Flame Away
I just recently found this website and since then I have spent alot of time reading the threads. You ladies and gents post some really interesting and entertaining info. Then I came across this thread. At first I thought it was laughable. Five pages (and just as many beers) later, I couldn't believe what I was reading.
I know more of our guys surf this site, but I see GIACAPT is the only one to reply. I also noticed that he/she has kept their cool and not resorted to the slandering that many of the other repliers have. So I grabbed another beer, registered (with a name that even the feeblest of minds will be able to attack), and now I'm jumping into the lion's den.
My background (bear with me):
Wanted to fly from day one. Worked since I could handle a hay bale. Wanted to go to Air Force Academy then fly jets. Eyes not good enough. Work concrete summers in high school and start flying my senior year. Graduate No. 8 and football MVP.
Choice: Play DII or DIII football at a small college or go to state school on academic scholarship.
Decision: Go to Embry-Riddle (more flame bait)
Work three part-time jobs (simultaneously) through college and graduate in 3.5 years Magna Cum Laude.
Choice: Pay more than $8000 for all my instructor ratings or a bit more than twice that to go to Gulfstream.
Decision: I'm already in debt, why stop now?
Paid for the 250 hours, got hired, upgraded and still work a second job to pay my debts. Sometimes I work both jobs in the same day and I have gone five weeks without a day off.
Now I discover this website and find out that I'm not even human and should be ashamed to call myself a pilot.
My point:
At some point we all "Pay Our Dues." I wanted to fly military - couldn't. So instead I worked my a$$ off in non-flying jobs to help pay my bills. Yeah, I skipped instructing, banner-towing, etc. Had I known then what I do now, would I do it get again? Tough call - the jury is still out.
Some clarifications:
- You pay the Academy for 250 hours
- After that, the Airline may hire you depending on its needs - no guarantees
- The Airline doesn't hire FO's that haven't gone through the Academy
- The Airline did hire street captains but stopped due to the high failure rates (note: the majority of street captains we have on property are excellent pilots and quality individuals)
- Not all FO's that come here are low time. I've had FO's with more time than me.
- We have had several military pilots come through; many were street captains (expectedly good ones)
- SCAB = Still Collecting All Benefits, someone who crosses a picket line or never strikes in the first place. Yes, our owner and some of our management our SCABs. Very few pilots here are SCABs, and even less would ever think about becoming one. We are unionized, Teamsters (probably more flame bait), and are in the ratification process of our initial contract.
Beer break.
Most of these posts suggest that the pilots here are low time with no skill. I have flown with FO's with low time, high time, military time, instructing time, jet time, etc. and have found there's no way to judge them by the amount and type of their time. I've had high time guys that suck and no time guys that would put many of us to shame. You say we should've paid our dues by instructing, and that a 1200hr CFI is a qualified commuter/regional FO candidate. We have many pilots here that instructed. There are a couple that I'm sure were great instructors but are missing a few fries in their Happy Meal when it comes to 121 flying. Yet, these are same types you say are "qualified" to sit right seat in an RJ just because they paid their dues.
Pee break.
I understand many of ya'll don't like PFT. But please consider some of what you're slinging. Our pilots, FO's and Captains, are well-trained professionals. Just like any other airline (I've been nervous watching some major crews operate that I have jumpseated on) we have a very small number of pilots that perhaps would be better cleaning the airplanes then flying them. We have good maintenance and an excellent safety record. Anybody that can put up with what we is bound to have good character. We are not all SCABs.
The aviation industry is a very small community. I'm sorry many of you have already judged me yet have not even met me; nor seen how I fly or manage a cockpit. If you ever had the chance, I'm sure you wouldn't being making these unfounded accusations and insults. Perhaps you would, but only behind the mask of your computer.
Beer and pee break.
I wish everyone in our profession the very best. I've taken the steps that I thought were appropriate and I sleep very well at night. In the end, I have only to answer to God.
OPEN FIRE!!