Turned down a CAL job offer today

[capt. megadeth]

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.

Unfortunately, you probably have to interview a few times before you get hired.



NOT a slam (so chill out SWAers!) it's a fact.

 

[Deerkiller]

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.

We'll know if you'll regret it in 20 years, but you're reasons are very short-sighted. Yeah the first year pay cut bites, but think of it this way. You lose 40k the first year, the second year you break even, the third year your gaining ground on your first year loss and the fourth year you're staring an upgrade in the face.

I hope it works out for ya.

As far as "many" people leaving, that's just not true. Are people leaving, yes, in droves...no.

Whatever happened to the thought process of you fly for whoever offers you class first?

 

[SWA GUY]

Unfortunately, you probably have to interview a few times before you get hired.



NOT a slam (so chill out SWAers!) it's a fact.

As I don't have any information on how many SWA employees are first time or second timers, I wonder how you know it's a fact?

Not a slam Mega, just wondering how you know it's a fact?

 

[Quimby]

Unfortunately, you probably have to interview a few times before you get hired.



NOT a slam (so chill out SWAers!) it's a fact.

"Bitter, table for one......your table is ready"

 

[GogglesPisano]

"Bitter, table for one......your table is ready"

She flies for UPS. I doubt very much she is bitter.

 

[Quimby]

She flies for UPS. I doubt very much she is bitter.

right.....that's why she slams SWA at every chance. UPS is great, but come on.

 

[DiamondZ]

Seems the info out is that SWA hires 1 out of 3 interviewed on the first go around.

Where's Albie at? He might be able to shed a little light.

 

[Lear70]

Oh God... here we go again.

Yet another thread hijacked into a SWA hiring argument.

You'd think it's the holy grail of aviation jobs by the way people chase it so much. Not that there's anything WRONG with that, of course... but it's a JOB, people! Jeez...

Personally, I'd rather fly for FedEx, but everyone has their own happy place.

 

[Pocono Pilot]

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.

I thought CAL was AQP? IF so, does an AQP type rating count for other airlines like SW?

Maybe I will call her back and tell her that I have reconsidered, get the 737 type with CAL, then try for SW. Or I guess I could get the trans-oceanic crossing requirements with the 757 or 777 then apply to UPS.

I will call in the morning and see if I can change my decision. Of course I will leave out the part about SW and UPS

 

[GogglesPisano]

Alright. Now it's obvious flamebait.

 

[Pocono Pilot]

Alright. Now it's obvious flamebait.

I was obviously joking. Note the big smily face!!!

Honestly, I don't think I would have the guts to go in and quit after getting a 737 type rating, and going to SW. I can't believe that some guys actually do that.

 

[dojetdriver]

Alright. Now it's obvious flamebait.

Agreed, looks like EMBSkillz, Rhoid, FreightNazi, 80for80, 4.0@riddle, and most recently, non-union, has a new user name.

 

[1st Overnite]

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

I've never been there, but I heard that place is awesome.

 

[johnny taliban]

why are you guys slamming him? I just turned down an interview with jetblue for the same reason, the money sux. plain and simple. not worth the pay cut, in my opinion. I will wait and take my chances with FedEx or SWA, if they ever call...I think more guys should be turning these job offers down. Maybe then we will all gain a little respect.

doing my part to hold the bar,


johnny

 

[HighSpeedClimb]

Pocono,

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

Sure, luv life working your a$$ off..believe it or not SWA isn't for everyone.

 

[nyboilermaker]

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.

Good for you man. If more people were like you in this industry, we wouldn't be getting paid the sh*t wages and the QOL that we do.

When more people turn down airline jobs that have no benefits and food stamps wages the first year, watch and see how that goes away.

Even the regionals are starting to catch on with signing bonus' these days.


We are our own worse enemies.

-NYB

 

[Scrapdog]

I thought CAL was AQP? IF so, does an AQP type rating count for other airlines like SW?

Maybe I will call her back and tell her that I have reconsidered, get the 737 type with CAL, then try for SW. Or I guess I could get the trans-oceanic crossing requirements with the 757 or 777 then apply to UPS.

I will call in the morning and see if I can change my decision. Of course I will leave out the part about SW and UPS

Alright dude - now I see you are a f'ing idiot. Obvious flamebait. Any man worth his salt is not going to ask a bunch of dudes on here if he will regret turning down a multi-million dollar career from an airline that has made money in the last 6 or so quarters in a row (or more, not sure on the exact number).

And trust me, I'm not one about "airline loyalty" or any other garbage. I'm a true believer in doing what is best for you and your family, situation, etc. I'm with CAL, but if I was hired at UPS, SWA, or Hewlett-Packard and it fit my situation better, I'd take the job. The real loyalty I have is to my family, friends, and defending our country. HOWEVER, I can assure you CAL is a very strong airline and it's growth potential is great in the next 10, 15, 20 + years as the retirements continue and seniority increases at a very fast clip.

Grow some balls and ask yourself what is best for you, not a bunch of whiny pilots (and I'm one of them) on a blog that 90% of the time is either about flaming another guy's airline or bashing our leadership. You obviously lack intellect and the ability to see the big picture looking down the road ten plus years. Do you have sh*tty pay the first year at CAL? YES, it's horrible. Will you have a very good living in about 5 to 6 years with a lot of seniority at CAL? YES. I think you should have thought long and hard before you turned down a job where you can retire as a millionaire in 30 years. But oh well, huh? Will you regret it? YES. Enjoy your "potential" SWA, UPS, FDX, DAL, JBLU jobs - or wherever you think you're going to get on.

 

[Scrapdog]

why are you guys slamming him? I just turned down an interview with jetblue for the same reason, the money sux. plain and simple. not worth the pay cut, in my opinion. I will wait and take my chances with FedEx or SWA, if they ever call...I think more guys should be turning these job offers down. Maybe then we will all gain a little respect.

doing my part to hold the bar,


johnny

Bullsh*t dude - do whatever you think is best for you. No one has to turn down any job they will enjoy, whatever the pay is. That's called freedom, Mr. Taliban. Nice name by the way.

 

[Lear70]

why are you guys slamming him?

Because I think this whole thread is pure flamebait,,, oh, and it's fun when drinking (or on pain killers 'cause someone dropped a car on your foot).

I just turned down an interview with jetblue for the same reason, the money sux. plain and simple. not worth the pay cut, in my opinion. I will wait and take my chances with FedEx or SWA, if they ever call...I think more guys should be turning these job offers down. Maybe then we will all gain a little respect.

First, good for you! I did the same, exact thing last week.

I wanted to work for jetBlue more than just about anywhere else... 7 years ago when they first started operations and I was flying a 727 in the right seat doing night freight.

Now... I have a job that's almost exactly comparable to theirs in terms of combined pay, B-fund, upgrade potential, days off, etc. Came here to better my QOL and have no urge to make a lateral jump again.

ALL these airlines need to increase their compensation packages. And yes, I told her that over the phone when I called back to cancel my interview the following week. She actually sounded like she'd heard similar comments more than once.

doing my part to hold the bar,

I don't believe that does any good. You will be replaced by a much lower time regional pilot who's just happy to "get the hell out".

Until the low-time guys STOP taking jobs at regionals that qualify them for food stamps, the bar will stay firmly at rest on the floor, kicked to the corner of the basement, and covered with the used wine and beer bottles where people drank toasts to the golden years of aviation.

 

[~~~^~~~]

I've not been called from CAL, but at the same time I completely see Pocono's point. Pay, no insurance, and a move to a city like Newark are my reasons for not pushing hard for CAL.

It would take somewhere around 10 to 11 years for me to go into positive numbers (to recover the cost for the first several years) to make the jump to CAL. At FedEx, UPS, or SWA, I would be into career earnings growth in the second year.

For a young pilot, the mainline guys on the board are correct. For a pilot in his late thirties to early forties, the math works out differently. CAL is obviously a better long term future, but the choice really hinges on how old you are when you make the jump and where you want to live.