135 Scabs

[mobie]

135 scabs

Where I last worked (and I am retired airline not working cheap wage) we had one of the pilots go to NJA and came back doing contract work at 1/2 the day rate that was normal on his days off.

So do not give me this retired airline pilot undercutting you. I will not work for anyone that does not pay what I am worth.

This is to say that h25b is right.

Thanks for the compliment...

The point I'm getting at is that there are far more young eager pilots out there willing to do it for less than there are retired airline pilots.

​

 

[Stealthh21]

Die Thread Die!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FalconJetDriver]

Oooh...up on my soapbox

We have a guy, early 60's, who is retired airline, huge pension- got out before the troubles, who just wants out of the house cuz his wife drives him nuts, guess he doesn't golf. He has only flown majors, never 135 before, can't land a biz-jet even after two-yrs- slams it on every time! Have to pick-up pax teeth and give 'em back as they get out! Has failed 2 check-rides, forgets things all the time, ATC always getting frustrated with him because he can't seem to find the runway or get the needles right! He isn't even worth the crap wages that he told the owner he would take just so he could still "play" pilot. Now, owner, who is not a pilot, enamored with the fact he was an airline captain, has made him chief pilot! Now he believes that we should all take the same crap wages, but since he can't reduce our pay, expects us to now all become FO's on second biz-jet at company we are not typed in, and they have no intention on typing us in, for no more money! If we don't accept the additional job, we can leave- he put it bluntly. He says there are plenty of "hungry" pilots out there who are waiting in line to take our place & they will do it for even less! The shame of it all is that he is right! Unless we are willing to sell our home, move our family, let my wife's business here go down the tubes, the kids have to change schools, then we are up **** creek! Now we all have to follow his rules, and we have to change the way that the rest of us career (over 20yrs) corporate pilots have learned is the right way- and do everything the 121 way!! This guy won't even be able to be insured in a few more years, and he can't fly worth ****! If I got this guy up in a taildragger, he'd pee his pants!! Doesn't really like airplanes, never even taken his kids (grown now) up flying in a small plane cuz he doesn't like them (planes, not the kids).

 

[FlierDude]

We have a guy, early 60's, who is retired airline, huge pension- got out before the troubles, who just wants out of the house cuz his wife drives him nuts, guess he doesn't golf. He has only flown majors, never 135 before, can't land a biz-jet even after two-yrs- slams it on every time! Have to pick-up pax teeth and give 'em back as they get out! Has failed 2 check-rides, forgets things all the time, ATC always getting frustrated with him because he can't seem to find the runway or get the needles right!

Worked with 2 CP's like that, one was ex-mil and the other civvie, so any source can provide a hack. It takes a concerted effort by a majority of the crews complaining en masse to mgmt, but you can change it.

As for the pay, we also had a situation where we were being bought out and pay was cut 50% - for flight crews only! - because they thought we would put up with the $hit for 3 months or so. The captains all went to the company president and threatened to walk. Guess what? The captains pay wasn't touched, but FO's was cut (because no one stood their ground).

Stick together, and your chances are much improved.

 

[Lear-fan]

the solution

Start a nationwide 135 professional organization like the AMA is for doctors. It becomes very powerful in determining charges for services and stoping abuses.

This would not be an aviation union. We are not a labor group we are professional pilots and as such should have a strong professional organization to help protect against what ever.

I believe that's why the airline pilots got it wrong with unions. they should have created a professional organization like the AMA rather than a labor union structure mentality. They are not laborers.

So lets start a PPA. Every 135 pilot in the country would belong and then we would be in a position to say no to abuses.

Until that time Economics 101 will rule, Supply and Demand!

Please excuse my spelling, it's late.

Just a thought.

DES

 

[grandma]

A bit uncomfortable with the "it's a free country concept?" Capitalism just not working out the way you expected? Answer the following scenarios honestly and then reevaluate this thread.

Scenario 1. You own a house. The deck is badly deteriorated and needs to be replaced. You've got bids from several contractors ranging from $4000-$6000. You find out your neighbor 3 houses away is a retired general contractor and a master carpenter. He tells you he'd be happy to do the project for $2750. Since he's retired his schedule is flexible and he can start any time you'd like him to? Do you hire him or go with the contractor for twice as much?

Scenario 2. Same house. Plumbing needs to be redone. Turns out a neighbor is a retired plumber who used to have his own plumbing company. He's replumbed hundreds of houses just like yours. His bid is about half of what a regular plumber would charge. Who do you hire?

Scenario 3. Your wife swipes a guardrail with your car. You don't have collision coverage so the repairs are coming out of your own pocket. Body shop quotes 2500. Guy down the street is a retired body and fender guy who has been doing repairs and restorations since dents were filled with lead. He'll do it for a grand. Hire him or go with the shop downtown?

Scenario 4. It's tax time. You have a complicated return due to owning a few rental properties and a retail business. The fee at the place that normally does your taxes is $550. At a cocktail party you meet a guy that just retired as VP of accounting for a medium sized corporation. He tells you he has all the current tax software on his computer and that he does tax returns for friends and family just to "keep a hand in the business." He further explains that he wants to stay in accounting part time just to keep his mind sharp and so he doesn't get bored now that he has a lot of spare time. He'll do your tax return for $175 and a bottle of Ranch Zebaco Dancing Bull Zinfandel ($14). Who does your tax return?

Everybody acts like aviation is the only industry where you have people willing to do your job for less. Happens in a lot of industries.

Oh and BTW there are no scabs in the world of 135 unless you happen to be unionized. Throwing that word around inappropriately doesn't impress anyone.

Obviously, many people that run companies will hire somebody that costs them less. I don't think that this is what the issue is about. It's what we, as employees can do to stop the race to the bottom in aviation.

Anyways, perhaps a more appropriate analogy would be:

Through no fault of her own, your dog needs an abortion. The crazy whackos down at the Vet clinic want $500 bucks to do it. One afternoon at a NASCAR tailgate party, you meet a nice young man with an interesting collection of multi-colored coathangers. He says he'll do it for two hotdogs and your tattered Dale Earnhardt cap. Who do YOU go with?

 

[h25b]

It's what we, as employees can do to stop the race to the bottom in aviation.

I swear if I ever hear anyone use the term "race to the bottom" in my physical presence while referring to anything aviation related I'm going to whip 'em over the head with a crash axe.

 

[AAslag]

I swear if I ever hear anyone use the term "race to the bottom" in my physical presence while referring to anything aviation related I'm going to whip 'em over the head with a crash axe.

Out here in the country "race to the bottom" means the river bottoms. Where, of course, the beer bashes are held.
:beer:

 

[grandma]

I swear if I ever hear anyone use the term "race to the bottom" in my physical presence while referring to anything aviation related I'm going to whip 'em over the head with a crash axe.

Gee, sorry I blew up.