Airline Pilot Forums

Hello! As I bow out of the industry for good I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words. I have read the thoughts and opinions of many on this board and for the first time I am going to lend my opinion. I have to extend my thanks and gratitude to Captain Sulley for his courage and professionalism. It was the actions of Captain Sulley that motivated me to write this post. Captain Sulley did an amazing job saving the lives of every person onboard that day, although I am sure some pencil pusher in Tempe is complaining about the hull loss. I was truly impressed with the humble professional manor that Capt Sulley conducted himself in the days following the accident. There are a lot of people today that would have undoubtably used this event to promote their own self interests and profit financially. Instead Capt Sulley is traveling around the country promoting the interests of pilots. Addressing issues like pay and work rules before congress and taking the time to meet with various members of the media. I am sure Captain Sulley would rather be home with his family, but instead he has been campaigning for our industry. If you are reading this post Captain Sulley, thank you!.
I read a lot of the posts on this board and there are a lot of good issues being brought up by pilots. These issues have promoted healthy debate with a few exceptions. Unfortunately thats all there is, debate. People complain, but take no action. Lost in debate is the fact that everyone who is a pilot had to start somewhere. On that note there are very few mentions of the status of poolies or future new hires. Maybe its that we forgot that a short time or several years ago you were a poolie or new hire.
Yes, I am a NWA poolie and I will drown very shortly. Myself and many other poolies have no lifeguard trying to save us, no Captain Sulley fighting for us. This was my dream job like many others. I patiently waited in the pool hoping that my future co workers would be lobbying for us. I still hope and believe someone is working on our behalf. For all you poolies I have sent the following suggestions to NWA union reps.

I understand that due to the financial crisis in the US that there will not be an immediate hiring. Is the union working with Delta/Delta Mec to work out the issues regarding NWA poolies.

1. Could we extend our status in the pool indefinately or 5 years, subject to a future criminal background check and physical. I think SWA has some sort of arrangement
2. Could we be given a number at NWA and offered employment at Compass when they hire.

Is anyone fighting for us? We were just like you at one point.

This post is not just about me, I know several other poolies that are in my situation, some within days of going to class. We have worked hard, studied hard to earn this opportunity. We want to be a part of a united pilot group that makes your career better too. We have been forced to wait on the sidelines motivating us to be the best representation of our industry. Please fight for us, us the poolies!

Reality check. I hope something positive will happen, and more pilots like Captain Sulley will fight for us and the future of this once great industry. In the time I have been waiting for a class at NWA, I went back to school again. I was recently accepted into medical school. Am I happy, yes ;will it be a better economic choice, yes; more stability, a lot more; however flying is my dream job and I would rather be in a ratty ole DC 9 anyday.

For the Delta and NWA pilots that care, Thank You!

good luck to you sir, its very sad when someone lets there life long dream go.

Hello! As I bow out of the industry for good I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words. I have read the thoughts and opinions of many on this board and for the first time I am going to lend my opinion. I have to extend my thanks and gratitude to Captain Sulley for his courage and professionalism. It was the actions of Captain Sulley that motivated me to write this post. Captain Sulley did an amazing job saving the lives of every person onboard that day, although I am sure some pencil pusher in Tempe is complaining about the hull loss. I was truly impressed with the humble professional manor that Capt Sulley conducted himself in the days following the accident. There are a lot of people today that would have undoubtably used this event to promote their own self interests and profit financially. Instead Capt Sulley is traveling around the country promoting the interests of pilots. Addressing issues like pay and work rules before congress and taking the time to meet with various members of the media. I am sure Captain Sulley would rather be home with his family, but instead he has been campaigning for our industry. If you are reading this post Captain Sulley, thank you!.
I read a lot of the posts on this board and there are a lot of good issues being brought up by pilots. These issues have promoted healthy debate with a few exceptions. Unfortunately thats all there is, debate. People complain, but take no action. Lost in debate is the fact that everyone who is a pilot had to start somewhere. On that note there are very few mentions of the status of poolies or future new hires. Maybe its that we forgot that a short time or several years ago you were a poolie or new hire.
Yes, I am a NWA poolie and I will drown very shortly. Myself and many other poolies have no lifeguard trying to save us, no Captain Sulley fighting for us. This was my dream job like many others. I patiently waited in the pool hoping that my future co workers would be lobbying for us. I still hope and believe someone is working on our behalf. For all you poolies I have sent the following suggestions to NWA union reps.

I understand that due to the financial crisis in the US that there will not be an immediate hiring. Is the union working with Delta/Delta Mec to work out the issues regarding NWA poolies.

1. Could we extend our status in the pool indefinately or 5 years, subject to a future criminal background check and physical. I think SWA has some sort of arrangement
2. Could we be given a number at NWA and offered employment at Compass when they hire.

Is anyone fighting for us? We were just like you at one point.

This post is not just about me, I know several other poolies that are in my situation, some within days of going to class. We have worked hard, studied hard to earn this opportunity. We want to be a part of a united pilot group that makes your career better too. We have been forced to wait on the sidelines motivating us to be the best representation of our industry. Please fight for us, us the poolies!

Reality check. I hope something positive will happen, and more pilots like Captain Sulley will fight for us and the future of this once great industry. In the time I have been waiting for a class at NWA, I went back to school again. I was recently accepted into medical school. Am I happy, yes ;will it be a better economic choice, yes; more stability, a lot more; however flying is my dream job and I would rather be in a ratty ole DC 9 anyday.

For the Delta and NWA pilots that care, Thank You!

Don't give up yet. In about 12-18 months you will probably see hiring at Delta. Delta doesn't have a time out on applications (I don't know NWA's policies but they are about to be superseded). Send a letter to HR telling them you are still interested in coming to Delta. If that doesn't work then come back here and tell us what else needs to be done.

Good luck in med school. You made the right choice. If you want to be old, poor, bitter, and probably furloughed, come to the airlines. No matter how good it looks to you from the outside, this industry is a decayed corpse of what it used to be and shows no signs of getting any better. Stay with the living and help people get well. You'll make enough to buy yourself an real nice airplane and fly for recreation, which is a lot more fun than 4 legs a day between Washington and Boston or staring at instruments for 4 hours over the Atlantic at night.

thanks for your response. Does anyone have contact information at Delta HR so I can follow through on your advice.

Thanks

I jumpseated the other day and the captain was also a cardiologist. Working off his laptop, he was checking tests and releasing patients.

You can do both if you are lucky. This current industry hiccup may well be a blessing in disguise. If NWA weill keep your slot open, you could end up with the best of both worlds.

BTW, if you have small fingers, you might consider the AME!

Good luck