enigma
good ol boy
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 2,279
And he is I. (at least a little bit)
After many months of observing/participating in the RJ vs mainline issue. It has finally sunk in, the RJ crews are making over two times the amount of pay per seat that I make.
I still haven't changed my mind about PFT and those who did it, but I realize that my thinking about the RJ vs mainline issue has been clouded by the companies involved.
Comair (PFT)vs DAL (no PFT)
ASA (PFT) vs DAL (no PFT)
Mesa (PFT) vs everyone (no PFT)
The realization is this: I was blaming them because I have a bad taste in my mouth for PFT, BUT there is NO connection between PFT and the current mess.
It is so simple, mainline is shrinking because there is reduced demand for the services that old style mainline offered; and the current demand for service is not at the level that generates enough profit to pay the high wages. AirTran/SWA/Spirit, et al, are succeeding because we offer what the traveling public presently wants to pay for. I sincerely hope that they eventually change their tastes, and we all start to make more money.
..... and the RJ's are helping the mainline more than they are hurting. I wish my union would stop treating regional pilots like second class citizens.
I took a job with Spirit because it was the best offer I had at the time, I had NO intention of undercutting my dreams to fly for one of the big seven. I continued to improve myself so that I could get hired at SWA/AA/CAL, etc. (finished the Bachelors at ERAU, etc) Time ran out on me, and I now find myself looking at a career job with a lowpaying carrier.
I imagine that 90% of the regional pilots have the same story. Not one of us (non-PFT'rs) took any action to intentionally undermine our major airline brothers.
So when ya'll get to slingin mud with abandon,both sides should remember that the market is in control. The vast majority of all pilots don't exhibit the animosity that the vocal members of internet bulletin boards do.
See ya at the hotel
regards,
8N
PS, I'll be the one with the fat cigar.
PPS, Spirit is in contract renewal talks as I speak. Pray that we achieve the increase we are shooting for. Double would just about do it
After many months of observing/participating in the RJ vs mainline issue. It has finally sunk in, the RJ crews are making over two times the amount of pay per seat that I make.
I still haven't changed my mind about PFT and those who did it, but I realize that my thinking about the RJ vs mainline issue has been clouded by the companies involved.
Comair (PFT)vs DAL (no PFT)
ASA (PFT) vs DAL (no PFT)
Mesa (PFT) vs everyone (no PFT)
The realization is this: I was blaming them because I have a bad taste in my mouth for PFT, BUT there is NO connection between PFT and the current mess.
It is so simple, mainline is shrinking because there is reduced demand for the services that old style mainline offered; and the current demand for service is not at the level that generates enough profit to pay the high wages. AirTran/SWA/Spirit, et al, are succeeding because we offer what the traveling public presently wants to pay for. I sincerely hope that they eventually change their tastes, and we all start to make more money.
..... and the RJ's are helping the mainline more than they are hurting. I wish my union would stop treating regional pilots like second class citizens.
I took a job with Spirit because it was the best offer I had at the time, I had NO intention of undercutting my dreams to fly for one of the big seven. I continued to improve myself so that I could get hired at SWA/AA/CAL, etc. (finished the Bachelors at ERAU, etc) Time ran out on me, and I now find myself looking at a career job with a lowpaying carrier.
I imagine that 90% of the regional pilots have the same story. Not one of us (non-PFT'rs) took any action to intentionally undermine our major airline brothers.
So when ya'll get to slingin mud with abandon,both sides should remember that the market is in control. The vast majority of all pilots don't exhibit the animosity that the vocal members of internet bulletin boards do.
See ya at the hotel
regards,
8N
PS, I'll be the one with the fat cigar.
PPS, Spirit is in contract renewal talks as I speak. Pray that we achieve the increase we are shooting for. Double would just about do it
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