Your Worth As A Pilot

[quigs]

72 longhorn,

Maybe you could get a gig playing for the longhorns. I hear they're hurting right now, especially after the Sooners handed it to them.

Peace Out..

 

[72Longhorn]

First of let me apologize for writting what I wrote last night, I had just come back from a long night of drinking and wasn't think. I must say my grammer wasn't bad for being so liquered up. Anyways, I've since edited my post.

avratdwc,

I agree, what I wrote was a little crude. A bunch of folks would of jumped at the opportunity to fly piston right now if offer, and I was stoked at first myself, but after a long careful review based on schedule, pay, benfits and lifestyle my wife and I decide that I should hold out for a better job such as a regional.

My intentions were not to burn a bridge. As a matter of fact I believe that declining the position was the best thing for me to do. Its not like I accepted, trained, got a type, and then walked away. I hope I didn't burn a bridge!

At this point in my life I've decided that If I can't get a decent flying job, I'm simply going to change careers. It's not an easy thing to do, but it's a decision that I've put a lot of thought into. A lot of pilots are going to do the same thing, leaving room for those that are willing to battle these tough times. If it does come to that, I know I'll miss it a bunch, but there comes a time when I must grow up and make something out of myself, and it's come to that point for me.

I wish you guys the best!

Happy New Years

72Longhorn

 

[avratdwc]

Longhorn,

I do have to say that your honesty is appreciated and has definately made me look back and realize that everything is what it is and we all have to live with it. I honestly feel for a guy like you in your position, just out of curiosity what is your age? I hope that your not turning to the bottle as a source of release. I had a relative fall into that and I do have to say that I dont wish the outcome of there situation on anyone. I wish you the best and please let me now of your decision if you dont mind. I am praying that I am not faced with your dilemma, flying and aviation is all I know. CYA Good Luck!!!!

Cheers,
Avrat

 

[BRA]

kinda funny to read the longhorn post about a long day. I was at the end of a long day myself when i dropped the second post. I wasn't drinking though. Either way there are too many of us around lookin for jobs. Forgive my ignorance.....but would more United pilots have jobs now if they had settled for a little less?

 

[BRA]

Would you say the labor costs at airlines are just a drop in the bucket compared to the big picture? I've heard yes and no. I really don't know myself. Would united still be in trouble even if the pilots had southwest pay scales? Seems that pay scales are the scapegoat when things go wrong. I think flying all the different kinds of aircraft is the big culprit.

 

[Country Wild]

As a Senior Captian, and an ALPA member at UAL I would say yes to your question. Pilot pay is a big part, only because it is a high fixed cost. So many pilots at such a rate times the monthly gaurantee equals a high fixed quanity. It is the payroll across the board, but primarly the pilots, mechanics and flight attendants represent the highest payroll expense, and the pilots are the highest. At United we have many fixed and variable cost that need to be lowered. Unfortunately too little to late. People can sit around and point fingers at whose is to blame, but the fact is whats done is done. We can all monday morning quarterback the situation. Part is to blame on management, part is to blame on the unions, and part is to blame on clinton's tenure for letting the economy getting out of check. So hopefully we will learn from the mistakes that were made and move forward.

CW

 

[Publishers]

airline costs

Yes, airline payroll costs are but one drop in the bucket, however, they are one of the few that can be adjusted.

For example, if you lease or own gates, not much can be done about the cost. Same with many other suppliers and agreements. They are not easily changed. You purchase your aircraft for use over a long period. A sudden downturn does not mean less cost.

Payroll can be changed as with the current UAL situation where it may be changed by 30% overnight. That is one of the reasons that it gets the attention.