Every system is daft if you're on the outside and trying to get in. They're even dafter while you're inside trying to work your way through them. Once your through though it will be a sigh of relief, beers all around and sod those following. That's real life.
It's well worth reading Noggin's contribution on page one of this thread again. As long as there is no GA on the scale seen in the States, Canada and Australia, JAA requirements will only shift around a median rather than change in a revolutionary way.
As a regular reading this forum you will have a huge emotional and financial investment in this business. It's very difficult to detach yourself from that so let's try a sideways look at the problem.
Without very helpful parents or a scholarship, becoming a doctor, dentist, lawyer or similar professional is very expensive in America - sound familiar?? In fact it's far more expensive than you toddling off to your posh school of choice for a full 509 equivalent. So why don't they flood over here and to other 'cheap' countries for education?
Uhh, well - the qualifications aren't recognised back home without extensive courses aand re-examination. It's only slightly easier when you've gained a lot of experience and then return. Such qualifications are often only recognised by individual states in America so it requires further oral and written examination just to move jobs within the same country. Entire web sites are devoted to professionals having problems in moving between jusisdictions.
So, just accept the lumps that come with the status quo?
Nope, jump the hoops, train and qualify whichever way you judge best and remember, always remember. You're powerless now but won't be in the future - remember what you went or are going through.
All the pro's you see writing on other parts of this site went through the same thing, hated it just as much and promptly put it to the back of their minds once they got that first job. By the time they climb the slippery ladder to a position of influence it's all completely forgotten - just fodder for a few stories over a beer.
You're able to communicate like no wannabees have ever done before. I hope there's a core of you who will remember and, more importantly, will still remember in future years when you in a position to change things.
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Regards from the Towers
[email protected]
[This message has been edited by PPRuNe Towers (edited 04 June 2001).]