In most areas, there are minimum standards of training laid down by the regulator, this is certainly true for pilots, trainers, examiners, etc, who all have a part to play in the day-to-day operation of the aircraft.. .. .Those with strategic responsibilty for the airline's operations and standards are not required to undergo any formal training or checking, and need no particular qualifications.. .. .Some airlines do devote time and money to trainig their management. This may do little more than to put them at a commercial disadvantage.. .. .I would propose a requirement for the licensing of airline management staff, with post-holders required to have passed an approved course in airline management, the syllabus to include the regulatory requirement, a seemless knowledge of JAR, state-specific matters such as FTLs, and so on, plus a course of study of hu8man factors issues such as dealing with disciplinary and grievance procedures.. .. .There would need to be a 'buddy' system of career development, with a possible candidate shadowing a qualified post-holder during their study and qualification, the process being overseen by 'Airline Management Inspectors' - similar to FOIs, and with a responsibilty for seeing that the training was undertaken properly and the candidate's progress was satisfactory.. .. .The final step, before a candidate was allowed to hold a post, would be a board interview with similar aims to the 'witnessing' requirement in training.. .. .This, of course, is rather more 'blue sky' than NorthernSky'. Anyone agree with it, or have better or other ideas? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />