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.

 

[Golden Falcon]

To anyone considering the Gulf area..Emirates is a professional airline and run so, but it like most places is a JOB, if you have a career at home dont think of coming here Etihad is newborn and going through some tough times organizationally and is not an ideal place to move to just yet..GF is well...GF...good luck to you USAir guys looks like a BIG mess for the forseeable future, and my former colleagues at Cactus who look to be getting a good screwing in the process....

 

[get2flyin]

Little Duece, These guys cry foul when you speak about doing your job with a little pride...screw them. There is no job better than the one you look forward to doing. Maybe they felt that way once and now think the world owes them something. If they want to be miserable pricks, the rest of the employees will just treat them like the children they act like. Best of luck to you. You are a credit to your profession.

That's just my opinion, but then again I used to have a REAL job. Busting my ass six days a week doing iron work when I was younger makes this job that much sweeter. I go to work with a smile on my face every trip.

And no, this isn't Doug Parker.

 

[XBOEINGDRVR]

Hey furloughedagain,

I have come to the same crossroads in my career too. I have struggled with my decision in 99 when I left a senior position at a LCC for Airways, to get furloughed, to a corporate job (which I did not like) and now at JB. I just turned down my 3rd recall too. Just know your not alone and your family comes first before any job. Like you, I too was hoping for a "no brainer" decision to return- and thats not the case. So whatever the final decision is- good luck and try not second guess yourself like I do......

 

[FurloughedAgain]

XBoeingdriver,

I am constantly second-guessing myself. Just today I enjoyed a lobster roll at a little airport diner in Maine and thought, "This is the best job in the world".

Then, while #15 in line at an east-coast major airport as a storm rapidly approached the field and we all sat shut-down in the hold pad, I looked at the American MD80 parked next to us and thought, "Those lucky %$@# are getting paid by the minute!"

My thoughts about going back actually change back and forth depending on the time of day it seems.

Sad huh?

 

[XBOEINGDRVR]

Thats funny as heck, I did the same thing when I flew corporate, I noticed all the little things I disliked about pt. 91 operations. Mostly the pay... the harder I work now- the more I make vs. I was salaried corp. pilot and they worked me like a rented mule with no extra pay, and numerous additional duties, oh yeah- and politics.

Good luck pal

 

[4lowed]

Has anybody done the math to see who the new jumior man is? I'm trying to figure out how far back up the APL Charmane has to go. I don't have an updated APL, but who is 100 from the bottom excluding guys being HELD, on LOA, or MILITARY? Thanks for the guesses.

4lowed

 

[cactusboy53]

Furloughed & X;
I feel you pain and remember the corporate days (even some with fondness). I will say this; when doing most 121 stuff you show up, get the release and WX, prepare the flight deck and walk around. You finish with final numbers and flight attendant secures the door. Your only interaction now is periodic PA's as necessary/needed.

Corporate (before you're even though 10K); "Hey, would you change the CD to Shania Twain! Oh, and get me a glass of red wine while you're up."

 

[clr4theapch]

Well you have a wrote a very compelling message, your not alone, but no opinion poll or anything we have to say is going to make you feel better or help make your choice...

Revist you priorities... Keep family in the forefront.. whats best for their furture... then look at your own needs and wants... break it down... your a pilot because you love to fly... what do you want to fly.... can you live with the way the industry is now... forget the past.. its spilled milk... will the coorporate job satisfy your flying ego? or do you need to the heavy metal? Aviation's future is always going to be a coin flip.. part 92/135 have good points and bad.. 121 work the same..

Write it all on a sheet of paper, pros/ cons... can you keep the family protected, what will keep your marrage intack, then what really makes you happiest.. once you make up your mind.. dont look back, ever...

It could get worse, believe me... I have been there... did the flight instruction, got my ATP at 25, flew for a regional then moved up to a major for 5 years, Captain for a year.. then blam.. and I mean crash and burn.. heart attack... by pass... career over.. gone... done it was like I had died even though my family was obviously very happy I was still alive... I was out.. sure I had some income.. but I was sick.. heart was broken.. I was mad for a long time, " how could this happen to me" alway took care of myself, did all the right things... just family genes caught up.. not fair... after taking everything in perspective.. I did an evaluation.. I still loved aviation... I still wanted to be around it, so what could I do.. I went back to the books and became a dispatcher... not the same... but I accepted the facts and it was the best I could do to keep the family supported and scratch my aviation itch.... so just remember.. no matter what your choice, somethings can come into your life that is totally unexpected and can crush you.. so enjoy the fact that you have the ability to "make a choice"

good luck to you.. search deep inside.. then move onward...

 

[Champ42272]

IMHO, I believe becket said it best.

The only thing that truly defines who you are and where you are going is your character.

A job is a job, your self definition (success or failure) is defined by something intangible inside yourself.

Character is Destiny.

I think FurloughedAgain's future is secure. In my experience everything happens for a reason - even if we never find out what that reason is.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Champ42272

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Clearfortheapch,

A few years back I picked up a dispatchers rating "just in case". I'm glad to see that it worked out for you, but you've certainly made a lot of us realize how lucky we are to even have this choice to make.

I wish you the very best. Thanks.

Cactusboy,
<laughing> You know, i've heard of some corporate operators like that. I guess we're pretty lucky. Our passengers are very low-maintenance. We don't cater food or drink (other than bottled water) and other than the occasional, "It's too cold back here", they never disturb us while we are working. They are always friendly and appreciative.