Originally Posted by
Intrance
The problem here would be that in most of Europe, there isn't a GA scene or market for pilots to build up to those 1500hrs. And besides that, you always have to remember that experience does not equal safety. I've flown with enough experienced idiots and inexperienced good pilots to say that that holds up. In my opinion, that 1500hr limit is mostly just an arbitrary hoop to jump through, and the focus should be more on filtering out the idiots during training by regulating flight schools in better ways and simply banning pay to fly programs in any form. That would benefit everyone; less pilots get dumped into the job market, average quality of pilots goes up.
I've flown with FO's fresh out of flight school on their first job who have been absolutely awesome and would be a welcome addition in any airline, but who would run into an arbitrary wall if there were to be a 1500hr rule over here as well.
Intrance sums it up nicely. Don't forget that the MPL (like it or not but here to stay) is based entirely on flight school direct to airline with about 100 hours on real aeroplanes.
Good aptitude, attitude and training make for good pilots. Flown with former pay to fly guys who couldn't, spoiled ab initios who's daddys were senior captains and think they have it sorted from day 1 as there are slowing to 180kts and calling for flaps at 25nm or idiots who won't get off their phones to do some work. Also flew with some excellent newbies, some of which had had to struggle up from non traditional backgrounds and who got there through hard work, determination and a love of flying. Takes all sorts but I know who I respect.