a thought about this industry...

[English]

In all fairness, to the two posters who complained about the girl at the interview and the interviewee in the back of the airplane flying to an interview -

As someone trying to get a job, it is usually good form to appear positive and upbeat. These two interviewees might very well have agreed with all the comments posted here about the working conditions and wages, but if they wanted the job, they SURELY would not complain about it in a waiting room for the interview, or in a plane in front of current employees.

There is a place to make a statement about the downward spiral of the industry, but it is not at the interview. Unless, the statement is to not even interview in the first place. But since 91, 100, 100, set still interviewed, I take it he wanted the gig.

91, 100, 100, set, mentioned that the girl came across as willing to endure any conditions just to fly a shiny jet. Keep in mind she was interviewing for her first airline job. She was rightfully excited to be there. And appropriately, she did not bag on her prospective employer! You can't expect a prospective job applicant to be jaded before they even get on the line.

 

[SigAV8R]

IMO, basically the industry has to be changed from the INSIDE. You can't criticize the newhires (I'm not even at that point yet) because they have no power to effect a change. To be able to raise the standards, it takes the people already on the line and already "in the game" to make the stand come contract time. I don't think anyone on here could honestly say they would have turned down their first airline job just because of the pay/working conditions. Or the fact that they would refuse to go to the interview until the company standards got higher. Granted, there will always be the person willing to take the job, but to bring about a change would take the collective actions of ALL pilots (already employed) to raise the bar.

ALPA isn't going to help raise the bar where it should be. If regional pilots stood together (ALL REGIONAL PILOTS, not just Company X or Company Y), then the hope for change exists. But just because one company agrees to a contract that makes THEIR individual pay and QOL better, they should not be criticized for "lowering the bar" or "dragging the industry down". They're doing what's best for them. If all regional pilots joined in on one pilots union decision to strike, then there would be a much bigger impact across the board for regional pilots than each company's individual plight. For example, when Mesaba's pilots were threatening to strike, you mostly heard from Mesaba and Pinnacle pilots going to the picket lines. What would have happened, if pilots from XJT, AE, ASA, Comair, and the like joined in and refused to fly until Mesaba pilots could get a contract that "raised the bar across the board"? The collective "regional pilots" voice would have been 10x louder. In the end, Mesaba pilots passed a T/A that improved THEIR situation. And that's all they could do.

Everyone claims to want the industry to change, but when company X decides to strike everyone not employed there becomes a sideline cheerleader and nobody wants to jump into the fight. And then they say the pilots "didn't do enough to raise the bar". The only other comparable option would be to standardize pay rates across the board based on the equipment flown. Then the QOL would be more of an issue with regards to benefits, schedules and the like.

Again, that is just my $.02.

 

[cl65200]

"What would have happened, if pilots from XJT, AE, ASA, Comair, and the like joined in and refused to fly until Mesaba pilots could get a contract that "raised the bar across the board"? "


Illegal strike? You would be fired......

 

[SigAV8R]

"What would have happened, if pilots from XJT, AE, ASA, Comair, and the like joined in and refused to fly until Mesaba pilots could get a contract that "raised the bar across the board"? "


Illegal strike? You would be fired......

Sorry, I knew that. I was just trying to prove a point that newhires can't be blamed for lowering the bar because they don't have that type of influence.

 

[charlie1]

If all pilots spent half as much time studying their aircraft, and enjoying their careers as they did on the virtual "whinery" all places of employment would be a better place to be. Nothing is perfect, except for the two-tier tax system in place, one for the rich and intelligent and one for the masses. Bottom line is nobody is going to be financially independent working for someone else. Isn't that why we're jocking for the best airline, seniority number and the like? If we as pilots spent half the energy we spend on discussing the ins and outs of our industry as we did looking for ways to increase our passive income, then we wouldn't really care for the income but more so the enjoyment of flying. After all, isn't that why we fly? A must read, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. #1 best seller for over 10 years!!!

 

[cl65200]

"Sorry, I knew that. I was just trying to prove a point that newhires can't be blamed for lowering the bar because they don't have that type of influence."

Mostly agree, unless they join a PFT or a "Freedom Airlines" type company..................

 

[rgd]

This is my passive income.

 

[charlie1]

pas-sive in-come \'pas-iv 'in-kum\ adj : monies received without having to work. eg., real estate, stocks, monies payed to you by your "women-of-the-night," etc. Monies received from a job is NOT passive income.

 

[SenorSpielbergo]

'monies payed to you by your "women-of-the-night," etc.'

Keep yo' pimp hand strong!

 

[Mr Hat]

I'm gonna tell you what I think...some will say I'm drinkin kool aide or whatever...I dont really care.

Yes, the "regional" guys are underpaid. Yes, the Majors are in a schlump.
This has all happened before. Sooner or later the industry will straighten itself out. All we gotta do is continue doing what we do. Whipsawing, low pay, concessions, furloughs will soon give way to higher pay, explosive growth and enough flying for everyone, then we'll go right back to where we are right now again. This industry is a continuous cycle.

I am certain that as long as we stick to our guns and remain professional, the two tier pay of Major vs. Regional pilot will go away, the gap is too large to sustain over time. I'll go one further and say that I think that eventually all jets will be flown by major carriers. Once the pay equalizes itself, what is the advantage of having two companies at an added cost?
One of these years, your going to see a mass consolidation of the airlines, regional and major alike. All it takes is one CEO to make the decision to consolidate and the rest will follow his lead, it is the way of things in this industry. Everyone follows eachother around.

So when your down about contract negotiations or recieving your paycheck, do what I do....Try to remember that day when you were hired, if you don't have kids, it was probably the best day of your life. I was so thrilled when I got hired, my mouth hurt from smiling by the time I got back to EWR, and I was about to take a pay CUT from my CFI job. Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel, any 777 CA will tell you that because they've all sat where you are right now.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Sorry, I knew that. I was just trying to prove a point that newhires can't be blamed for lowering the bar because they don't have that type of influence.

Let's put the blame on the company where it belongs. It's our fault if the issue of PFT is not addressed in the contract. If, as working pilots, we are not willing to take a stand against it by requiring a no PFT clause in the contract then I can hardly blame a new hire. I keep hearing...."Why should we take some kind of hit for someone who doesn't even work for the company yet?"

 

[Mr Hat]

Not to be on the side of PFT but would you go work for SWA if they offered you a job right now?


I certainly would.

Who in the regionals still does PFT anyway, I thought that went out with bell bottoms.

 

[hellas]

Reading these post and most of the regional boards makes me know for certain I was correct for leaving the regional industry. ALL managments in this industry suck and suffice to say so do most of the pilots. I asked one question to myself, am I happy waking up and going to work. NO was the overwhelming reponse. Was the pay good? NO, it was embarassing even after 5 years. Did managment appreciate me? NO, if you dont think that is important go work for a real Fortune 500 and you will see the difference! But I do miss the people and relationships...
Anyway, I got 5000% better job. I can buy things, go places and get this, even have a life without scheduling sucking the life out of me. What I am trying to say is GET OUT of this industry there has to be something more redeming than drunken overnights and the almighty turbine PIC time in the regional industry. If you are offended then you are blind, if you understand get motivated and GO!

 

[Winged Sig 599]

LMFAO



Passive income:

"Monies paid to you by yo women of the night."

LMAO

That was great. Glad to see that some folk in the regional industry still have a sense of humor. By the way, my womens' is out workin them streets right now! j/k

 

[flx757]

Not to be on the side of PFT but would you go work for SWA if they offered you a job right now?

People who continually bring up SWA and PFT in the same sentence obviously don't have a very good grasp on PFT. PFT is company required, company (and aircraft) specific training that the company is required (by the FAA) to provide, but that the company requires YOU to pay for as a condition of employment.

I have a B737 type rating. Paid for by a previous employer. This didn't cost me a nickel of my own money...nor was is provided by SWA as part of their FAA approved training program. However, I am still qualified to apply and be hired at SWA. So how, by anyone's definition, is this PFT????