Eagle definitely does not have anywhere near the best work rules in the industry, and management could use a little (more than a little) guidance on how to better respect their employees and make this place a more enjoyable place to work, but...
Much of one's satisfaction at a company is generated from within. If you let the constant rhetoric in the crew lounge and on the web message boards get to you and actually start to let it run (ruin) your life, you will actually start to believe that the job really IS that bad. Newsflash everyone. When things are going well at a company, most everyone thinks that company is the best one on earth - look at the Skywest folks. For the past few years, they've been in a rapid expansion mode because of their codeshare with United on the West Coast and now Delta's use of Skywest to spread some of the Delta feed around their system and to fly into Delta's other hubs. Those guys feel that they work for the best company in the industry. IF, however, things go sour with one of their partners and things start to move backwards (as inevitably they always do - even at the hallowed SKW), you will start to hear their pilots sing a different tune. It ALWAYS happens. Things are cyclical in this industry.
I recognize that things are far from perfect at Eagle, however I have chosen to remain happy with my life and my job, for better and for worse. Right now I'm commuting from LAX to BOS in order to be a RJ captain. Starting in July I'll only need to go as far as ORD. Not an ideal situation, but not one that will ruin my life either. I'll get back to the West Coast eventually. In the mean time I'll enjoy the airplane and my job. Heck, it sure beats WORKING for a living!
Had I taken a job at any other large regional I would be just as happy because life is what you make of it. If you choose to be unhappy, you will be. If you choose to be HAPPY, then you probably will be.
Enough said.
See ya at FL 370!!
