Airline Pilots: Is Anybody Interested in Being One?

[cherokeeprogressive]

34. I absolutely defer to your experience. Having spent 10 years in Naval Aviation

as a Structural Mechanic (AMS) in the Navy, I understand how competitive the commercial airlines used to be. I'm pretty sure I've flown on a few heavies that were piloted by ex-fighter pilots.

I think it's time though to look at what effects our educational system has had on our present and future. What with social promotion, self-esteem considerations vs actual accomplishment, and the refusal to evaluate teachers based on what their students are actually capable of, I believe there are bad things on the horizon when it comes to occupations that involve real skills. This is especially true in the aviation industry. I believe that we're looking at a situation where D students can somehow work their way into the left seat. In fact, I think that's happening already.

Sooner or later, instructors will be products of the very system I'm thinking of, if it's not happening already.