Originally Posted by
LukeSkywaiter
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.
Do you believe that the training from these fast-paced flight schools is rigorous enough that experience doesn't matter? Flying with a 19 year old FO and possibly a 24 year old pilot is as safe as flying with one who has 20 years of experience?
Maybe this isn't a fair comparison, but if you were undergoing a life and death surgery, would you want a doctor just out of med school or one that's done the procedure 100s of times with success?
Flying obviously isn't the same as surgery, but let's face it, you are putting your life in these peoples hands.