over and grab their azz cheeks, while buttering their own tater with epoxy and broken glass doesn't come naturally. 121 pilots set their standards low and frequently fail to meet them.
PBR

 

[waveflyer]

Let's not turn this into a pissing contest- Bottom line- we have an OPPORTUNITY to sway our congressman and media- CUSTOMERS WANT EXPERIENCED AVIATORS! They THINK they are getting experienced aviators and they are often NOT. There's no doubt about that- and they have no mechanism for knowing how experienced their pilots are - they buy a ticket on a legacy and can end up with any variable of the experience spectrum- this should be changed. 1500TT is not that limiting./ No matter how much talent and training you have- experience is key- I find it suspect for anyone to argue that they became a lesser aviator with experience.

Take the time to write your local paper- give them your resume and your viewpoint. Increase standards and experience. Take the time to write your congressman, and cc Babbitt, Obama, your senators, and your state lawmakers. Hell, write to your city council. NOW is the time for some long-awaited and LONG-NEEDED changes. We can affect that change. Talk to everyone you know- get them to write letters. Expand our circle of influence.

 

[TheInsider]

There is now no question in my mind who controls the strings of this puppet. Babbitt IS a sellout! A 200 hour wonder has no business being in the right seat of a commercial airliner, PERIOD!

Care to expand on your scientific observations?

 

[waveflyer]

ive got a LOT of observations-- have you?

 

[denny]

there is no reason to go to 1500, it is much more important to focus on the quality of the training received at the regional level

You have literally and seriously got to be JOKING with that statement. Talk about burying your head up someone's butt.

 

[CatfishVT9]

Apples and oranges, my friend.

A 200 hour military pilot has just participated in a training program in which he was a hunted animal, not a valued customer. Also, he's probably still in flight training (FRS, etc.), and if not is very closely monitored by personal-attention squadron standardization and training program (extremely unprofitable--lucky the military isn't in the business of making money).

It goes even further than that. To fly jets in the Navy, only the top 50% are eligible to start training. Not all of those guys select jets, so maybe 40% start in the T-45. Probably around 15-20% of those guys don't make it. So about a third who start Primary Flight Training go on to get winged. Knock a few more off who can't night carrier qual or have other issues. So the "200 hour" military guy is probably comparable to the best 1000 hour civilian. Then he flies as a wingman and is monitored for darn near the rest of his career (every landing, then various quals which are attained or you go home).

Still want to compare that, "Scrubby"?

 

[IBNAV8R]

When anyone tells me a 200-hour wonder trained anywhere is better than another 1000 pilot, I have to raise my eyebrows. I've flown with some great military guys and I've flown with a few I wouldn't trust to "haul rubber dog$#!%". Then there are the yahoos that think they are much better because they wore ties while being trained the "airline" way. Of course, there are those who think they are captain material at 500 hours and pissed off at the world because they can't upgrade in a B777 at 1,200.

At 2,500 hours (the minimum to upgrade at my Co.) most guys aren't even a pimple on the ass of a good captain. The best pilots I know are the ones that know the difference.

 

[jmreii]

Babbit is doing what the deep pockets tell him, if he doesn't play ball they will just get rid of him one way or another. I heard deep sea fishing is lovely this time of year, what you say?