Travolta is new Qantas First Officer

[bobbysamd]

New hire Vinnie Barbarino

As much as I loathe P-F-T (see my post above) and other high-end monetary schemes pilots will use to try to cut in line, I did not get the impression at all that Travolta had been hired.

Notwithstanding his quals, which might get him an interview had he not paid for his time, I do feel very strongly that Travolta wearing a uniform, even only to promote the airline for advertising, is a sham and insult to real airline pilots and those of us who tried but failed but for luck and for not wanting to stoop to P-F-T.

I do not intend in any way to launch another P-F-T debate.

 

[DC8Driver]

Bobbysamd: you must be kidding. Like an airline uniform is sacred? I've got a closet full....you want some? J.T. earned type ratings in many airplanes. He deserves to wear a uniform just as much as you or me.

And when is paying for training too much...Just after solo?

This is life and each of us must do what we think is best to get ahead. Nobody promised me anything.......quit whining and go find a flying job.

Oh by the way, you paid for my type rating, wia money....thank you very much.

You quit trying....live with or get over it.

 

[F/O]

Other destinations will include Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt and New York.

Maybe he can grab a "Royale with cheese" on his way through Paris...

 

[bobbysamd]

WIA v. P-F-T

If you were a furloughee, I was happy to pay for your type with my tax dollars. 911 and the economy gave you a raw deal. So, my friend, you're more than welcome.

P-F-T is not the same as WIA. WIA, as you well know, is intended for pilots who were displaced by such things as furloughs. On the other hand, P-F-T is not federally-subsidized. It's privately funded and voluntary. It degrades pilots. It is groveling, for openers. Pilots are professionals and you fit in that category. No other industry of which I am aware can force qualified people, i.e., professionals, to pay for a job and/or interview.

John Travolta commands a large fee as an actor. He's worth it. He has the talent and the name. I suppose that if I commanded his wage I could go out and buy myself a handful of type ratings. Anyone can do that if they have the bucks. The issue turns on if in so doing he deserves to wear an uniform. I feel it is a misrepresentation. I don't believe that John Travolta has flown one hour as an airline pilot. Furthermore, I don't recall any movies in which he portrayed an airline pilot.

I'm not whining. I've played the cards I was dealt. Read some of my other posts about my efforts to find an airline job.

 

[sat74]

There was an article about him a few years ago in Town & Country magazine that showed him in his custom Armani pilot uniform.

It seemed pretty pretentious and silly that an owner-pilot would dress up in a airline uniform, much less one made by Armani, and fly around in his own airplane!

Professional Pilot magazine also did an article on him 2-3 years ago.

 

[DC8Driver]

I guess Doctors and lawyers don't pay for training........It's the the law of supply and demand. A year ago I would not have considered pay for training. If someone offered me a decent job now I would look at it as an investment in my future.

The key there is MY FUTURE, not yours. I will do whats best for me.

I know things will work out. They will work out for you too if you want them bad enough.

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** I'm glad to live in the USA.

I do wish the best for you.

 

[captbob]

If you do a search at faa.gov you will see that Mr. Travolta is a private pilot with CE-500 G-1159 HS-125 LR-JET type ratings. The CE-500 has a VFR only restriction.

Airline pilot? I don't think so.

 

[bobbysamd]

Lawyer training v. Pilot P-F-T

I do have knowledge about that subject. The short answer is "no." Lawyers do not P-F-T.

Lawyers go to law school. They pay for that, certainly, just as I and, I'm sure, you, paid for your flight training. Companies who have P-F-T require new-hire pilots to pay for that training. Typically, that training is esoteric. It is useless outside that company. After finishing law school, most lawyers are hired by lawfirms and are taught by their firms the nuts and bolts of practicing law. There is some training involved and all along they're gaining experience. That training will always serve them. But, the point herein is they pay not a cent for that training or experience. Quite the contrary, in fact; the starting pay for new associates here in Denver is no less than $35K and at the big firms can exceed $100K. There are some lawyers who open their own firms after they graduate from law school and learn as they go. As you can see, there's no P-F-T in law. Medicine is similar. So are most other professions except aviation.

By the way, DC8Driver, I appreciate your offer of uniforms. I would have jumped for joy to have been given the opportunity to earn the right to wear one.

 

[capt_zman]

I guess I don't understand some logic regarding PFT. The man went out and spent his money on an airplane, went to school to learn to fly it, and then sold it and moved onto something bigger and better. Why is that considered PFT? Because he wears a uniform?

He has as much right to wear a uniform as the pilots he employs. They all are equally as qualified and share the flying responsibilities. Just because he's at the top of the food chain for his airplane, doesn't mean he's a PFT'er.

 

[BoxFlyr]

i can't belive that a thread on johnny t ends up a thread on PFT, it's all been covered before.

 

[aero99]

If he can afford a 707 and type in it, he can wear a beachball for all I care.

He is flying is own plane, if he wants to dress up and play cowboys and indians on his dime who cares?

PFT? uh... he isn't filing a seat or taking a job from anyone...it is HIS plane.

Maybe he dresses up in like a Flight Attendant occasionally and serves himself White Russias. I have heard of weirder things in Hollywood.

 

[LJDRVR]

I think we're missing the point here. This is a promotional thing between Mr. Travolta and Quantas. It sounds like John is getting a free paint job with licensing rights from QA. Maybe some free sim time too. They in return are getting publicity worth much more than what it's costing them. Mr. Travolta could get type rated in just about every Boeing there is for what he's going to be paying for in fuel. You KC-135E folks correct me if I'm wrong but: 1 JT-3D @ 6,000# the first hour X 4 = 3600 gallons the first hour of flight.

Concerning the comments that John Travolta is undeserving of a uniform because he PFT'd, good god man, you've got to be joking. This is an advertising deal. John Travolta is no more legally qualified to sit behind the controls of a Quantas jet than I am. Thats what HONORARY means. (No AU ATPL or type ratings, no legal right to work in the commonwealth) Ask any CX'er what they went through to convert. Trust me on this one.

You folks that are upset by this really suprise me. When Travolta got the studio to pick up the fuel tab for his press junket for swordfish, I thought man..that lucky SOB. I'd wish I thought of that. More power to him.

Lastly, A bit on this tried but failed mentality. Please don't take this personally Bobbysamd I do respect you and your posts, but you tried and gave up. What's stopping you? If you really wanted to be a professional pilot more than anything, you would be. Forgive me if you've already posted why you can't, but not having researched your posts, it would seem to me that you have the ability but not the will. There's nothing wrong with that, but please don't hold yourself out as having tried and "failed" when there are still cockpits out there to work in. My point is this. If you really wanted to, you would find a way. The rest of us have. Even Mr. Travolta. Come on brother, come out and play. I would be honored to share a cockpit with you someday.

Warmest Regards,

DAN

 

[bobbysamd]

No more P-F-T

You are absolutely right. Fair comment. I wasn't trying to start a P-F-T discussion. I was just making an observation and replied to responses where warranted.

I just feel that John Travolta wearing an airline pilot uniform demeans and mocks "real" airline pilots, those who earned the right and privilege to wear the uniform. I greatly appreciated the Armani uniform comment above. He said he is an airline "geek" and demonstrates it by putting on that uniform.

I guess with his money John Travolta can be anything he d@mn near wants to be.

PS-I just read the comment above, and I appreciate it. In my situation, I encountered institutional roadblocks that I lacked the wherewithal to battle.

 

[banned username 2]

Whoever invented P-F-T should be shot!

Not because of what it is, but because of the enormous gravitational pull it has on nearly every thread on this message board!

I agree with Aero 99, It's Travolta frickin plane, he isn't taking a job from anybody, get over it and get on with your career and stop looking for excuses why things haven't worked out for you!

I came up through the ranks during the heart of P-F-T, I haven't paid a dime for training or a rating since getting my MEI back in 1990.... P-F-T sucks, it is bad, very bad for the industry, I am 100% against it and so should every other Professioanl pilot out there...

Now with that said GET ON WITH LIFE!

p.s. I also agree with the guy that said JT should get rid of the grey paint and polish that aluminum in the lower fuse.

 

[House_X]

It seems like a good idea too me...to use a famous actor/pilot to promote travel. The only thing that bothers me is that our own airlines the United States didn't have the vision to implement this unique marketing campaign...typical. I think he's certainly qualified for the job.

 

[ILS JNKY]

jt

I have to say way to go,success be gets success, has any one ever heared of that before.

Ia'm shure that when he jt first started out he had it rough, and the road may have been hard , but after a while it comes down to this you either take controll of your life and where you are going or it takes you for a ride.

Hell if i had that kind of money i would have a few planes my self.lets see King Air B350, BBJ, and some realy fast cars.but would rather fly than drive.

ever heard of goal setting and staying on plan and hitting your number????People don't plan to fail they just fail to plan.

Hay JT congrats on "jumbolair" and keep making movies.


Get over it he is successful ok

 

[Clearsky]

I think its a great thing. Its nice to see a rich and famous face out there promoting aviation, or anybody promoting aviation for that matter. There are far too many anti-flying and noise complaining folks around. Nobody handed the guy his fame and money, he earned it. I detect a touch of jealousy in some posts.

 

[Unchilled]

Hey this thread inspired a new avatar.

 

[TMMT]

I met JT once for about five seconds in Savannah, he was leaving and I was arriving for recurrent, he’s a nice fella, stopped to chit-chat and talk shop with us and even signed an autograph for an adoring (and might I add, VERY cute lady pilot) fan who was there with us.

I’ve hauled around my share of Hollyweird Celeb-o-sluts both on official company trips as well as outside charter and I can speak with some experience when I say he is not your typical Hollyweird type.

As far as the PFT issue… it sux pond water.

TMMT

 

[jsoceanlord]

i don't know who's got it better; jimmy buffet, john travolta or richard branson ?