Low Time B727 pilots

[leardrivr]

Well said LJDRVR. I hope this guy takes your advice. nice picture by the way.

 

[FoxHunter]

Seems like this issue draws up a good deal of emotion. Just a few things to think about. All the major airlines in the mid 60s hired guys with little more than 200 hours, some like UAL hired Zero time, or TWA required a Private. I know of one guy hired by TWA in Feb. 64, age 20, 500 hrs ASEL, as a relief pilot on the 707. When he was 24 he was a 727 Captain, 25 a 707 Captain. Lots of very young, very low time guys flying an all seats those days. Federal Express, back in Falcon days, required you to buy your Falcon rating from their school, and then you could be considered for a job. Braniff in the early, mid 70s required you to pay for your 727 FE rating at their school, and then they would consider you for a job.

Now paying almost $30,000 for 727 would not be my first choice but it would be nice to have a couple thousand hours as a 727 F/O after a few years. It sure is going to look a lot better than a batch of Senaca time.

 

[aeronautic1]

The three things a B727/FO needs to know:

" Was that call for us?"

"Nice landing captain"

"I'll have the chicken"

 

[Swede]

The guys who mentioned the appearance of a resume with "600 TT, 400 B727" have nailed it. Chief Pilots aren't stupid. They're going to KNOW that you are as raw as a freshly-butchered pork chop. There is NO substitute for a lot of hours over varied terrain and with dog-poo weather thrown into the mix, as PIC. I think there are smart chimps who could act as SIC.

Don't freak, I am SIC now myself but I paid my dues as PIC in some evil environments, and those that have done both know that what makes a competent pilot isn't oodles of time, it's acting as PIC making the tough decisions. By definition, the SIC doesn't decide, he offers input. Only when faced with deteriorating circumstances is a pilot's true mettle made known.

One last thought... a good FO, who can provide wise input, and who could easily fly the plane solo when/if skipper has a coronary, is an asset to the crew. Without PIC experience, an FO is often more of a hinderance. I remember at AA for a time, we were putting new-hires directly into the right seat of B757 trips to Tegucigalpa, Lima, some other nasty places, and the concensus of a lot of the Captains was "it would have been an easier and safer trip as a solo." This is not a condemnation, simply reality... these guys were out of their depth. A few hundred hours in a dinosaur jet as "grasshopper" tuning the VHF for the "Master" won't do squat for your resume or your skills.

 

[leardrivr]

I couldn't agree more. I just landed my first job in a heavy. I fell I am prepard for the job because I have several years of tough P.I.C. time flying light jets. I have had the pleasent experience of flying in mexico, at night, bad weather, with a green pilot. Believe me there were times I would have rather been alone. However I have too remember I was that green once too. I was not born a pilot. I would not want to be that S.I.C flying a trip with a boeing captain. someone who has the knowledge and experience to help me prepare for upgrade. Then relize he wishes someone else was flying with him.

 

[usmc33]

Craaap

I checked out the website. I'd throw my logbook away and start from scratch flying students and living in my car before I gave these guys my money. PFT is crap and ruining the future for some pilots who EARNED the right and more than that are EXPERIENCED.

 

[flyer172r]

Seems like this issue draws up a good deal of emotion. Just a few things to think about. All the major airlines in the mid 60s hired guys with little more than 200 hours, some like UAL hired Zero time, or TWA required a Private. I know of one guy hired by TWA in Feb. 64, age 20, 500 hrs ASEL, as a relief pilot on the 707. When he was 24 he was a 727 Captain, 25 a 707 Captain. Lots of very young, very low time guys flying an all seats those days. Federal Express, back in Falcon days, required you to buy your Falcon rating from their school, and then you could be considered for a job. Braniff in the early, mid 70s required you to pay for your 727 FE rating at their school, and then they would consider you for a job.

Thankfully the airline accident rate has improved significantly since those times. Technological advances aside, I wonder why