Speeeedy wrote:
The pilots may well be adequate, but statistically speaking they are not the BEST that they could get.
We know Jetstar management don't care, but I wonder how their customers feel about that?
It's not about getting the best and never has been. This may come as a surprise to some, but it has always been about just getting pilots of a satisfactory standard. To seek the best is just too expensive - the Air Forces of the world can do it but only because it is their taxpayers that are paying for it.
The endorsement "barrier" is like the "blondes only" example quoted by Speeeedy - it reduces the size of the applicant pool. So instead of say, 500 applicants that are of the required standard, the pool may be reduced to 250 that are of the required standard.
The airlines would have a good feel for how big the pool is (after allowing for the endorsement barrier) and will raise or lower that and other barriers accordingly.