(Posted Yesterday 17:56) Michael O'Leary has done more to harm our profession than anyone in this industry. The tide is turning, let's hope the damage isn't pernament.
Before MOL came along with the pay to play scheme, there was and still is Tom Cooper from Gulfstream Airlines a Continental Regional. Students from Europe flocked to his school with a bunch of Euros to train from the Cessnas up to the Beech 1900s.
Then Henry George from Simcenter of MIA came along. His program which cost $33,000 gave 250 hour pilot the opportunity to acquire a Flight Engineer Turbo-jet certificate. The individual would sit at the F/E's panel on the B-727 for six months. Then the individual would return to the training center to upgrade to the right seat and fly 200 hours as a first.
Lets not forget the Comair Academy either... as they are a part of the pay to play scheme too.