Would you leave a US Major?

[AAflyer]

Hey guys and gals,

Have been talking to a few of my friends and family, thought I would ask other pilots out there. Would you leave a US major (AA) and fly over seas (Cathay, actually probably based here in the US).

I am not scheduled to be furloughed, was hired young and have over 6 years with this company. However I am young enough to start over and have a long career.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

AA

 

[On Your Six]

I have heard good things about Cathay. I guess you would start on the freight side as a 744 FO and then eventually be able to transfer over to the pax side. I know a guy on the pax side who loves Cathay. Tough question but good choices regardless.

 

[jetblue320]

I don't have any personal experience along those lines but have had friends who went the "overseas" route and after talking to them I got the impression that it is no kind of a life for a family man. Oh, to be single again!

Seriously, even if you get based in the US, my opinion is it would be tough on you and your family especially if you fly domestically now. If you are not in fear of furlough, I would stay put. But, that's just my opinion.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[pylut]

No you're not in danger of furlough with your whopping 6 years. That burden has been taken for you junior SNB's by 15 year TWA captains.
So to answer your question he!! yes you should leave. Take up chain smoking while your at it.

 

[AAflyer]

Well,

I guess when you ask for all answers and comments that is what you get.

Hey Pylut, I didn't buy TWA, I didn't sit on the board which intergrated the groups, I didn't even vote on it, I just fly the line. So why are you pissed at me, what the he11 did I have to do with it?

I have firends over there, I feel for you guys that were slighted, what would like to ME to do? Should I call APA and say I am leaving, please give my number to a SNB captain? What the F%ck would you like ME to do about it?

AA

P.S. WELCOME to AMR, now you know why I want the he11 OUT!!!!

 

[On Your Six]

Hey Pylut,

You're an a$$.

 

[Swede]

Pylot, what makes you think you're more deserving than the great Pilots and Men who formed the core that was Eastern, Pan Am, Braniff, and many other carriers that have flown west? You're given a second life, and you bitch. AMR, for all its faults, applied a defibrillator to your baggy, fluttering heart, and brought you back from the grave, and you complain about it. Biatch.

 

[pylut]

"I have firends over there"

No, you don't.


"what would like to ME to do?"

I already told you what I would like you to do. Although I would ad.....non filters


"Should I call APA and say I am leaving, please give my number to a SNB captain?"

Now that cracks me up..... SNB captain.....you clearly know not of which you speak

 

[pylut]

posted by Swede

"Pylot, what makes you think you're more deserving than the great Pilots and Men who formed the core that was Eastern, Pan Am, Braniff, and many other carriers that have flown west? "

Swede-
More deserving???..
I would never presume to that assertation.

Presumptions such as you speak truly remain the domain of Arrogant Airlines.
A more coddled bunch of self righteous primadonnas crybabies and back slappers you'll never find.

The Airlines you reference were honorable organizations with good men and women, My post was in no way intended to diminish their legacy.
Sadly outfits like aa tarnish the profession as a whole with their lack of ethics and character.

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

I wouldn't take two cents from a guy who can't even spell "pilot".

 

[:-)]

I wouldn't take two cents from a guy who can't even spell "pilot".

And the winner is:.................................

Blue Bayou

rolling on floor, laughing my arse off.

 

[lurker]

No you're not in danger of furlough with your whopping 6 years. That burden has been taken for you junior SNB's by 15 year TWA captains.
So to answer your question he!! yes you should leave. Take up chain smoking while your at it.

your what hurts?

 

[username]

Take the Cathay job and I'll buy the first carton of smokes! Sorry, couldn't resist!

Seriously... I know several people that have gone to Cathay. All are very happy. The morale is much better than AA. You're even treated with a little respect.

 

[CUEBOAT]

What does SNB stand for?

 

[JJGMADDOG]

AAflyer, why don't you leave so we can all move up a number....whoops I forgot I'm furloughed after 7 years!

 

[KingAirKiddo]

I'm sorry...did I press a wrong button and wind up on the Regionals forum?

 

[SWA/FO]

Cathay does not hire Americans. Stay at AA. If you want to upgrade quicker then 10-18 years go to the other carrier in Dallas.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

A different view

1. SWA F/O is incorrect. Cathy does hire Americans. I know several that have been hired recently and love it. The ones that tend to like it have lived abroad and have flown heavy international type flying. If you haven't done that, it may be a factor.

It's very much a British operation, culturally as far as the flight training goes. There are Americans, Brits, and Aussies.

If you like, PM me and I'll give the contact info of a few friends that are in training now. You spend about 5 - 8 months in training, including cultural classes in Hong Kong.

You will probably start flying freight, based in the US (NYC, SFO, LAX, etc.) You may be able to tranfer to the PAX side, I believe the money is much better there.

I'm furloughed from TWA, but before that I flew for AE (Excecutive) for two years, and I also was hire as and worked as a flight attentand for AA for six years. I have seen a lot of disfuntionality at AA, went on strike in 1993, was part of the 4 seperated Eagles when they used to furlough from one Eagle and hire at another, etc. Divide and conquer, it's the AA way. I was there when the agents were forced to make annoucements that flights were cancelled due to a pilot work stoppage, when the company had cancelled for other reasons. That was during contract negociations, of course.

Consider this, at 6 years seniority you must have been hired pre-Reno and have descent seniority? Even with the pay cuts, you are probably doing alright, even on a narrowbody. So I imagine it would be a quality of life thing.

Personally, I think I would rather find a sweet corp. gig and say good bye to the airlines (and I have been trying), but they are hard to come by. The right corp. gig would be sweet. It's not the same as the airlines, but if you land one where you are treated with respect, the quality of life issues usually are not an issue.

Good luck,

Jeff

PS: Oh yeah, if I ever have to pull the gear up for your a$$ at AA, at least say thanks for taking the furlough for you, buy me dinner or leave the money on the dresser....something. I had to say that for my TWA pals, but at this point I could give two sh!ts. Peace, Ruben and take my resume with you.

 

[jtf]

While you may not be the happiest at AA, at least you have a fairly secure- at least as far as pilot jobs go- position at the worlds largest airline. AA has at least stopped the major bleeding, unlike most of the majors, and appears to have a clue. I don't think any are out of the water yet, but they are at least closer than most. While all the majors may not last, I would put my money on AA ahead of any of the others and I would stay if I were you- unless you are tired of being an airline pilot. Look what happened to (I think they they are called) the 49ers at Cathay- gone. I doubt Cathay will go away, but it is certainly much easier for them to make individual pilots go away. In my humble opinion relative security at a company with pretty descent pay and benefits and a fairly solid future is what most of us are looking for. As far as Cathay not hiring Americans- BS, but not very many.

 

[fxbat]

"No you're not in danger of furlough with your whopping 6 years. That burden has been taken for you junior SNB's by 15 year TWA captains.
So to answer your question he!! yes you should leave. Take up chain smoking while your at it."

As an Eagle FO, Mr.TWA, I was thinking the same thing about you. Kind of funny isn’t it when the rolls are reversed. You poor victimized pilot.