Last week I wrote about regional airlines and how the inherent culture of these carriers may be a cause for less than fully safe operations. While I did not receive many replies, I will take a chance and pursue a subject that has bothered me for years about air carrier flight ops and regionals in particular. I am not sure there is a relationship to aircraft maintenance, as I do not see a similar problem.
There is no other industry that I can think of that uses its least experienced, trained, and paid staff to conduct its most difficult tasks. Of course I am talking about air carrier pilot ops and specifically regionals. Regional ops are the most demanding from a pilot perspective … many short hops at low altitude where the weather is generally nastier to smaller airports with shorter runways in difficult terrain and, perhaps, limited guidance and landing aids. On top of this those asked to fly these routes are the least paid and trained, and the most inexperienced. Regional pilots are doing this to primarily build time, while carrying paying passengers who expect the same level of safety that they get at a major trunk carrier. I realize someone has to provide this service, as air service to all communities is essential, but why is the pilot who has thousands of hours, years of experience, and a training record that exceeds that of a college grad, flying the over water or transcontinental hops with one take off and one landing; fulfilling hourly requirements in less sorties than a regional pilot accomplishes in just a few days? Why can’t a program be established where these highly paid and experienced pilots act as mentors and fly the line for a period of time with a regional that is allied to the major? If the RAA, FAA, and Congress want to start getting it right so that the maximum level of safety is achieved in all air carrier ops why not start here? I recognize this will not be a popular suggestion with the major airline pilots and the regional owners that will have to pay the higher wages. But don’t we want to achieve the highest levels of safety for all the traveling public? Air transportation is unique in that there is no room to compromise on safety.
Frankly, I realize this has little to do with aviation maintenance, although I am wondering if similar or analogous situations might exist within this arena. If there is I would sure like to hear about it. Maybe it’s something we should be focusing on. Are there cases where greater responsibilities are being handled by less paid and trained technicians? I don’t think it works that way in maintenance, but if there are situations like this, please let me know.
Finally, to all those that have contributed their thoughts and expertise to this blog, a sincere thanks.
