United Pilot Dies After Inflight Heart Attack

[eaglesview]

I've also been on strike, through 2 bankruptcies, busted my ass to get where I'm at. I grew up in Mississippi from a family where most people didn't finish high school. My dad never saw me play one baseball game growing up because he worked 80 hours as a welder to save money to help whatever way he could to help me go to college. I also was on food stamps and even homeless for a 8 week period. In college (got a full ride scholarship) I played baseball and busted my ass in 2 jobs to pay for my flight training. In my airline, I paid my dues also. I also have an ALPA battle star. So what you're saying is because I'm only 36 I should shut up and deal with it? I say HELL no! I am just entitled to my upgrade as the next person. I've been at my major airline for 9 years. I should've upgraded 2 years ago. Yet I fly with guys who are 63 who are talking about their new boat or new house on the lake. I am blessed to be at a great airline making good pay. But I should be making more as a captain...helping the same dad who busted his ass to get me out of hell and to help me succeed! So...are there guys who have been screwed out there? Yes! But don't be so self centered to think that just because we are younger we aren't entitled to what we deserve. That is such a selfish and elitist thing to say.

Disregard.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Can you honestly say you would have supported the age increase in the year or two prior to your upgrade to captain? Understanding the time value of money, would you have supported it then knowing you would stagnate 5 years in the FO seat or be furloughed? Even though you would have gained 5 years to your retire date, would you have been comfortable giving up a "sure thing" for a gamble on making it to age 65 medically?

To be honest, yes, I would have been disappointed but that would be that, the F/O job really isn't that bad, especially on senior equipment.

 

[Mamma]

To be honest, yes, I would have been disappointed but that would be that, the F/O job really isn't that bad, especially on senior equipment.

"Disappointed" over losing about $300,000 in Captain wages?!?! "Disappointed" over being downgraded to lower equipment or furloughed? What about the guys getting stuck in the regionals for another 5 years as an FO or not even hired after spending $100K on their ratings and education? Should they just be disappointed? I find your answer very suspect. The ONLY rational people who would support this were those approaching age 60 and wanted more money, had no life, or enjoyed the seniority.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

"Disappointed" over losing about $300,000 in Captain wages?!?! "Disappointed" over being downgraded to lower equipment or furloughed? What about the guys getting stuck in the regionals for another 5 years as an FO or not even hired after spending $100K on their ratings and education? Should they just be disappointed? I find your answer very suspect. The ONLY rational people who would support this were those approaching age 60 and wanted more money, had no life, or enjoyed the seniority.

As you know, I retired at age 60.

 

[Mamma]

As you know, I retired at age 60.

Of course I know. I'm just getting to the point of your calling those that are not happy about age 65 as the "get out of my seat" crowd. They lost a lot and you should try and understand that. Someone "got out of their seat" for you and every other captain. Its no big deal for those hired today since the 5 years of stagnation have passed, but those that had to eat those 5 years on furlough, downgrade or not even being hired have a legitimate gripe. That's all I am trying to say. Maybe it could have been implemented better considering the uniqueness of our profession.

 

[scoreboardII]

I sure hope when I die, a forum thread doesn't evolve into something else....

 

[Mamma]

I sure hope when I die, a forum thread doesn't evolve into something else....

I guess that depends on how you die. If you have a stroke while pumping away on a goat, maybe you would want it to evolve.

 

[flyboyike]

I know of a retired 747 pilot who lost his entire "B" fund in the United stock deal and a divorce, then he had to retire before the Bond distribution. He truly is in poverty and needed to work but ALPA and the "get out of my seat crowd" did everything you could to kick him into the street.

He could have come back as an F/O, not to mention numerous other flying jobs a guy with that kind of experience could have got.

 

[densoo]

He truly is in poverty and needed to work but ALPA and the "get out of my seat crowd" did everything you could to kick him into the street.

That's rich, after hosing the bottom third with no pension, no medical, B scale, age 65, reserve workrules, and outsourcing. Get out of my seat? Just because he mismanaged his career shouldn't allow him to mismanage others'. He and his peers allowed this profession to become what it's become. Let the younger crowd at least try to make a living out of what's left of the carnage they oversaw.

 

[scoreboardII]

I guess that depends on how you die. If you have a stroke while pumping away on a goat, maybe you would want it to evolve.

I did not see that coming.