The great of air travel increases
rapidly every year, DTW is ranked 11th in North America and their
numbers grow one million per year. The shortages of pilots play a small role in
the aviation industry this comes when airliners “around the world are expected
to buy 41,000 new airliners between 2017 and 2036” as CNN reported. However, as
the Air Line Pilots’ Association (ALPA) says “no shortage exists, more than
25,500 (ATP) certificates have been issued since 2013 – this rate of issuance
continues to exceed the most optimistic pilot forecast.” Pilots and their
unions claim that there isn’t a shortage, just a presumed one. Pilots unions
are pushing for higher wages for existing and new pilots to increase the
economic attractiveness of the profession. Even the U.S. military are
experiencing the pilot shortages and they are trying to hold on their pilots by
increasing the pay. The pilot shortage is being felt across the world.
Hopefully the increase in pay will become more attractive for the future of the
aviation industry.
Colgan Air flight 3407 Crash in
Buffalo, NY on February 12, 2009 put a new rule in place, increasing the
required flight hours to 1500 when earning their air transport pilots license. The
requirement prior the crash was 250, and many say that it has been successful
and claim that there hasn’t been an airline fatality since that. However, many
say the rule is a huge barrier for upcoming new pilots. Captain Marvin Renslow,
a 47-year-old had 3,379 hours of flight time making $60,000/yr. and First
Officer Rebecca Shaw, a 24-year-old had 2,244 hours of flight time making
$16,000/yr. Both pilots were well over the 250 required flight hours at the
time. Even if they had to abide by the 1500 hr. flight time they were still way
over that when the accident occurred. This accident wasn’t the cause of lacking
flight hours, it was due to pilot being fatigue and sick. Captain Renslow was
supposed to pick up speed when the reference speed was activated, but instead
he continued at normal speed. The Captain was yawning and the First Officer was
sniffling during flight, which is a sign that they weren’t their regular selves
for carry out this flight. First Officer had no experience with ice in her
previous flights. All pilots are taught only the description of the manual in
training, but no in depth actual hands on training. The pilots hired in on the
regional level earned less and worked long hours. Lower threshold on the
regional level than on the major levels, such as training ability and higher
pay, attracting a better applicant than on the lower level. seven fatal
accidents that occurred within the last ten years, five involved the regional
airlines. The U.S. Senate passed a bill which toughens the training
requirements, forcing the FAA to draw up new rules on pilot fatigue. The FAA
implemented several rule changes, Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP)
qualifications of up to 1500 hours of flight experience prior to getting hired
and changes in way examiners are grading check rides in flight simulators
during stalls. If the airliners continue to add passenger and cargo routes to
the already pilot shortage industry the FAA should hold the airliners to a
level of accountability. For so many routes they add perhaps they should recruit
and contract new potential pilots into a program and share the cost needed to
complete the 1500-hour flight time training. Republican Senator John Thune
recently submitted an amendment to the 1500-hour rule: pilots now only need
750-hours if they trained in the military, 1,000-hours if from a four-year school
and 1,250-hours from a two-year college, but the amendment would give the FAA
more flexibility to award training credits to pilots, but the move faces an
uphill political battle.
Professionalism
means manners and values, an individual conduct at work. The cockpit was
engaged in a personal conversation, which is prohibited during flight, causing
distraction. The First Officer was texting on the runway, according to the FAA
a flight crew can have a personal conversation at 10,000 feet or higher, called
the Sterile Cockpit Rule. Management were not acting professional because their
attitude towards safety were dismissed. Pilots were taught only the descriptive
part of the manual training, but no in-depth actual hands on training. Management
also allowed pilots to rest/sleep in the pilots’ rest area which were against
the rules. I would continue to show ethical behavior which is good for business
and involves demonstrating respect for key moral principles. As shown in the “Flying
Cheap” video the FAA inspector more less backed away when Mr. Charles J. Colgan
“fluffed his feathers” showing that he was the boss and no one was going to
stop him from continuing to run his regional airline. If the FAA inspector demonstrated
honesty, fairness, equality and dignity, this accident could have been avoided
and the 1500-hour rule would have never been a topic today. Professionalism is
all about success and influence; having a reputation under any circumstances
which is how I know I will always strive for in whatever career path I decide
to take in the aviation industry.
Could a Pilot Shortage Cause Problems for Airlines and Passengers?
Retrieved January 21, 2018, from https://thepointsguy.com/2017/03/pilot-shortage-causes-problems/
The U.S. will face a staggering shortage of pilots. Retrieved
January 21, 2018, from http://money.cnn.com/2017/07/27/news/companies/pilot-shortage-figures/index.html
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