http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/trave ... on-19.html

Where are the Norwegian fans to defend this?

There is nothing to be defended as this is strictly legal. Both father and son are qualified pilots and they were scheduled on this flight together.

Why would they need to defend a qualified and employed pilot doing his job?

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

What's there to defend ? Seems like a cool story to me and a good bit of PR for Norwegian.

flight152 wrote:

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals.

Examiners, employers and regulatory authorities around the world disagree with you. As do I.

flight152 wrote:

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

Why are you sorry?

It has happened in the past and will happen again. Using standards set by the governing body and training methods also set by the governing body ... this young lad has achieved something of which the average a-netter can only dream. It also means when his buddies were out having fun ... he was studying. When his buddies were buying cars, he was buying flying time.

Bravo to him!

That's great , well done Norwegian. Anyone complaining is an idiot ....

flight152 wrote:

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

U2 have had flights where the entire cockpit crew's ages totalled 45. They have the licences.

longhauler wrote:

flight152 wrote:

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

Why are you sorry?

It has happened in the past and will happen again. Using standards set by the governing body and training methods also set by the governing body ... this young lad has achieved something of which the average a-netter can only dream. It also means when his buddies were out having fun ... he was studying. When his buddies were buying cars, he was buying flying time.

Bravo to him!

Or maybe his father bought the flying time.. but I agree with you - it is a huge accomplishment for such a young age...

flight152 wrote:

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

United States Commercial License gives you the ability to fly for hire, AKA airline, at 18 years old.

However you cannot exercise the privileges of an ATP and be CA of an aircraft requiring a type rating until 23.

Although I despise all things NAI good for this kid. Hope it works out because he isn't going to have a college degree.

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

flight152 wrote:

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

I know plenty of folks upwards of 40 that hardly have the maturity to be second-in-command of anything.

I got my private at 17 when I was a senior in high school. Perhaps I lacked social maturity at the time, but I recognized when I sat at the controls of that aircraft, there was no room for anything but professionalism.

Shall we judge you by your age alone?

flight152 wrote:

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

If he's a qualified pilot, his age is irrelevant. What difference does it make anyway, you have pilots who are maybe 3-4 years older than him that are commonly flying A320's and 737's for mainstream airlines like BA.

Bravo to him and an amazing story it is.

flight152 wrote:

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

This is just complete nonsense. A matter of opinion with no basis on facts.

Congrats to both of them!

flight152 wrote:

Jealous of not working for one of the worst paying airline pilot positions? One that gives 10 days off a month. Hardly.

That's true ... at 19, I am sure most people would rather be flipping fries at McDonald's .. or whatever positions are held by today's average 19 year old. Not to mention, 5 years from now, when most 24 year olds are just entering the "real time" job market, he will have time and experience behind him when he becomes a Commander.

This is just a feel good story, father and son probably had a great time. They're both qualified. Becoming a 737 first officer is not done in a heartbeat, takes a lot of hard work and money. Congrats to the 19 year old for achieving this, and getting to fly with his father.

This is ridiculous! Someone didn't read the article! Posting it without even bothering to read the article.
If he is a qualified pilot, his age is irrelevant.

The kid doesn't seem to have much craic. But good luck to him and well done.

It is tough for most pilots getting their first job, this is proof that it is definately a "who you know" industry to get in.

Great career ahead for him and obviously has great family support.

...but one stripe? Thought a first officer had two....

Awesome story, I don't understand the uproar here. He's qualified and legal under the current regulations.

airtechy wrote:

Great career ahead for him and obviously has great family support.

...but one stripe? Thought a first officer had two....

In the US FOs have 3

CriticalPoint wrote:

airtechy wrote:

Great career ahead for him and obviously has great family support.

...but one stripe? Thought a first officer had two....

In the US FOs have 3

In Europe it all depends on the airline. You can be a fully qualified F/O with 2000hrs on type with just two stripes at one company, or a new-hire with 100hrs with three at the other.

Hats off to this guy, well done and I'm sure his father being a captain at Norwegian helped him prepare for the grading and interviews, but he most certainly earned it himself!

airtechy wrote:

Great career ahead for him and obviously has great family support.

...but one stripe? Thought a first officer had two....

I was wondering about that, too. The article discusses it as a training flight and a couple of years flying experience, so perhaps he's not a full FO yet? Still, a great achievement and he's on his way in a wonderful career.

I see we have gone from general hate for Norwegian to just dumb comments.

I wish I was mature enough at 19 to do what that guy is doing.

flight152 wrote:

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

Yeah, ok, armchair expert.

This happens all the time in Europe. 20-21 yo RJ FOs used to be common place in the US as well prior to the 1500 hour rule. Hell, I know of a certain much adored on this website legacy airline that has a few captains that are barely 30.

Galwayman wrote:

That's great , well done Norwegian. Anyone complaining is an idiot ....

Too right! Congrats to the young man, & to his proud father, & of course to Norwegian.......it`s important
to invest in young, interested, & ambitious people. That investment will pay dividends.

Dad's a training captain, and I'll bet he would never have let his son occupy the right seat if he didn't know that he was ready and capable.

Kudos to both of them.

777PHX wrote:

flight152 wrote:

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

Yeah, ok, armchair expert.

This happens all the time in Europe. 20-21 yo RJ FOs used to be common place in the US as well prior to the 1500 hour rule. Hell, I know of a certain much adored on this website legacy airline that has a few captains that are barely 30.

And said legacy airline has a regional carrier they own, with captains 23 and 24 years old on CRJ900s

An individual graduates high school at 17-18. Flight school can be done in 18 months leaving the individual 18-20 at the time of graduation and qualifies to join an airline. End of story.

There are stories of 21 year old captains in India on turboprops. Most airlines won't let anyone below 28 Captain a jet. But as second in command... Not a big deal. No offence to first officers but all you really need to be able to do is land the aircraft in case the captain is incapacitated. Beyond that your skill levels or maturity or whatever doesn't need to be that high. The difference in those few feet from right to left is massive in terms of responsibility and Requirements

Great for the Father and for the son. I am 68 years old, and in some ways feel that I have not - and never will - reach the level of maturity, in many respects, that this young man has. While I have accomplished many things in my life, I don't believe I could have done what he is doing, I just would not have had the dedication and devotion to my studies and to the commitment of pilot training. But that is just me. Some of us are ready for anything at any age, and some of us never at all. Don't judge the young man only on his age. I would far rather have him in command of an aircraft on which I am a passenger, than many people who are older. Age is simply not an indication of ability and accomplishment.
And, his father has great taste in watches. Breitling's tribute to aviaton: the Navitimer.
I am sure his father is very proud of him, and justifiably so.

Fascinating to read some of the comments on this thread, portraying traits of jealousy and envy, by many who are older, but not wiser. Maybe something like this should make us all look at what we have done in our lives. And there is a lot more to life than a college degree. I happened to get one at age 52. However, up until that time I was proud of what I had accomplished without one. I am sure this young man is going to be just fine throughout his life.

As someone who trains pilots for a US based regional carrier, attitude means a heck of a lot more than age. I'll choose a group of young guys with a great attitude who eager to learn over more experienced guys who already know it all.

As for this story, kudos to him. It's a significant amount of work to reach that point at 19 and he clearly made some sacrifices to get to this point. If Norwegian, the regulatory body and his training captain are happy, I wouldn't think twice about flying with him.

Fantastic achievement after much hard work. Well done.

Great achievement for him. I however, if given the choice, would not fly an airplane piloted by him. Personal opinion, I respect other's opinion on here as well. Ultimately its our lives, we make the choice how we want to risk them.

BG777300ER wrote:

Great achievement for him. I however, if given the choice, would not fly an airplane piloted by him. Personal opinion, I respect other's opinion on here as well. Ultimately its our lives, we make the choice how we want to risk them.

So imagine you saw him while you took your seat. Presumably then you'd ask to be offloaded?

Good for both of them.

19 is plenty old enough to act as an FO with a reasonably mature individual.

sevenair wrote:

The kid doesn't seem to have much craic. But good luck to him and well done.

Excuse me?

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified and employed pilot doing his job?

amen.. if he's qualified im fine with him. My friend has a Cessna 210 turbo and his kids have there licence and I've flown with them many times.

flight152 wrote:

ChrisKen wrote:

Why would they need to defend a qualified, type-rated, employed pilot doing his job?

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

And how is he going to get the experience? His age doesn't define his maturity or competence as a pilot.

flight152 wrote:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-4599456/Norwegian-Captain-flies-737-son-19.html

Where are the Norwegian fans to defend this?

As the topic poster, would be interested to know your feedback reading all the informative responses on this thread. Why the vitriol towards Norwegian? This story harkens back to the "golden age" of aviation, makes it more personal vs the standard airline vs passenger story that dominates todays headlines.

flight152 wrote:

Sorry but a 19 year old hardly has the maturity to be second in command of 150+ individuals. Is this the best Norwegian can hire?

If 19-year olds were mature enough to command bombers in WWII, they're mature enough to cart a bunch of punters to and fro in a modern airliner.

At some point VS had a chief pilot who was 25-26, age is a number, abilities, maturity and skill are not dependent on age.

airzona11 wrote:

flight152 wrote:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-4599456/Norwegian-Captain-flies-737-son-19.html

Where are the Norwegian fans to defend this?

As the topic poster, would be interested to know your feedback reading all the informative responses on this thread. Why the vitriol towards Norwegian? This story harkens back to the "golden age" of aviation, makes it more personal vs the standard airline vs passenger story that dominates todays headlines.

Norwegian, through its Irish subsidary with lower labour costs, is seen by a number of American pilots and pilot unions as posing a threat to their pay and conditions. So the opposite response of pilots such as Longhauler, Max Q and B777LRF who each took a logical stance to, say, Varsity, a unionist (from other threads) whose innuendo suggested it's a safety issue because it involved Norwegian. I suspect Flight falls into the latter category.

By the time I was 19, I was driving buses for a certain casino in Elko Nevada, transporting 60 people at a time. I also was a used car lot manager (higher end cars) with added responsibilities of keeping them all detailed. I had attended flight school & also entered my 3rd year of university.

I'm not bragging, but I was way more motivated than my friends, while they had crazy dune buggy races & parties at Oregon Dunes, I was working or studying, I'd go occasionally & would definitely be the one letting off the most steam, but I knew where my priorities were.

ALL people develop at different times & levels. This young man reminds me of me, when he wanted something he went for it & did the hard work. He is smartly preparing for a bright future & I am 100% proud of him, for working hard to obtain these achievements.

I agree with most here that this is not an issue. I am fairly certain this lad followed an integrated training program, which allows him to get his theory and 160 or so flying hours and type rating within 18 months. This means he is, for the time being, more training minded and current than someone who has had to wait, save and gather hours spread out over years (and thus being a year or two older)

3rdGen wrote:

No offence to first officers but all you really need to be able to do is land the aircraft in case the captain is incapacitated. Beyond that your skill levels or maturity or whatever doesn't need to be that high. The difference in those few feet from right to left is massive in terms of responsibility and Requirements

That is not really true. The first officer usually does half of the landings, as they need to remain currency as well. Furthermore jet airliners are not single pilot aircraft. Workload during single pilot operations (which is trained, ofcourse) increases drastically and is generally avoided at all costs...
Furthermore (perhaps more important), and that is an important part in airline selection procedures, a first officer needs to be assertive. If a captain doesn't fly by the book, the f/o needs to recognise the situation, comment on the situation and if the captain (in extreme cases) doesn't acknowledge, take over command. I would say this would call for high (social) skills and a serious and mature pilot in the right seat.
Having said that, I believe this guy passed training and selection and he probably qualifies for these demands.

The article says itself the airline scheduled the flight as part of his training. Tbh it's great to see more airlines hiring pilots of that age. And EasyJet did it like a year ago. And let's be honest. If they weren't qualified to fly those multi-million dollar machines carrying close to 200 passengers flying over Europe (aka close to many densely populated areas) the airlines wouldn't hire them. This is just you with your insecurities about young people flying airliners. If you don't agree with 18 and 19-year-olds flying 737's and A320's I get it, but it isn't the slightest bit wrong nor illegal.

planesavvy wrote:

It is tough for most pilots getting their first job, this is proof that it is definately a "who you know" industry to get in.

Every industry is a "who you know'' industry.

At least with an airline job you can't fake your credentials and abilities, you have to prove yourself many times over, and that never stops.

Yes he's only 19 but with an airline pilot father he has probably prepared for this all his life.

Congratulations to both father and son.

Can't say same about the thread title. Even DM has better title.