Regional airline giant asks the FAA to let it hire pilots with less experience
With pilots in short supply, one regional airline is asking federal officials to allow them to hire first officers with far fewer hours than would normally be allowed.
Republic Airways, the nation's second-largest regional carrier which operates Embraer 170s and 175s for American, Delta and United, said in a filing with the Federal Aviation Administration that it wants an exemption to be permitted to hire pilots who graduate from its flight academy when they reach 750 flight hours. That's half the 1,500 hours of experience required of most pilots.
Among regional airlines, Indianapolis-based Republic is in a unique situation — and it didn't pull the 750-hour number out of thin air.
Republic is the only regional airline to own and operate its own flight training program for participants with little to no experience. The LIFT Academy — short for Leadership in Flight Training — operates under a set of rules that allows certain programs that operate in conjunction with universities to reduce the number of hours required to receive what's known as a restricted airline transport pilot certificate, or R-ATP. Airline transport pilot certificates, also known as an ATP or an R-ATP, are required for first officers to fly for the airlines. It's the result of safety reforms implemented in the wake of the Colgan Air flight 3407 crash in 2009.
Hours can be reduced in three different ways to receive an R-ATP. A student who conducts flight training in conjunction with a two-year college program is eligible for the certificate at 1,250 hours, while a student who attends a four-year college program is eligible at 1,000 hours.
Republic is targeting the third way — for military veterans who are eligible for an R-ATP certificate at just 750 hours. In its FAA filing, Republic argues that there are many similarities between its LIFT Academy program and military training. This includes being a closed-loop system that it says is closely aligned with the standard operating procedures and flight operations at the regional airline. Not only are students learning to fly, but they're learning the airline and its operations concurrently, Republic said.
"It is ... the very essence of the R-ATP Program that immerses LIFT students into their desired operating environment surrounded by system safety from day one," the airline wrote.
The exemption request was actually filed last month, but went little noticed until executives from a competing airline mentioned it on an earnings call this week. It's the furthest known step a regional airline has taken to chip away at the 1,500-hour rule. The rule, which took effect in 2013, has come under renewed scrutiny as the industry faces a pilot shortage so acute that airlines have been forced to park regional jets, prematurely end Essential Air Service routes and trim regional capacity. Many in the industry have called for it to end, though others have countered that the extra experience is a good thing — helping ensure an adequate supply of flight instructors. It's become one of the most controversial topics among pilots.
More: How a pilot shortage could leave travelers with higher fares and fewer options
With Republic squarely in the corner of being against the 1,500-hour rule, the airline also uses its filing to argue that this exemption would help make becoming an airline pilot more financially feasible for students, as well as diversify the flight deck.
"The Republic R-ATP Program provides a cost-effective means to flight training that is accessible to a large pool of candidates including those from underrepresented minority groups," the airline wrote.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.