What CHQ pilots really think!

[surfnfly]

Then budget accordingly

If you only want to fly part time go rent a 172 and let those of us that choose this as a career and put in alot of time and money to get where we are to be paid what we deserve. Since when other than entry level positions has the pilot profession needed to get a second job . How many MD's ,lawyers or other professionals need second jobs. Pilots like you are the ones bringing us all down.

 

[Nindiri]

Have you flown on a airplane recently? Traffic is up above pre 9/11 levels and is not gonna decline. Forcast is for continued grow so if RJ's go away where are all the seats come from? Back to props, no there will be more 737, 320, 777, 787 to handle the increase with more mainline jobs. That is what every pilot on this board needs to be pulling for, f#ck that 90k for a 190 I made that as a 3 yr FO on the 320. Try raising the bar for once instead of letting it get lower and lower.

You really believe that 737's are going to be put on runs like ATL-TRI?

Riiiiiight.

 

[NuGuy]

So,
You're saying that most regional new hire F/Os are trust fund babies who don't know the value of money because their parents still pay all the bills? I think that's unrealistic and an unfair assumption. Most F/Os today struggle economically and will for a longer period of time than their predecessors 10 years ago when upgrades weren't 5 years +. Combine that with the fact that housing prices across the country have recently exploded and you'll see that F/Os today are much worse off than their predecessors.
Also, FWIW, a friend just finished her rotations (externships) as a VET at Ohio State and said every single person in her class except for two were over 30 and had huge loans that would take years to pay off.
What's your solution to increase pay across the industry?

Miles, it's too late. It's a lost cause, across the board.

Airline managements have the kiddies right where they want them. Dangle the jets keys in front of them. If you make a noise about better pay, and they threaten your jobs by moving them to another small jet sweatshop, and how quckly they knuckle under.

Look at the Comair pilots....they had the nads and took a stand at at time the market was good, and they still came away with basically no meaningfull improvement. They were days away from having the plug pulled, and they knew it. Delta and their cronies at the RAA were on a mission to prove that you couldn't win, and they succeeded.

Management is on to us. They KNOW that scope is everything. If you can't control your flying, you have ZERO pricing power. Quality of the operation means zero...look at Piedmont. The irony of CMR getting chased out of MCO by CHQ, and then having CHQ guys complain when someone else comes into MCO is laughable. The ONLY thing that matters is how cheap is the seat.

You can't buy that scope back now at ANY price.

The downward pressure won't stop there. You don't think that UPS, FedEx or SWA will maintain their premium forever, do you?

You know what? 90k is a nice sum...for a lawyer 3 years out of school. But do you want to be just schleping around 20 years to make that? Is that what you thought? 50k of flight training for Christ's sake! Maybe those FOs having a hard time paying back the loans should have taken a closer look. 90k is the best most pilots are going to do now...is THAT what you signed up for?

Anyone who gets in this business now is either stupid or has gamblers addiction.

Nu

 

[dav8or]

If you only want to fly part time go rent a 172 and let those of us that choose this as a career and put in alot of time and money to get where we are to be paid what we deserve. Since when other than entry level positions has the pilot profession needed to get a second job . How many MD's ,lawyers or other professionals need second jobs. Pilots like you are the ones bringing us all down.

Just what do you deserve? Some sort of airline welfare is what is sounds like. This job is market driven just like anything else. when the supply of pilots goes down then the wage will come up. Why don't you do something about it and quit, BTW I know plenty of MD's that have sidelines. Creating wealth is all about making your money work for you.

 

[Superpilot92]

What a bunch of idiots. Thats like shooting for second place because your to lazy to try for 1st place. Your thoughts are so lame. I should make 150k but 90k is ok, at least i can afford a USED car. Freaking idiots. Alot of yall have no self worth.

I for one worked hard through college and flight training and busted my but to get into this industry so i could make a good living and get paid what i EARNED!!!

 

[Nindiri]

Wahhh

 

[Superpilot92]

nnTnn

If your wondering what that is, its me giving you the finger. Use your immagination.

 

[Mike man]

Grow up...

 

[nimtz]

As for pay the way to make money in this industry is to use the time you have off. I get 16-18 days off a month so I think it is a pretty good wage for a part-time job. In my time off I have started another bussiness. Eventually that bussiness will surpass that flying income and I wil no longer need it.

If they can whack the pay, who to say they can't eventually whack the days off down to 10-11. Just ask the guys at UAL about that. Oh well, guess we'll just have to 'budget' our time off a little better.

 

[Spinplate]

It's actually quite a simple solution. Allow only pilots coming directly out of the military to fly for the airlines. That way all the civilian whores would not be eligible to fly for peanuts. Supply would be resticted, therefore demand and wages would go up. All you civilian CFIs could continue to teach private pilots and such because who cares how much they make as they are not eligible to become airline pilots.

Hey there!, Im looking for an E170/190 F/O here in the next few months out of LAX, Please PM me your contact info and we'll talk. Or you can just post it in here. You should get tons of offers!

 

[wmuflyguy]

It's actually quite a simple solution. Allow only pilots coming directly out of the military to fly for the airlines. That way all the civilian whores would not be eligible to fly for peanuts. Supply would be resticted, therefore demand and wages would go up. All you civilian CFIs could continue to teach private pilots and such because who cares how much they make as they are not eligible to become airline pilots

You'd be out of a job then!

 

[rjdreamer]

This is beginning to sound like flame bait, but I can't resist. What kind of hosed up financing do you have? 90k is more than me and my wife have EVER made. We have never made more than @ 40k except when we were both activated for the war, and then we came closer. Who would buy a new car or truck and have it depreciate immediately? A house, you mean the one we've been living in for over 15 years? And kids, both of ours have gone to collage, and our daughter is going back for more!
Now does this mean I believe that pilots should be paid the same for driving larger equipment? Of course not. It seems to me that 70 seats should pretty much be the limit for regional equipment. Much bigger and you pretty much have main line size airplanes. Yes, some of us would be happy making 90k and flying regional jets/turbos. And yes, WE have to stand up for ourselves. But if you're not happy where you are, then go someplace else where you will be and stop whining about your job. Nobody made you become a pilot. No one is making you fly airplanes. If you're not happy doing what it is you're doing, then maybe a career change is in order.
You remind me of the main line guys I hear at the Guard complain about their jobs. Blaa blaa blaa.Boo whoo whooo. I only make $65/hr. I only make $120,000 after 3 years, U-L stinks, blaaa blaaa, blaaaa. If all of you guys are so unhappy, WHY DO YOU STAY? Could it be because no where else that I'm aware of can you make a descent living, travel,have roughtly 2weeks off a month, and do what you LOVE; flying airplanes! If you're doing for the money, you chose poorly to begin with.
It should always be about what makes you happy. And no place I've ever worked has been perfect. And it can(and sometimes will)get worse before it gets better. Hate to use the old cliche, but if you aren't part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.
A man that is unhappy here, will seldom be happy somewhere else.
That's my 2 penny's, adjusted for inflation!

 

[RP170]

What a bunch of idiots. Thats like shooting for second place because your to lazy to try for 1st place. Your thoughts are so lame. I should make 150k but 90k is ok, at least i can afford a USED car. Freaking idiots. Alot of yall have no self worth.

I for one worked hard through college and flight training and busted my but to get into this industry so i could make a good living and get paid what i EARNED!!!

Yeah I forgot you work at Express Jet. You are rolling in the dough aren't you? Congrats...you can top out at $90/hr on your 50 seaters, which the rates at CHQ are actually higher than yours on the 50 seaters at the top of the scale. Wait, that can't be possible can it since CHQ are "bottom feeders."

 

[BlackPilot628]

Yeah I forgot you work at Express Jet. You are rolling in the dough aren't you? Congrats...you can top out at $90/hr on your 50 seaters, which the rates at CHQ are actually higher than yours on the 50 seaters at the top of the scale. Wait, that can't be possible can it since CHQ are "bottom feeders."

Express Jet does have a kick a$$ contract. But, don't act like Express Jet pay is better than everyone else's beacuse it's not. Secondly, You know good and well if XJT had the chance to get E170's or CRJ7's you guys would jump on it.

 

[Superpilot92]

Yeah I forgot you work at Express Jet. You are rolling in the dough aren't you? Congrats...you can top out at $90/hr on your 50 seaters, which the rates at CHQ are actually higher than yours on the 50 seaters at the top of the scale. Wait, that can't be possible can it since CHQ are "bottom feeders."

Yeah but you get to fly a 70 seat maybe a 90 seat for 50 seat pay. None of us get paid enough. Oh and have you seen our contract compared to yalls? After you compare them then get back to me.

 

[8HourPilot]

Hey Super, I remember you from a couple months ago, you were all humble, wanting to get the XJet job, then you got it, now you are all on the war path, what happened to you?

 

[Dash8301]

Don't Call the RJ's they are large Small Jets

 

[KigAir]

How many hours a month does one have to work to make $90k?

 

[Superpilot92]

Hey Super, I remember you from a couple months ago, you were all humble, wanting to get the XJet job, then you got it, now you are all on the war path, what happened to you?

I am still humble and enjoy my job, i just cant stand people who flat out say how they wouldnt mind making average wages and would love nothing more than to bring down the majors so they can expand. Its just lazy. Read some of the posts some of these CHQ guys are posting. it just gets me going. The job is going great though and i am based in H town now so i am back home. Its great i get to spend alot more time with my wife and son.

I for one still want to move on to a major and or get paid more.

 

[BlackPilot628]

I am still humble and enjoy my job, i just cant stand people who flat out say how they wouldnt mind making average wages and would love nothing more than to bring down the majors so they can expand. Its just lazy. Read some of the posts some of these CHQ guys are posting. it just gets me going. The job is going great though and i am based in H town now so i am back home. Its great i get to spend alot more time with my wife and son.

I for one still want to move on to a major and or get paid more.

We would all like to move on to the majors and make more money. Just dont Generalize "those CHQ guys", because the majority of us are flighting for the majors and would rather the E190 or even B732 for that matter to stay at the Majors. 85% of us are in the same boat as you, including RP170 among others on this board.

 

[Superpilot92]

We would all like to move on to the majors and make more money. Just dont Generalize "those CHQ guys", because the majority of us are flighting for the majors and would rather the E190 or even B732 for that matter to stay at the Majors. 85% of us are in the same boat as you, including RP170 among others on this board.

Those meaning the ones on this thread making those comments. Not the pilot group in general. Hope this clears up my comments.

Respectfully,
Super

 

[low-key]

Hey Im back again. CHQ pilot, and here's what I think. Legal Sea Food's Clam Chowder might be the best stuff out there.

 

[Goose Egg]

Hey Im back again. CHQ pilot, and here's what I think. Legal Sea Food's Clam Chowder might be the best stuff out there.

I'm not a CHQ pilot, but I think that the lobster bisque is way better.

-Goose

 

[flyer172r]

I'm not a CHQ pilot, but I think that the lobster bisque is way better.

-Goose

Ditto, that lobster bisque is absolutely delicious.

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

While I'm not a fan of regional payscales, I have to ask.....90K is NOT a lot of money? What the hell kinda f*cked up budget do you have?

Depends on where you live, my man. My wife and I make a combined income of about 86K and believe me, once we pay for daycare (two small kids) and the essentials of life, we are pretty much paycheck to paycheck. I drive old paid for cars and no credit card debt whatsoever, just for the record.

No sir, 90K ain't a mint. You must not be all that interested in not working after 60 if you think 90K is where it's at.

 

[AAflyer]

More thoughts from CHQ pilots.
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flyrr100
Junior Member

Registered: Jun 2004
Domicile: MCO
Equipment:
Posts: 8
I'll bet the guys moaning about us killing the industry flying 190s are 23 year old academy grads who think the industry owes them everything. Wake up. You got into the industry using something that wasn't available five years ago. We all paid our dues flying night checks, flying 135 light twins, or flying for the military. That was after a few years flight instructing. I had 3500 hours when I was hired here and I was the lowest in my class. You flew a seminole for a few months and think you are owed a slot in a 757.
Don't get me wrong. I have no problem flying with low time Perdue or Delta Connection grads. You are all skilled and very professional. Just stop it with the 'I'm gonna be a 757 Captain before I'm old enough to rent a car' attitude. It's a new era after 9/11. If you have to get out, go to UPS or Fedex. Thats where you'll earn the big bucks. If you want to haul people, $90k flying a 190 is looking pretty good to me. Look at JetBlue's 190 rates. You really want to go there? And if I'm bringing the majors down, maybe it's a wake up call for them.
I don't post here much. But you guys need to wake up, and smell the coffee. You fly for a great airline. Ask anyone who was here pre BB.

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flyrr100
Junior Member

Registered: Jun 2004
Domicile: MCO
Equipment:
Posts: 8
What's wrong with wanting to make a cereer at a large regional carrier? I'd love to fly the 190. And I'll do it at our rates. I say again, look at Jet Blue. They are today's carrier. They have today's pay rates. The DC9 Captains you speak of are working on yesterday's rates. Why do you think US Airways and United are in bankrupcy? Why do you think Delta is on the brink? You have to wake up. We are in a new economy now. If we earned $100k flying here, Chautauqua wouldn't exist! We exist by giving our host carriers a good product at a good rate. If you don't belive this, look at Mesa. A lousey product but Delta are using them now. Because they are cheap.
You'll never earn the money that major carriers earn if you stay at Chautauqua. But for the guys looking for a career here, absolutely 190s belong at Chautauqua. If Delta or United want us to fly them, we should.
You have an education. You must know you are in the top 10% of the Nation's wage earners at Chautauqua. Try earning what you do here, and getting 18 days off a month, at Colgan, or even Mesa. Look at what you have instead of what you want.

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flyrr100
Junior Member

Registered: Jun 2004
Domicile: MCO
Equipment:
Posts: 8
One more thing. I care as much about a pilot at a major carrier as I care about a Wal-Mart greeter in Adilade Australia.
I'm a Chautauqua pilot. I care about my future. And 190s and even 777s should be in my future.
Why do you guys lose so much sleep worrying about the future of a US Airways pilot? After all, the chances you'll ever be a US Airways pilot, or even ever want to be a US Airways pilot are slim to none.

Why do you think they are in BK, because they don't charge the cost of the product, so under your theory they need to lower their pay to subsidize the flying public who pays historically low prices.

If you are going to toss around LLC pay atleast have the courtesy to use South West pay, or are they paid to much compared to our industry darling Jet Blue.

Next time you want to tell me you will take the Small Narrow Body flying from me because your small Pen1s and large watch wants to fly a 100 seat airplane for 90K please tell it to my face when you ask for the jump-seat.

You can still ride, I'll just let you know what an a$$hole you are.

AA


Heck in typical I've got mine attitude, I hope Mesa undercuts your a$$.

 

[8HourPilot]

I am still humble and enjoy my job, i just cant stand people who flat out say how they wouldnt mind making average wages and would love nothing more than to bring down the majors so they can expand. Its just lazy. Read some of the posts some of these CHQ guys are posting. it just gets me going. The job is going great though and i am based in H town now so i am back home. Its great i get to spend alot more time with my wife and son.

I for one still want to move on to a major and or get paid more.

As do I my friend, all I would suggest is that espically on this message board, sometimes what you may read IS NOT the general opinion.

For all you know, and the rest of us, XJET may be the next major, with mainline CAL feeding you guys.

Good deal on you being back in your hometown, I can't quite do that with the current company, so the commuter's life it is for me......good times.

Nice to see you are not nearly as spooled up as I thought you might be.

 

[Superpilot92]

As do I my friend, all I would suggest is that espically on this message board, sometimes what you may read IS NOT the general opinion.

For all you know, and the rest of us, XJET may be the next major, with mainline CAL feeding you guys.

Good deal on you being back in your hometown, I can't quite do that with the current company, so the commuter's life it is for me......good times.

Nice to see you are not nearly as spooled up as I thought you might be.

Yeah i know i was just getting frustrated because of the thought patterns of some people.
All is well.

Commuting stinks but it wasnt to bad for me. I made it home everytime one way or the other when i was commuting from EWR to IAH. I had to 2 leg it most of the time. Base to base sucked for commuting. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Cya

 

[low-key]

Allright I am back again, one more time, here we go. Whats everyone's thoughts on paying for pu$sy? I just found out my buddy got a hooker in Vegas. Is it legal in Vegas but no where else or what? What about YUL??

GO, talk amongst yourselves.

 

[OldManPilot]

410dude,

That is perhaps the most ignorant post I have ever read on this message board.

I am sure the major airlines are lined up to hire you. You seem to think that every pilot flying for a regional airline has no desire to move on. You also seem to think that you will automatically get hired by a major airline and that the rest of us can't get hired. That kind of thinking is both immature and well, ignorant. Many regional pilots are building time until they can move onward and upward. Many will stay at regionals for various reasons. Many for quality of life, ie. more days off, living in a perticular base city. Sometimes it can be better to be a big fish in a little pond, than a little fish in a big pond. But either way a pilot is a pilot. We are all responsible for our passengers safety, thus we ALL have the same job. Your immaturity shows in your posts. Grow up! With your current attitude you would be lucky to get hired by a Regional.