The_Swordfish: you are probably with the media, but despite that possibility, are you aware that a pilot who goes the civilian route, in the US, must spend at least $15,000 or much more for training through the instrument, multi and ATP ratings? In addition to that reality, very many of them also paid over $10,000 for training at Comair, Gulfstream schools etc on simulators (in the left seat...)-but despite having paid the same price as somebody on a type-rating course, these regional airline candidates were forbidden to earn the aircraft "type rating" (from the same left seat-for very similar training)!!; with a successful finish most of them received job offers-to fly as First Officer on a turboprop or fanjet (pure jet) at about minimum wage...one guy paid for his SF-340 training and later bought a DC-9 type-rating in order to work at Valuejet, now known as Airtran.
What an enormous financial price to pay for various training, just to work at about the US minimum wage or not too much more! Years ago, these type-rated First Officers at Valuejet (as reported by FAPA/AirInc?) were paid about $2,000 per month (Captains about $3500 before taxes), with no sick leave, retirement etc.
Of course without the very expensive packaged sim course, most are only qualified to work as an instructor in small single engine or light twin aircraft, and for quite a while, at about minimum wage. Some lucky ones get to log some hours in a relative's private plane, but they are in a minority.
Last edited by Ignition Override; 23rd Mar 2004 at 04:01.