well, that raised a few hackles huh? sorry boys, not intended as a dig, just an observation.
The training I received in the US was excellent, I never suggested otherwise. I did a command rating and thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
The two gentlemen I met at my hotel were training at the same place, and that's the training they got - straight from the horses mouth. I don't know what the legal FAA minimums are for FO training, but the operation they had just been hired by was a new startup, and it sounded a little dodgy - whether it ever eventuated I don't know. I would suspect cost saving was an important factor in the amount of training they received.
This of course raises the question, If the FO doesn't get typed, is there a minimum standard they must meet or demonstrate? I'm talking legally here, not opertator SOPs.
I'm sure they would have received more line training etc as matter of course, and I'm sure this in mandated by the FAA, however I was surpried they didn't get to fly the sim, as that's the whole point of the sim centre really. They also seemed rather surprised and disappointed that they didn't get to fly it.
Some operators try to get away with the bare minimum, but most hold a SIC candidate to the same practical test standards as a PIC candidate. Some operators only issue the SIC until the individual upgrades, which means that they're not providing full type ratings so the individual can then take the training and run to another operator
and
if US carriers typed all of their FOs, said FOs would leave for greener pastures immediately
Do you really thaink that the TR (or lack of) is the only thing keeping FOs in their current job? If this is the case, why not pay for a command check with an outside training organisation and get your type signed off? just a thought.
I would be interested if anyone has info in the bare FAA mandated minumums to sit in the right seat though. (if, for example, I got my hands on an old 727 and decided to start a freight business with it as cheaply as possible
)