How many have quit a legacy?

[NuGuy]

I resigned from Delta (it was airline 5 for me) outright in late '05. I'd spent 6 years there, and 22 years flying for money. I was just so done with the current trappings of airline flying: moronic management, an irrelevant union, crappy hotels, commuting in RJ's, and inane security people. Mostly though, I felt that it was long past time to move on to something positive. I also feel very fortunate having been able to do so. I certainly don't miss the airline job one bit, but do greatly miss many of the people. I'm now back in school full-time and loving life.

Heyas Felix,

I did the exact same thing.

I was sitting one day waiting to commute home, and I added up all the time of my life this industry wastes...waiting to commute, waiting for the employee bus, waiting for the hotel shuttle, staring at the four walls of the hotel, waiting for the next airplane. Like one of those B movies, I could literally see the pages of the calendar being whipped away by the wind, and I just couldn't stand to see any more of my life wasted.

I took a leave, and went back to school. Best decision I ever made. I'm working on my Phd, and every single day I learn something cool, get to play with neat toys, and converse with people who aren't pissed off %100 of the time, and might be interested in talking about something other than the latest round of management screw jobs.

As a bonus I get to sleep in my own bed every night, and actually MAKE plans because I know what I'll be doing next week, and have a potential of a real, honest social life.

It was like waking up from a bad dream...

Glad to hear someone else made a good call. Good luck!

Nu

 

[#1 Windmilling]

OK,
A bit of thread drift here, but, indulge me when I ask the question: CAL or JBLU?
Currently there are several of us here at B6 sitting in the left seat with average to above average schedules, on furloughed LOA from CAL. Come 2008 we will need to make a decision to leave B6 and return to CAL or remain at B6.
I have run some numbers and if I leave B6 and return to CAL in 2008, I would come out ahead about $200K by age 60. That being said, I assumed today's pay rates at both carriers, and made no assumptions about continued solvency of the CAL retirement plan. Another salient issue is the age 65 rule and possible merger integration, if such transaction occurs.
It is a roll of the dice, I know, but I ask the FI crowd to chime in: if you were a captain at B6 and had a chance to go back to CAL, what would you do? Crystal balls welcome! Happy New Year, btw,

#1 W

 

[Palomino]

OK,
A bit of thread drift here, but, indulge me when I ask the question: CAL or JBLU?
Currently there are several of us here at B6 sitting in the left seat with average to above average schedules, on furloughed LOA from CAL. Come 2008 we will need to make a decision to leave B6 and return to CAL or remain at B6.
I have run some numbers and if I leave B6 and return to CAL in 2008, I would come out ahead about $200K by age 60. That being said, I assumed today's pay rates at both carriers, and made no assumptions about continued solvency of the CAL retirement plan. Another salient issue is the age 65 rule and possible merger integration, if such transaction occurs.
It is a roll of the dice, I know, but I ask the FI crowd to chime in: if you were a captain at B6 and had a chance to go back to CAL, what would you do? Crystal balls welcome! Happy New Year, btw,

#1 W

talked to a fella the other day who did exactly that. left JetBlue and returned to CAL. he was an E190 CA and returns to CAL just 80 #'s shy of 737 CA EWR. he will hold CA on the upcoming bid.

if that's your situation and you maintain some amount of CAL longevity while gone to JetBlue then i say CAL is the best bet. who knows in this industry, but CAL's plans seem more solid than JetBlue's right now.

tomorrow that might change though. or next year. or next decade. who knows?

 

[Bavarian Chef]

OK,
A bit of thread drift here, but, indulge me when I ask the question: CAL or JBLU?
Currently there are several of us here at B6 sitting in the left seat with average to above average schedules, on furloughed LOA from CAL. Come 2008 we will need to make a decision to leave B6 and return to CAL or remain at B6.
I have run some numbers and if I leave B6 and return to CAL in 2008, I would come out ahead about $200K by age 60. That being said, I assumed today's pay rates at both carriers, and made no assumptions about continued solvency of the CAL retirement plan. Another salient issue is the age 65 rule and possible merger integration, if such transaction occurs.
It is a roll of the dice, I know, but I ask the FI crowd to chime in: if you were a captain at B6 and had a chance to go back to CAL, what would you do? Crystal balls welcome! Happy New Year, btw,

#1 W

Go to CAL. Our stock options are gonna reach a peak right about when you leave, maybe that will help a little too.

 

[Mach 80]

Some Delta 767 Captain quit Delta last year to grab what he could of his pension and then went to SWA. Been told he's having fun and enjoying himself and has a great atitude.

I also know of a UAL 12 year 737 Captain, a 7 year Delta guy, and several 15 to 20 year USAirways guys who also went to SWA.

 

[#1 Windmilling]

Longevity is THE issue. Most of us at B6 have to go back to year 1 pay at CAL (30K vs 130K). I maintain my seniority at CAL and could currently hold 757 right seat (EWR). I would be back at even par on pay rate in about 6-8 years, depending on airframe. It's a tough call given the age 65 rule and a possible merger. I don't look a gift horse in the mouth, believe me, I feel fortunate to have an option but am curious to opinion on this board.

-#1W

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Best advise, yet...

Uniform, Happy New Year.

The best advice is go where you want and be happy without looking back.

.....you can compare and chase the illusive best "gig" out there, but it all boils down to if you are happy and like what you do and who you do it for. No job is perfect.

 

[Palomino]

Longevity is THE issue. Most of us at B6 have to go back to year 1 pay at CAL (30K vs 130K). I maintain my seniority at CAL and could currently hold 757 right seat (EWR). I would be back at even par on pay rate in about 6-8 years, depending on airframe. It's a tough call given the age 65 rule and a possible merger. I don't look a gift horse in the mouth, believe me, I feel fortunate to have an option but am curious to opinion on this board.

-#1W

yeah. i guess things would be easier if you held 737 CA on the bid. then it's no change in income.

it's a good dilemna to deal with. either way i think you're in good shape.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Longevity is THE issue. Most of us at B6 have to go back to year 1 pay at CAL (30K vs 130K). I maintain my seniority at CAL and could currently hold 757 right seat (EWR). I would be back at even par on pay rate in about 6-8 years, depending on airframe. It's a tough call given the age 65 rule and a possible merger. I don't look a gift horse in the mouth, believe me, I feel fortunate to have an option but am curious to opinion on this board.

-#1W

Ouch. You didn't say that. Don't go for that kind of pay cut. Just sweat out the rough times ahead at jb (2007-2030).

 

[Tejas-Jet]

I left my old legacy carrier before everyone else did...back in 1995. Many friends told me I was crazy. Today, many of them have interviewed here....some have even been hired. I had always admired the SWA model from afar and decided that I wanted to finally be part of a winning team...especially after my old legacy gave me a 737 type...thought it was time to use it.

If I would've had one more grievance filed against me for helping to clean up the cabin, or getting a stroller out of a baggage bin, I was gonna go nuts. Maybe thats the corporate culture that drove that legacy into BK....twice. Besides, had I stayed at the legacy carrier, I would be back as an F/O today, and paying assessments for a merger that I don't want anything to do with.

Still just as thrilled to be here today as I was the first day I came here.

Tejas

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

Good Move

Quit UAL w/ 7+ years in 05' to goto UPS.

Great career move! I wouldn't even consider leaving my freight job to go fly passengers, the freight side is way more stable than the pax side, when it comes to a flying job!

The only place I'm going if I ever leave Atlas, is FedEx or UPS, the pay at Atlas is the same in some cases, but is much better than a lot of the Legacy/Major carriers these days, with all the pay and benefits cuts those pilot groups had to endure in recent times!

 

[Mach 80]

Am curious what % of B6 pilots are former UAL and U pilots?

 

[Hardcorr]

Hired at Delta in Jan 00. Left for SWA in May. Don't know if I'd of left for any other airline. So far so good.

 

[GoodTimes]

Hired at UAL in '99. Hired at SWA in '05. Not going back.

 

[b727captain]

My story is abit different: I quit AWA in Dec. 2000 and started at NetJets Aviation; due to a prolonged illness with my wife. We where unable to relocate to PHX and the commute was hell from south Gulf Coast area. Many of my friends that I was crazy but understood my wife's needs come first.

Well, now its January 2007 and I earn over $125K per year, have fly from/to my home town, 100% fully funded health/medical & dental, 401K with 50% match to the full federal limit, 7&7 schedules, 3weeks vaction that really work out to 9weeks a year, I keep all the airline miles and hotel points (so my vactions are free) and a Union that is making positive steps toward securing NJA as a long term career.

I watched in shock and disbelieve as the events of 9-11-01 have eroded a once proud and noble profession. I still do miss flying a Boeing but in my stituation things have worked at well. Not everyting at NJA is prefect but it does beat unemployment. I am lucky...

 

[XLR8]

Here's a question for everyone:

If you were new at CAL (less than a year) and got offered a job by SWA, would you leave CAL for SWA?

 

[Double Shot]

In a heart beat

 

[Deerkiller]

Here's a question for everyone:

If you were new at CAL (less than a year) and got offered a job by SWA, would you leave CAL for SWA?

I think previous poster's response where he said go where you gonna be happy. If you want to fly 737 for the rest of your career and they have a base where you'd wanna live, then go. If you want to fly 787s, 777s, 767s, 757s, or 737s and like either IAH, CLE, EWR then why leave? If you're on property at CAL you're probably #600 or so in the beginning of a huge hiring boom. I dont know the numbers for SWA but i do know they've been hiring 500+(?) for a few years now. Just something to think about. Either way just do what makes you happy.

Double Shot,

Were you hired prior to Sept 05, if so you were senior to me and i'd like to congratulate you on SWA. :beer: Also, how did your CAL sponsor take the news that you were jumping ship?

dk

 

[Uniform Shop]

you can compare and chase the illusive best "gig" out there, but it all boils down to if you are happy and like what you do and who you do it for. No job is perfect.

I agree 100%

Happy New Year Jeff.

 

[Double Shot]

I think previous poster's response where he said go where you gonna be happy. If you want to fly 737 for the rest of your career and they have a base where you'd wanna live, then go. If you want to fly 787s, 777s, 767s, 757s, or 737s and like either IAH, CLE, EWR then why leave? If you're on property at CAL you're probably #600 or so in the beginning of a huge hiring boom. I dont know the numbers for SWA but i do know they've been hiring 500+(?) for a few years now. Just something to think about. Either way just do what makes you happy.

Double Shot,

Were you hired prior to Sept 05, if so you were senior to me and i'd like to congratulate you on SWA. :beer: Also, how did your CAL sponsor take the news that you were jumping ship?

dk

August 1998
We did not have sponsors back then.
Thanks...I think I helped a lot of peolple move up a couple numbers.Good luck at Cal.

 

[Uniform Shop]

August 1998
We did not have sponsors back then.
Thanks...I think I helped a lot of people move up a couple numbers.Good luck at Cal.

1998? Where you a Captain at CAL when you left?

 

[Double Shot]

No believe it or not I spent the first 3 years there on reserve in IAH. It was still a 14 year upgrade to reserve for the 737 when I left. Times have changed.

 

[Deerkiller]

August 1998
We did not have sponsors back then.
Thanks...I think I helped a lot of peolple move up a couple numbers.Good luck at Cal.

a couple of numbers, all by yourself...wow, you must be a bid dude

Seriously, good luck at SWA. The final judgement will be based upon each individual's happiness at 60(or 65).

dk

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Thanks, man.....

I agree 100%

Happy New Year Jeff.

.....now how about sending me some of those uniform items. I could use some of those AAY items you still have. Although Mike D would probably confiscate them!

The AA stuff, maybe dust them off in another 4 - 10 years if the retirement is still in tact and the present gig hasn't kicked it up by then.

Course, the twin globe stuff never goes out of style.

Then again, if the economy goes south we will all be selling those items on EBAY like a some disgraced Cosmonaut.

We just can't seem to walk away from all this glamour!!!!