Or the role of an air taxi, cargo or helicopter pilot for that matter? In the last few weeks we have read about the regular episodes of pilots ‘saving the day’ and the lives of their passengers (see CN July), and we occasionally still hear of the professional pilots who ditched a powerless A320 in the Hudson River and B777 gently onto the grass at Heathrow, saving the lives of all aboard. Yet one notorious airline CEO has used our profession as his latest free advertising stunt. He is suggesting that at least one of the professional pilots aboard could be replaced by a little more training for a member of the cabin crew! Although it never ceases to amaze me the way professional journalists ‘fall’ for such simple media attention grabbing tactics, nonetheless it caused me to think whether Europe has a real vision for the future of training in our profession. On the one hand, the airlines are all seeking to reduce costs, and training is often seen as a legitimate target. There are fewer and fewer airlines who now train their crews in excess of the legal minimums, despite the enormous damage which a real accident can have on their business – particularly if it can be seen to have been caused by any lack of effort on the part of the airline. So it is ever more important that the regulations – in Europe and beyond – require enough, quality training to ensure safe operations and professional airmanship under the even most challenging situations. Under no circumstances, should such regulations require superfluous measures and/or relax well-tested training requirements, which would bring the whole training regime into question. ECA is supporting the IFALPA-led Training Workshop in Paris on this question, next month, and will be active in the deliberations which will follow to modernise policy in the area. If we as professional pilots cannot set the vision for efficient, effective and safety-oriented training – both at the entry to the profession as well as throughout our careers – then someone else will. Undoubtedly to both our and the passengers’ detriment!