Higher Time Pilots are a Liability

[Beechman]

It appears that any pilot with previous 121 experience and 4-5k hours is a liability to the regional airline industry and therefore more than likely will not be hired.

 

[Flyer1015]

I feel for ya, but it's not a liability as much as it is a retention issue. Regionals do pay thousands to dish out a newhire onto the line, and they want to ensure they can keep that guy around for at least a few years. By getting lower time pilots, 250-1000 hrs with no ATP, they can pretty much guarantee themselves a candidate who will be stuck with them until at least upgrade. But bring in an ATP-rated 5,000 hour pilot, they know this guy is here only to keep currency on his resume and will bail out at the first job offer (or recall) notice.

 

[bri5150]

I feel for ya, but it's not a liability as much as it is a retention issue. Regionals do pay thousands to dish out a newhire onto the line, and they want to ensure they can keep that guy around for at least a few years. By getting lower time pilots, 250-1000 hrs with no ATP, they can pretty much guarantee themselves a candidate who will be stuck with them until at least upgrade. But bring in an ATP-rated 5,000 hour pilot, they know this guy is here only to keep currency on his resume and will bail out at the first job offer (or recall) notice.

So sad, but true. We should get that out to the local news outlets.

 

[Skaff]

BS. Regionals do not have the ability to picky about longevity right now. They are having a tough enough time just filling classes.

 

[GRAAB HIRBOUBI]

When I got hired at Mesaba I was in this situation. 39 years old, 5400 hours.

I was told that the past experiences showed older, higher time guys really have a harder time in training and a higher washout rate. I had a chief pilot friend watching me through the process so I made it past those pot holes.

The past 4 years I have seen some guys hired in their 50's. I don't think they are a liability but considering the job market, they guy probably just needs a job rather than just finding a stepping stone.

I know I am not intending to leave...

 

[Flyer1015]

BS. Regionals do not have the ability to picky about longevity right now. They are having a tough enough time just filling classes.

They're having trouble because they are currently "demanding" 1000/100. Drop the mins to 500 or even wet commercial 250 (like it was in 2007) and suddenly, you'll no longer have any shortage of pilots.

 

[altimaklr]

If we had an industry-wide union, this wouldn't matter.. oh well.

 

[cynic]

You could also solve the problem by making it much harder to become licensed and thus, reducing the supply of pilots.

 

[CX880]

The supply is already reduced. Word is out, this job actually does kind of suck.

 

[bri5150]

You could also solve the problem by making it much harder to become licensed and thus, reducing the supply of pilots.

Seriously, is this all you think about 24/7? Okay, we get it. You think this is an easy job. Get back to saving the world with your ultra-difficult computer job that nobody but you can do and let us mindlessly drool and twitch in the cockpit in peace.

 

[Skaff]

They're having trouble because they are currently "demanding" 1000/100. Drop the mins to 500 or even wet commercial 250 (like it was in 2007) and suddenly, you'll no longer have any shortage of pilots.

Shortage of pilots, reduce the experience, increase the accidents and incidents rates (Colgan Crash). Not worth it. They are having trouble because they are demanding qualified pilots... The numbers are just the point that they will interview a candidate to see if they are qualified. Those that have their interviews at 1000/100 that don't pass the interview have been found to not qualify. Dropping the mins wont help anyone or anything.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

ASA has a retired F-22 pilot. That guy is gone as soon as something better comes along.

 

[flyboyike]

ASA has a retired F-22 pilot. That guy is gone as soon as something better comes along.

That reminds me. On the Southwest application under "aircraft flown" they mention both the Space Shuttle and the 787.

 

[Mike man]

It appears that any pilot with previous 121 experience and 4-5k hours is a liability to the regional airline industry and therefore more than likely will not be hired.

The only reason you are a liability is because you can read a contract, you know the games they play and know how to play the games back.

 

[cynic]

Seriously, is this all you think about 24/7? Okay, we get it. You think this is an easy job. Get back to saving the world with your ultra-difficult computer job that nobody but you can do and let us mindlessly drool and twitch in the cockpit in peace.

All I said was if you make it harder to get a license there would be fewer pilots. Sheez.... maybe you put your panty liner in sticky side up?

 

[Beechman]

The only reason you are a liability is because you can read a contract, you know the games they play and know how to play the games back.

In other words tell them how much I love their company and that they wouldn't have to worry about me leaving because I fully intend on staying put for several years - "I see this place where I can remain long term!"

But also, as you mentioned, being able to read a contract - if they get their money worth out of me after two years it is probably in their best interest, financially, that I leave.

So, in many ways it ought to be a win-win situation - I'll stay for my contracted time and you (the company) will get an experienced pilot but for a time.

It seems, though, that such common sense reasoning betrays the recruitment department folks.

 

[shamrock]

ASA has a retired F-22 pilot. That guy is gone as soon as something better comes along.

Is he the former Blue Angel?