Does flying a big plane make you a "Majors" pilot?

[Lear70]

Actually, I think NetJets does all of the above...

I don't know of a major airline that does, except maybe jetBlue (with the exception of the tips which aren't applicable and the cell phone)?

Personally, I don't care whether my job qualifies as a "major" or not. I care about:

1. Job enjoyment and fulfillment.
2. Pay
3. Time off with family.
4. Job security.

Period.

 

[xpdriver]

So today waiting out a delay at CMH I am sitting down eating lunch, and the pilot next to me who worked for Skybus struck up a conversation. I do not really know much about Skybus, and he filled me in. Low pay, but stock options, that is why he was there, whatever I think not my problem.
Then he ask me about flying for Eagle, I tell him that I am happy and as far as regionals go I can not think of any place I would rather work, and also that I am considering a move to Netjets. He then goes on to tell me how I should consider coming to Skybus, they may not pay a lot but at least I get to fly at a major airline. I asked him why he thinks of Skybus as a major, and his response was "because we have big planes" I smiled and said that I dont think that I would like living in CMH.
Do you guys consider Skybus a major airline? I know they fly larger planes then the RJs that I fly, but in chosing between Eagle and Skybus, hands down Eagle for me.

That is the funniest thing i have ever heard...Major airline because I fly a big airplane..I bet he uses that at the bar to get the fat girl..These as%holes are part of the reason our industry is so bad..Still laughing......

 

[zonker]

No, a big watch makes you a Majors Pilot.

Oh, and a Leather Jacket.



...and a backpack.

and mirrored sunglasses.

 

[puddlejumper101]

does working for a Fortune 500 company make you a major airline pilot? I think so...even if they fly RJs.

 

[Scrapdog]

Whats make a "major" pilot? How about what makes a "major" company?

Does your company provide free transportation to the interview?

Does your company provide free accomodations during the interview?

How about the same for newhire training?

Do they provide you with a car during training?

Do your full benifits begin on day 1 of employement?

Does your company provide you with a full uniform and $400/yr uniform allowance?

Does your company provide meals (from a big menu)during your normal work day?

Does your company reimburse any and all tips givin during the work week?

Does your company provide you with a cell phone?

Does your company provide you with the same type of benifits as senior management might have?

*****
The size of the plane doesnt matter. Its how they treat you, that matters.

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Yes

4. Yes, in certain instances...otherwise they pay you for mileadge to/from your training in your own car.

5. Yes

6. Yes

7. Yes - can't garauntee the food is ALWAYS good.

8. Yes

9. Yes - if you're leadership (usually in the form of a haenious blackberry)...but why would you want a company cell in the 1st place???

10. Yes


- It's called flying for the US military...the biggest "Major" of all.

 

[AWACoff]

If they would pay me enough with a good QOL I would rather fly a super cub around Alaska. I don't wish another pilot bad luck, but I have a serious bad feeling about Skybus. Stock is only good if it is worth something. As far as NJA I am biased but it is great compared to Mesaba in the haydays.

Ain't that the truth!? Give me my paycheck and QOL flying a C150. I'm flying into beautiful island strips but I'd still rather do it in a 2 seater. It's not about the size of the plane, it's about the size of the paycheck x QOL.

 

[Freight Dog]

No, a big watch makes you a Majors Pilot.

Oh, and a Leather Jacket.



...and a backpack.

and mirrored sunglasses.

Don't forget the iPod and spiked hair...

 

[michael707767]

It's not about the size of the plane, it's about the size of the paycheck x QOL.

I agree with you. Pay me enough and I'll fly a 172. If this guy thinks its about the size of the plane, why isn't he flying 747s at Kalitta?

 

[Lake Alice]

Whats make a "major" pilot? How about what makes a "major" company?

Does your company provide free transportation to the interview?

Does your company provide free accomodations during the interview?

How about the same for newhire training?

Do they provide you with a car during training?

Do your full benifits begin on day 1 of employement?

Does your company provide you with a full uniform and $400/yr uniform allowance?

Does your company provide meals (from a big menu)during your normal work day?

Does your company reimburse any and all tips givin during the work week?

Does your company provide you with a cell phone?

Does your company provide you with the same type of benifits as senior management might have?

*****
The size of the plane doesnt matter. Its how they treat you, that matters.

Can you trip trade, drop trips, schedule overnights, bring your spouse/significant other with you, can you plan overnights, have weekends off, can you bid overnights at home? Who cares about a cell phone, a car during training or hotel during an interview. If a cell phone, car during training or a turkey sandwhich you have to eat in an FBO is good QOL for you then more power to ya.
Been there, done that.

 

[AV1ATRX]

I'm not getting into the p***ing contest going on is this thread, but I had to comment on the Skybus uniform. Had a guy pop in to ask for a ride the other day and I noticed that his wings had a BUTTERFLY on them. Not very manly...

 

[siucavflight]

Yes you are correct. A butterfly is not manly.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

What about Mothra?

 

[pipe]

Yes you are correct. A butterfly is not manly.

Give these guys the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it wasn't a butterfly. It could have been one of those feminine hygeine products with "wings" that are always on t.v.

 

[airgator]

I agree with you. Pay me enough and I'll fly a 172. If this guy thinks its about the size of the plane, why isn't he flying 747s at Kalitta?

Last time I checked a 747 Captain @ Kalitta tops out at $192/hr. Why all the hatin?

 

[temcgrew]

Skybus a major?

That's like calling a Suzuki Samurai a Jeep. :laugh:

Or like calling a commodore 64 a computer.

 

[Whine Lover]

Last time I checked a 747 Captain @ Kalitta tops out at $192/hr. Why all the hatin?

NOT.

Pass that Doobie over here....What are YOU smokin'?

Kalitta 747 Captain:

- $141/hr - after 12 years

- $164/hr - after 25 years

Oh and that's on a 62 hour guarantee. So a normal 12 year Max. Captains Pay is about $104,000 Annually.


YKW

 

[GogglesPisano]

Last time I checked a 747 Captain @ Kalitta tops out at $192/hr. Why all the hatin?

Have you checked here ...

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/cargo/southern_air.html

 

[airgator]

NOT.

Pass that Doobie over here....What are YOU smokin'?

Kalitta 747 Captain:

- $141/hr - after 12 years

- $164/hr - after 25 years

Oh and that's on a 62 hour guarantee. So a normal 12 year Max. Captains Pay is about $104,000 Annually.


YKW

Off the new contract, which is right in front of me; Max captain pay for the next 4 years is 167.77, 176.15, 183.20, 192.36. There is no such thing as a 12 yr Captain making 104,000. Not even remotely close. UAL max 747 Captain pay is 184/hr with a 65 hr guarantee, and NWA max 747 Capt pay is 177/hr with a 68 hr guarantee. My point is Michael707 is trying to make Kallita out to be the whores of the industry which isn't the case. Oh by the way its 2 years to upgrade on the 747 at Kalitta as compared to 25-30 years at other places.

 

[Lear70]

I'm sorry,,, did you say something?

D*mn avatars,,, always breaking my concentration.

The Air contract looks to be pretty decent actually...

 

[GogglesPisano]

Have you checked here ...

Sorry, meant to say ... here ...

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/cargo/kalitta_air.html

In any event, you may have more up-to-date info than airlinepilotcentral.

 

[CA1900]

Can you ... bring your spouse/significant other with you?

You bet. I brought my wife with me on an overnight this past tour, in fact. We had an empty leg from one of the nearby airports -- she rode in total luxury in the back, ate a steak dinner, and watched part of a DVD with the remote in her hand. When we arrived at the FBO, a rental car I booked for all of $35 was pulled up right next to the airplane. She then joined me for my 15-hour overnight in a beachside Crowne Plaza. We had breakfast together in the hotel, she dropped me off at the FBO, and drove the ~90 minutes back home. For longer trips, we simply use my frequent-flier miles to get free positive-space tickets.

Certainly beat the last time we tried to non-rev together when I was still working an airline job. If you're working for an airline, then you already know how useless the travel benefits are most of the time if you can't make your way into the jumpseat.

As for the scheduling, no, I can't bid specific cities or overnights because our business doesn't work that way. You know this. But I have every other weekend off even as a junior pilot, I work 15 days a month, and get two 21-day stretches of time off for vacation each year, going up to three and four as I gain seniority.

Who cares about a cell phone, a car during training or hotel during an interview...

Hey, if you'd rather be a refugee in your hotel during training, eating whatever food is nearby, have at it. I'd rather get out and live life when class is out.

If a cell phone, car during training or a turkey sandwhich you have to eat in an FBO is good QOL for you then more power to ya.
Been there, done that.

Turkey sandwich? Are you kidding?

This past week, just for example, I recall having crabcakes, sea scallops, half a Giordanno's deep-dish pizza (had to split it, it was too much), ropa vieja, coconut shrimp, baby back ribs, a veggie burger, roasted vegetable sandwich, and more.

I'll take a free steak in a nice FBO over a Whopper in the food court any day of the week.

It's not for you; we get that. This is a much better fit for me. Enjoy your job; I enjoy mine.

 

[Whine Lover]

Airgator,

Kalitta has a 25 year pay scale...Do they not?

The numbers you are referring to as Max. Captains Pay are at the 25 year point...Correct?

My point is this:

Most airlines pay scales top out at 12-15 years, so comparing 25 year Captains pay to someones 12 year Max. pay is not a reasonable comparison.

Also, I wasn't saying $104,000 had anything to do with anyone elses ( United etc. ) maximum Captains rates...just Kalitta's 12 year rate.

I have a few friends at Kalitta and they enjoy the airplane and the job. So I am in no way bashing Kalitta...But the fact is, when a valid comparison is made, the pay is woefully below what it should be for a 747 Captan.

How many 25 year Captains do you have? NONE. Kalitta Air only started up in 2000, so your most senior Captain is in his 7th or 8th year...making about a $94,000 annual guarantee.


$192/hr is a reasonable rate but should be paid at or about the 12 year mark as is Industry Standard.

Take care,

YKW

 

[doh]

major may be defined by DOT figures but a pilot needs to define a major by an industry leading contract.

swa is a major by dot specs and contract standards. until the contract measures up it just another crap operator pissing in the wind.

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
You get the five cheers rating for the post of the millenium!

 

[PHXFLYR]

I'm sorry,,, did you say something?

D*mn avatars,,, always breaking my concentration.

The Air contract looks to be pretty decent actually...

Leeeaarrrr..???? Get your mind out of the gutter,now


PHXFLYR

 

[doh]

You bet. I brought my wife with me on an overnight this past tour, in fact. We had an empty leg from one of the nearby airports -- she rode in total luxury in the back, ate a steak dinner, and watched part of a DVD with the remote in her hand. When we arrived at the FBO, a rental car I booked for all of $35 was pulled up right next to the airplane. She then joined me for my 15-hour overnight in a beachside Crowne Plaza. We had breakfast together in the hotel, she dropped me off at the FBO, and drove the ~90 minutes back home. For longer trips, we simply use my frequent-flier miles to get free positive-space tickets.

Certainly beat the last time we tried to non-rev together when I was still working an airline job. If you're working for an airline, then you already know how useless the travel benefits are most of the time if you can't make your way into the jumpseat.

As for the scheduling, no, I can't bid specific cities or overnights because our business doesn't work that way. You know this. But I have every other weekend off even as a junior pilot, I work 15 days a month, and get two 21-day stretches of time off for vacation each year, going up to three and four as I gain seniority.

Hey, if you'd rather be a refugee in your hotel during training, eating whatever food is nearby, have at it. I'd rather get out and live life when class is out.

Turkey sandwich? Are you kidding?

This past week, just for example, I recall having crabcakes, sea scallops, half a Giordanno's deep-dish pizza (had to split it, it was too much), ropa vieja, coconut shrimp, baby back ribs, a veggie burger, roasted vegetable sandwich, and more.

I'll take a free steak in a nice FBO over a Whopper in the food court any day of the week.

It's not for you; we get that. This is a much better fit for me. Enjoy your job; I enjoy mine.

It ain't for everybody, but I have also definitely found me a home too!:beer:

 

[JJET44]

SCRAPDOG
what gaurd unit has F-22's?
I thought all F-22's were on AD.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Airgator,

Kalitta has a 25 year pay scale...Do they not?

The numbers you are referring to as Max. Captains Pay are at the 25 year point...Correct?

My point is this:

Most airlines pay scales top out at 12-15 years, so comparing 25 year Captains pay to someones 12 year Max. pay is not a reasonable comparison.

Also, I wasn't saying $104,000 had anything to do with anyone elses ( United etc. ) maximum Captains rates...just Kalitta's 12 year rate.

I have a few friends at Kalitta and they enjoy the airplane and the job. So I am in no way bashing Kalitta...But the fact is, when a valid comparison is made, the pay is woefully below what it should be for a 747 Captan.

How many 25 year Captains do you have? NONE. Kalitta Air only started up in 2000, so your most senior Captain is in his 7th or 8th year...making about a $94,000 annual guarantee.


$192/hr is a reasonable rate but should be paid at or about the 12 year mark as is Industry Standard.

Take care,

YKW

I believe the point was that you aren't going to find anyone at a major under 25 years flying a whale. All the CA's that I fly with on the 75/76 are 18-20 years seniority.

 

[airgator]

.How many 25 year Captains do you have? NONE. Kalitta Air only started up in 2000, so your most senior Captain is in his 7th or 8th year...making about a $94,000 annual guarantee.

There are plenty of captains at Kalitta on the 15-20 yr payscale. They were given longevity when Kalitta started back up in 2000.

 

[Whine Lover]

I stand corrected.

I probably should have posed the above as a question rather than a statement of fact.

Nevertheless....

YKW

 

[N1kawotg]

jjet4- Anchorage Reserves have F-22's. So for the thread hijack.