There are a few threads in this discussion.
- In the US, due to an adequate supply of ex-military pilots, especially through the 1970’s and perhaps beyond; there was no need for airlines to be concerned about ab-initio pilot training. As I recall (someone may correct me) Herb Kelleher when he co-founded Southwest Airplanes, he hired all the pilots from a USAF squadron that flew the military version of the B737. Millions of dollars were spent training military pilots funded by taxpayer money which favored US airlines and, in this case, free to SWA. The military no longer is a main source of airline pilots.
- Internationally, ab-initio training funded by airlines is the standard. Is there something that we can learn about ab-initio training? Paradoxically, there are a number of US flight schools which provide ab-initio training for foreign airlines.
- Once passed 50 hours dual-given in a C172 doing pattern work, any additional hours don’t add much value in terms of experience. What is missing is working in the IFR environment. This might imply that the CFI pathway is not the best, maybe “freight-dog” pathway or charter is better, assuming that opportunities are there. The challenge for CFIs qualifying for the ATP are the 50 hrs. of multi-time (FAR 61.159 (a)(3)) and the 500 hrs. PIC cross country time (FAR 61.159 (a)(1)). For the latter, all restricted-ATP options from 750 to 1500 hours accept 200 hrs. PIC cross country flights. (FAR 61.160 (e)).