Airbum

To respond to the only part of that statement that merits one. Quality over quantity The problem comes when the quality is not good enough. So often it's a mix. Would one hour of the best ever flight training make the best ever pilot? I'll answer my own question. No. What is the cost these days for a USAF pilot to make it to squadron level copilot flying a transport? I would venture more then a million. How does the LH aspiring pilot achieve that level of quality training to make up for quantity?

Yazzoo

This problem isn't going to be solved by adding doors or security measures.

The meta issue is the FAA's intolerance of anti-depressants and other taboo subjects such as depression and mental stability within the pilot corps. It's time to address the major issues that actually matter, instead of passing legislation to tackle the tiny ones that don't matter, like cockpit doors.

Pilot suicides are many times rarer than actual hijackings. Changing cockpit security in response to this isolated incident is not a rational response.

Selfmade92

Well, only 3% make it through the LH interviews and tests. It's tough, I know I wouldn't make it through. You have to be mad skilled at everything!

Believe me, in Europe it's impossible to become a pilot if you have the money and want to, you have to be solid fit, mentally and physically.

It's not like the US, where if you have rich parents you can make it in any career...

Fluglehrer

Why should we believe you? You obviously don't have more than a superficial knowledge of either US or European aviation. Quite a few well-off European kids attend flight training in the US.

I don't think the "rich parents" comment merits a reply. You need to take what you read in Der Spiegel or Focus with a grain of salt.

Adlerdriver

You're talking about entry level filters like interviews and testing as if those are final indications of success as a career pilot.

You appear to be unable to appreciate the value of actual flying experience. There is no substitute.

Airline flying does not develop the valuable stick and rudder flying skills that have always been the foundation of any successful pilot. Even 10-15 minutes of hand flying per flight isn't going to do much to improve flying skills. It's one thing if the pilot is already highly experienced - it's something quite different if he's never had much experience to start with.

In the past, by the time a pilot began flying airliners, he had thousands of hours of actual stick and rudder flying experience. When he landed his coveted airline job, he already had a solid foundation of skills to draw on should they become necessary. You don't get better at piloting by flying an airliner - simple fact. Whatever skills you show up with are the baseline foundation you will be building on from that point forward. Putting a 250 hour trainee into an airline cockpit bypasses all that experience and foundational skills. He'll probably be an adequate systems operator, checklist reader and as long as things stay within the boundaries of his limited experience, things will go okay. That, in my opinion, is not the type of pilot I want to work with as a professional. No matter how great his test scores or interview were.

Packrat

Nice version of a 30 year old wive's tale. Usually its either Delta or AA with the pins in. But, whatever you say, Ace.

glasspilot

I realize this is an old thread but new news on same subject.

Many of the European airlines are dropping the "2 people in cockpit" rule and going back to "one is ok"! Hard to believe....

RI830

Europeans are daring.....raising the risk that the lowly, unqualified and disasterous co-pilot might have to land the airplane.
Only later to applaud his (or her) "magnificent" landing!

Passengers Bill and Rhonda "We was nervous with the Cappy-tan back here with us, I mean that leaves just the co-pilot to manage such a BIG airplane all on his own. How ever will he land this thing. I was fearing for my life!"

glasspilot

RI830, I don't know why you're going off on a tangent in this thread. It is about protecting against a mentally ill pilot from being alone in the cockpit. Also, I believe, it's about one person up front and he/she becomes very ill/dies. The US has been doing the 2 person CP since 9/11. Not sure why the Europeans feel it's such a big deal to implement.

rickair7777

Because by rigid screening and academic testing (which not even US astronauts with PhD's could hope to pass), they ensure that no European pilot actually needs a backup.