Pilot Supply for Frax Operators

[bafanguy]

I know less than nothing about the frax world and how it's going other than some labor issues mentioned here (aviation always has labor issues) .

So, with pilot supply being discussed a good bit these days, how do the frax operators make out when they recruit ? Plenty of supply with the requested quals ? Do people consider it a steppingstone or a career destination ?

Asking questions because I don't know the answers.

 

[993_Pilot]

I don't think it has been an issue finding qualified candidates so far. In the future, I suspect that if the airlines & training industry don't find a way around the 1500 hour rule, the Fractionals will become the training ground to get from the 250 hour commercial to the 1500 hour ATP, because we don't have that minimum hour restriction, but that could all change too. The industry and the FAA are obviously well aware of the looming problem, and there were some good articles about possible changes to future training in the most recent AIN magazine. If the FAA does reduce the 1500 hour rule via new training requirements, or some other method, it could change the picture for the Fractionals, because some of the regionals are starting to offer better starting pay and flow-through agreements. In my opinion, it is still way to fluid of a situation for anyone to predict with any real certainty.

 

[bafanguy]

993,


Thanks. A frax job has GOT to be better than a regional job.

Found this on another forum where some statement was apparently put out by DL re pilot supply. The two bolded sentences make no sense individually since DL has no reason to do either to find pilots; military pilots are storming the gate on Virginia Ave and DL can have any and all of them they want under current circumstances...and DL could use r-ATP holders tomorrow if they wanted under existing criteria since they're Part 121.

But if you put them together, i.e., possibly change some of the requirements surrounding the r-ATP (e.g., make the r-ATP process more streamlined...get rid of the CTP course...cheaper for DL) and direct contact with the military about where their people go post-service, it starts looking like a way to get military r-ATP holders in DL cockpits more cheaply. Just a thought:


The airline industry as a whole is looking at how we keep the pipeline of qualified pilots flowing, and Delta is actively engaged in these discussions on many levels. We are part of an industry group exploring Restricted ATPs for the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee; in fact, Delta and ALPA co-chair the ATP working group. We also have an ongoing dialogue with the Air Mobility Command about the supply of military pilots who leave active service and can be employed by an airline.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/88097-any-latest-greatest-about-endeavor-357.html

Is there a link to the AIN training article you mention ?

 

[Propilot77]

Problem is I don't think the FAA can change that since it was congress who made the change. So I suspect congress would have to unchange it.

 

[Bjtdrvr]

Actually FO has always required that a pilot have enough flight time to obtain their ATP and all are typed.

 

[gunfyter]

I'm not sure the 1500 hour rule is an issue when we require 2500 hours anyway

 

[bafanguy]

Actually FO has always required that a pilot have enough flight time to obtain their ATP and all are typed.

I have absolutely no earthly idea what you just said there. :erm:

gunfyter,

This isn't about what any company requires. It's about what any company can do, if it chooses, using minimum FAA criteria to put butts in seats when/if the business plan is under threat.

propilot77,

Makes no difference what branch of the government did what. It's all just ink spots on paper; government pencil monkeys put it there...government pencil monkeys can change it. Which cage of monkeys is irrelevant. Government will do what money and/or the threat of losing votes will prompt it to do. That's what brought on the 1500 hour rule.

It just remains to see what will happen.

I hope the frax biz will find enough people to carry on.

 

[jetmaster727]

Don't forget the huge number of retiring airline pilots every year who wiil still want to work! Frax love these guys cause they ain't goin anywhere!!

 

[993_Pilot]

Don't forget the huge number of retiring airline pilots every year who wiil still want to work! Frax love these guys cause they ain't goin anywhere!!

You make another good point in that the fractionals also do not have to abide by the age 65 retirement rule, which is a potential source of pilots that the airlines don't have.

My previous statements were never about what the current requirements are for any of the fractionals, but rather what happens when the market for new hires starts to get tight for them. My best guess is that the FAA caves to the inevitable economic pressures and will find a way to revamp the training curriculum as a way to appease congress and sell to their constituents in order to get around the 1500 hours rule, but anything could happen.

 

[bafanguy]

993 et al,

Well, it's gettin' kinda entertaining to watch at any rate.