Wow, this thread is getting some big PPruners in now. How did that happen??
Danny, (I find myseld using this term again) ...... With all due respect ......Rightly or wrongly, your actions maybe did help contribute to the situation new entrants face to the airline businsess now. Maybe they didnt but I am sure you will agree that the fact that SSTRs are becomming more prevalent had to start somewhere. Maybe the guy who employed you on the Bandit knew you paid for your type rating and then gave the idea to the next guy and the next ...... and eventually, the lo cos out there. Maybe one day virgin and BA will have to go that low! Who knows?
The statement "make your own luck" originally came from 411A, I used his words in my reply so that he could better understand my position.
Make your own luck in my dictionary means hard work, canvassing, networking but most definately not buying a type rating.
I have another (hopefully) 25 - 35 years in this industry. If this industry becomes the rich kids game that some on PPrune call it then Ts and Cs will continue to take a dive. Danny, You have probably 1/3 of my career life left in this industry and I would imagine your Ts and Cs are at a level that should leave you in a comfortable position. I and others of my age dont have that comfort and need to do everything possible to maintain our future Ts and Cs at a level which if left to do their own thing, will probably be much less than yours. Maybe they wont but its a risk that I dont really want to take. I seriously dont mean any disrespect when I say that and I hope you dont take it as disrespect, it is an honest gut feeling that I have and my view from the bottom, struggling to the top is very different to yours!
I dont see why I have now had two big names here (amongst others) thinking that this thread is a personal crusade to attack the character of those that buy SSTRs. ITS NOT! The poll here suggests 80%+ of people are against SSTRS so why are we not doing more to try and get rid of them, collectively. At the very least it would mean we wouldnt have to fork our an extra £20K - £30K for training costs not to mention that airilne managers would have to pay good wages to get good pilots! At what point is it acceptable to stop paying. Flight training, TR, line training, f/o time???? I think it should stop at flight training!!!
Danny, Do you have any idea or approach to this problem. I and others seriously value your input considering your experience in the industry!
Cheers,
OSOP.