The FAA now requires U.S. airlines to certify that pilot hiring is merit-based through a new operations specification (OpSpec A134), with potential investigations for carriers that don’t comply.
Poll: FAA Merit-Based Hiring Requirement
New FAA rule requires airlines to certify merit-based pilot hiring—how will it shape recruitment, safety, and the pipeline?
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA now mandates U.S. airlines to certify that their pilot hiring processes are merit-based.
- This requirement is implemented via a new operations specification, OpSpec A134.
- Airlines that do not comply with this certification face potential investigations from the FAA.
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The airlines already have strict, uniform standards for who can sit in the cockpit; no one is slipping through without the licenses and checkrides.
This policy doesn’t raise the bar ,it handcuffs any effort to challenge bias, then calls that “merit,” all but guaranteeing the same faces keep getting picked while pretending it’s only about safety
I am going to call BS on this. Thing is, this has nothing to do with Gender or Race. It is all about quality of new hires.
I was a simulator instructor for a number of years on the 747. Our Airline had been without a contract for a number of years and we were considered low pay. We had difficulties filling seats. 90% of Women were very, very difficult to get through the training and the pattern continued when out on the line and then again during recurrent. These women all had the hiring minimums required by our Airline. Question is why? Simply put, they lack confidence. Why do they lack confidence? Because for their entire career they have had to put up with instructors so would rather sleep with them than teach them. Instructors who don’t think women should occupy a seat. Instructors who cannot communicate with women. Instructors who think all women hires are a result of DEI. In addition to that they have a difficult time being selected by single pilot night freight operators because of their gender. They have difficulty being hired by biz jet owners and operators.
During my time in the sim I would occasionally run across a woman who had either not had that experience or overcame it. Wow! What a joy for me to train them and watch them be successful
My point is that perhaps we should look more at ways to instill confidence in all pilots. Our lives as passengers will depend on it someday.
DEI / haterade lovers will fight to keep women subjugated as long as possible. Losers gonna act like losers, every time.
Depends on which airline youre referring to! United? Not so much, as the crack is another Grand Canyon
BS, if a Black qualified woman is the best, no problem .. just stop telling the market, the public, shareholders and other qualified pilots, Im hiring a certain % of Black women