NoStep

Dang!
Maybe I'm not being concise in expressing my views...(it's getting late).
Never said get rid of hourly requirements...just make the training and weeding-out process more stringent.

Making rules under the guise of safety, without addressing quality of training issues and competency evaluations that were brought to light by this accident is ridiculous...especially when perpetrated by grand-standing blowhard politicians so they can look like they're doing something.

It's the FAA's job to make aviation regulations, so let them do it. Babbit's one of us...and if he's not doing a good job, Obama should fire him.

There IS something wrong with using the "leverage" of this accident to further an agenda. Some used 9/11 in the same way, and it was wrong then, too.

In the words of Ron Burgundy, "Agree to disagree"

krudawg

The role of the captain in any airline cockpit, aside from exercising overall command of the airplane is to be a mentor to the person (read future captain) or First Officer on the demands of the job. This 1500 rule is going to be an unnecessary huge barrier to civilian pilots. It reminds me when most airlines insisted on 20/20 uncorrected vision for their pilot applicants. What they really intended was a preference for military trained pilots at the expense of a civilian trained pilot. The requirement was without merit and the American Disability Act (ADA) fought to get rid of the 20/20 uncorrected vision requirement and had great success.

Hopefully, cooler minds will prevail and water-down this latest ruling. The bottom line is the Colgan Air Captain was incompetant and should never had been sitting in the left seat.

TonyWilliams

So, this new FO can't be mentored when he has 1500 hours?

I do like that you think it will be a huge barrier. Maybe too big (in addition to pathetic regional terms and conditions) of a hurdle for some... maybe a barrier that will reduce the available pilots.

Mmmmmmm, wonder what might result from that?

X Rated

I'll have to disagree and roll back the calendar to the days when you had to have 1500 hours total time and 500 multi engine--MINIMUM--to be considered for a regional job. If you had an ATP you were a bit more competitive.

Maybe there's some value to those jobs flying 135 SIC...at least if something happens you're only talking a minimum number of passengers hurt in comparison to 19 to 78 passengers.

Did you see what FLTops.com: Guiding Pilots to their Professional Goals is doing with their upcoming Job Fair?

Does that illustrate the mindset of the Regional Airline industry?

HSLD

Thats only going back 10-15 years. Interesting how back then flying skills were required (as evidenced by new hire flight time often in excess of 2000 hours) as most regional aircraft didn't have auto-pilots or glass. Anyone remember the J41, Bandit, CASA, Merlin, etc....

wrxpilot

What an absolutely terrible analogy... Requiring 20/20 uncorrected vision would be perceived as unfair by some as they would be excluding by a requirement they have no control over. However, obtaining 1500 hours is within the ability of any motivated individual.

Do you think you're owed a job?

NoStep

Or you could go back to when airlines had difficulty filling slots because of Viet Nam. Wet commercial was required to fly for the MAJORS in Convairs, Connies, 707's, etc. Back then, we weren't captains in training while sitting right seat. CRM was flipping switches the PIC and PFE couldn't easily reach, and taking the chicken instead of steak.

9kBud

In my view this legislation only means that more people will need to get their CFI's to earn their time. Note the word "earn".

EVpilot

I wish it were so but I think you are dreaming.

krudawg

No, I just think 1500 is arbitrary and capricious. I'm not a military trained pilot but I do know that the military (Air Force) allows pilots to be "Aircraft Commanders" (Captains) with a whole lot less assuming they can pass the check-ride. Which makes perfect sense to me. You and I can continue to disagree but the fact remains that Flight Time is only an "indication" of pilot skill not a hard firm skill set.