spongebob
Glass half empty
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2001
- Posts
- 61
It cracks me up to read so many "sure thing" replies. Anyone who has read the slightest bit of business history and airline history in particular, knows that there is no sure thing. This industry has morphed a thousand times and carriers have come and gone. In ten years Southwest may be a goner, brought down by over reliance on fuel-hedges, point to point route cherry picking and growing labor costs and the US domestic and International leader may be Cape Air. You never know. Our glorious cargo carriers might be brought down by the stroke of a pen when our government allows Cubana Cargo and Sri-Lanka Package Express to run parcels from Detrit to Tampa. You can only make your decision based on what you know today.
If I was to chose between AirTran and Delta I would consider stability of course but also factor in quality of life, home base, corporate culture and similar issues. Never burn a bridge if you can avoid it and ALWAYS be working on your next job. If there is one thing I regret was believing "this is the last job you will ever hold - because you will retire from here in many years a happy man". Now I keep my resume updated, alwys keep looking at the industry and work on plan B, C, D and so forth.
The one tiny benefit we see of the pension dumping is the portability of experience. Right now you can presently get high paying jobs as 777 Captain with Emirates, ANA and Cathay. That may become something you see here stateside. (direct hire Captains) When your carrier has no pension to hold over your head, you are more likely to run for greener pastures at some point. So NEVER assume you will finish your career with who you started. If you go to Tranny (or DAL), keep your eyes open to the next best thing. It may be smart at some point to jump ship and go fly as Oprah's pilot or start up a new carrier based out of Boise. Management relies on pilots not wanting change and they have wrung concessions out of us because too many believe they have to stay.
Well, I encourage you to do what many have mentioned and stay in the reserves. If anything, it is fun and gives you a chance to take a break from running from one concourse to another to do your third pre-flight of the day.
Good luck in your decisions...
SB
If I was to chose between AirTran and Delta I would consider stability of course but also factor in quality of life, home base, corporate culture and similar issues. Never burn a bridge if you can avoid it and ALWAYS be working on your next job. If there is one thing I regret was believing "this is the last job you will ever hold - because you will retire from here in many years a happy man". Now I keep my resume updated, alwys keep looking at the industry and work on plan B, C, D and so forth.
The one tiny benefit we see of the pension dumping is the portability of experience. Right now you can presently get high paying jobs as 777 Captain with Emirates, ANA and Cathay. That may become something you see here stateside. (direct hire Captains) When your carrier has no pension to hold over your head, you are more likely to run for greener pastures at some point. So NEVER assume you will finish your career with who you started. If you go to Tranny (or DAL), keep your eyes open to the next best thing. It may be smart at some point to jump ship and go fly as Oprah's pilot or start up a new carrier based out of Boise. Management relies on pilots not wanting change and they have wrung concessions out of us because too many believe they have to stay.
Well, I encourage you to do what many have mentioned and stay in the reserves. If anything, it is fun and gives you a chance to take a break from running from one concourse to another to do your third pre-flight of the day.
Good luck in your decisions...
SB
