Everyone talks about 737 and A340 pilots with regards to this topic, but this really doesn't affect the major carriers in the US. I'd be hard pressed to think of any Us carrier operating large jet aircraft that hire anyone with less than 1500 TT anyway. What this really affects are the small operators. Is 500 hours really that bad for the SIC on your Beech 1900D? How about the DHC-6 operation providing services to small Alaskan towns? Was 500 hours that unheard of to fly a fixed-gear aircraft that can hardly make 170 KIAS?
While I realize in other parts of the world these 19-seat operators are handled differently, in the US they are considered under FAR Part 121 if they want to fly more than four weekly round-trips. these "ma and pa" airlines have been painted with the broad FAA brush and have to meet all the same requirements as United and Southwest. Often these airlines are well-run and well maintained, with excellent safety records and acceptable pay, but also had thin profit margins due to low passenger loads. This was where young pilots went to learn. This rule makes it very difficult for these small, necessary airlines to continuing providing their services and in the end only the entrepreneurs and people of the small communities that need this air service are hurt.
It's easy to talk extremes, but realistically the small airlines pilots would have once gone to build their hours will shrivel up and you'll either fly on heavy iron or you'll be driving.
Last edited by Island-Flyer; 6th Mar 2012 at 23:50.