Outstanding post Furloughed!
It may not get you on the cover of ALPA mag., but, whatever.
All I remember about ALPA during the great airline race to bankruptcy protection, and then airline management’s free-for-all once under protection, was how tenacious ALPA was at getting into bed with the freight companies. .... Just one guy's blurred view of things while scrambling for employment elsewhere.
FACT: For every "General Lee" there are thousands of "FurloughedAgain"s and many who fare much worse.
Listen up young cadets and don’t do what I’ve done.
My career began in the last slow time, before you could go fly an RJ with 300 hrs on your rez. Here it is:
Instructed a couple years in California, earned squat, applied everywhere.
Flew in S.E. Alaska 2 summer seasons single engine VFR. , It was lots of fun, the highlight of my career. Earned squat, built time, had a couple close ones, instructed in the off-season.
Got a freight/charter job at a mom and pop place in Iowa, light twins, earned squat, built time, had a couple close calls, applied everywhere, bailed within a year.
Got a better paying job back in Alaska. Flew 1 year single engine VFR all over W. Alaska, made a somewhat livable wage, cheated death, struggled with sanity, built time, applied everywhere, took pay cut to upgrade to the rt seat of a 1900, flew semi-legit IFR out of ANC. Pax by day freight by night. Earned squat, built time, had a couple close calls, the company failed a year or so later, applied everywhere.
Worked for a fractional in Ohio for a few years, earned squat, built time, couldn't believe how safe flying in the system in the lower 48 was, applied everywhere.
Flew for USAir for a couple years, started to actually earn a living, looked to move to CLT base, got bumped out of CLT, looked @ moving to PIT base, 9/11 happened, got pax home that were stranded post 9/11, got furloughed.
Fortunately, I got re-hired by fractional. I'm very thankful. DON'T BURN YOUR BRIDGES KIDS. Promised a contract was just around the corner, earned squat for a couple years, couldn’t make ends meet, took state aid for my new family, didn’t need to build any more time, applied everywhere.
Especially fortunate when fractional union produced a livable contract. I now earn a livable wage, have good medical, 401k, time off, etc. Most importantly, I’m happy. I'm thankful for the union's hard work. I'm thankful the company keeps writing me paychecks.
I started this journey with dreams of big money and blonds on my lap as I pointed my plane toward foreign destinations while making deviant plans for my long layovers. (My early 20s) To those who have that lifestyle, I applaud your good fortune. To those who’ve figured out how to get more time at home than me, good for you too. To those who have both…"I’m not worthy".
To those who, in hind site, say I should have made better choices: Thanks for your observation of the obvious. It’s easy to see now. Just know that times change. When we interviewed at USAir there were guys from FedEx, America West, Airtran, the military, etc. too. It was a calculated risk for me that I couldn’t pass up at that time for many reasons…no excuses. I blame no one but myself for the choice. I understand how it looks to you. I turned down AmWest years prior because it seemed too risky to me at the time. Oh, the irony.
My purpose in showing my resume is to illustrate that I busted my butt for many years to make that big iron/big salary goal happen. Work smarter, not harder than me. 1. It’s not what you know, but who you know. 2. It’s all about getting those stupid hours as quickly as possible, at as young an age as possible. 3. It’s even better to know somebody. 4.spend premium dollars on a good crystal ball.
I could press on and maybe, make it happen. I’m just not willing to sacrifice any more “living” to make it happen right now. Going back to reserves at a fubar’d airline is not living. I have more pressing duties on the ground. Family is my priority/goal now. Short sighted? Possibly, but if I run into problems with my kids down the road, I will be able to look myself in the mirror and say I did my best...“and gosh darnit, I like myself” I won’t kick myself for spending all that quality time in a crashpad, layover, reserve sched., etc.
I’m not saying an airline job hinders family life at all. Even that freaky delta guy, who posts way too much to have any time left for a family, could be a good family man. Now is just the wrong time for my family. If I would go back now, I’d really be forking my family…shorting them money, time, and my pleasant demeanor.
I’ve turned down my USAir recall as well as offers from a number of other airlines. Jobs that made financial sense before the bankrupsy protected, worker bloodletting, don’t make financial sense now. The bottom line is the bottom line. It was an easy decision in my case.
My priorities have changed. Now all I want is stability, money, and to be home as much as I can. An honest days work for an honest days pay. A plane is a plane is a plane. Being 40 something vs 20 something might have something to do with it.
Maybe I guessed right this time and will continue to live my revised goal. I’m optimistic for my employer’s future. Maybe I made yet another bad choice. I hope the new USAirways becomes the best airline out there. Going there now would defiantly be “buying when blood is flowing in the streets” Who knows?
If I/we did make a wrong choice again, one thing I can promise is that there will never be a shortage of pilots eager to say “I told you so” or “I saw the writing on the wall” Just know that gamblers only brag about their winnings. Don’t let them get you down. We’re all gamblers here. I suspect they'll will be eating me a new hole shortly.
I’m currently applying to no one. It’s a good feeling.
Best of luck to all!
P.S. To those who know me, plz respect my privacy.
Wow, after all that, I still want to fly big planes. Is that so wrong? I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.
Thanks again for the good posts Furloughed.
I'm going fishing.
