No one single post that I have ever read on any airline pilot topic forum has ever gotten under my skin and made my blood boil more than this one. A long drawn out, very condescending, eye rolling, two syllable, Yeee-eees, they really do make $19.95 and hour and New York City garbage-men really do make 67 thousand dollars a year and ground beef really does come from cows.
What is it about this industry that attracts the naive, who have no clue what it costs to feed a family, educate kids, buy medical insurance and invest for retirement, nor how much money should be earned to pay for any of those things? Yet they are willing to work for nothing wage rates, after someone (more than likely their parents) parted with a large sum to purchase their "qualifications" Is it the chance to someday fly a big airplane a long ways? If you want to go drive trains for a living, I say go for it, but make no comparison in responsibility, nor personal costs to this industry. That empty suit case at the foot of my bed only gets packed for one reason TO EARN A LIVING. Over time this career will exact its toll on you, your health and your family if you choose to have one. THAT is why pilot wages need to be high. We would all fly the airplane for free, at least for a while, but the travel demands, exposure to early career termination due to loss of medical qualification and the pain and costs of airport related hassles are reasons to be compensated beyond that of other skilled workers.
If I can muster any positive thought through the fog of my disdain at this post, it would be to encourage you to look at your job at an airline, as a career that you have invested in, rather than a job. Your ratings were expensive. EXPECT to see a return on that investment. One thing is for sure if you fly in my cockpit I expect you to take a career view. Especially on safety and professionalism issues. If you choose not to take such a view, I will make your time so miserable that $20/an hour will be only an eighth of what you'll expect in compensation before you'll want to fly with me again.
The next time I see one of my union reps in the men's room I am going to put him in a headlock and squeeze until he promises me not to support anymore wage and benefit givebacks, aimed at keeping some puppy mill protégé on the property for another day. Especially one who thinks a $20 an hour job is anything to compare professional airline pilot salary expectations to. I say furlough until the airlines cant offer seats to get all of the discretionary travelers to Florida for spring break at less than cost. Then lets talk about wages.
Now if you'll excuse me I am off to flog, i mean brief my crew, If I get so much as one sideways glance, someone will be walking the plank or maybe we'll be stopping in Miami.
No one single post that I have ever read on any airline pilot topic forum has ever gotten under my skin and made my blood boil more than this one. A long drawn out, very condescending, eye rolling, two syllable, Yeee-eees, they really do make $19.95 and hour and New York City garbage-men really do make 67 thousand dollars a year and ground beef really does come from cows.
What is it about this industry that attracts the naive, who have no clue what it costs to feed a family, educate kids, buy medical insurance and invest for retirement, nor how much money should be earned to pay for any of those things? Yet they are willing to work for nothing wage rates, after someone (more than likely their parents) parted with a large sum to purchase their "qualifications" Is it the chance to someday fly a big airplane a long ways? If you want to go drive trains for a living, I say go for it, but make no comparison in responsibility, nor personal costs to this industry. That empty suit case at the foot of my bed only gets packed for one reason TO EARN A LIVING. Over time this career will exact its toll on you, your health and your family if you choose to have one. THAT is why pilot wages need to be high. We would all fly the airplane for free, at least for a while, but the travel demands, exposure to early career termination due to loss of medical qualification and the pain and costs of airport related hassles are reasons to be compensated beyond that of other skilled workers.
If I can muster any positive thought through the fog of my disdain at this post, it would be to encourage you to look at your job at an airline, as a career that you have invested in, rather than a job. Your ratings were expensive. EXPECT to see a return on that investment. One thing is for sure if you fly in my cockpit I expect you to take a career view. Especially on safety and professionalism issues. If you choose not to take such a view, I will make your time so miserable that $20/an hour will be only an eighth of what you'll expect in compensation before you'll want to fly with me again.
The next time I see one of my union reps in the men's room I am going to put him in a headlock and squeeze until he promises me not to support anymore wage and benefit givebacks, aimed at keeping some puppy mill protégé on the property for another day. Especially one who thinks a $20 an hour job is anything to compare professional airline pilot salary expectations to. I say furlough until the airlines cant offer seats to get all of the discretionary travelers to Florida for spring break at less than cost. Then lets talk about wages.
Now if you'll excuse me I am off to flog, i mean brief my crew, If I get so much as one sideways glance, someone will be walking the plank or maybe we'll be stopping in Miami.
Sounds like "you got your's to heck with everyone else". Good for you Capt'n. You know, not all of us are "puppy mill protege's". Let me guess....62? 63?
You know, not all of us are "puppy mill protege's". Let me guess....62? 63?
Most likely. Good riddance. As if the piloting profession revolves around "puppy mill proteges" Furlough them all! Another WE ARE ALPA "brother" who thinks it's all about him.
Try telling that to the 20+yr eagle guys itching to fly E190's and take all of AA's domestic flying.
I see your point. Do you see mine????
To stop what has happened, it has to be a combined effort to stop the fall of the profession. If that happens along with the push by mgmts to get cabotage, while improving life for a short period flying slightly larger and shinier new metal, you help perpetuate the fall. As this progresses, there will always be a lower bidder to undercut/replace you. The majors become more "virtual" (look into the UA AIRLINGUS IAD-MAD issue) and start the widebody flying......
Don't know where you're at, but if the course doesn't change, the marginal state of the profession will continue to decline. ALPA and all the unions and carriers need a collective battle plan....because mgmt does and that plan isn't to your benefit. To them you are an expensive widget that when given the opportunity will be replaced as scope is relaxed and if Federal law is changed.
Linear Mode
