Once More, Into the Breech
"La!La!La!La!La!La!La!La!I'm not listening to you!"La!La!La!La!....."
Come off it, folks!
This forum is a phenomenal resource for helicopter pilots, whatever the size of their log books. However, at moments such as this I feel that we let ourselves down.
The newcomers to this industry are rightly keen to ask for the low-down from those with a little time in the saddle. (It's something that would have been invaluable to the more seasoned among us, back in the dark days B.P. (Before PPRuNe!).
Now, if you do take your valuable time to reply, may I implore you to read on. It would be understandable to think that the truth were required when formulating one's reply, but I have observed that this is not so. It appears that in questions of the future and the possible rocky road ahead, the questioner expects, nay, demands that the reply delivers a warm and fuzzy feeling. To appease the hyper-sensitive, naive histrionics of the baying masses, much smoke need be blown up their collective arses.
Please understand. I am not referrring to the laudable mentoring/apprenticeship programs, such as that administered by Mr John Eacott. I'm very much aware of the effort and investment in people that these initiatives require, and it is due to people such as John that many fine, safety conscious pilots enter this industry. For this he deserves respect, not castigation.
That which I am specifically addressing is the original post. I still find it difficult to believe that people are prepared to countenance the idea of B99, sorry, B99's 350-hr friend assuming the role of Captain of a complex, IFR twin, engaged in international shipborne operations, with such a paucity of real world experience. It already reads like the introduction to an accident report.
Sure, many would love to get that gig as a first job, but the world isn't like that and the world owes not one of us a living.
Peace