Originally Posted by
Waves
Touché, can’t disagree with you there. I was just highlighting our surrounding environment. Agreed, we have already done the bloodletting. It is now their turn. Unfortunately I still think going back to the table will be risky and fruitless in the current state of domestic and world affairs. Don’t misread me though. I do understand and empathize with the fight. I just seriously think this is a bad time to do so. To reiterate, except for one time which I later regretted, I have voted NO every single time on every single issue. Not this time.
P.S. This is an intrusive question/s so you certainly don’t even need to respond, but as a 744 Captain, you are the most senior of the senior’s. I’m assuming your post description is true. I would give my left nad to be a 744/777 Captain. That will never happen even though I was pretty much a run of the mill new hire. I’m not whining, and we all know that timing is everything. My first question: Are you even considering this retirement package? I have serious doubt that anyone will be interested. Depending on your age, I would think you would be one of the targeted pilots. My second question: I’m wondering why at your seniority level you aren’t a “Pull up the ladder” kind of guy. You seem to be an advocate more for the bottom rather than the top. I respect that, but I’m just curious. To me, you don’t seem like the normal super senior guy. Can you explain your position?
P.S. 2 Carl are you suggesting that we simply ignore our surroundings because we are finally profitable?
First, yes I'm very seriously considering the early out. I'm 56 though and I think I need to be a bit closer to 60 before I pull the handle.
Second, the reason is because I've been very fortunate in life. My airline career started out badly with 5 furloughs in 5 years. But it looks at this point that it will end OK. Because of all my furloughs, I've always had outside business interests. Those interests have become very lucrative. That would never have been possible for me without some good airline years giving me the seed money that I needed. I want the younger people junior to me to have those same opportunities and NOT be living paycheck to paycheck. That will never happen if we keep eating our young by selling scope. It's why I tell young people that their first choice should be SWA. Rock solid scope is everything.
Third, no I don't think we should ignore our surroundings. By you bringing up APA and our TA in the same sentence, it just struck me that you were making a direct comparison. But I see by this post that you didn't mean to do that...just rather keep it in the overall picture.
PS: I hope you get to fly the 744. She's the best hand flying airplane I've ever flown.
Carl