Airline Perks

[Ih8AFYesmen]

Crew meals! I hear alot of veteran captains bitch about the crew meals, but I actually like them. I can't help but compare it to the box nasties and chow hall dog chow. Maybe in a few more years, I'll feel the same as some of these captains. Yes, it beats ANY 9-5 job!

 

[CA1900]

Crew meals! I hear alot of veteran captains bitch about the crew meals.

Of course, you could have the alternative we have: NO crew meals. I'll leave it up to you which is more likely to have something edible.

 

[dash8driver]

dont forget, people find out you're a first officer you get to field the question "so, do you want to be a pilot some day?"

you get to ride the emotional rollercoaster of not knowing when you're gonna be furloughed.

you get to have people that you barely know ask if you can get them discounts or buddy passes.

 

[azxj]

one word: polyester

 

[jetexas]

FREE use of a microwave (some bases)
FREE use of a refrigerator (sometimes stinky)

Girls flock to you in the terminal demanding autographs and handing you their hotel keys.
Some people even toss rose pedals at your feet as you walk in the terminal.

What's funny is all the money grubbing chics that used to think pilots make a lot of money have caught on..at least here in Dallas (fake chic heaven).
"OH you're a pilot?? Who do you fly for? ... I have to go now"

 

[TCAS]

one word: polyester

Actually it's 3 words: Virgin Daycron Polyester

It's a scientifically engineered fabric. It retains the heat in the summer and let's the cold pass right through in the winter!

You just can't walk into K-Mart and buy this stuff... it has to be special ordered for you during ground school!

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

Wow, I got responses with real perks! Where do I sign up for this high-paying, cushy job with few if any qualifications or previous experience necessary?

 

[exagony]

Wow, I got responses with real perks! Where do I sign up for this high-paying, cushy job with few if any qualifications or previous experience necessary?



Try Mesa - they look for exactl ythis kind of pilot. Make sure you bring your vasaline and knee pads. Key interview question - do you spit or swallow?

 

[Andy]

Working for UAL was the BEST job that I ever had. And I was mostly on property after the 'summer of love' (2000), where every other UAL employee hated the pilots.

I bid reserve when I was a 727 SO in ORD because there were plenty of commuters who would aggressively pick up the trips for the per diem and not having to get a hotel room while on reserve. There were several stretches where I flew one trip (approx 3 days) a month. With that kind of work schedule, I didn't mind spending my 12 off days every month flying with the Guard. I only mil dropped a couple of days my entire probation year.

The worst hotel room that I stayed in with UAL was better than any hotel room the AF has put me up in (in 20 years of AF time).

I loved nonreving in first class on a 777/747 to Europe. The food is MUCH better in first/concierge class than coach, the booze is free, the IFE is better, there's a ton of legroom, etc.

There are always those days when you've got to get somewhere and you're stuck in a middle seat between the 300 pound dude (who raises the armrest between you and 'oozes' into your seat space) and the lady with the cholicy newborn. Yeah, those flights suck. But first class makes up for them, and once you figure out which flights are full & which are empty, you can plan your commutes to avoid the SWA-style sardine rides.

 

[jetblue320]

Working for UAL was the BEST job that I ever had. And I was mostly on property after the 'summer of love' (2000), where every other UAL employee hated the pilots.

I bid reserve when I was a 727 SO in ORD because there were plenty of commuters who would aggressively pick up the trips for the per diem and not having to get a hotel room while on reserve. There were several stretches where I flew one trip (approx 3 days) a month. With that kind of work schedule, I didn't mind spending my 12 off days every month flying with the Guard. I only mil dropped a couple of days my entire probation year.

The worst hotel room that I stayed in with UAL was better than any hotel room the AF has put me up in (in 20 years of AF time).

I loved nonreving in first class on a 777/747 to Europe. The food is MUCH better in first/concierge class than coach, the booze is free, the IFE is better, there's a ton of legroom, etc.

There are always those days when you've got to get somewhere and you're stuck in a middle seat between the 300 pound dude (who raises the armrest between you and 'oozes' into your seat space) and the lady with the cholicy newborn. Yeah, those flights suck. But first class makes up for them, and once you figure out which flights are full & which are empty, you can plan your commutes to avoid the SWA-style sardine rides.

To the guy that started this thread wanting to know about airline "perks":

Did you notice that Andy's post/reply making reference to his perks in the past tense? Did you see his "current position" in his profile? Unfortunately, that "perk" is all too common.

No offense Andy, I was just using you as an example. I feel for ya Brother and Good Luck.

Happy Holidays.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Wow, I got responses with real perks! Where do I sign up for this high-paying, cushy job with few if any qualifications or previous experience necessary?

Flyingtoohigh,

Sure you may meet some folks hired 97-00 that were hired very young that meet that statement, but not very many. Nowadays age 32-36+ is the rule with oodles of real quality experience (read sacrifice). Another thing, with the emphasis on recommendations if you're a bonehead word will get around and you won't get hired.

Don't forget that there are 7000+ highly experienced furloughs figuring out what to do. They planned and worked for about 10 years to get their dream job and now have to regroup. Don't be fooled that getting from A to B is as easy as you think.

You want stress...You're in your late 40's to early 50's and labor groups, including yours, want to make more and it is obvious (apparently only to you) that it will KILL the airline. Management gives themselves golden parachutes and pay the raise. Wait a year or two and wham, Chapter 11. Then what are you going to do, start all over at 30K a year? Ya, that's a great perk.

Tell me, do you see paralegals or legal secretaries going on and on about how the lawyers make so much more than them at work?? Do they go on strike to get their fair share??

I know this is thread creep, but a dose of reality is in order. Too many people don't realize this business is like winning the lottery. Some win, many lose.

 

[Andy]

To the guy that started this thread wanting to know about airline "perks":

Did you notice that Andy's post/reply making reference to his perks in the past tense? Did you see his "current position" in his profile? Unfortunately, that "perk" is all too common.

No offense Andy, I was just using you as an example. I feel for ya Brother and Good Luck.

Happy Holidays.

JetBlue320, furloughs are just part of the business. It's unlikely that one will get on with a carrier and see an unlimited up escalator in their career. For many, it comes crashing down in the form of a furlough and/or your company going chap 7.
I still get to enjoy pass priveleges on UAL thanks to my pilot brothers still on property who have negotiated passes for those of us on furlough.

I will continue to be on furlough for quite a while, but I'm making more money in the AF reserve than my counterparts back at UAL flying narrowbodies. Plus, I'm home every night, since I'm filling a staff position. I take a mini vacation every quarter to nice destinations on passes. All in all, life's not too bad for this furloughee.

 

[PurpleTail]

I will continue to be on furlough for quite a while, but I'm making more money in the AF reserve than my counterparts back at UAL flying narrowbodies.


Furlough for quit a while?? Try a career ender for most with the hope of never getting recalled. It will be a very very long time (if ever) before United gets above 8000 pilots again and even that is a generous stretch. So if you are in the 8k-10k senority range your done at United. Don't get me wrong, I want United to survive and prosper (my Uncle is a 76 captain there) and hopefully TED will make it but you first have to get out of Chapter 11.

Be thankful you have a desk job to fall back on and good luck in your continued AF career.

 

[Andy]

Furlough for quit a while?? Try a career ender for most with the hope of never getting recalled. It will be a very very long time (if ever) before United gets above 8000 pilots again and even that is a generous stretch. So if you are in the 8k-10k senority range your done at United. Don't get me wrong, I want United to survive and prosper (my Uncle is a 76 captain there) and hopefully TED will make it but you first have to get out of Chapter 11.

Be thankful you have a desk job to fall back on and good luck in your continued AF career.

UAL retirements alone between now and 2010 will absorb 1700 furloughs. That leaves another 450 or so furloughees with zero growth.
I'm not privy to UAL's plans and I assume that you aren't either. However, senior management has hinted that there are rapid growth plans upon emergence from chap 11. Time will tell.
This is an extremely cyclical industry. The current environment reminds me of the early 90s, complete with many omniscent statements of how the future in aviation would be dismal.
This business is supply and demand. Until recently, we couldn't get enough pax' butts in the seats. They're finally starting to return.
In the past, the airline industry has felt recessions first and recovered last. Looks like the same old pattern to me. I may be wrong, but I think that you're going to be surprised at the rapid rate of recalls for the major airlines starting in 2004.

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

This thread was meant for people to vent a little in a humorous way instead of venting at each other. I'm well aware of some of the normal perks of airline life. The few available are offset a great deal by some drawbacks. I now that it's a long, hard-fought road to the left seat of an A320, 737, or any turbine equipment for that matter. I'm getting ready for my battle to the left seat.

I hope this provides a chance for those who are in moving the larger iron to vent a little on the "perks" of their job.

 

[Tripower455]

what perks do you get as an airline pilot, anyway?

You get to cut to the front of the line at passenger screening!