Turned down a CAL job offer today

[Pocono Pilot]

I never thought I would be turning down a job offer from a legacy airline, but I turned down a CAL job today to hold out for a better airline.

I've heard of too many people leaving there recently, and I cannot bring myself to take the massive pay-cut and no insurance for 6-months when I know that I can probably get an interview with SWA, UPS, FedEx, DAL, UAL, etc. in the near future.

I am making good money right now, so I would rather not settle for working under such a horrible contract. I agree that it will probably get better there, but probably not for a while.

Am I going to regret it?

 

[mamba20]

Who knows, do whats best for you. CAL is the only place I've ever wanted to work. Be careful about being SURE that you can get an interview at all of those other places you mentioned. Lots of people waiting for an interview there as well. Best of luck to you.

 

[MJG]

Am I going to regret it?

You'll know in about 30 years or so, I wonder if F.I. will still be around then.

 

[Hutchman]

Make sure you tell them why. I wonder if they even care?

 

[Truckdriver]

You have to do what is right for you. Just don't look back and question your decision. CAL is a great airline, but if you wouldn't be happy there, then you made the right choice. I didn't want go to CAL because I knew it wasn't for me and I didn't want to be unhappy and cause those around me to be unhappy. Hopefully someone higher up your list will work out for you.

 

[AA717driver]

DAL? UAL? Are you $h!tting me? TC

 

[Skywriter70]

DAL and UAL you mention, hmmm.... They sound better? I would rather be a captain after 4 years rather than be on reserve as an FO for 7 years at either of the other mentioned, not to mention, a captain upgrade at 12 years at least for captain upgrade at DAL. Where would that put a CAL pilot in retirement vs a DAL/UAL pilot??? Reserve for a long period of time destroys quality of life, and both pay and quality of life due to seniority will come much quicker at call than at either DAL and UAL. I will not speak on SWA, another great company, pay is great, etc., but they too have one drawback of only flying 737 and working very hard for the money. There are a great deal of quick turns, did that at my last regional.... I do agree that the contract needs to be addressed, but you said better airline and not better contract. I believe you need to re-analyze your way of thinking. If you were to go with CAL right now, you would retire way ahead in the game, have great equipment, not just the 737 with one of the others mentioned, and a contract that is about to be re-negotiated. Not to mention, a b-plan that is pretty good, 10.00 going to 12.75 very shortly. Delta and United are a better choice??? The bottom line is that the health of the company whether you believe it or not, will play a huge role in the end result, ie., your life at/after retirement. Nothing is certain, but you in my opinion, are not focusing on the overall picture, and are not looking down the road far enough. Take a deep breathe, really look into all aspects of an airline, not just it's past, but it's future... Look at where you would be really from the 5 year mark on. Pay, quality of life, equipment, contract dates, bases, company direction, LOOK AT EVERYTHING>>> c-ya and good luck in whatever decision you do make. I hope passing up a great opportunity doesn't bite you, and that you actually do get an offer from another. Everyday you wait you give up seniority numbers and CASH!!! Putting you farther behind.

 

[swa737-700]

Why not take the job until this "better" offer appears? I don't believe you were offered a job, I think you just wanted to slam CAL.

 

[Skywriter70]

Looking at your post again somewhat concerns me. You seem overly confident, and don't seem to be to educated when speeking of what's really important. You basically only spoke of a first year scenario. Open your eyes and do the research. You will take a paycut regardless wherever you go. Where you go, look into their training, is it paid or unpaid, perdium or more??? The seiority you give up from where you leave, how quickly will you regain security through seniority at another??? Please do yourself a favor... Really look into your decisions, don't be to quick to discount. Talk to guys/gals, etc.... Certainly don't sell yourself short anywhere you go, but don't give up a good opportunity either. How quick did you say YOU WOULD be getting THE OFFER to come work for another airline. As far as I know, CAL now has class dates a few months out do to the slowdown for some only... hiring 350+ next year. You may have gotten another off while awaiting your actual classdate. Look out for you....

 

[Skywriter70]

I kind of got the idea that you wanted to slam CAL as well. You seemed quite behind the times in your research.. If you didn't want to work for CAL, why did you waist their money and time interviewing......when there is not another offer you are turning it down for???????????

 

[Skywriter70]

Guys, we probably wont see another post from Pocono Pilot, but that's probably best.

 

[Pocono Pilot]

Guys, geez! I am not trying to badmouth CAL or anyone else.

The main reason is that I didn't want to take a massive paycut from my current job to go to CAL only to leave for another airline, if they call that is.

I can still make 70k or so while waiting for another airline to call, as opposed to waiting for another airline while flying at CAL for such a paycut.

Also, it concerns me that many new hires (from what I hear) are actually leaving CAL in the first few years to go elsewhere. Yes, that concerns me and it affects my decision. Why are they all leaving?

Finally, I have ALWAYS wanted to go to CAL, but now that many other airines are hiring, I am thinking that I might have a chance elsewhere. Maybe not, but maybe. And I won't have to live with no insurance and a big paycut while I figure it all out.

Sorry if I offended, but it was a big decision, and I sincerely hope that I don't regret it.

 

[Lear70]

Also, it concerns me that many new hires (from what I hear) are actually leaving CAL in the first few years to go elsewhere. Yes, that concerns me and it affects my decision. Why are they all leaving?

Because they're stupid...?

What did I win?

Seriously though, the only reason to pass up a major airline job OFFER from a regional is because you simply can't live with it, either for domiciles, commuting, quality of life, career pay.

1st year pay and insurance is a pretty dumb reason. So you pay $600 a month for Cobra for 6 months = $3,600. Don't you have that much in savings anyway?

As far as pay cut the first year, put the wife to work.

Finally, I have ALWAYS wanted to go to CAL, but now that many other airines are hiring, I am thinking that I might have a chance elsewhere. Maybe not, but maybe. And I won't have to live with no insurance and a big paycut while I figure it all out.

WTF?

You "ALWAYS" wanted to go to CAL?

But you're thinking you might have a chance elsewhere?

Which is it? If CAL is where you always wanted to go, why do you WANT a chance elsewhere?

Sorry if I offended, but it was a big decision, and I sincerely hope that I don't regret it.

Stupidity isn't offensive, as long as you keep it to yourself.

 

[SWA GUY]

Pocono,

Don't worry about Skywriter, he knows not of what he speaks, as evidenced below.

SWA... and working very hard for the money.

Come interview at SWA, get hired, and luv life.

 

[clickclickboom]

I never thought I would be turning down a job offer from a legacy airline, but I turned down a CAL job today to hold out for a better airline.

I've heard of too many people leaving there recently, and I cannot bring myself to take the massive pay-cut and no insurance for 6-months when I know that I can probably get an interview with SWA, UPS, FedEx, DAL, UAL, etc. in the near future.

I am making good money right now, so I would rather not settle for working under such a horrible contract. I agree that it will probably get better there, but probably not for a while.

Am I going to regret it?

Go up to COVE HAVEN and RENT THE ROOM WITH THE CHAMPAGNE GLASS JACUZZI !!! If you are a true POCONO PILOT you will know exactly what I am talking about

 

[Lear70]

Pocono,

Don't worry about Skywriter, he knows not of what he speaks, as evidenced below.

Come interview at SWA, get hired, and luv life.

My buddies who work at SWA fly twice as hard as I do...

They also get paid a lot more, but I don't like flying more than 5 hours a day, 8 hours of duty, or more than 3 legs.

What can I say? I'm lazy.

 

[800Dog]

DAL and UAL you mention, hmmm.... I will not speak on SWA, another great company, pay is great, etc.


Pay is great at SWA? Wow, how have times changed! The pay at SWA is decent. Nowhere close to where it should be. Look at UAL/DAL rates five years ago. That is where rates should be. You sell yourself and your peers short with your mindset. We are our own worst enemy. Enjoy!

 

[ACWild]

My guess is that you'll regret it. Yeah, the first year pay and six months of no insurance has been a constant concern to all who have had to consider working at CAL. After that year, things get much better. If you have many years left in this career, you can't think so short-sighted. Jmho.

The people who left were all around the first year here. It's not hard to imagine why they left for FedEx since the pay is miles ahead. Also, the ones who left for SW had their personal reasons too as far as where they thought they would fit better. Overall, I wouldn't say that it's a whole lot of people,but given their circumstances, it's understandable. Heck, if I were in my first year, I think I would have jumped at FedEx too. Since I've passed that milestone, no other airline seems enticing. That's just me though. We all have our own values and goals, so to each his own.

 

[capt. megadeth]

I wonder if F.I. will still be around then.

Probably....it's like a cockroach (in a good way of course)

 

[dojetdriver]

Dude, what were you thinking? How else were you going to get a free 737 type with paid accomodations and per-diem?

Now what? You will have to ACTUALLY go out and BUY your own type, pay for your room at Higher power or FTI if you want to go to SW.

Disclaimer: If anybody can't see the humor, get a life.