SUX4U

Lear,

I don’t fully disagree with your feelings about the importance of PIC time. But we should all have a few current or former co-workers that occupy the left seat that are weak pilots. PIC time is great and all, but it does not necessarily mean he/she is going to be a better all around pilot than those pilots without 121 PIC time.

Grumpyaviator

I know plenty of pilots (guys and girls) hired at Ual and Dal who were line FOs and nothing more, no committees, connections or any extracurricular activities. They were just diligent in their job search and seem to have the personality that fits the culture.

baseball

It likely already has backfired.

1. It upsets the normal progression of upgrade and promotion in the profession at large. No need to poach co-pilots when plenty of experienced Captains available who paid their dues. Not unlike an attorney making partner, or a patrolman making sergeant.

2. Without having an opportunity to learn as a new Captain or Aircraft Commander it short-changes the pilot and his/her crew experience. It short circuits the learning process.

3. It provides a level of professionalism, a degree of credibility and a depth and breadth of knowledge that cannot be simulated.

4. The regional that hired the pilot as a co-pilot would likely want a return on their investment. Makes quite logical sense to upgrade at your regional if given the opportunity and give your employer a return on their investment. loyalty rewarded works both ways.

baseball

if someone upgraded to Captain at a 121 airline then that gets my attention. Why? That person had to pass a Captain ride and have an FAA ride. That process in and of itself weeds out allot of weak pilots. PIC time is two things: making decisions and airmanship. Leadership is built into the making decisions part of the equation. The best predictor of future performance is past performance. if a pilot upgraded to Captain, and has a good record in that role, than the best predictor of future performance in that role is already documented and a known quantity. fewer variables equates to less risk. It's a win-win for the applicant, the prospective airline and the profession at large. No brainer really.

PDRit

Former LEC and MEC Chairman...didn’t UAL fire one of those types on probation recently? Advice to new hires. Color within the lines for a minimum of 12 months. Ex LEC and MEC members may not be the best example. If they are like most UAL MEC and LEC members they don’t make a good case for people you want to hire.

PDRit

And yet you are a captain and can’t spell “ a lot”.

Oletimer

If you're a 121 FO you are supposed to be at a disadvantage. it's called waiting your turn while you gain CA experience. it's called career progression.

No more side saddle as an engineer, so this is awesome. Everyone flies and everyone moves up the ladder.


No need to "show career growth" unless that growth equates to upgrading. That's the kind of career growth pilots care about. Now, HR golf shirt and khaki slacks type people may have a different opinion.....

There in lies the rub within the rub.

No need to keep that stuff "pretty secret" if we're all above board and all.

can't hire the best of the best when we are playing games..... Can't really hide behind "it's pretty secret." I don't think it's proprietary to lead the industry world wide in hiring females and minorities and slip in a few well connected peeps and family members. We should just be open and honest about what's going on that way it's at least semi-believable.

Nothing proprietary about hiring good pilots with a clean record and ample time in the left seat making decisions and taking care of their crew and their passengers.

proprietary is Col Sanders secret recipe. I get it, if that gets out everyone can have finger licking good chicken and KFC would be out of business.

Oletimer

you care about that stuff?

baseball

Actually I can spell it. Just wanted to see if we could get a good co-pilot to spot my mistake.

Aquaticus

Regionals also send a few captains back to the right seat and it happens more than people assume. Being a captain with a decent amount of time behind you is definitely in the positive column.