NineGturn

I think there must have been many more comments because the comments section doesn't work anymore...it just opens pop up ads. It's pretty sad when a paper publishes paid for content garbage masquerading as reporting but it's downright pathetic when this guy Jerry Siebenmark disables comments because of what people say.

And yes...this is definitely paid content by a PR firm trying to pass it off as reporting. PR firms go to great lengths to spread misinformation including penetrating these and other forums creating posts to spread misinformation. I don't want to make you all paranoid but professional forum trolling by PR firms is very real.

Keep a close eye on what you read. If it hints of a bit of bias to corporate interests, and is poorly written and worded, it's probably not a pilot. You see this a lot in the tech industry...pro PR trolls that make posts that are deliberately cheesy so as to look informal while promoting a product or lambasting a competitor.

JamesNoBrakes

Do you have any examples of these "PR firms"?

NineGturn

Here's something to read on it....Astroturfing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term is "Astroturfing" and although it's illegal in advertising (but not widely enforced) it's widely used in massive PR (Public Relations) campaigns.

The RAA has employed the use of at least one but probably several PR firms who have been tasked with promoting it's agenda and lobbying Congress to roll back the flight time requirements. This isn't speculation because we see all these articles. They aren't getting written by themselves.

In this case such tactics would be difficult to enforce or track and probably not illegal under the existing law because they aren't trying to advertise a product or service.

As far as anyone who's doing it in here....it's difficult to prove because you can't always tell the difference between person with a message and a pro but that's the idea. Generally they use software to mask their true identity and will handle multiple accounts so they can "gang up" on any dissent that is counter to their assigned message.

Typically you will see overt use of slang, insults and other tactics to try to deliberately appear as unprofessional and "grassroots." You will also see a lot of repetition in the face of convincing arguments to the contrary. Another tactic is to simply derail a thread discussion by spamming it or changing the subject.

Social media, product reviews, commentary, internet chat rooms and forums are where you find this type of PR.

NineGturn

Here you go....here's an article that describes it in detail...

The need to protect the internet from 'astroturfing' grows ever more urgent | George Monbiot | Environment | The Guardian

Astroturfing: what is it and why does it matter? | Adam Bienkov | Comment is free | The Guardian

myoface

I emailed the Jerry guy and asked him why their were no quotes from regional pilots and only from the RAA.

tom11011

The media seems to be wanting to tie the term "low cost carrier" or "budget airlines" to regional airline pilots with low pay.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/low-co...220015833.html

NineGturn

This isn't necessarily a bad thing. The problem is that people may equate "budget" to "low cost" and confuse a company like JetBlue or Spirit with a regional carrier which remain hidden from the public by hiding behind names like Delta, United and American.

At least they're bringing light upon the facts. It's amazing that the travelling public still has no idea that the big names in Airlines would rather hire low time pilots with no experience than seasoned captains to fly their brand new 70 seat jets.

Upgrading to left seat in a CRJ or E Jet with 3000 hours total does not a seasoned captain make.

FirstClass

Airlines brace for lack of qualified pilots - CNN Video

FlyJSH

Since when did ERAU teach formation flying?!?

FlyJay

It was just for show, done with no students in the planes. They would never let students fly in formation flight.