Originally Posted by
bobbelmore
How about circa 1965-66? They were called "instant captains". Most of them were a disaster. Some of them didn't make it to captain and became permanent F/Os and some left the company to get a job as captain elsewhere.
Seniority is not a really good way to select who gets promoted but it sure as hell beats all the other alternatives.
Disaster it certainly was --- with some honourable exceptions, Qantas got the rest of the industry's misfits, floaters and "strange" Captains.
As for the "theory" that created the "need" ( it was not a pilot shortage or lack of experienced F/Os) -- the less said the better.
At least it resulted in a revolution in Flight Training, a complete turnover of "management".
Tootle pip!!
PS: Prior to "seniority" in the old QF, promotion was determined by "which Squadron/Ship/Golf Club/Sailing Club" was on your CV.