Pilots on food stamps.

[suupah]

Met my first Colgan pilot that is literally on food stamps and government assitance. I know there are probably many more out there but this is the first time I have actually heard an FO talk about it openly.

It is a really sad state of affairs when this highly trained, professional pilot such as this FO (he truly is one of the professional ones) isn't able to support and feed his small family that lives in a very inexpensive area of the country off of the salary recieved as a professional pilot. Oh and he is on second year pay.

Anyone else have this going on at their airline?

 

[SEVEN]

Being on Food Stamps or other government help programs is quite common in the professional pilot industry. Many times, pilots have a wife and 2 or 3 kids. At this point, the spouse usually stays at home to raise the kids if they are still young and not in school yet. 30K/year in not enough to support a wife and 3 kids with a car payment and a mortgage. It's sad to see a professional pilot who has to receive food stamps to get by. But this is how it is.

 

[Raoul Duke]

this is why regionals should only hire 21 year olds with no wife and kids.

 

[www.]

Met my first Colgan pilot that is literally on food stamps and government assitance. I know there are probably many more out there but this is the first time I have actually heard an FO talk about it openly.

It is a really sad state of affairs when this highly trained, professional pilot such as this FO (he truly is one of the professional ones) isn't able to support and feed his small family that lives in a very inexpensive area of the country off of the salary recieved as a professional pilot. Oh and he is on second year pay.

Anyone else have this going on at their airline?

Old news, it's been happening well before you got into the airlines. Try the 80's! But there are several questions you have to ask.

1. Did he know the wages prior to taking the job?
2. Are there other airlines out there that pay better?
3. Did he have a choice, take the job at the wages or not?

There are several professions that have the same issues. Doctors, military, teachers and the list goes on.

 

[www.]

this is why regionals should only hire 21 year olds with no wife and kids.

yeah so their mom can make their BMW payment, rent and give them money to chase FAs around!

 

[Stifler's Mom]

My wife used to work with a person whose husband is currently in Dental School. She quit her job where she worked when she got pregnant, and now stays at home. They both qualify for food stamps as a result.

Not sure how I feel about their situation, but I initially felt like it was an abuse of the system seeing she was gainfully employed before.

What the hell...the gov't is paying for cars, homes, why not food I guess.

 

[crj567]

My wife used to work with a person whose husband is currently in Dental School. She quit her job where she worked when she got pregnant, and now stays at home. They both qualify for food stamps as a result.

Not sure how I feel about their situation, but I initially felt like it was an abuse of the system seeing she was gainfully employed before.

Good point-

I love getting to line at Wal-Mart (or pretty much any other store,) and seeing some a-hole pull out one of those EBT cards and pay for crap I can't afford (nice, big steaks, etc.)

If I walk out of the store behind these people, they will invariably pull out a brand new I-Phone or Blackberry and start using in enroute to get into their $40K SUV.

-Real classy people.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Good point-

I love getting to line at Wal-Mart (or pretty much any other store,) and seeing some a-hole pull out one of those EBT cards and pay for crap I can't afford (nice, big steaks, etc.)

If I walk out of the store behind these people, they will invariably pull out a brand new I-Phone or Blackberry and start using in enroute to get into their $40K SUV.

-Real classy people.

Once while standing in line to purchase groceries at a supermarket, I watched the couple in front of me purchase a FULL wagon load of groceries paid for with food stamps. I mean this shopping cart was full to the top with groceries. After I paid for my provisions, I walked outside to see this couple loading their groceries into their brand new BMW 7-Series. WTF?

 

[Metro752]

Good point-

I love getting to line at Wal-Mart (or pretty much any other store,) and seeing some a-hole pull out one of those EBT cards and pay for crap I can't afford (nice, big steaks, etc.)

If I walk out of the store behind these people, they will invariably pull out a brand new I-Phone or Blackberry and start using in enroute to get into their $40K SUV.

-Real classy people.

Yep. Sucks don't it?

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Once while standing in line to purchase groceries at a supermarket, I watched the couple in front of me purchase a FULL wagon load of groceries paid for with food stamps. I mean this shopping cart was full to the top with groceries. After I paid for my provisions, I walked outside to see this couple loading their groceries into their brand new BMW 7-Series. WTF?

Its kinda like how politicians don't pay taxes.


You just have to be sleazy enough to have a pair to work 'the system'.

 

[CoolSidePillow]

Nobody should shop at Walmart and pilots shouldnt have kids. Your arent home enough to watch them grow up anyway and your wife is always screwing around. Silly rabbitt, TRIX are for kids.

 

[pipejockey]

Old news, it's been happening well before you got into the airlines. Try the 80's! But there are several questions you have to ask.

1. Did he know the wages prior to taking the job?
2. Are there other airlines out there that pay better?
3. Did he have a choice, take the job at the wages or not?

There are several professions that have the same issues. Doctors, military, teachers and the list goes on.

1. Yes!

2. Yes! At the Major Airlines where you need tons of PIC time requiring many, many, many, did I say many, years at a regional airline. And with the 10 year upgrades at many of those airlines (Comair, Horizon, Eagle) and soon to be 5 plus year upgrades at other airlines (AWAC, PDT, PSA, TSA, ASA, ExJet,) One could very well be 40 or more years of age before even qualifying for a job at a Major. And even when one is qualified for a Major job, good luck finding one that is hiring, because of the mainline guys giving up scope like it's going out of style to protect the "haves" in this profession while saying to hell with the rest of us!

3.Life is full choices!


Doctors, Military, Teachers?? What the hell are you talking about? Are you talking about the Doctors that after a fixed period of time can count on not only earning a livable wage, but virtually a guaranteed 6 figure income?
A member of the military that after 20 years can retire with a fine pension at 40 years of age? The same age I might add that many regional pilots will be before even qualifying for a Major job, let alone get one!
A Teacher who after a given period of time gets tenure and earns the equivalent of what a regional CA makes?

Now go away you self righteous POD!

 

[www.]

1. Yes!

2. Yes! At the Major Airlines where you need tons of PIC time requiring many, many, many, did I say many, years at a regional airline. And with the 10 year upgrades at many of those airlines (Comair, Horizon, Eagle) and soon to be 5 plus year upgrades at other airlines (AWAC, PDT, PSA, TSA, ASA, ExJet,) One could very well be 40 or more years of age before even qualifying for a job at a Major. And even when one is qualified for a Major job, good luck finding one that is hiring, because of the mainline guys giving up scope like it's going out of style to protect the "haves" in this profession while saying to hell with the rest of us!

3.Life is full choices!


Doctors, Military, Teachers?? What the hell are you talking about? Are you talking about the Doctors that after a fixed period of time can count on not only earning a livable wage, but virtually a guaranteed 6 figure income?
A member of the military that after 20 years can retire with a fine pension at 40 years of age? The same age I might add that many regional pilots will be before even qualifying for a Major job, let alone get one!
A Teacher who after a given period of time gets tenure and earns the equivalent of what a regional CA makes?

Now go away you self righteous POD!

Grow up kid. You missed my point you putz.

 

[Lynxman]

Where I work now I see people use their unemployment money to buy ATV's and Motorcycles accesories and parts. It's crazy some even go ahead and buy new vehicles I can't believe.

 

[AC560]

Doctors, Military, Teachers?? What the hell are you talking about? Are you talking about the Doctors that after a fixed period of time can count on not only earning a livable wage, but virtually a guaranteed 6 figure income?
A member of the military that after 20 years can retire with a fine pension at 40 years of age? The same age I might add that many regional pilots will be before even qualifying for a Major job, let alone get one!
A Teacher who after a given period of time gets tenure and earns the equivalent of what a regional CA makes?

Sounds like one of these career paths would be better then a pilot then, might want to check them out.

 

[samballs]

Good point-

I love getting to line at Wal-Mart (or pretty much any other store,) and seeing some a-hole pull out one of those EBT cards and pay for crap I can't afford (nice, big steaks, etc.)

If I walk out of the store behind these people, they will invariably pull out a brand new I-Phone or Blackberry and start using in enroute to get into their $40K SUV.

-Real classy people.

Well you're not helping by shopping at walmart.

 

[no1pilot2000]

Professional piloting

I knew an individual many years ago who wanted to become a professional pilot and goal was to become a pilot for SWA. He considered getting his training through a civilian flight school or the military. I hadn't heard from him for a while. I spoke to him a few months ago and he is now a pilot at SWA and is very happy. He entered the military and went to flight school. He told me that he loved being in the military and the training they gave him. Most importantly, he loves working for a great company like Southwest Airlines. He has some friends who are working for the regional airlines and they HATE IT! They are very deep in debt and he isn't. Before one jumps in the water, test how deep it is. I heard become an aircraft mechanic is a good job and the pay is better.

 

[jonjuan]

www.peopleofwalmart.com

 

[papanovember]

We have a 10 year FO on food stamps. He's married with 5 kids. When he was hired people were upgrading after 6 months to a year. They were also told they would be at American in 4 to 5 years. 8 years later he upgraded only to be displaced into the right seat 6 months later.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Why not talk about how we can raise the floor.... if we do... it won't be so far for the rest of us to fall..... and it will help redefine the low standard of this profession....


anyone?

 

[jonjuan]

We have a 10 year FO on food stamps. He's married with 5 kids. When he was hired people were upgrading after 6 months to a year. They were also told they would be at American in 4 to 5 years. 8 years later he upgraded only to be displaced into the right seat 6 months later.

Are we supposed to feel sorry for a regional FO who decided to have 5 kids? What ever happened to having all debt paid off and then having a significant cash cushion/savings before taking on a mortgage and having kids?

 

[onewithwings]

Doctors, Military, Teachers?? What the hell are you talking about? Are you talking about the Doctors that after a fixed period of time can count on not only earning a livable wage, but virtually a guaranteed 6 figure income?

I don't think Dr.'s makes as much as we think. I have a friend who is working 5 days a week as a research physician and the week end as an ER Dr. in another city (5 hour drive) to make enough money to support his wife and child. He is 35 years old. He says he takes a weekend off a month to spend with his family.

He was telling me how, when he was a resident they have to spend 36 hours on duty and how he envied pilots who have gov't mandated time and duty restrictions. He works 12 hour shifts in ER and that is crazy, crazy work. I was floored to hear his story.

My cousin who is a Dr. graduated with so much debt that he went into the Army because they offered to pay all his medical school debt. He is hesitant to go into private practice because of the huge overhead and malpractice insurance costs. For now, he's happy in the Army working a 90 day rotation as a surgeon out of Baghdad.

It's not all peaches and cream...

 

[www.]

I have an idea, let's get ACORN to help these guys out!

 

[altimaklr]

Don't forget about Section 8 housing too. I qualify as a FO and I'm currently on the waiting list (it'll probably be a while in this economy).

 

[CA1900]

Are we supposed to feel sorry for a regional FO who decided to have 5 kids?

I hope not. I shouldn't be paying for his choice to have kids.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Are we supposed to feel sorry for a regional FO who decided to have 5 kids? What ever happened to having all debt paid off and then having a significant cash cushion/savings before taking on a mortgage and having kids?

So we get to question life?

If a large or majority percentage of FO's had 3+ kids, there might be a issue... then again not really....

If a few FO's have five kids so be it. They won't have much discretionary income, but they will be rich in life and family. Also, perhaps this is a 2nd career and the kids were already around. This FO took the bait and lure of the profession thinking, like we all did, that we'd be making 6 figures in 5 years....

I recall a FO at my regional who had cancer... It was concerning for a while. He got better but was still out of flying for a while. While he was out his wife became pregnant. The MEC was helping with his COBRA payments. While I was coming off of a trip, smart a$$ big aviation college 20-something intern turned airline pilot sneers... "what is he doing have kids if we're paying for his cobra"

Again.. the point is what are WE doing as members of our profession to raise the floor up?

Instead of judging how many kids a fellow pilot should have, let's judge the compensation package his is getting.

 

[altimaklr]

Sure. Let's not question someone who decides to have multiple kids, while working at the lowest point in a very unstable industry. Not to mention he probably isn't even home half the month. I guess it's ok to defend pilots, but if a walmart worker has kids and gets welfare, then they are selfish lazy mf'ers.

 

[Jar Jar]

www.peopleofwalmart.com

awesome..

 

[BoilerUP]

A professional airline pilot shouldn't need food stamps to provide for themselves and their family.

That being said - where is the accountability of these people accepting employment in a historically unstable industry with widely-known low pay the first couple years? Why would one go into mountains of debt and then be forced to use government assistance (meant for those who need it out of necessity, not by choice) simply so they can have an "office with a view"?

Call me old-fashioned, but I'd leave this clusterscrew of an industry in a second if I couldn't reasonably support myself and my family while under FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT...

 

[spitfire1500]

A professional airline pilot shouldn't need food stamps to provide for themselves and their family.

That being said - where is the accountability of these people accepting employment in a historically unstable industry with widely-known low pay the first couple years? Why would one go into mountains of debt and then be forced to use government assistance (meant for those who need it out of necessity, not by choice) simply so they can have an "office with a view"?

Call me old-fashioned, but I'd leave this clusterscrew of an industry in a second if I couldn't reasonably support myself and my family while under FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT...

Exactly!!! Anyone that goes out and spends the $ to be competitive in this industry now, the way it is, is just foolish!! The investment now is enourmous and in reality over the longrun you are investing in this industries management groups to provide worthwhile opportunities....very foolish!!