FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Regional Airline Pilot Selection, Training and Ongoing Certification
Old May 13, 2009 | 1:06 am
  #8  
LukeSkywaiter
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 943
A little known fact about commuter/regionals is that many/most hire FOs at 18-19 years old (Colgan is 18, XJT is 19). Several companies have agreements with fast-paced flight schools (RAA, DCA, ATP, Gulfstream, etc) to give interviews at as low as 500 hours. Does this mean that every low-time pilot that interview gets a job? No. They still have to be qualified, pass sim checks, etc. Does this mean that we should think twice because of young/low time pilots? No. It means that those young/low-time pilots are the best of their peers to have gotten hired at that age/experience. Do I have any less faith in any Colgan or XJT (or other commuter/regional pilot) because they are young or have low time? Absolutely not. I'll get on a jungle-jet (or one of those super fun Saabs...hadn't had the joy of riding a Q yet) any day of the week without thinking twice.
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