Cathay Cargo Questions - Atlanta Base

[ERJdca]

rhinodriver,

I couldn't agree more. As far as i understand it you will still be employed under your original conditions of service (COS99) so nothing is going to impact you outside of not receiving a cost of living increase (the minimum most of us wanted to see). Of course you can move over to COS08 if you prefer (why would anyone?).

The membership (AOA or "union") is essentially powerless; limited both legally and by its lack of membership. The company once again said that they are only dealing with the half the pilot group. (thats right, only about 1100 members!) Strength is in numbers and until the AOA gets at least 95% + membership they will have absolutely no power. Shame. To many refuse to join for silly reasons (in my opinion), i think most guys here are just too cheap! The best is when one guy told me he can go "negotiate his own contract."

I am happy here but extremely dissapointed in this companies forced proposal.

 

[johnsonrod]

General question for you 400 drivers. Now that you fly that big airplane, what do you think about it? Is it just like any other airplane after awhile or are you still impressed with it? What is it like to taxi that thing from such a high perch and look down on the rest of us?

Aaaah, we can always dream can't we?

 

[Airbusdrvr]

Johnsonrod,
the 744 Is only big when you are doing the walk around / external inspection. something a relief FO does a lot of! Ohh yeah a relief FO or SO does not taxi either so I couldn't tell you what that is like either. the 15 times a year I do taxi I seem to forget what it is like as I am too tired to remember.
as for flying it, just hang out with 4 guys in a small dark room for 15 hours looking at a poster of a 747 flightdeck and you will know what it is like. We fly the 744 for the money and the lifestyle. you fly all the other stuff for the flying!

 

[fareview]

General question for you 400 drivers. Now that you fly that big airplane, what do you think about it? Is it just like any other airplane after awhile or are you still impressed with it? What is it like to taxi that thing from such a high perch and look down on the rest of us?

Aaaah, we can always dream can't we?

Another glass cockpit airplane - yep. But there is just something about walking up the stairs to the upper deck as you go to work that gave me butterflies every time I did it.

It will always be my number one.

fv

 

[Bjammin]

I don't want to personally attack you, but your previous post made it sound like you would be the first to sign. This is the deal we are getting, but we do not have to be happy about it, besides in the USA base you might as well say no! Pay rates there have been frozen since 1999.
what was the cost of a house, groceries and gas in 1999 ?? a lot than the cost today!

What has been the overall wage increase for US major carrier pilots since '99?

Cathay is a business and I have no problem with them not giving me a HUGE pay increase while I make more money then just about any other major pilot I know. Sure FedEx and UPS guys might make more, but someone will always make more.

I'm very happy with what I get and the time I have off. It's a very fair wage and probably in the top 1% of all aviation jobs out there.

I tend to be a positive person and I think that makes me more fun to fly with and more satisfied with things not in my control.

I made more money my first year then I did after 18 years of military service. I work alot less, have much less stress, don't have other administrative duties like I did in the squadron, and my life is much more predictable. Strange thing is alot less people bitched about life in the military.

We all have chosen to be here and no one is forcing us to stay. If guys are truly unhappy with this new arangement then maybe they will leave making it even harder for the company to full cockpits. Then maybe we will see a true escalation in pay. I'll be happy with that, but i'm definitely not complaining now, not while my brothers in Delta are making less then half of me.

 

[Bjammin]

Johnsonrod,
the 744 Is only big when you are doing the walk around / external inspection. something a relief FO does a lot of! Ohh yeah a relief FO or SO does not taxi either so I couldn't tell you what that is like either. the 15 times a year I do taxi I seem to forget what it is like as I am too tired to remember.
as for flying it, just hang out with 4 guys in a small dark room for 15 hours looking at a poster of a 747 flightdeck and you will know what it is like. We fly the 744 for the money and the lifestyle. you fly all the other stuff for the flying!

As a relief FO I get about 3 to 4 sectors a month. I enjoy the flying very much and the airplane is a challenge to fly well when heavy during an approach to an airport with bad weather. Being high during the taxi gives you a good view of the tarmac, but you don't feel like your in a big airplane. The landing is very mechanical. The skill comes in saving a bad flare. Cathay is good in the respect that when it's your sector it truly is yours. The only thing the captain does that your can't is add the thrust for takeoff, he will do the preflight and you taxi when it's your sector. I enjoy flying this airplane as much as flying a fighter. It's different, but still flying.

After 3 years of being here I have learned to manage my rest and am only very tired on occasion. I tend to let guys sleep past their allowed rest if i'm alert, no problem, and it seems appriciated.

I truly enjoy the guys I fly with as well. Being in a cockpit for 15 hours with a good crew can be very enjoyable, and remember your only in the seat for at most 8 hours. It was great weather on my last sector and I got to see the coast of Russia, North and South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. I saw an erupting volcano the last trip and watch the northing lights during the winter. I've seen Japan testing missiles and the huge fishing fleets of Vietnam. Flying around the mountains into ANC is awesome when the WX is good.

The airplane is comfortable and the food pretty good. It makes the long sectors very barrable.

 

[Beefy Botham]

Bjammin, I've always found your posts to be informative and objective. Thanks for all your good info. I've been sucessful in my second interview in HK and am patiently awaiting a class date.
Beefy

 

[Little Bubba]

Bjammin'

I think you only have been here for 2.5 years...

Also, didn't you turn down an offer from Fedex?

 

[Bjammin]

Been here more then 2.5, and never interviewed with FedEx, maybe your thinking of someone else. I don't know you, I don't think.

 

[Little Bubba]

All I can say is that we have crossed paths a few times. You are a great guy, just a little bit naive when it comes to what's goin on at CX.

 

[Bjammin]

Maybe so, but I do know what's going on in MY life and those of my compadre's and I have the much better deal.

I can't get all rapped up in stuff we obviously have zero say so in. The union never got a vote! All I can do is compare life now to what it was in the military and what it will be in future with this company, it's just that basic.

The company is making money, the pilots are getting paid and not laid off, and I truly don't think there is a conspirency against us from the higher ups. They want to the company to do well and that will always be in our best interest.

Those who don't like it here should move on. That is the biggest FU you can do.


Cheers

 

[(o) (o)]

ahhhhhhhhhh....what's the point?

 

[(o) (o)]

As a relief FO I get about 3 to 4 sectors a month. I enjoy the flying very much and the airplane is a challenge to fly well when heavy during an approach to an airport with bad weather. Being high during the taxi gives you a good view of the tarmac, but you don't feel like your in a big airplane. The landing is very mechanical. The skill comes in saving a bad flare. Cathay is good in the respect that when it's your sector it truly is yours. The only thing the captain does that your can't is add the thrust for takeoff, he will do the preflight and you taxi when it's your sector. I enjoy flying this airplane as much as flying a fighter. It's different, but still flying.

After 3 years of being here I have learned to manage my rest and am only very tired on occasion. I tend to let guys sleep past their allowed rest if i'm alert, no problem, and it seems appriciated.

I truly enjoy the guys I fly with as well. Being in a cockpit for 15 hours with a good crew can be very enjoyable, and remember your only in the seat for at most 8 hours. It was great weather on my last sector and I got to see the coast of Russia, North and South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. I saw an erupting volcano the last trip and watch the northing lights during the winter. I've seen Japan testing missiles and the huge fishing fleets of Vietnam. Flying around the mountains into ANC is awesome when the WX is good.

The airplane is comfortable and the food pretty good. It makes the long sectors very barrable.

Your spelling really sucks dude.

 

[WabiSabi]

Your spelling really sucks dude.

Ahem! That would be; "Your spelling really sucks, dude." Or. "Dude, your spelling really sucks."

Get familiar with the comma before you start correcting people, dude!

Unless you meant.....nah! You couldn't have meant that anyone was sucking dudes!:laugh:

 

[Jolly Roger]

Ahem! That would be; "Your spelling really sucks, dude." Or. "Dude, your spelling really sucks."

Get familiar with the comma before you start correcting people, dude!

Unless you meant.....nah! You couldn't have meant that anyone was sucking dudes!:laugh:

Now that is funny!