I talked to a Coke pilot late last year and was stunned that they hired these VERY low timers. I'm all for giving people a break, or an early shot in the arm towards their careers, but from what I gathered, these folks had little to no jet time, no EFIS, FMS experience, etc. He said it was a struggle getting them through FlightSafety.
It was seem more appropriate for someone like this to be hired into a Cessna CJ or something like that, certainly not a GV. While I wish them the best in the careers, I certainly hope they realize they've been given the break of a lifetime and had better appreciate their good fortune. Hopefully in 20 years when they become the Chief Pilot or Director, they'll remember their good fortune and not become a self thought God in the industry. I'd bet everyone on this board would have given all they had to land a job like this with less than 1000 hours. For that sake, many with 5000TT would still consider themselves blessed to land a job with a company like Coke.
I did hear (from the same Coke pilot) that they have an "agreement" with Purdue University to employ 2 interns a year. After two years if these interns work out, they would be offered full time employment, thus giving Coke one new pilot every 1-2 years. I've flown with low time pilots in very complex aircraft and it can be hard enough to be responsible for the trip as PIC, much less the obligations of being a CFI at the same time.
I'm sure I'll catch flack for this and it is certainly not intended to do so. I don't have a problem with low timers being added to the ranks. I do, IMHO however, believe in the old addage of "paying ones dues."
If I've upset some here, forgive me. It certainly wasn't meant to offend.
Regards,
2000Flyer