FurloughedAgain
Cabin Heating & Air Tech.
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2002
- Posts
- 1,657
I found the following on another board.
(Phoenix @ Jun 9 2007, 0708 PM)
"...the real white elephant in the room is the fact that ALPA and the company have been complicit in the destruction of a profession to the point that 1500 furloughed pilots won’t “re-marry” the pig that tries to sing like a swan but can’t even beg, borrow, or steal a little lipstick or rouge."
That is, indeed, something astounding. Think about what it means. Out there in the industry at any given time young pilots would fall all over one another for the opportunity to go fly for a major. 1500 people (myself included) have elected not to return.
Honestly, I can't even believe that i've said "no" to that recall letter 3 times now. You guys have no idea. US Airways is all I have ever known since I was a little boy. All I ever wanted to do was follow in my father's footsteps and fly for that company. I remember my father being SO PROUD of his company that our family cars had GIANT "USAir" decals in the back windshield.
I remember when he upgraded in the 727 and brought home a photograph of the airplane for me because he was SO PROUD of that machine.
I remember going out to PIT with my father to see the very first 737-300 in USAir colors.
I remember January 18th, 1999 and believing that it was the greatest day of my life to have been hired by my fathers company. I have never in my life been so proud to wear a uniform.
I remember the very last flight in March of 2002, with my wife in the back, walking to the employee lot for the last time and fighting back tears.
What a 5 years it has been. After being furloughed I flew Dorniers for PSA for a year. Somehow somebody talked me into leaving there to go fly for Comair. But you just can't go back to the commuters again once you have flown for a major. Every trip in an RJ made me feel as though I had failed. Today I fly corporate jets for a large company. It's a great job and i'm treated very well... but this isn't what I wanted to to, or wanted to be. If I say "no" to a recall, will I kick myself for another 25+ years? Will I always wonder "what if"? Will I come to resent my decision?
I was sure I would go back as soon as they called. I mean why am I here on Flightinfo? Why have I day after day for 5 years watched this airline to see when the recalls might come? I can not begin to imagine how hard it is going to be to send that resignation letter.
I imagine it will feel as though I've failed to succeed in a dream that I've had since I was a child. Pilots don't have much in the way of a legacy. We don't leave anything to the generations to follow. But somehow I thought that building a successful career at US Airways, just as my father did before me, would be a continuation of his proud legacy.
I had sincerely hoped that there would be some watershed event that would make the decision easy. I wanted to see a US Airways that was so successful and had become so powerful that going back just made sense. I wanted the decision to be a no-brainer. But whatever decision I make, I have to live with. If I choose to go back I have to explain to my wife how commuting to Philly to sit reserve or fly 4-day trips for less money than I make today is a smart move. I'm not sure I could even convince myself, much less my wife.
Boy I wish this was easy. I know for some folks it is. The sad part is, for them it was just a job. For me it was something I had grown up with -- like family.
Best of luck to all of the furloughees as, after 5 years, we finally face a real decision. Take it. Or leave it.
(Phoenix @ Jun 9 2007, 0708 PM)
"...the real white elephant in the room is the fact that ALPA and the company have been complicit in the destruction of a profession to the point that 1500 furloughed pilots won’t “re-marry” the pig that tries to sing like a swan but can’t even beg, borrow, or steal a little lipstick or rouge."
That is, indeed, something astounding. Think about what it means. Out there in the industry at any given time young pilots would fall all over one another for the opportunity to go fly for a major. 1500 people (myself included) have elected not to return.
Honestly, I can't even believe that i've said "no" to that recall letter 3 times now. You guys have no idea. US Airways is all I have ever known since I was a little boy. All I ever wanted to do was follow in my father's footsteps and fly for that company. I remember my father being SO PROUD of his company that our family cars had GIANT "USAir" decals in the back windshield.
I remember when he upgraded in the 727 and brought home a photograph of the airplane for me because he was SO PROUD of that machine.
I remember going out to PIT with my father to see the very first 737-300 in USAir colors.
I remember January 18th, 1999 and believing that it was the greatest day of my life to have been hired by my fathers company. I have never in my life been so proud to wear a uniform.
I remember the very last flight in March of 2002, with my wife in the back, walking to the employee lot for the last time and fighting back tears.
What a 5 years it has been. After being furloughed I flew Dorniers for PSA for a year. Somehow somebody talked me into leaving there to go fly for Comair. But you just can't go back to the commuters again once you have flown for a major. Every trip in an RJ made me feel as though I had failed. Today I fly corporate jets for a large company. It's a great job and i'm treated very well... but this isn't what I wanted to to, or wanted to be. If I say "no" to a recall, will I kick myself for another 25+ years? Will I always wonder "what if"? Will I come to resent my decision?
I was sure I would go back as soon as they called. I mean why am I here on Flightinfo? Why have I day after day for 5 years watched this airline to see when the recalls might come? I can not begin to imagine how hard it is going to be to send that resignation letter.
I imagine it will feel as though I've failed to succeed in a dream that I've had since I was a child. Pilots don't have much in the way of a legacy. We don't leave anything to the generations to follow. But somehow I thought that building a successful career at US Airways, just as my father did before me, would be a continuation of his proud legacy.
I had sincerely hoped that there would be some watershed event that would make the decision easy. I wanted to see a US Airways that was so successful and had become so powerful that going back just made sense. I wanted the decision to be a no-brainer. But whatever decision I make, I have to live with. If I choose to go back I have to explain to my wife how commuting to Philly to sit reserve or fly 4-day trips for less money than I make today is a smart move. I'm not sure I could even convince myself, much less my wife.
Boy I wish this was easy. I know for some folks it is. The sad part is, for them it was just a job. For me it was something I had grown up with -- like family.
Best of luck to all of the furloughees as, after 5 years, we finally face a real decision. Take it. Or leave it.