What would you do?

[super80steve]

Stay at charter airline flying captain, making $140K, or take a paycut of $35k and take the recall to AA? I should be able to live at my base.

 

[miles otoole]

What protections do you have? IOW, what if the charter company closes up shop next week or they lose business or some new manager comes around who doesn't like you and decides you need to go bye, bye?
Ask yourself-which company and position will most likely be around in 20 years?

 

[Fubijaakr]

Well, the question is how old are you? How stable is your charter company? AA could be the next ship on the rocks of the airline industry. How senior are you at your charter company? Do you work for one of the premier companies like NAA or a fly by nighter?

All are factors.

 

[GogglesPisano]

It's been my experience that the worst day at a legacy beats the best day at a supplemental by a mile. YMMV.

 

[macdu]

Defer. Defer. Defer. Defer. Defer. You have 3 years to think about it right.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Not basing your decision on the opinions you get on FI for starters, Why don't you do the sensible thing and ask your better half what she thinks? she will be the one directly affected by the loss of income.

 

[Chairman]

Hold out, defer start banking some money and write your reps to make sure that longevity pay is included for furloughed pilots.

 

[Cruncher]

Look at retirement data too. Which I am sure you have, but AA is on the cusp of huge forced retirement numbers. They will either have to start hiring again (the next big wave) or will fold.

It's a tough choice you have, but defer until you can't, that's what I would probably do. Though, I don't know your specifics (age, strength of charter outfit, ...).

Good luck

 

[Lake Alice]

There is no future in charter. This my friend is a no brainer. I have done both, I know.

 

[Jiminmem]

I'd probably defer to make sure that continued recalls that people are assuming, actually happened. Then again you are asking for advice from complete strangers, so think carefully about taking any advice you hear on this site

 

[On Your Six]

What happens if you are still out on furlough and AA merges with Jetblue? Are there any ramifications with that and the eventual SLI? I don't know. But, the retirements are coming. That is a mathematical certainty. Can you now hold the base and equipment that you want at AA?


OYS

 

[miles otoole]

There is no future in charter. This my friend is a no brainer. I have done both, I know.

There's a huge future in charter, just not for pilots. The problem is, there are almost zero entry requirements to start up a shop. Add pilots willing to fly for almost nothing and the result is thousands of charter companies out there all trying to undercut each other.

 

[miles otoole]

What happens if you are still out on furlough and AA merges with Jetblue? Are there any ramifications with that and the eventual SLI? I don't know. But, the retirements are coming. That is a mathematical certainty. Can you now hold the base and equipment that you want at AA?


OYS

On furlough means not on the active list. If any merger happens, any furlough will fall in behind all active folks, imo. Take a look at CAL/UAL.
Retirements are good as long as retirement age doesn't change and the company doesn't shrink.

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

What happens if you are still out on furlough and AA merges with Jetblue? Are there any ramifications with that and the eventual SLI? I don't know. But, the retirements are coming. That is a mathematical certainty. Can you now hold the base and equipment that you want at AA?


OYS

JB should get relative. Its the only fair thing, and hurts no one.

 

[get2flyin]

JB should get relative. Its the only fair thing, and hurts no one.

George Nicolau, is that you?

 

[Ky.BrownBourbn]

Do you work for one of the premier companies like NAA or a fly by nighter?
.

NAA is a premier charter company , not bashing but what are the qualifications to become a "premier charter Company"?
KBB

 

[Lake Alice]

There's a huge future in charter, just not for pilots. The problem is, there are almost zero entry requirements to start up a shop. Add pilots willing to fly for almost nothing and the result is thousands of charter companies out there all trying to undercut each other.

You're right miles there will always be a future for charter just not for the employees. Charter company's come and go for the very reasons you mentioned that is why I say it is not a career job. It's stop gap employment at best. Most pilots making a career of charter are for very specific reasons.

 

[Fubijaakr]

NAA is a premier charter company , not bashing but what are the qualifications to become a "premier charter Company"?
KBB

20 years in business?

 

[sniper]

On furlough means not on the active list. If any merger happens, any furlough will fall in behind all active folks, imo. Take a look at CAL/UAL.
Retirements are good as long as retirement age doesn't change and the company doesn't shrink.

A wish from A jetblue pilot....but AMR could take everything but the pilots and fly the blue planes with their own pilots , including with their furlough pilots and there is nothing you could do.....

please review your personal contract with blue when you got hired there..


SOLUTION

ALPA

 

[Ky.BrownBourbn]

20 years in business?

That's all it takes is to have 20 years in the business? I worked for a commuter that was around for that long, was it a "Premier Commuter"? (most definitely not)

It's an honest question, What makes a "premier" Charter company?

KBB

 

[super80steve]

Thanks for all your replys,
If someone buys our company, our contract states that we go with the planes. I am in my mid 40's. The company I work for is stable and making money. I work for one of the companies like NAA. I am bidding in my position about 75% in my company. (25% below me). But, I have spent every day since my furlough keeping up on AA to see when I am going to get recalled. Now that it is about time, I am having second thoughts. If AA survives, it would be a great decision for me to go back. If they don't then it will be another bad decision that I made. Eventually I am going back to AA. My wife says I can go back, but she would miss the extra $35K I would give up by going back. Thanks again.

 

[V-1]

Best wishes with your decision.

 

[Ty Webb]

Seems like the best feedback might come from guys who are slightly ahead and behind you that took the recall . . .

It sounds like there are a lot of variables- base, equipment, bidding position, longevity, retirement contribution, etc. to consider.

All things being equal, QoL trumps $$ in my book.

 

[taters]

After Obamas speech AA for sure