CAL EWR B737
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2005
- Posts
- 652
whymeworry? said:Making a decision on whether to go to CAL based on merger speculation is, quite frankly, a bit ridiculous. If I had a nickel for all the merger rumors and "facts" over the years I'd be a rich man. I know what the CAL CFO said about a UAL merger... and if you read too far into it you will believe there is indeed a merger coming. The reality is EVERY AIRLINE is just as exposed to a merger. CAL will only merge IF and WHEN industry consolidation take place. Can you honestly say NJA will NEVER face consolidation? Every industry and every company will eventually face consolidation.
In the meantime, CAL will add 50% growth over the next 10 years PLUS 1500 pilot retirements. I can't think of a better place to be than a legacy that has assured retirements AND expected growth.
Your decision to go to CAL, or not, should be based on your affinity for the NJA job and lifestyle. Corporate can be just as rewarding as airline flying if on the right equipment. If you believe your future will continue to be rewarding at NJA, and your job will be secure, then you have a lot to contemplate. But I certainly would not base my decision on merger/ age 60 speculation.... because it's just that: SPECULATION.
If mainline industry consolidation happens, then all airline pilots will face havoc. Just the same, the fractionals, and even the cargo carriers, could face the same fate (consolidation) at some point in the next 30 years. Nothing is assured in this business.
Excellent post I concur 100%. What many don't realize is how much harder the fractional guys work as compared to us airline guys. My close friend just came to CAL from a major fractional, from what he says flying for CAL is so much easier than his previous job. He says there is no way he could have continued to fly for them for twenty years. CAL is my last flying job. If this job goes tango uniform no way I'm going to a fractional. I love flying but not enough to bust my butt like they do. I guess after almost twenty years flying for a major honestly I'm just too spoiled. Some guys love the fractionals and that's great for them, airline flying isn't for everyone. There certainly are downsides no doubt.
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