Good post, Phantom Phlyer
I ran out of Smith/Quesada birthdays several months ago and had to give up one of my favorite jobs flying one of my favorite airplanes. Happy birthday! I had to give away my job, my income, my health insurance, my life insurance and my travel benefits in exchange for nothing more than an aircraft washdown. I never had any retirement coming from a supplemental.
Phantom Phlyer said:
Retired 121 pilots are at a huge disadvantage in the 135 world. Many of the stigmas discussed in this thread are attached to all of us regardless of age or flying ability. Even though the 121 guys may have much more experience, our owners would rather not spend the money on initial type ratings -- they will opt for the less experienced guy who already has a type.
That's been my experience job hunting. Very frustrating personally and, in my opinion, very shortsighted of the owners.
Many of you assume that just because we had most things handed to us in the 121 world, that none of us is willing or capable of actually working. Many of us are very capable of filing flight plans, planning fuel, taking care of passengers, and some of the other things many of you think we cannot.
I came to 121 flying very late. Not much choice due to family considerations. My family always comes first.
More than half my 121 time was spent on furlough. The vast majority of my time is military, Part 91 or 135 and most of that was single pilot. I can and have done whatever it takes to get the job done.
How many of you have flown the President of the United States and/or frequently handled all the planning and security details that go along with a Presidential visit?
I got a taste flying the presidential wannabe in the last campaign. Everything was done on a very strict schedule taking a 757 into fields that usually didn't see anything bigger than a Citation while under a microscope with the national news media always on board. Every takeoff and landing was on the local and/or national evening news. Always under pressure to achieve perfection for several different constituencies while often improvising.
Is 135 flying usually more demanding than simply signing a 121 release? Sure it is. Does that mean that former 121 guys are incapable of meeting those demands? Some of you forget that very few guys (or gals) went immediately to the 121 world with no other previous experience.
One of my most demanding and rewarding jobs was single pilot air ambulance in a turboprop between the US and Mexico. No co-pilot and no handlers. If I didn't do it, it didn't get done. From fueling, to catering, to international flight plans, to dealing with Mexican and US Customs and Immigration.
"I am here to fly jets -- don't bother me with any discussions of company health or needs."
I ran into a lot of pilots in 121 who had a lousy work ethic and little loyalty to their employer. When you think about it, you should realize everyone of those guys came up through flight instructing, flying cargo, flying for the regionals, etc. I very much doubt they had a work ethic then lost it.
A work ethic is learned(or not) at an early age at a parent's knee. A weak work ethic can be eroded even further when one reaches what most consider the pinnacle of one's career and gets caught up in all the us vs. them BS of modern airline management-labor squabbles.
I try to never forget who my client is and who signs my paycheck. If I can't give them my best effort, for any reason, it's time to move on. If that's not feasible, I try to solve the problem causing my dissatisfaction reasonably and fairly. If that's not possible either, then I better learn to live with it. I am the only person who can make me miserable.
Beer's on me if we ever bump into each other.
