I too, would like to share my thoughts on the notion of returning to USAirways. I intend to pass on USAirays for the non sched North American Airlines, which is where I am presently employed. I would like to share a brief synopsis of how I got to this point in my career and what I have learned aong the way. My first airline was GLA, I chose to fly for Great Lakes at lower pay, because I did not think it was right for a pilot to pay for his training. I was furloughed and subsequetly hired at Piedmont ( the old Henson Airlines), flying DHC 8 a/c. I upgraded in two and half years and flew as a Captain for four years. I was in the first class of pilots from the wholly owned USAirways Express carriers to fly the E170 for USAirways, MidAtlantic Airways. We were a tight group of pilots, we went by the motto 'All or None'. It was awesome, working at MidAtlantic. The pay was less than DHC 8 Captain pay, but it was enjoyable and I was still able to provide for my family. When we were furloughed and placed on the USAirways seniority list awaiting recall there were mixed emotions. It sucked being furoughed, but it felt warm and fuzzy knowing you had something to come back to. Furlough, aftr all, is part of the industry right? The AWA and USAirways merger created some anxiety for those of us that came from the Wholly owned's (CEL guys). There were rumors that we would have our names removed from the seniority list and lose that warm and fuzzy recall feeling. The integration was handled by a mediator that ulitmately decided on combined seniority list that truly favored the pilots at AWA, stapling all the furloughed USAirways pilots below the most junior AWA pilot. Now facing a recall to USAirways, comfortable at North American Airlines flying 757, and 767 a/c all over the word, you might say I am enjoying flying again. While we do have our share of uncertainty here at NAA as well, the future seems brighter here. The health insurance is better, the pay is better and will improve as we struggle to secure our first contract. USAirways offers me a recall with less comprehensive health insurance, less pay and the guarantee of bottom reserve for quite some time.
Perhaps it is the notion of returning to a Legacy Carrier, an airline whose history and name mean something to the public which causes me to even consider returning. I too feel like I have failed in the career having interviewed with; JetBlue, Airtran, and even FedEx.....without a job offer. I have landed at NAA. For some, that may seem like a farm team, not making it, not having the right stuff. Originally when I started this career, I thought I would end up at a major, but now........the majors are calling and everything in the minor leagues seems so much better. I make my decision to pass at USAirways on the information I have at hand. That is how an aviator should execute the decision making process, based on the best available information. It could turn out to be the wrong decision, but like an earlier post suggested, if you are able to enjoy what you do, and provide for your family, than you are a success. I have enjoyed reading the thoughts of fellow aviators on this subject of having to chose, and I hope that perhaps my experience and perspective may help others with this choice.
I apologize for the length of this submission, but I wish to say one more thing.
While at NAA, I had an amazing experience on the ramp in Kuwait City were I was able to bring a young Air Force Captains video message home to his parents , who had not talked to him in a while, saying " he was Ok...talk to you soon".
One of the very best experiences avaition has offered me.
God Bless.
