FlyChicaga
Vintage Restoration
You know, I would love to sit here and defend regional pilots, but I really can't do it in all situations. There are times when I'm getting on an airplane to jumpseat somewhere, and I ask myself what the implications would be if I pulled my rollaboard out of the overhead and got off the airplane. Times like that are few and far between, however. I generally think most guys and gals do a good job, but the "ten-percenters" ruin it for the rest of us.
I will tell you right now, if you are a passenger on my airplane, you will have a very professional flight crew up in the cockpit who cares about your safety and comfort. Period. If you'd prefer to bypass a "commuter" flight because of any misconceptions you have about our crews, then I am sorry. I believe we have great crews and a great product. We have our fair share of problems; I don't want to air our dirty laundry on the forum, however.
There is a major problem with the hiring processes at every level in the airline industry. In addition, there are major problems in training, standardization, and management. It seems like all these problems have been pointed out in this thread. Thing is, we likely won't see any major changes unless we force change. As someone who has gotten involved, trying to make a difference, it is hard to continue to work to make this industry better when all your hear is how people are screwing up and not paying attention. It feels like we are getting nowhere. Even with some airline accidents lately at the regional level (Corporate Airlines, October 2004; Pinnacle Airlines, 2005; Comair, 2006) that were blamed directly on pilot error, we have seen no changes in the way we do things. There are still mistakes being made every day on the line.
The only way we will improve is by self-policing ourselves. This is the most difficult thing to do, however, because nobody wants to be "that guy." Us young men and women are so immature, we value others opinions of us more than safety. We don't want to speak up and help mentor, offering constructive criticism, because it would make us appear to be one of those micro-managers we hold such disdain for. This is one of the biggest reasons why flight instructors make such great captains; it is not because of their flying skills, but rather their ability to offer constructive criticism by applying appropriate amounts of assertiveness balanced with tact. That is something most 20-something don't have.
It is time to face the facts: The customers will not fight for change, and management won't fight for change. Why? The customers will not because of two reasons. First, they would prefer to think that their flight is safe, and live in ignorant bliss. Second, they do not want to pay for the increased ticket prices that would be required to appropriately compensate qualified crewmembers. Then of course, management will not force change, because they have different goals than we do as crewmembers. Most management (not flight operations management, but executive management) is worried about the bottom line and the business. They are concerned about stock price, cost control, and their shareholders. Little do they know that safety and crew performance will affect their bottom line at some point, should they allow standards to slip even more.
We have a massive challenge in front of us. Sad to say, I don't think there are enough of us who want to push for effective change to accomplish anything. Most of us would rather live in ignorant bliss, hoping that we don't crash and airplane and the paychecks still come in. Even more would prefer to allow complacency to settle in, since it makes their lives easier and the job more bearable. I am one fighting against complacency, because I enjoy my job and hope for career longevity. I will admit I am starting to fall into "ostrich syndrome," where I would like to bury my head in the sand and just pray I can get hired at a major before my airline, or any other regional airline, crashes an airplane.
I will tell you right now, if you are a passenger on my airplane, you will have a very professional flight crew up in the cockpit who cares about your safety and comfort. Period. If you'd prefer to bypass a "commuter" flight because of any misconceptions you have about our crews, then I am sorry. I believe we have great crews and a great product. We have our fair share of problems; I don't want to air our dirty laundry on the forum, however.
There is a major problem with the hiring processes at every level in the airline industry. In addition, there are major problems in training, standardization, and management. It seems like all these problems have been pointed out in this thread. Thing is, we likely won't see any major changes unless we force change. As someone who has gotten involved, trying to make a difference, it is hard to continue to work to make this industry better when all your hear is how people are screwing up and not paying attention. It feels like we are getting nowhere. Even with some airline accidents lately at the regional level (Corporate Airlines, October 2004; Pinnacle Airlines, 2005; Comair, 2006) that were blamed directly on pilot error, we have seen no changes in the way we do things. There are still mistakes being made every day on the line.
The only way we will improve is by self-policing ourselves. This is the most difficult thing to do, however, because nobody wants to be "that guy." Us young men and women are so immature, we value others opinions of us more than safety. We don't want to speak up and help mentor, offering constructive criticism, because it would make us appear to be one of those micro-managers we hold such disdain for. This is one of the biggest reasons why flight instructors make such great captains; it is not because of their flying skills, but rather their ability to offer constructive criticism by applying appropriate amounts of assertiveness balanced with tact. That is something most 20-something don't have.
It is time to face the facts: The customers will not fight for change, and management won't fight for change. Why? The customers will not because of two reasons. First, they would prefer to think that their flight is safe, and live in ignorant bliss. Second, they do not want to pay for the increased ticket prices that would be required to appropriately compensate qualified crewmembers. Then of course, management will not force change, because they have different goals than we do as crewmembers. Most management (not flight operations management, but executive management) is worried about the bottom line and the business. They are concerned about stock price, cost control, and their shareholders. Little do they know that safety and crew performance will affect their bottom line at some point, should they allow standards to slip even more.
We have a massive challenge in front of us. Sad to say, I don't think there are enough of us who want to push for effective change to accomplish anything. Most of us would rather live in ignorant bliss, hoping that we don't crash and airplane and the paychecks still come in. Even more would prefer to allow complacency to settle in, since it makes their lives easier and the job more bearable. I am one fighting against complacency, because I enjoy my job and hope for career longevity. I will admit I am starting to fall into "ostrich syndrome," where I would like to bury my head in the sand and just pray I can get hired at a major before my airline, or any other regional airline, crashes an airplane.
If you want to have that opinion, great! Just remember though, it's just that, your opinion, and it's not based on experience.
Correct me if I'm wrong. 
:rawk::rawk:
