This is pure bullshit. My younger son is a pilot for Delta. He goes through extensive training when changing planes that he flies. He also goes through very tough simulator evaluations every six months in order to maintain proficiency.
He will be starting training next month when he will go through two months of training on the Airbus 330 models before he starts flying routes from Sea-Tac to Asia and Europe. My son is 42 and has been an airline pilot for 21 years.
If this article were about Delta specifically, or US Air Carriers generally, then I would agree. Given the context of the 2 737 MAX accidents, then I believe the article has some validity.
I have been to Delta's training center in Atlanta and have flown one of their 737 simulators. I have good friends that are instructors at the center. I am confident your son gets the best training there is. However, I have serious doubts about the training programs of "third world airlines," as well as the qualifications required to enter training.
Here's the information on the Ethiopian Air Pilot in Command:
According to Ethiopian Airlines records, the captain has the following flight experience:
Total hours: 8122
Total hours in B737: 1417
Total hours in B737-8 MAX: 103
Flight time in previous 90 days: 266 hours and 9 minutes
Flight time in previous 7 days: 17 hours and 43 minutes
Flight time in previous 72 hours: no flight time
The pilot in command was 29 years old. According to Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) records, the Captain’s most recent simulator training experience was September 30, 2018, and his most recent simulator proficiency check was October 1, 2018. The captain completed the Ethiopian Aviation Academy on July 23, 2010. A review of the captains training records indicated that he received his 737-800 First Officer type rating on January 31, 2011 and completed his PIC type rating for the 737-800 October 26, 2017. 737MAX differences training on 3 July, 2018.
The pilot in command is type rated as a First Officer of the following types of aircrafts: B737-7/800, B767/757, B777 and B787. As pilot in command, he is rated on B737-7/800 and B737MAX.
The pilot’s ECAA license allowed him to act as pilot-in-command in commercial air transport operations in a Boeing 737-7/800 (dated October 26, 2017) and Boeing 737 MAX (dated July 3, 2018.)
Here's the information on the Ethiopian Air First Officer:
According to Ethiopian Airlines records, the First-Officer has the following flight experience:
Total hours: 361
Total hours in B737: 207
Total hours in B737-8 MAX: 56
Flight time in previous 90 days: 207 hours and 26 minutes
Flight time in previous 7 days: 10 hours and 57 minutes
Flight time in previous 72 hours: 5 hours and 25 minutes
The first-officer was 25 years old. According to ECAA records, the first-officer’s most recent simulator event was listed as a proficiency check and occurred on December 3, 2018. His line training/check (conducted in the B737 aircraft) was completed on January 31, 2019.
The first-officer’s ECAA license allowed him to act as first-officer in commercial air transport operations in Boeing 737-7/800 (dated December 12, 2018) and Boeing 737 MAX (dated December 12, 2018.)
So, the Pilot in Command had over 8000 hours, but how much of that time was spent at the controls? How much time was spent monitoring the autopilot?
The first officer had total time of 361 hours with 263 in the right seat of the 737. He entered training with less than 100 hours flying time.
I will never fly on Ethiopian Air.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.