Because the FAA is mandating that new pilots gain more flight hours before a flight student can become an airline pilot, many are discouraged. The training is not cheap, and the time required to gain even the minimum amount of hours is daunting to many prospective pilots. What is the solution? In my opinion, the easiest solution would be to lower the required number of hours to give new student pilots a more realistic view of how long it will take to acquire the necessary hours. Raising the starting pay, while it would be nice, seems like a tougher road. "Salaries are locked by two main drivers: cost-fixed contracts that the regionals hold with mainline carriers, and pilots’ collective bargaining agreements." (The Coming U.S. Pilot, 2015)
As was stated, ALPA is a representative for much of the pilot side of the industry. A few of the representatives for the other factions of the aviation industry are as follows: The NACTA (National Air Traffic Controllers Association) represents air traffic controllers. The AMFA (Airline Mechanics Fraternal Association) covers the maintenance side, and the IBT (International Brotherhood of Teamsters) covers engineering and flight attendants.
Professionalism, to me is the competence and skill that one gains in his/her area of expertise. Beyond that, professionalism also includes the way an individual conducts themselves. A person who exudes professionalism will also have qualities that point toward this, and people will gravitate to them and look to them as leaders.
Two ways that I can recall where there was a lack of professionalism was the practice of hiring pilots with very few flight hours. Some of them were hired with little more than the hours acquired by Eagle Flight students. While this has no bearing on the new hires themselves, as I'm sure many of them carry themselves with all the professionalism in the world, but rather has everything to do with the upper management. All upper brass was concerned with was making sure the planes were in the air, and did not concern themselves with how it happened. Not taking into consideration the huge risks they took by doing this, the lives they put needlessly on the line, all to make a few bucks, it shows an extreme lack of professionalism. A second instance where professionalism was lacking was the situation where the pilot fudged the weight and balance for a flight. When the First Officer wrote a letter of complaint to report this, the Captain was defended and made to look like a model pilot, while the FO was thrown under the bus. Again, another lack of professionalism on behalf of those defending the actions of the Captain.
I think that the pay of new pilots has some effect on the professionalism of their conduct, but ultimately, not the deciding factor. While doing a job such as they are doing, the professionalism is either there or it isn't. Those that are professionals will conduct themselves as such, knowing that it is just a stepping stone to the bigger paycheck. Will there be times where they are unmotivated? Asking if they will ever advance? Absolutely, however the true professionals will perform at or above the standards regardless.
When I begin my career, professionalism is very important. Any opportunity to get extra training will help ensure that my proficiency is as high as it can be. In order to advance my career and keep others safe, I have a responsibility to read, and obtain any and all knowledge that is available. I have to keep in mind that I am never done learning. The minute I think I've learned all there is to know, that is when mistakes are made. Always a student. Another way I can maintain professionalism is to know when I'm over my head. Asking for help from someone who may have more, or even less experience is not a bad thing. It can show that I am approachable, and that I can accept constructive criticism. Better to admit you don't have all the answers than to feel that you do, and get someone hurt or killed.
I couldn't agree more with the statement about hiring low time pilots being an error on the management side! It won't make a difference if the candidate has 300 or 3,000 hours as long as he carries himself or herself professionally, meaning that they have the competence and skills, like you said. Management shouldn't allow someone to fly a Q400 that failed every initial qualification ride and proficiency check in a Saab 340 under THEIR supervision.
ReplyDeleteNice blog! The statistics you were able to find on upcoming retiring pilots was useful to me. We have similar viewpoints on what professionalism is as well. I think the idea of lowering the required number of hours is a bold one, yet may be the solution to the pilot shortage issue. Well have to wait and see if anything changes in the industry.
ReplyDelete