Flying Cheap

Being new to the aviation industry, the documentary “Flying Cheap” gave me a lot of good information. Past graduates from EMU have talked about what flying for the regionals is like. They talked about what a regular day is like and it sounded tough but watching it was an eye opener. As they were speaking about the living conditions and low wages, they seemed to kind of laugh about it because they know it is ridiculous but they are willing to do whatever it takes to be a captain of a major airliner. These are very tough conditions for aspiring young professionals, who are paying off student debt and joining a job that pays around $20 an hour is not very appealing. This is one of the reasons why there is a pilot shortage.

Thats great news for someone like me who is a student aspiring to be a pilot. Knowing that there are and will most likely continue to have job openings is encouraging. What doesn't sound too good is the fact I need 1500 hours to be in regionals. I feel like the 1500 rule should be lowered. The rule was followed by Colgan accident the pilots had well over 1500 hours. I honestly don't understand why that rule was placed.Its almost like one bad apple is ruined it for others. If the FAA were to lower the hours and the regional carriers paid more, the job would sound more appealing and more students would be willing to fill all the empty first officer seats. Endeavor Air is paying 20,000 bonus over the course of a year and hiring about 50 a month in the near future (Airline pilot central, 2015) Some companies are already making the right changes now its time for the FAA. 

There is some sort of organization for all the different fields in the aviation industry. Air traffic controllers have The National Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA). General Aviation Manufactures Association (GAMA) is for the manufactures. The pilots have Air Line Pilot Association (ALPA). Dispatchers have Air Transport Dispatchers Association (ATDA). 

Professionalism is when you are in the work environment and should be able to use your best judgement to make the right decision not of you only but also for everyone involved. In order to do that, you must be skillful, trained properly, be able to communicate with others and be polished. Sounds really cheesy but be the best you can be. I do believe that the lack of pay for the regional pilots shows a lack of professionalism from the management. If you are paying your employee next to nothing and showing them that they don't really matter. The result is going to be dangerous as we saw in the documentary. Colgan representative said that they were unaware of the fact the captain failed multiple check rides which is huge lack of professionalism management wise. The captain lacked judgment doing the weight and balance. There were many things that caused the Colgan accident. Going from here, once Im employed I plan on maintaining professionalism by going beyond what is required for me to fly the plane. If I feel something is not right, I need to do something about it since the lives of many people are in my hands. 

References: 

The Coming U.S. Pilot Shortage Is Real. (2015, February 16). Retrieved October 10, 2015, from http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/coming-us-pilot-shortage-real

AIRLINE PILOT CENTRAL. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2015, from http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/regional/endeavor_air