United executive does not foresee changes to USA’s pilot-qualification rule

Comments made by a top US airline executive suggest efforts to ease flight-hour rules for new pilots might lack support from at least one major US carrier. Speaking on 17 May, United CCO Andrew Nocella addressed an effort underway to ease the controversial “1,500-hour rule” for new pilots. “Its a safety debate – its a safety issue that has to be thought about incredibly carefully over a long period of time,” Nocella says of an effort to ease the rule. Nocella did not specify whether United supports changing the rule, and the carrier did not respond to a request for comment. Nocella also doubts any regulatory changes could come fast enough to address the immediate problem. “It wouldn’t shock me if we are past the worst of this before that debate is even completed,” he says. “I can’t imagine a solution this year or next year… It’s just too late.” The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents United’s pilots, staunchly opposes easing the 1,500h requirement, also on safety grounds.<br/>