Flying Cheap

Pilot shortage; fact or fiction? There are plenty of arguments from both sides, but who is right?  The ones representing the airline industry, Air Lines Pilot Association, (ALPA) would have you believe there is not a pilot shortage, instead a resistance of qualified pilots to fly for dismal pay and benefits.  The Government Accountability Office found “mixed evidence” that there is a actual qualified pilot shortage despite the regional air lines having difficulty meeting their pilot needs.  (Mouawad, J. 2014). One the other side they say it’s a matter of the baby boomers retiring, less military pilots entering the workforce because of high retention bonuses, or a lack of qualified candidates and or due to high cost of initial training for civilian pilot training. So who is right? Both. There will be a large number of mandatory pilot retirements in the very near future, and if the regional airlines don’t do something soon to rectify their pay structure, we could see more pilot shortages, canceled routes, and safety issues.

In an attempt to increase safety following the Colgan accident, the FAA’s spent 3 years working with the industry and government for a solution. The outcome increased first officer flight hour requirements from 250 hours with a commercial certificate, to 1500 hours with an ATP certificate. (Skift, 2013) Does this requirement make the First Officer any safer to fly than before?  Aren’t pilots taught well before 250 hours that the immediate response to an impending (or fully developed) stall is to lower the nose?  Does it matter how the additional 1250 hours are attained?  Does it affect the overall technical knowledge, proficiency, and safety a first officer’s ability to co-pilot an airliner?  I pose these questions because I believe we have lost an incredible opportunity to “train as we fight” as we say in the military.  Simply having 1500 hours of “flight time” does not necessarily automatically make you a safer, more proficient, first officer than a 500-hour pilot with 250 hours actual time in that transport aircraft as a “first officer” mentored by an experienced Captain.  What I mean by this (in my humble opinion) is that someone who has sat right seat for two years teaching future pilots, building the required 1500 hours in a Cessna 172 or the like, are they that much safer or skilled in the cockpit of an air carrier? Another question is whether or not these captains were actually mentoring these new first officers or were they simply using these new First officers as their checklist boy (or girl), exercising their newfound power role, and not necessarily grooming these new first officers as the Captains of the future.  Absent of extensive research, I venture to say this is a fact.  First Officers were like children, to be seen but not heard.  What kind of climate does this foster in the regional airlines when a relatively new first Officer upgrades to Captain?  Does he or she break the mold and mentor their first officers? Or do they fall into the perpetual cycle of treat your First Officer as your Captains treated you? Most likely they repeat the cycle, exercising their newfound authority, status, and glory as: El Capitan.  This new 1500-hour may be a good thing for the industry, it may make the flying public feel safer, but it does pass on the additional costs and time to the new pilot working hard towards a dismal $20,000 first year salary. 

In the aviation industry, there seems to be a union or at least an organization that represents everyone.  The airline pilots have Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).  The mechanics have The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).  Aviation business has the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Manufacturers have the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Air Traffic Controllers have The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)

While there are many definitions for professionalism, and they vary from industry to industry, I can sum it up by the pursuit of excellence through discipline, ethical behavior, and continuous improvement.  In the documentary, the Colgan management displayed unethical behavior by supporting the Captain who altered the weight and balance sheet, and not the first officer who challenged the captain.  The management did not display a pursuit of excellence through discipline when the business model is essentially, “move the rig”.  Poor pay and benefits, cutting corners, and not leading by example does not establish a professional workplace environment.  The pilot of Colgan flight 3407 had long history of poor flight performance.  He failed numerous check rides (of which he only reported one to Colgan), flight reviews, and relied heavily on the auto pilot to stabilize the airplane during instrument flight (Aftermath, 2010) While one could say he did not seek continuous improvement, his record display that he obviously just didn’t have to the aptitude to be a pilot.

I feel the low pay and compensation structure was a contributing factor in the lack of professionalism as seen in the documentary.  One of the big ones is the sad fact that regional pilots have to resort to “crash pads”, and can’t afford their own place.  Besides the obvious, not having a place to rest and relax in private, it has to have a negative affect on the pilot’s image and self worth. The inability for new pilots to afford healthy meals has several consequences.  Just as our planes don’t run on bad fuel, neither do we, especially important when pilots need to be sharp and alert. 

Maintaining professionalism is more than abiding by a company’s set standard operating procedures and ethos, it is taking upon oneself to excel.  I plan to continue to improve upon my knowledge, skills and abilities, whether on or off the clock, maintain the highest degree of integrity through word and deed, and to maintain the highest level of mental and physical fitness and personal appearance.

References:

Aftermath: The Mystery of Colgan 3407. (2010, May 27). Retrieved from http://www.flyingmag.com/safety/accident-investigations/aftermath-mystery-colgan-3407

The U.S. Airline Pilots Who Barely Make Minimum Wage. (2013, August 28). Retrieved from http://skift.com/2013/08/28/the-u-s-airline-pilots-who-barely-make-minimum-wage/

Mouawad, J. (2014, February 28). G.A.O. Finds Little Evidence Pilots Are in Short Supply. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/business/government-accountability-office-finds-little-evidence-of-a-pilot-shortage.html?_r=0