A Commuter Pilot's Life: Exhausted, Hungry and Poorly Paid

[doh]

Who is we???

Congress and we the people. You know, all those fancy hearings and what not. Shirley they will look out for safety!uke: Riiiiight.

 

[waveflyer]

You remember this.....we wouldn't be having this conversation if the Major airlines...and the Major airlines pilots had not given it!

Well said!

The regionals 'aren't so wonderful' bc of the whipsawing world in which they are awarded flying. This is created by the major airlines to specifically cut costs by circumnavigating seniority at BOTH the regional and major airline level. And major aiine after major airline has fallen for it.

To furlough, then outsource is unforgivable.

 

[jmreii]

Some people need a rock to fall on their head and tell them something like a regional pilot's life is not great, and other folks are a quick study with the knowledge and say its not for me. Where's that dxmn violin when I need it.

 

[scoreboardII]

Sadly a CNN pole of the top 50 jobs in the US does NOT include pilot. Hotel manager: yes, at number 25, Dr? yes, at about 10. Pilot: No.

 

[Penguin46]

What's the reasoning?

I think you fools are part of the problem. What part of 18k a year for an airline pilot job is OK???? It is not right - why do we get paid so little? Unions have lost much of their power and it will take decades of pattern bargaining to get us back to where we should be.

What is the reasoning for going into an expensive pilot program to begin with? Weren't regional pilots paid on "opportunity costs" vice living wages by design? Now with move on opportunities waning; how do they recruit?
It seems rather fiscally irresponsible to pursue that flying career path now.

Must be some sales pitch.

 

[pipejockey]

Are you serious? N1 was quoting a kid that recently spent over $100,000 to get into this industry and is now making a poverty wage. Like N1 said, that was his choice, and it was a choice that he obviously made well after 2002.

I just want to make clear that there are still people that got involved in this profession pre 9-11 who are still FO's at the regionals. Eagle, Comair, Horizon etc. And other pre 9-11 guys who went with airlines that now have seen them upgraded, are going to be stuck at the regionals for life. None of those guys could have reasonably anticipated not getting to a Major within 5 years or so, barring any accidents or incidents. I have this 20 something calling me up from time to time asking questions about the industry because it's his dream. I am doing my level best to give it to him straight and not allow him to ruin his life as so many others have by pursuing the "dream".

 

[jmreii]

I just want to make clear that there are still people that got involved in this profession pre 9-11 who are still FO's at the regionals. Eagle, Comair, Horizon etc. And other pre 9-11 guys who went with airlines that now have seen them upgraded, are going to be stuck at the regionals for life. None of those guys could have reasonably anticipated not getting to a Major within 5 years or so, barring any accidents or incidents. I have this 20 something calling me up from time to time asking questions about the industry because it's his dream. I am doing my level best to give it to him straight and not allow him to ruin his life as so many others have by pursuing the "dream".

This 20 something did not listen to his parents, what makes think he is going to listen to you. Some people learn the hard way through the experience of living it. I pity the fool that doesn't have a plan.