Is it just me?

TripleSticks

TripleSticks

Well-Known Member
There's all these discussions about the low times that regional airlines are hiring at now.... and I have to get on a RJ tomorrow afternoon.

So....

Is it just me... or is anyone else scared to death when you get on an RJ and realize that the SIC only has about 300TT with 25 multi?

When I started training, just a few years ago, my roommate was an instructor. He had to wait until he had over 1200TT/800-1000ME before he got a job offer from Colgen to be SIC in Turboprops. I assumed, and accepted, that I would have to work long and hard as an instructor to get anywhere close to where I wanted to be. I was lucky to get a good surveying job at 800 hours. Just 500 hours of instruction.

Now it's out of control. My life hangs in the hands of a guy who has 25-50 hours of multi. I'm sorry to say it here. But it freaks me out.
 
johnt1969 said:
Now it's out of control. My life hangs in the hands of a guy who has 25-50 hours of multi. I'm sorry to say it here. But it freaks me out.
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You don't know how much time the SIC has. Not every FO is low-time.
 
killbilly said:
You don't know how much time the SIC has. Not every FO is low-time.
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I'm sure this will turn into an 8-page discussion, but I think that he has a very good point. Obviously not every FO is low time--some airlines have more senior FO's in general, while some airlines hire with higher minimums--but the fact is that if you're on most regionals there's a chance the FO could have very low time.

It sort of freaks me out, too. I don't think having more time makes me god's gift to FO's--in fact, it makes me realize that I still have a lot to learn, and I didn't know squat when I had 300hrs. That's what is scary. I find myself hoping the captain is senior when I'm on certain airlines.
 
I'm not trying to say that all FO's are low time. Or even that if the FO is low time that he not good enough to be there. I'm just saying that it freaks me out. I've talked to a bunch of higher time pilots and they all have said the same thing. At those kind of hours there is no one with enough experience to have 80 lives in his hands in a plane.

Looking back at myself at 300 hours... I would have had no business being in a plane like that. Not that I couldn't have passed the test and gotten there (if the mins were as they are now). I'm sure I could have.
 
johnt1969 said:
I'm not trying to say that all FO's are low time. Or even that if the FO is low time that he not good enough to be there. I'm just saying that it freaks me out. I've talked to a bunch of higher time pilots and they all have said the same thing. At those kind of hours there is no one with enough experience to have 80 lives in his hands in a plane.

Looking back at myself at 300 hours... I would have had no business being in a plane like that. Not that I couldn't have passed the test and gotten there (if the mins were as they are now). I'm sure I could have.
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I agree, John.

However, the regional captains are all pretty sharp and capable. They must be much more autonomous leaders than in other segments of aviation as a result of the crew complement.

The commuter co-pilot has never been a position that has garnered much respect or authority. They are pretty much there to fill the seat, keep up and learn. And that is pretty much evidenced by having 300 hour guys hired into that position. At the commuters...you pretty much are not "validated" until you make captain. Although this was still true when they hired pilots with 1500 hours.

Contrast that with the majors, who hire pilots with 5000 hours then another 10 to 15 years to upgrade to captain...it is an entirely different dynamic.

Historically, the accident rate of commuter carriers is the highest of the non-GA categories. People will go out of their way to avoid flying on them...for a variety of reasons. Having said that...the accident rate is still very low.

Whenever possible, my wife will take an earlier or later flight to stay on the mainline airplane.
 
Personally, I'm scared to death when we taxi past a mirrored window and I see myself in the right seat. Maybe for other reasons, though.
 
mtsu_av8er said:
I'd rather share the freeway with a texting teenager, than ride in a jet with a 500-hour FO.
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No f-ing way for me. I can grab the controls from the FO and keep a situation from going bad. I can't control that kid or adult on the freeway swerving back and forth and slamming on the brakes inappropriately in the middle of a tight bend. I feel very unsafe and on my toes out there. Can't tell them that I'll just handle all the driving today. They'd look at me like I just slapped them in the face. It's not my fault they can't figure out how they're doing things all wrong! That's just whats wrong with this generation's parenting. "No one can tell you what to do, (Jimmy/Jane), this is 'Merica!"

I can try and help the FO out and hopefully stop a bad trend. I know how some of y'all feel about "instruction" on the line in the 121 world and I feel the same way, but there's no way that I'm letting anyone go on to the next captain without getting some advice from me. If it's bad enough, there's a paperwork procedure and I'm not afraid to use that either.
 
Ian J said:
Yeah, but would you rather ride in a jet piloted by a 500 hour FO, or ride in one with a screaming baby?:D
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Wow - that's a tough one. In that case, I might have to just drink the hemlock that I carry with me for that very situation!:D
 
Ian J said:
Yeah, but would you rather ride in a jet piloted by a 500 hour FO, or ride in one with a screaming baby?:D
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But....

What if the 500 hr FO IS the screaming baby? :D


Fast forward 10 years:
PinnaColesa Airlines now hiring First Officers. Current enrollment in High School Preferable. Must be able to spell multiengine airplane and obtain a hall pass on short notice. Consideration given to those who have actually ridden on a plane more than once.
 
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