Ignition Override
28th Nov 2004, 06:35
Freight airlines-pardon my typos. This is the case at one US company which operates single and twin-engine turboprops. This includes leaving fourth-years FOs in the right seat and hiring OUTSIDE guys to be captains, even if the outsiders have no experience in the aircraft....This is a non-union operation.
The company saves money, because the outside guys are only paid first-year captain pay, versus fourth or fifth-year pay for the more senior and experienced FOs. One such fourth-year FO whom I know fairly well, was trained and 'typed' on a different aircraft (employer spent money), which the company does not yet operate at some bases-no certificate. They apparently have no interest in pilot morale, but there are few pilot jobs to go to anywhere else. This buddy told me over some tennis balls that he is finished with flying, being taken advantage of (fini, hat die Nase voll), and is not so young anymore.
Years ago, Kalitta, a different company, was reportedly similar in its view of using seniority on the DC-8.:(
The company saves money, because the outside guys are only paid first-year captain pay, versus fourth or fifth-year pay for the more senior and experienced FOs. One such fourth-year FO whom I know fairly well, was trained and 'typed' on a different aircraft (employer spent money), which the company does not yet operate at some bases-no certificate. They apparently have no interest in pilot morale, but there are few pilot jobs to go to anywhere else. This buddy told me over some tennis balls that he is finished with flying, being taken advantage of (fini, hat die Nase voll), and is not so young anymore.
Years ago, Kalitta, a different company, was reportedly similar in its view of using seniority on the DC-8.:(