US Airways Final Recalls: Take it, or Leave it?

[The Victors]

I understand completely. I had a corporate job after being in the first furlough group in dec.01. It was a good job at the time, but corporate is even more uncertain than the airlines. Corporate jobs can be really good, but they're not for everyone. Some guys just love corporate and some want the airlines. I was just happier with the airlines. That being said, I've turned down recall twice and will not be going back to that mess.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I'm in the somewhat unique position of flying for a very large, very stable flight department. Past performance is, of course, no guarantee of future results -- but if I had any question in my mind as to the future of this flight department this would be a much easier decision.

 

[jj21211]

I remember being out running the night before my AAA interview in '89. The DC9's and 737's flying overhead on approach to 9R. I was practically crapping myself 'cause I was sure this was where I belonged. I got hired. Now, it's my third opportunity to work here! It's .....somehow...... not the same.
I feel the same as furloughedagain. Loved the job and the crews, hated the commute. Although the company I'm with has morphed from an a/c management company to a cheesy 135 operation that puts you on NJA's or some charter brokers schedule on layovers, my reserve days are at my own home where I can enjoy my family and do other stuff, stay out of bars, and not be tempted by the F/As. Top pay won't be as good, no A330's, LTD just means you're fired and handed over to the insurance company, and no contract. It's hard to shake off SJS, even at 52! So, I am still going to wait until they send my take-it-or-leave-it.

 

[becket]

The Company failed you.
ALPA failed you.
The Government failed you.
The judicial system failed you.
The Bankruptcy laws failed you.

You failed at nothing. Remember that.

 

[LittleDeuce]

US Airways

Well I have to add the dissenting opinion. I am working at the only airline I have ever wanted to work for and I have no regrets. I was fortunate to work at Mid Atlantic for 3 1/2 years and then in the Training & Standards Department after that this past year.

I just took the recall last month and I am glad to be back. I accept that the industry has changed and I'm not going to let that effect how I do my job.

There is no question we have some operational issues at the moment. In my opinion, this is the best management I have seen at US Airways. The communication, revenue management, etc.

Yes, the Shares migration was a disaster and the company acknowledges that and took aggressive steps to correct it. We are in contract negotiations and the seniority issues are all effecting operations.

No question Doug Parker made a serious mistake with his DWI incident but all everyone wants to do is use that as an excuse to criticize him. Let's see; $509 million profit last year, (my check was $4,000). Lots of international growth. We are severely short of pilots and there will be A-330 F/O positions in the June 18th recall class.

But, lets call a spade a spade; how can we be successful when APLA is actively promoting slowing down the operation and intentionally wasting fuel? Are we professional pilots or kindergartners?

I look forward to working with my AWA colleagues and if you cannot accept the changes, I wish you luck at your new job.

I would love to see you back but lets work to made a great airline but do me a favor, just call in sick when you are sick.

Loving the cool-aid and proud of it.

 

[FLYLOW22]

Let's see; $509 million profit last year, (my check was $4,000). Lots of international growth.

Seems like a bit of a soft return on your investment. I mean, it did cost you your retirement and tens of thousands in earnings (hundreds?).

Don't catch the computer on fire painting such a sunny picture.

 

[JT8D]

Well I have to add the dissenting opinion. I am working at the only airline I have ever wanted to work for and I have no regrets. I was fortunate to work at Mid Atlantic for 3 1/2 years and then in the Training & Standards Department after that this past year.

I just took the recall last month and I am glad to be back. I accept that the industry has changed and I'm not going to let that effect how I do my job.

There is no question we have some operational issues at the moment. In my opinion, this is the best management I have seen at US Airways. The communication, revenue management, etc.

Yes, the Shares migration was a disaster and the company acknowledges that and took aggressive steps to correct it. We are in contract negotiations and the seniority issues are all effecting operations.

No question Doug Parker made a serious mistake with his DWI incident but all everyone wants to do is use that as an excuse to criticize him. Let's see; $509 million profit last year, (my check was $4,000). Lots of international growth. We are severely short of pilots and there will be A-330 F/O positions in the June 18th recall class.

But, lets call a spade a spade; how can we be successful when APLA is actively promoting slowing down the operation and intentionally wasting fuel? Are we professional pilots or kindergartners?

I look forward to working with my AWA colleagues and if you cannot accept the changes, I wish you luck at your new job.

I would love to see you back but lets work to made a great airline but do me a favor, just call in sick when you are sick.

Loving the cool-aid and proud of it.

Doug is that you?

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Deuce,

I've had a great deal of respect for you since we were in 737 initial together. I'll definitely think about what you've said and factor that in as I make my decision. Hopefully the take-it-or-leave-it letters dont make it back to the Jan 99 hires for a few more months.

 

[ferlo]

Well I have to add the dissenting opinion. I am working at the only airline I have ever wanted to work for and I have no regrets. I was fortunate to work at Mid Atlantic for 3 1/2 years and then in the Training & Standards Department after that this past year.

I just took the recall last month and I am glad to be back. I accept that the industry has changed and I'm not going to let that effect how I do my job.

There is no question we have some operational issues at the moment. In my opinion, this is the best management I have seen at US Airways. The communication, revenue management, etc.

Yes, the Shares migration was a disaster and the company acknowledges that and took aggressive steps to correct it. We are in contract negotiations and the seniority issues are all effecting operations.

No question Doug Parker made a serious mistake with his DWI incident but all everyone wants to do is use that as an excuse to criticize him. Let's see; $509 million profit last year, (my check was $4,000). Lots of international growth. We are severely short of pilots and there will be A-330 F/O positions in the June 18th recall class.

But, lets call a spade a spade; how can we be successful when APLA is actively promoting slowing down the operation and intentionally wasting fuel? Are we professional pilots or kindergartners?

I look forward to working with my AWA colleagues and if you cannot accept the changes, I wish you luck at your new job.

I would love to see you back but lets work to made a great airline but do me a favor, just call in sick when you are sick.

Loving the cool-aid and proud of it.

Couldn't you just say, " I'm a Bitch" in a lot fewer words?" Duane? Is that you?!

 

[Deadalus]

I think those are both excellent points. Most likely I will be following your advice and staying right where I am.

When I look around the industry at young pilots just starting out and I watch them tripping all over each other to get hired flying an RJ, or hear them talking about how JetBlue is the airline they've wanted to work for "their whole life", I can't help but wonder if I just lack the initiative to succeed in a major airline career.

I know that if 10 years ago I read a thread like this I would have thought, "He just didn't want it bad enough". I can't help but to wonder if that is how some of the young pilots who read these boards feel about me.

Not that it matters of course, but I need to look objectively at myself and my situation and make certain that I am willing to give up that "airline pilot" dream before I sacrifice that number. (Not to say that I couldn't get hired by another major in time, but why give up instant seniority -- even if it's just a little -- if my intent was to go back to that type of flying anyway?)

I suppose i'm having a little trouble moving past that yardstick by which we measure our own success. Bigger airplanes, more money, etc.

As you can see this is largely an emotional decision. It has more to do with ego than anything more. Will I be satisfied with the direction i've taken since 09/11... or will I regret not accepting that recall?

There are probably a few hundred furloughed pilots who were hired by SWA, FedEx, UPS, Alaska, -- but I suspect the rest of us who have "good jobs" rather than "dream jobs" are all fighting this battle with ourselves.

Alaska? I just had a few beers with an Alaska pilot last week. I'd definately take Alaska off your dream list. Drunk or sober, I'd say US has better management than Alaska.