FlexJet lays off 25 pilots

[GSXR600]

I could care less what situation THEY are in. They've HAD a LIFETIME. Most of them 35+ years at the airlines or elsewhere. Why should I suffer because they are ignorant with their finances or they just "LOVE FLYING"? They are grandparents for christ sake. I DO know what situation I'll be in at that age which is exactly why we wouldn't be having this conversation if it were me that was 70 because I have ethical values and morals. I know some of these guys and none of them are here because they HAVE to be. The ETHICAL thing to do here is to let someone who is starting their career have the opportunity they did. They have had their chance, step aside and save someone's family that HAS a future, from turmoil. It IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Let's make a mandatory retirement age for Frac pilots, if they dont leave, they will be forced to.
Problem solved!!!!!

 

[notapilot]

It is very unfortunate for those furloughed. Flexjet is not making business decisions based on "waiting" the competition out. We are making difficult business decisions based on our companies projected need. Our long term success is not at risk. This is a temporary solution to a temporary situation. Things will turn around for all industries and we will be able to come out of these times even stronger.

 

[ProFracPilot]

I could care less what situation THEY are in. They've HAD a LIFETIME. Most of them 35+ years at the airlines or elsewhere. Why should I suffer because they are ignorant with their finances or they just "LOVE FLYING"? They are grandparents for christ sake. I DO know what situation I'll be in at that age which is exactly why we wouldn't be having this conversation if it were me that was 70 because I have ethical values and morals. I know some of these guys and none of them are here because they HAVE to be. The ETHICAL thing to do here is to let someone who is starting their career have the opportunity they did. They have had their chance, step aside and save someone's family that HAS a future, from turmoil. It IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

This has got to be one of the most ignorant, self-centered posts I've ever read on FI. And that's saying somthing.

 

[CL300Pilot]

There is furlough pay (and paid medical) for a limited time in our contract. Nothing about a no-furlough clause that I could find.

Thanks Imacdog.

 

[shanes123]

I am with ART..These old guys need to go retire already..Most cant even do the job anymore(or maybe never could) If they love flying so much..take all the money they saved over the last 40 years and buy a plane. Its ridiclous how many guys dont know when to quit already..Theres some of us out here that need the money. This isnt politicaly correct but I know from talking to many fellow pilots its the feelings of many..There just to scared to bring it out in the OPEN..Good for you ART to speak out

 

[Mike Jenvey]

<<<< I could care less what situation THEY are in. They've HAD a LIFETIME. Most of them 35+ years at the airlines or elsewhere. >>>>

<<<< This has got to be one of the most ignorant, self-centered posts I've ever read on FI. >>>>

Yup - despite lots of years of flying, when you have a marital upset, lose your house to the ex-dragon & pay through the nose for too many years of alimony, there are some who do HAVE to work to finance their second marriage! Now, if it's to pay for that little "on the side" honey that the wife doesn't know about, that's different! You have a choice there......

 

[gunfyter]

Yeah ... all those old guys should do themselves in ... instead of sucking up all the health care and SS monies... and retirement monies....

Euthanasia for the old....

Dr Kervorkian anyone?

 

[CherryBomb]

.......

 

[CherryBomb]

I could care less what situation THEY are in. They've HAD a LIFETIME. Most of them 35+ years at the airlines or elsewhere. Why should I suffer because they are ignorant with their finances or they just "LOVE FLYING"? They are grandparents for christ sake. I DO know what situation I'll be in at that age which is exactly why we wouldn't be having this conversation if it were me that was 70 because I have ethical values and morals. I know some of these guys and none of them are here because they HAVE to be. The ETHICAL thing to do here is to let someone who is starting their career have the opportunity they did. They have had their chance, step aside and save someone's family that HAS a future, from turmoil. It IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I understand everyone's frustration. I was one of the guys that got cut. I closed on a new house Oct 1st, so this will be tough for me.

That being said, I knew aviation is and always will be susceptible to market changes and layoffs.

We all knew that being a pilot, chances are your gonna loose your job at some point or another. Its still the best job on the planet, but its risky.

If I wasn't able to accept the high risk of layoffs then I would have stood in a different line on career day...

I want to point my finger but that is useless.

I guess its Keystone Light for me for the next few months.......

 

[shanes123]

Understand Cherybomb but its a slap in the face sitting next to these old F*$ts and having them tell you how much money they have and they dont need to work.
Then theres the other half that complain there ex took all there money..YOU MARRIED HER!!! so whos fault is that? Two sides to every story. I am sure all the divorced guys were the perfect husband..Like to hear the exes take on why there divorced..

 

[realityman]

I could care less what situation THEY are in. They've HAD a LIFETIME. Most of them 35+ years at the airlines or elsewhere. Why should I suffer because they are ignorant with their finances or they just "LOVE FLYING"? They are grandparents for christ sake. I DO know what situation I'll be in at that age which is exactly why we wouldn't be having this conversation if it were me that was 70 because I have ethical values and morals. I know some of these guys and none of them are here because they HAVE to be. The ETHICAL thing to do here is to let someone who is starting their career have the opportunity they did. They have had their chance, step aside and save someone's family that HAS a future, from turmoil. It IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Funniest post I've seen on here in a long time! LOL!!!

Oh man! So this guy absolutely KNOWS what situation the older folks are in right now? He must be some kind of computer hacker to know all of their financial situations, a great doctor to know what health they're in, and a tremendous historian to be able to tell if they've had the life experience he says they've had and should retire. Wow!!!

Guess what? I'm 39, and was on track to make my financial goals that would allow me to retire around 65 and live very comfortably. As of right now, barring some unforeseen market upswing the likes of which we've never seen before happening in the next 25-30 years, I'm now going to have to work until at least 73 to make my goals, assuming I'm able to maintain my medical.

That's life. It's not ethics. It's not morals. It doesn't matter if I have a family or not. If I'm able to keep working, I will. And if I don't need to work, but want to continue because I enjoy it, that is not indicative of poor ethics or morals. In fact , it's a GOOD work ethic.

Make your own way in life. Don't expect others to get out of your way just because you can't hack it on your own.

 

[realityman]

Oh, I'm also curious where Art thinks "old" is, and when it's time to retire?

I turn 40 this year. Is that old? How about 50? 55? 65? What about 75?

If I can keep my medical and keep passing checkrides, where should the retirement line be drawn?

What about finances? Should I retire when I meet my goals, even if I'm only 52? Who sets the bar at where sufficient finance to retire occurs anyway? So if I would like to have $3 million in my 401K before retiring, will that work for everyone? What if Art thinks $500,000 is plenty, and I should get out then?

The argument that the older folks have lived enough and should retire is so immature I hardly know where to begin. So if the FAA says airline pilots need to retire at 65, that means those guys have lived enough? Life doesn't exist after a certain age, and these oldsters should make way for the folks who have life left to live? Pretty stupid!! Good to know that when I retire Art thinks I've had enough living.

After all, living to me means enjoying all life has to offer, including flying the jets, if that's my passion!!

 

[gunfyter]

Reality,

Soylent Green is People....

Back on thread topic. The disturbing thing about fracs laying people off...

It wouldn't make sense if they saw the possibility of a return to a more normal economy sometime in 2009. The costs of training etc..

What did it cost Flex for 25 Challenger 300 type ratings? In the past they went after people who did not fullfill the training contract.

Training contracts should go both ways ... there should be pay to a person let go without cause during he contract period.

Anyway ... bean counters must see a long term problem.

 

[Flex-ible]

So this will bring up a question.....how is the company gonna save some money if they have to type all these guys that will probably be displaced?

Maybe have some Lear captains who already have 300 type ratings from their FO days move back (at LEar captain pay rate).

 

[Flex-ible]

I could care less what situation THEY are in. They've HAD a LIFETIME. Most of them 35+ years at the airlines or elsewhere. Why should I suffer because they are ignorant with their finances or they just "LOVE FLYING"? They are grandparents for christ sake. I DO know what situation I'll be in at that age which is exactly why we wouldn't be having this conversation if it were me that was 70 because I have ethical values and morals. I know some of these guys and none of them are here because they HAVE to be. The ETHICAL thing to do here is to let someone who is starting their career have the opportunity they did. They have had their chance, step aside and save someone's family that HAS a future, from turmoil. It IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Ok, no dumping on grandparents. I'm 48, got a 26 year old son and a 2 year old grandson. Does that mean I have to retire?

Next, who says what kind of retirement these guys have? How many pilots do you know went from bankrupt airline to bankrupt airline, getting their pension whacked everytime?

Could some of them go home and live comfortably? Sure. All of them? not likely. And it's not my position to determine which is which.