Originally Posted by Ex lurker

I was told the Mesa, PDT, and PSA union reps were on board with this.

Originally Posted by Slick111

So let's follow this scenario to it's inevitable and logical conclusion, assuming that Rev. Bedford and this shills at the RAA are successful in getting their 1500 hour reduction.

Let's say that the hiring minimums are taken down to 500 hours, no strings attached. Every CFI in the country will apply to regional airlines and they will be hired. So who's left to train the NEXT wave of regional airline pilots? No one! Or very few! In the time it takes to re-train another crop of CFI's for your large pilot mills, Flight Safety Academy, All ATP's, American Flyers, and every other big, uniform-sporting, foreign-government-gouging flight school will cease to exist.

And an added (short-term) benefit of lowing the regional pilot hiring minimums is that the FAA will likely be less apt to raise the retirement age,..... again. And THAT'S a big deal for those you who are on the verge of moving on to bigger and better things.

I'm not saying that I favor a reduction in the ATP requirement(s). I'm just saying that sticking a few more cards into this house of cards will not make it anything other than a house of cards,...... in the long run.

Originally Posted by bedrock

The highlights are years of concessions and the 1500 hr rule have dried up the cheap pilot market. Regionals are just now coming to terms with that. They are crying extremely loudly to get the rule changed. Almost any regional will take you now, though I would at least get current in a frasca first.

Several regional airlines are offering bonus money to new hires and training incentives are being offered by American/Envoy.

QOL at regionals is still atrocious. 11 days off for new hires, 5+ legs a day, expensive costs such as healthcare on still low salaries. A lot of turmoil going on. Contract negotiations at XJT, RJET, AWAC and other LCCs and majors. They are still hoping to get pilots by offering a little more here and there--overall compensation is still not commensurate with job responsibilities and requirements. I think economy will stay good another year due to election coming up. The govt. will devalue the USD again in attempt to stimulate the stock mkt; they just want to keep their powder dry for now. Record profits at majors, out of touch regionals still asking for concessions--but not getting them except at Envoy who offers a flowthrough, but a 4 yr cap on FO salaries and 12 on CA.

Originally Posted by imasaluki

So, just another "under a rock" question. Since I was previously 121, would I also need to meet the 1500 hr rule?

Originally Posted by Shiner

The FAA reauthorization act needs to be passed in Congress by September 30th, or they risk another FAA shutdown. Regional airlines are lobbying hard to get lower requirements to become a first officer slipped in to that bill.

If you are a pilot in the airline industry, or hoping to become one, you should contact your elected representatives and tell them not to lower the standards to get into the right seat. This is an important cause we should all get behind.

Originally Posted by Cloudnine

I'm fully expecting at least one guy on here to spout the whole
" no one owes you a job , kid!" after my last comment.
In my experience, people who think like this often believe we live in a true democracy and that 'free market' capitalism actually exists as it was intended to.

Originally Posted by flyguy102

Yeah. Any new hire would

Originally Posted by aflyingtuba

Technically no. What he needs is an ATP. Maybe he qualifies for the restricted through a 4 year degree (1000hrs) or military (750hrs).