Who on the Senate side are on our side?

[RotorAndWing]

I agree. We complain about jobs being outsourced. Here's something that is bringing money to this country from overseas and we are complaining about that too.

I've have no problem with foreign students training here. When I had my business I trained students from all over the world.

But what I strongly disagree with is the J-1 Visa (I think it's called something else now) that allows the student to work to "build experience" after they receive their ratings. Typically they are allowed to stay here and work for two years before leaving. The most common practice is once they are CFI's is to find work as an Instructor.

In my opinion they should come here and train, get their ratings then leave.

 

[jesse]

So, to think the powers that be are going to jump to represent a group that's a small fraction of 1% of the population is, at best, unrealistic.

If you take all the things out there--that involve small fractions of people, say less than 1%, you'll find almost every American is a member of at least one of them.

Those that don't care about the small fractions will someday realize they are a small fraction too.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

If you take all the things out there--that involve small fractions of people, say less than 1%, you'll find almost every American is a member of at least one of them.

Those that don't care about the small fractions will someday realize they are a small fraction too.

Trouble is, unless the fractions add together, they will still just be fractions.

 

[Everskyward]

But what I strongly disagree with is the J-1 Visa (I think it's called something else now) that allows the student to work to "build experience" after they receive their ratings. Typically they are allowed to stay here and work for two years before leaving. The most common practice is once they are CFI's is to find work as an Instructor.

I don't have any problem with that at all, especially when there is a shortage of instructors. Oh wait, that was last year... Really I think it should be tied to the supply and demand at the time.

 

[ScottM]

Using that rationale, we should turn EVERYTHING over to the government.

.

Nobody stated that. But I do think that government is not the evil group that far too many think it to be.

Government is a reflection of the people. If we have a bad government then we only have ourselves to blame as we were the ones to select the people running it. If you try and say that is because only jerks, sycophants, and inept people run for office then you still yourself to blame because if you really cared enough, you would run yourself for office. Any office from dog catcher upwards has an effect on this country and the people living in it.

 

[ScottM]

I agree. We complain about jobs being outsourced. Here's something that is bringing money to this country from overseas and we are complaining about that too.

What's this "we" stuff pale face? So far there has been only one complaint on here that I have seen. A lot of the flight schools only stay open because of the foreign students.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Nobody stated that.

No, Scott, they didn't. But you come damned close.

Government is a reflection of the people. If we have a bad government then we only have ourselves to blame as we were the ones to select the people running it.

Collectively, that is a true statement.

If you try and say that is because only jerks, sycophants, and inept people run for office then you still yourself to blame because if you really cared enough, you would run yourself for office.

Well, that is a bit harsh, but point taken. However, I cannot get elected for the position I want to run for.

Any office from dog catcher upwards has an effect on this country and the people living in it.

Some more than others.

 

[ScottM]

Well, that is a bit harsh, but point taken. However, I cannot get elected for the position I want to run for.

I did mean the collective 'you' as in all of us. Sorry if it came off harsh.

I do know what you mean by not being able to get elected for the job you want. Me too, I doubt I will get to that office. But it has not stopped me from being involved in direct lobbying efforts and I have been elected to a local office. I make a small difference in my community. After all isn't that what we all should be doing?

For user fees we can moan all we want, but unless we are really getting into the face of the Congresscritters I doubt they will hear us. One way to make ourselves heard is to call the local offices of your congressman, tell them what is on your mind, invite them or their staffer to the airport for events, keep writing letters to them. Better to write them at the local office as it has a better chance of getting through than if it goes into Washington. When going to community events where the conresscritter is at be ready to talk to them about the issue on your mind, have your talking points.

 

[Everskyward]

What's this "we" stuff pale face?

Hehe... where's my indian feather?

 

[ScottM]

Kitty has it!

Hehe... where's my indian feather?

 

[Everskyward]

Kitty has it!

Yikes!

 

[Palmpilot]

No, there ARE some things they do right. And well. Those things they should continue to do. Everything else they should get the hell out of and let those that know what they are doing handle it.

The change we need is to get away from those old ideas that private, non-regulated, non-accountable industry can do everything.

Using that rationale, we should turn EVERYTHING over to the government.

I don't want to live in that country.

I think one of the things that is often overlooked in the government vs. private industry debate is that the thing that makes private industry more effective is competition. Private monopolies have a lot less incentive to deliver good service.

One need only look to the DUATS program to see this. There we have two competing vendors that the end user can choose from, and each vendor's income is dependent on how many users they attract. Now THAT'S a model of how privatization can be done effectively. Compare that to the FSS privatization and the difference is obvious. The latter was set up as a monopoly. If it had been set up with two competing vendors, that the end user could choose from at any time, I bet it would have made a world of difference.

On the other hand, with something like ATC, there is probably no way to let end users choose between competing ATC vendors, which is why ATC should stay in government, where there is at least the possibility of oversight in the public interest.

 

[KennyFlys]

If Rush didn't own his own G5 he'd be all over the opponents of the new rules as being anti-American and pro-terrist.

Just so you know, he doesn't own a G-V. He leases a G-V, actually a G-550.

I don't believe he sees those proposed rules as "anti-American." He certainly sees them as an encroachment on our liberties as would any reasonable person.

 

[ScottM]

The last time I used the word "you" in the collective sense, I couldn't possibly have been honest in my statement. Or, so it was told to me by those whom I responded to.

Well you did not use it that way. You wrote a direct insult towards me and blamed me for something I had not done. I gave you two chances to see your mistake and yet when it came down to it, you were not able to admit your error.

I am still waiting to see your apology.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Come on, guys. Take it to a different thread.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

But, don't cut down allowing international students coming here. They provide some job security for flight instructors across the country.

Ummm... Excuse me? Is this really you saying this? Given your history, that surprises me.

Indian ticket mill

an "INDIAN" student

Because the school is at least 95% Indian students and its owner was born and raised in India.

It's not used as an insult. It's used because they are the cause of the problems I state. I'm not stating opinion unless it's just coincidence that numerous other pilots on the field have the same comments. I'm referring to Indians... not Chinese, Korean, Candian or otherwise. This school only has Indian and some domestic students; three of which are now my students. Go figure!

Today, I heard nearly every Indian student request a "radio check" and an "airport advisory" that included weather data. Are these students not taught how to obtain ASOS information?

My teaching episode with Indian students

The school is 90%+ Indian students. It's owned by an Indian who now owns one other school in the Houston area. They have an aura of superiority. In their mind, they are the elite and nothing you tell them matters.

If this tower reacts half what PDK has with the Indian students there

the Indian students I have to contend with

He wasn't even an Indian student but rather a local.

To our right is an Indian plane

has to swing wide to stay away from the Indian student

I hear an Indian announce

The other guy (Indian) accused us of cutting him off.

we had to fit in with FIVE Indian students doing T-n-Gs.

fly in the pattern for a week with our Indian students from down the end of the field. Let's see if you don't push for a standard?

There WILL be Indian students. There may be some who cater to other international students but many have only Indians.

The Indian students are not treated that way.

It doesn't help that the flippin' Indian students on the field fly such irregular

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why the Indian government is sending such kids over here for flight training. The majority have no business being in the cockpit.

the Indian students were sent repeatedly

he did a royal chewing on one of his Indian students for some issue.

was Indian students would fly off to a nearby airport

The Indian and Korean students are neverending

it may help if I mention there are a LARGE number of Indian students at this school.

Or did you mean to say that foreign students are OK as long as they're not from India?

 

[jesse]

Ummm... Excuse me? Is this really you saying this? Given your history, that surprises me.
Or did you mean to say that foreign students are OK as long as they're not from India?

Nice

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Ummm... Excuse me? Is this really you saying this? Given your history, that surprises me.

Come on, guys. See post #55.

 

[ScottM]

No, I'm opposed to **** poor training creating ticket mills for international students or any other flight students. This particular school I was referring to at the time was also owned by Indian nationals.

Those are the Indian nationals that have

They have an aura of superiority. In their mind, they are the elite and nothing you tell them matters.

. The students they teach also are the ones that

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why the Indian government is sending such kids over here for flight training. The majority have no business being in the cockpit.

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

 

[KennyFlys]

I deleted the earlier post out of respect for Greg. Sorry, Greg. I need to respond here.

1. I'm opposed to ticket mills. The school I referenced months ago was such a school.
2. I'm opposed to continuing instruction to someone who clearly is not cut out to fly an airplane. You may be forgetting there are many of those students who have never driven a vehicle and are suddenly thrust into a three-dimensional process with a lot of rule and laws by God and/or government, any of which are ready to bite you.
3. The training at this school was very poor. It was perpetuated by further teaching by their own instructors and approved by owners.
4. Lastly, I have it on very good authority the FSDO in Houston is very close to shutting down that school. But, they will probably wait until the tower goes into operation providing further documentation of what occurs.

I'll finish by saying a couple more things. EVERY student, regardless of their origin, deserves quality training with a school that maintains a very high standard that views the PTS as an absolute floor for those standards.

Finally, when we get a student who is a questionable person to keep flying, they usually lead themselves out of the cockpit. I've had one student decide such for himself. Another said he wanted it but didn't go far when he didn't even to look for financial options. I prefer motivated students. Any dedicated instructor there for the sole purpose of flight instruction would.

When international students are at a school and found to not be suitable for further training, if not counseled on such, they'll keep training. Such schools tend to have the time builders for instructors and they want the students so they can fly. I've found the same instructors do not put much, if any, time into continuing the ground knowledge. The school wants the revenue so they won't cut those students off all that fast. I've said such schools are cash cows and are ticket mills. They'll continue to be so as long as those unsuitable to flight training are not properly counseled and have their training terminated.

That's the end of this issue for me. If it means that much to you, start another thread on it. But, please bring something to the table beside unreferenced statements I've made nearly a year ago. Such as, documentation my first-hand observations are wrong.

 

[mikea]

Ummm... Excuse me? Is this really you saying this? Given your history, that surprises me.

...

Kent, see if Jon Stewart needs another researcher.