Reality of the Airlnes

[suupah]

I find it amazing that people go to work for airlines that have terrible reputations and then are suprised when they get treated poorly. Hold out for a better job and you won't be writing wo is me.

so CAL, UAL and AMR are all airlines with bad reps? What about Xjet?

 

[blingair]

I'm sorry to hear about you and all my associates who are losing their jobs, their income and their stability. Such an event can't help but affect one's measure of self as a person. That being said, it would be hard to find a retired captain who hasen't been furloughed, divorced and/or who hasen't been on food stamps at least once in his or her career. Its a part of the business and the life of a professional pilot. I think we never choose to be pilots but are born to be so and to work in any other profession is a total bummer. The airline business is cyclic and we're in a down turn. Things will improve again and when they do you will have learned some valuable, albiet, tough life lessons. So try and stay positive and find a quality airline (thats the hard part) to fly for next time and be inland enough when the next tidal wave of down turns hit.
I do agree that a good chief pilot is very rare but the one I did have told me one time that "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it."
For everyone who is getting the axe, try to realize that its out of your hands and try to get through it the best you can and be greatfull that when things turn for the better and you are employed again, (if you still want to) how fortunate we are to do what we do. Thats my thoughts anyways.
And, for anyone who is out of a job, pilot or not, they get a nice cold beer from me, gratis; if I still have my job then.
B.

 

[MALSR]

Well today is my first day on furlough, it's a very sobering experience. I walked into the unemployment office, with the other poor citizens who most likely made wrong choices in their lives, I guess I'm guilty of that as well... I had to disclose what an airline pilot makes during his miserable year. I'm pretty sure they were shocked...

I went to the headquarters to turn in all my stuff, there was no ceremony, no thanks, no good luck, not even a have a nice day. I'm particularly angry at the CP, who not only didn't acknowledge me by saying thanks for flying our airplanes and what you did for the company, but he even got annoyed at a question I posed him. I felt like breaking down right there and telling him how I really felt.

After one of the most unprofessional CP meetings I've had, as I walked out the office and the building I realized that we as pilots are nothing more than numbers. It's going to be a struggle for us to bring this industry like it was when I wasn't even around. I have no idea if Unions are responsible for employee/management relations but all I know is that it's not right. It's really unfortunate, many of us have families and are away for long periods of time we put up with the conditions only to be furloughed because a few guys in the office feel it might be a safe thing to do. To which I might add I was used up until the very last day.

Then I come to sites like these and see pilots fighting and arguing about little things. No one has the right answer but we at least need to be backing each other instead of fighting.

For those of you reading this that would like to get into the airline flying, this the reality of the airlines and in all honesty with the proven idiocy of management around the industry added by the fact that they can't make money so forget about higher wages, I predict being a pilot is going to be nothing more than glorified bus driver. And I'm begining to doubt unions also, since I got furloughed from a second ALPA carrier, I guess they're only good for when things are on the up and up. It's going to be interesting to see how it's going to be on the down and down.

My friend, a lot of us are screwed just like you, and a lot more will follow. If you think things are bad now, just wait until Israel bombs Iran thus driving oil to over $500.00/barrel overnight. Buckle up fellas...more than half of all airline pilots will be on the streets in due time.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

When the market took a downturn in the early 90's, we received over one thousand resumes at a charter outfit that I was working in Ft. Lauderdale flying Navajos's and 402's,that is the reality of this business. It will get much worst, I'm afraid

 

[time builder]

When the market took a downturn in the early 90's, we received over one thousand resumes at a charter outfit that I was working in Ft. Lauderdale flying Navajos's and 402's,that is the reality of this business. It will get much worst, I'm afraid

And when 2001 hit, the flight schools in my area were filled with furloughed airline pilots who were instucting just to stay current. Sounds like we might be headed in that direction again. Problem is, who are you going to instruct with gas prices the way they are? Foreign students?

 

[Motive Flow]

After one of the most unprofessional CP meetings I've had, as I walked out the office and the building I realized that we as pilots are nothing more than numbers.

Just remember this feeling in the future when scheduling asks you for a "favor."

Many of us on this board have done the furlough thing at least once. You're definitely not alone. Good luck!

 

[aviatrix]

F%@# management!!!! It's enough to get me to vote for Obama! :angryfire

 

[TurboAWD]

The thing about furloughs (to me) is...

The risk might be worth it if there is a significant upside. But with the crap contracts at most majors now...

WHERE IS THE UPSIDE?

Turbo

 

[J and E's Daddy]

I have been furloughed twice and been through two shutdowns. It will happen in this business. Unfortunately this time around, there's no place to go. This industry is going to be in for a nasty makeover and revamping. Those companies who can't adapt will perish. My advice is go and find work (even outside aviation) and await for a recall or the job market to reopen in a few years. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a plan B for a career in place just in case. You ever get furloughed for a long time, or even become medically unable to fly.
As for a furlough, you are considered laid off, out of work with eligible for rehire when the time comes. You lose everything, the flight benefits, insurance, jumpseat privileges, and even your company's flight internet access if applicable.
Also you may want to reconsider going back to school as well while waiting this out.
Good Luck and tailwinds to you.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

I was in your shoes a few years ago. My classmates on the Saab were getting junior man calls every day right up til the furlough date. Made no sense. I just took about 4 months off and enjoyed the summer on unemployment. I couldn't make enough on 1st year pay to justify commuting compared to just collecting the unemployment. Eventually the recall came and luckily I took it. Less than a year later I held CR9 captain (granted trapped at the bottom for eternity) No way I would be an Avro captain right now had everything not happened.

 

[aussieflyboy]

Things do happen for a reason. You may not see the reason for months or even years down the road but trust me they do. Something even better might be just around the corner and when it does happen you will not even look back.

Take some time off collect unemployment. Dust off the resume and pound the pavement!! We all love flying airplanes or we would not put up with half the crap we do.

Good luck and stay positive.

Of course things happen for a REASON... it's called cause and effect, action reaction, whatever you want to call it.

Action - airline is over staffed due to a reduction in capacity due to outrageous fuel prices.
Reaction - Pilots are furloughed.

Now if you're trying to say that it's all part of some grand plan, then you're smoking something because it's not... it just bloody well happened and now you deal with it.

Like putting stuff down to "GOD's WILL". Total cop-out.