Originally Posted by
LostInAsia
While that may be true, the time I have spent as a contract pilot have been the best of my career. I have been treated better than I could have ever dreamed of if I had stayed at any US airline. I know I am the first to go and I think you will find that most contract guys understand that.
But really...Look at US Air. How far back are the furloughs going now? 1999? 10 years seniority gets you furloughed. What kind of job security is that? United???
And to be honest, most of the guys that were on contract terms at SIA were offered local terms a while back and didn't take them. If you are making substantially more than local guys, you really can't blame them for letting you go first when times get tight can you?
I don't blame them at all. What a great deal. Hire experienced pilots as temporary help and they are the first to go.
The reason for my post was not for those of us who have participated and understand the system with eyes wide open, rather, it was for those who see the contract job as some garden of eden with job security and a long lasting career at a single airline.
It may work out that way, it may not. The important thing is that you understand what you are getting into before you sign on the dotted line.
Good luck, enjoy the ride!