Would You Change Jobs Now??

[citdrver]

Hey Folks,

Just a quick question.........would you make a job change given the economic climate and the very real possibility of a war with Iraq? I am at a pretty decent all jet Part 135 pax charter outfit. Pay is Ok, but we are a small company so there are zero benefits except for inflated health insurance and the schedule is nonexistant. We get days off here and there and a couple that we request, but we are never notified more than 48 hours if we actually have those days off. We also have an enourmous amount of reserve time that has no set start or off times. The job isnt that bad, great airplanes, good maintenance, and pay is good. I am very happy to be emloyed, however it just isnt a long term job. I am thinking of the regionals like Comair and Air wisconsin..........my big question.......is now a good time????

A scared little man in front of his computer




God Bless the crew of STS-107 and thier loved ones

 

[LearLove]

Things you can control /can't control

One thing I in the past 6 years is there are many things you can't control in the biz. You cannot control war, the ecomomy, or stupid decisions made by your bosses/corp leadership (also include greedy a$$hole decisions made by Chris Beebe). If you desire to work for a 121 airline then by all means go for it. You won't know if you don't try.

Another thing, seniority is everything. The sooner you start accuring it the better off you will be.

 

[bobbysamd]

Changing jobs

I think it depends on the job. The obvious analysis to apply is if you'd be taking a step up and/or be better off by changing jobs. You also have to consider if you're stepping from the frying pan into the fire going from an apparent well-paying (but pain in the a$$) job in this climate to 121, where you might sit for days on reserve and could be furloughed. One other point is if your quals make you more employable than the next guy should you lose a job and be forced to look again.

Somehow, my feeling is that you would be taking a step up by going to Comair or Air Wisc. You might like it better as well. Frankly, I couldn't stand it not knowing my schedule way ahead of time. I would make certain that my pocketbook can take the financial hit for a couple of years.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your decision. Of course, you know what they say about choosing an aviation employer. No matter which choice you make it'll be wrong.

 

[citdrver]

Thanks for the replies!!

Bobby, I am really looking for a schedule, like you said I love to know when I am and when i am not working. My life is in a constant limbo now! I also want a job that is long term, of course barring any furloughs, and a position with benefits for my wife and I and our family, when I can affaord to start one!

Maybe I wil send my stuff in now. Hopefully by the time they wade through and who knows they may never call! If they do call it will be a few months before I could actually start working so by then this war situation may be a bit less incertain!

Thanks

 

[350DRIVER]

would you make a job change given the economic climate and the very real possibility of a war with Iraq?

It would definitely depend on whether that job would offer more opportunity and if it would outweigh the current opportunity present day as well as advancement, pay, benefits, etc would also be big.. Hard call and personal preference would probably weigh heavily in a move. Even though the current shape of the industry is not that great, one must keep in mind that it is just a matter of time before it is on the rebound and this may be a perfect time to position yourself for the better. Even if a war with Iraq does materialize the airlines are still going to be around and will fight through it and should emerge hopefully stronger when all is said and done.

My life is in a constant limbo now! I also want a job that is long term, of course barring any furloughs, and a position with benefits for my wife and I and our family, when I can affaord to start one!

Aviation is in many ways like betting in a casino, sometimes your moves can be a very costly gamble and in other cases it could be a gamble where you come out smelling as sweet as a rose. Just make sure the "odds" are in your favor and the rest will fall into place since in reality we must remember that we are not even guarenteed waking up tomm. let alone a good "stable" job in aviation where one would be secure and never run the risk of furlough.

Personal preference and good judgement is key in my opinion.

Not having a "set" schedule is probably the worst aspect of this type of flying.

good luck

3 5 0

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Choices

I would send your stuff out and see who gives you the offers. It sounds like you are a candidate for the regionals, and they seem to be growing right now. If there is war and further economic downturn, that segment most likely will grow while others continue to shrink.

It is always a little shakey when you are on the bottom 10% - 20% of the seniority list when things go south. But if you are looking for a schedule, it sounds like your current employer can't provide that, even if you are the most senior pilot.

Plus, if you move on and get chopped, just think of all the time off. You could make your own schedule!

Good Luck,

Mr. Mom

 

[lear24]

All that matters is quality of life and pay. You fly for a living, who cares what it is and where you go, but if you can do what you want to with your life, you're golden. I would fly a 152 around if I could make a living at it and have a nice life.

You know what you want to do, and how you want to live. Try to get the job that will let you do it. You can't sit around and say what if, letting life pass you by because of uncertainty. If you do your life will be perpetually on hold.

Make a well educated move if you choose to, and don't look back with regret. Good luck to you.

 

[Salty Dog]

I would love to be in your shoes right now. Sliding over to a regional will just put you in front of the next expansion/hiring wave. Not a bad place to be.

Of course, if you believe you'll be moving over into the left seat anytime soon, you could be in the position to go straight to the majors after a while. Not bad either.

In any event, some of the regionals are the best place to be right now.

I say go for it, you lucky dog!

 

[bobbysamd]

I am really looking for a schedule, like you said I love to know when I am and when i am not working. My life is in a constant limbo now! I also want a job that is long term, of course barring any furloughs, and a position with benefits for my wife and I and our family, when I can affaord to start one!

Maybe I wil send my stuff in now. Hopefully by the time they wade through and who knows they may never call! If they do call it will be a few months before I could actually start working so by then this war situation may be a bit less incertain!

It never hurts to apply. Don't forget to update, especially with the kind of time you're building. Any kind of time in scheduled ops is quality time and will be a positive.

Good luck with your efforts.

 

[RFtech]

I would send out the resume and see what happens.

I appears your an FO, when could you upgrade?

A switch would be a good thing, unless your racking up multi-turbine PIC.