USAir Furlough Recall: My Decision

[CA1900]

Learn something new every day! Check out the top picture:


http://www.rstack.com/planes/planes.html

 

[ratherfish]

Outstanding post Furloughed!

It may not get you on the cover of ALPA mag., but, whatever.

All I remember about ALPA during the great airline race to bankruptcy protection, and then airline management’s free-for-all once under protection, was how tenacious ALPA was at getting into bed with the freight companies. .... Just one guy's blurred view of things while scrambling for employment elsewhere.

FACT: For every "General Lee" there are thousands of "FurloughedAgain"s and many who fare much worse.

Listen up young cadets and don’t do what I’ve done.

My career began in the last slow time, before you could go fly an RJ with 300 hrs on your rez. Here it is:

Instructed a couple years in California, earned squat, applied everywhere.

Flew in S.E. Alaska 2 summer seasons single engine VFR. , It was lots of fun, the highlight of my career. Earned squat, built time, had a couple close ones, instructed in the off-season.

Got a freight/charter job at a mom and pop place in Iowa, light twins, earned squat, built time, had a couple close calls, applied everywhere, bailed within a year.

Got a better paying job back in Alaska. Flew 1 year single engine VFR all over W. Alaska, made a somewhat livable wage, cheated death, struggled with sanity, built time, applied everywhere, took pay cut to upgrade to the rt seat of a 1900, flew semi-legit IFR out of ANC. Pax by day freight by night. Earned squat, built time, had a couple close calls, the company failed a year or so later, applied everywhere.

Worked for a fractional in Ohio for a few years, earned squat, built time, couldn't believe how safe flying in the system in the lower 48 was, applied everywhere.

Flew for USAir for a couple years, started to actually earn a living, looked to move to CLT base, got bumped out of CLT, looked @ moving to PIT base, 9/11 happened, got pax home that were stranded post 9/11, got furloughed.

Fortunately, I got re-hired by fractional. I'm very thankful. DON'T BURN YOUR BRIDGES KIDS. Promised a contract was just around the corner, earned squat for a couple years, couldn’t make ends meet, took state aid for my new family, didn’t need to build any more time, applied everywhere.

Especially fortunate when fractional union produced a livable contract. I now earn a livable wage, have good medical, 401k, time off, etc. Most importantly, I’m happy. I'm thankful for the union's hard work. I'm thankful the company keeps writing me paychecks.

I started this journey with dreams of big money and blonds on my lap as I pointed my plane toward foreign destinations while making deviant plans for my long layovers. (My early 20s) To those who have that lifestyle, I applaud your good fortune. To those who’ve figured out how to get more time at home than me, good for you too. To those who have both…"I’m not worthy".

To those who, in hind site, say I should have made better choices: Thanks for your observation of the obvious. It’s easy to see now. Just know that times change. When we interviewed at USAir there were guys from FedEx, America West, Airtran, the military, etc. too. It was a calculated risk for me that I couldn’t pass up at that time for many reasons…no excuses. I blame no one but myself for the choice. I understand how it looks to you. I turned down AmWest years prior because it seemed too risky to me at the time. Oh, the irony.

My purpose in showing my resume is to illustrate that I busted my butt for many years to make that big iron/big salary goal happen. Work smarter, not harder than me. 1. It’s not what you know, but who you know. 2. It’s all about getting those stupid hours as quickly as possible, at as young an age as possible. 3. It’s even better to know somebody. 4.spend premium dollars on a good crystal ball.

I could press on and maybe, make it happen. I’m just not willing to sacrifice any more “living” to make it happen right now. Going back to reserves at a fubar’d airline is not living. I have more pressing duties on the ground. Family is my priority/goal now. Short sighted? Possibly, but if I run into problems with my kids down the road, I will be able to look myself in the mirror and say I did my best...“and gosh darnit, I like myself” I won’t kick myself for spending all that quality time in a crashpad, layover, reserve sched., etc.

I’m not saying an airline job hinders family life at all. Even that freaky delta guy, who posts way too much to have any time left for a family, could be a good family man. Now is just the wrong time for my family. If I would go back now, I’d really be forking my family…shorting them money, time, and my pleasant demeanor.

I’ve turned down my USAir recall as well as offers from a number of other airlines. Jobs that made financial sense before the bankrupsy protected, worker bloodletting, don’t make financial sense now. The bottom line is the bottom line. It was an easy decision in my case.

My priorities have changed. Now all I want is stability, money, and to be home as much as I can. An honest days work for an honest days pay. A plane is a plane is a plane. Being 40 something vs 20 something might have something to do with it.

Maybe I guessed right this time and will continue to live my revised goal. I’m optimistic for my employer’s future. Maybe I made yet another bad choice. I hope the new USAirways becomes the best airline out there. Going there now would defiantly be “buying when blood is flowing in the streets” Who knows?

If I/we did make a wrong choice again, one thing I can promise is that there will never be a shortage of pilots eager to say “I told you so” or “I saw the writing on the wall” Just know that gamblers only brag about their winnings. Don’t let them get you down. We’re all gamblers here. I suspect they'll will be eating me a new hole shortly.

I’m currently applying to no one. It’s a good feeling.

Best of luck to all!

P.S. To those who know me, plz respect my privacy.

Wow, after all that, I still want to fly big planes. Is that so wrong? I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.

Thanks again for the good posts Furloughed.

I'm going fishing.

 

[iaflyer]

Uhhh... what 727s?

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0395753/M/

And no, it's not photoshopped. Airliners.net has more.

I heard about it before too - it might of been in the book Nutz.

FurloughedAgain, I know it was hard to walk away from USAirways, especially with your dad working there for so long. Someone else here hit the nail on the head when they said that the USAirways that you were hired at in 99 is no longer that. Making the choice for you and your son will reap benefits many times what any airline can.

Now that you've made the decision, you'll enjoy your job down there even more.

 

[Jaffo]

Uhhh... what 727s?

thanks to all who knew that asking about swa's 727's was not a crazy ?

I answered the ? myself.

The airline operates more Boeing 737s in its fleet than any other airline in the world; Southwest is often cited as an example of an airline streamlining operations by having only one type of aircraft. However, Southwest operated leased 727-200 aircraft during the late-1970s and again in the mid-1980s and subsidiary TranStar Airlines operated DC-9s and MD-80s during the mid-1980s. Southwest has been a launch customer for all three of the Boeing 737 variants it currently operates, and was the first airline to put both the Model 500 and next-generation Model 700 into service. Southwest has a mix of old and new aircraft with both its "classic" and "next generation" 737 aircraft. [30]

peace

 

[PHXFLYR]

This aint a popularity contest, and I was giving my personal opinion. I hope he enjoys his current job. I responded also to some untrue facts from that ferlo guy, and he opened that can of worms himself. And, we can make money empty between ATL and Chad just on the cargo alone, probably. Also, you may be correct that Furloughed Again should move on, since your company really is full of some major problems. Hopefully you and your East cohorts can grow up yourselves and get it together. Maybe that is asking too much.

So, Furloughed again, please, have fun at Wal-Mart. Good luck to you.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Do yourself a favor. Don't worry about me and my "east coast cohorts.",ok? Because unlike you,when this whole thing comes crashing down around our ears,(and chances are better than 50/50 it may do just that) we'll get over it and move on with our lives. Something tells me the same can't be said about you because this whole idea of you and Delta is your life,your entire life;and nothing but your life. And that my friend is sad. Truly sad. I have more respect for guys like Swaayze and Furloughed Again for making the tough call that they did than I will ever have for pilots the likes of you who think of this job as some sort of be all and end all.


PHXFLYR

 

[doh]

Wow, you sound really cool and very much informed. NOT. No work rules were taken. We got a large check ($180,000 for me) for the claim sale to cover for pay cuts (USAir guys got a $4400 check for a XMAS bonus, and I got $180,000 as an FO), and we are getting another check (over $50,000 up to $250,000) for the pension dump, plus we get a B fund (DC fund) in our own names which we can take with us, and an 11% contribution each month by the company for it. You are such a joke. Make sure you do some research before you look dumb. I said furloughed again made his own decision, but he wanted some advice and I gave it to him. He continually came on here looking for advice, which in reality was him reaching out for help, wanting people to tell him not to return. It is his choice, but it could be the wrong one. Regardless, you sound like a complete noodle.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Actually, it doesn't come across as advice. It sounds like you are wishing the guy a lousy family life, a crappy carreer and a broken life. Every one of us could become the victim of furlough, divorce or children who take the wrong path. This guy is doing his level best to make a decision that prevents all that and you come across sounding like leaving U will lead to a broken life. Every one else is wishing the guy the best of luck. Would it kill you that much to just show a little support?

 

[johnsonrod]

Can we stop slamming General Lee who is clearly innarticulate but I think well-meaing (I hope so). Instead, let's thank furloughedagain for his great series of posts over the past few months. Those posts have helped me contemplate my future in the airline business. Family time is more important to me than flying a big jet with super-old stews to some foreign destination. Furloughedagain's posts have been very thought provoking and I wish him well. I think you have the right perspective and we can all learn something from that.

Personally, I think it was a smart move - I don't think the situation at USAirways will get any better in the near or medium term. I would probably keep a solid corporate job myself - plus, Lears can be really fun to fly...

 

[PHXFLYR]

I said it before and I'll say it again . there is no shame in a career flying an airplane that isn't manufactured by Boeing,Airbus,or Douglas. If you can provide for your family and have their love and support in your endeavors,and manage to hang on to your health,(not to mention your sanity:nuts: ) what difference does it make what you fly?

PHXFLYR

 

[General Lee]

Do yourself a favor. Don't worry about me and my "east coast cohorts.",ok? Because unlike you,when this whole thing comes crashing down around our ears,(and chances are better than 50/50 it may do just that) we'll get over it and move on with our lives. Something tells me the same can't be said about you because this whole idea of you and Delta is your life,your entire life;and nothing but your life. And that my friend is sad. Truly sad. I have more respect for guys like Swaayze and Furloughed Again for making the tough call that they did than I will ever have for pilots the likes of you who think of this job as some sort of be all and end all.


PHXFLYR

Trust me, I really don't worry about you guys. I gave my opinion because he asked for it. And, I actually have a great life, and you know nothing about it except that I have a lot of posts on FI thanks to me actually debating issues with everyone that responds to me. That's how I like it, and I don't need your respect, I really don't.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Something tells me Delta will be long out of business before his corporate flight department sheds even one airplane. No wonder why most of us on this webboard think you're such a stooge.

PHXFLYR

Will you save me a spot in the unemployment line? You will be there first I am sure.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Actually, it doesn't come across as advice. It sounds like you are wishing the guy a lousy family life, a crappy carreer and a broken life. Every one of us could become the victim of furlough, divorce or children who take the wrong path. This guy is doing his level best to make a decision that prevents all that and you come across sounding like leaving U will lead to a broken life. Every one else is wishing the guy the best of luck. Would it kill you that much to just show a little support?

Hey, I wished him luck, alright. I just KNOW that he has been asking a lot of questions on FI because in reality he really does want to go back to USAir. This hasn't been an isolated question etc, it has been several threads. I gave him my opinion and I said I wished him well.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[just farmin]

Great Post furloughed
A few years ago, I finally got called by the major I had always wanted to work at. I interviewed and was offered the job. After doing much the same thing you did, I turned it down. To be honest, after the decision is made, it all becomes a lot easier. Life is about the relationships with the people in our lives. Im entering my 11th year of flying a crummy mid 80s turboprop, and Ive never been happier. I won't ever spend another Christmas in a hotel, and wont ever miss my daughter's birthday again. All the best to you and your family.

 

[PHXFLYR]

Will you save me a spot in the unemployment line? You will be there first I am sure.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Nope .Won't even waste my time. Because when you guys do shut the door ,you'll probably be spending the rest of your life on your shrinks couch ,trying to figure out where it all went "so terribly wrong"



PHXFLYR

 

[Swaayze]

General,

He wasn't asking for opinions in this thread. Your negativity was wrong place, wrong time. I am happy for you DAL folks that things look good over there. I just don't understand the mindset of someone who seems to enjoy pontificating on the not so rosy picture other of us may be facing. Anyway....

FA, obviously I think you've chosen wisely. We are simply not of a singular focus on career anymore and this particular option isn't attractive enough to pursue at this point. Simple as that IMO. God (or fate if you prefer) has a way of taking us where we are supposed to be regardless of our decisions, so it WILL work out as it's intended in due time. Take care and enjoy your family. You'll find it's nice finally having some "stability" (such as it is in this biz) in life so make some plans!

 

[snow-back]

Re: General Lee

Unfortunately, there are many at Delta like General Lee. I saw a lot of the "we're better than they are" and "we have more than them" attitudes. Not a majority, but definitely a large percentage. I couldn't even begin to guess the number of times I heard a Delta crew member make derogatory comments about fellow aviators...not just regionals or corporate, but all segments of aviation including other majors. It just blew me away how ignorant some Delta pilots were of other pilot groups in the industry. I think the General is probably knowledgeable of other groups but just has major SJS. I'm sure other pilot groups are similar, but my experience was with Delta. It was certainly part of my decision to resign, but not a major one. I won't list all the reasons why my current job is better than Delta on it's best day, but there are many and I couldn't imagine still being in that quagmire of an industry.

At any rate, FurlougedAgain, I wish you the best of luck. You made the right decision albeit the toughest one of your life. Your well articulated post is a great read for anyone considering a move to the airlines.