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Originally Posted by jtrain609  Things fail on these aircraft more often than people would admit, and it takes a decent amount of systems knowledge to make these things work when they break. |
No...it takes a QRH (EMERG/ABNORM maual...whatever), and some "abnormals" training. I'm not saying that systems knowledge isn't helpful (far be it from me to say that additional knowledge is a bad thing). But, part of the reason for emergency checklists existing is because airlines don't want pilots trying to use their special "systems knowledge" to fix the situation as they see fit. Flying pilot flies the a/c...non-flying pilot troubleshoots. I've had my fair share of emergencies in a regional jet. When the aircraft is under control, then you read, do, and communicate...
per the book. Sidenote: yes, extreme situations do occur (i.e. Al Haynes @ Sioux City)
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Originally Posted by jtrain609 You know how busy you'd be if the APU, autopilot and FMS are all MELed? You'll earn your yearly paycheck on those days, and as far as the company is concerned you're expected to operate the flights just as if nothing had failed, on time all the time and with as much efficiency as possible. |
You mean actually having to fly the aircraft and start the engine with a "huffer" cart and a crossbleed? God forbid!!!
The APU being out is, granted, an inconvenience...but once again, there is a published method of operation. No secret systems knowledge involved. Read and do. As for flying without autopilot and an FMS, well, life is indeed more difficult than usual. I wouldn't let a little something like conventional navigation and having to...aaaaggghhhh...hand-fly the aircraft ruin your week.
Believe it or not, I'm not trying to flame you. I just think that a few of your comments are a little over-dramatic and perhaps a bit arrogant. I find myself to be evidence that people can succeed regardless of...wait for it...
People being "smarter than you, people more driven than you, people more dedicated than you, people that have 4.0's from schools you didn't even dare apply to, people that are better looking than you, people that are more likable than you and people that have better training than you."
God knows how I ever got hired. I definitely don't qualify for your standards of personal excellence. I'm just try to be a solid pilot with a positive attitude and good work ethic.
As for getting hired by legacies, with the coming mergers and economic probabilities...most people, regardless of being Captain America, won't (yes...that may even include you; attractive fiance or not). New pilots in the U.S. are going to need to get really comfortable with the idea of a career in the regionals or looking abroad. That's the coming reality (for a while anyways)...