Hey Alice, I would happily give up my left seat in the Middle East to fly at the same rates out of SFO, but I'm probably too old for them. You want it-lots of hiring of DECs around the world in big jets. Come on, with all of your vast airline experience in the MD11 you would be welcomed with open arms in the Middle East, India, Japan, Afirica. You want big jet left seat time? Have at it. So I will gladly give up my "supposedly" left seat to make room for you.

Or let's see, start at the top at around 93/hr or go to a legacy for 35/hr for a year, then, what-60/hr the next year and maybe get furloughed the next. Or maybe fly three years in the left seat of a 320 for that same three years. One more example-the guys that started at the "scab" airline (some called it) New York Air in 79 and 80, where are they today? Senior CAL ALPA captains flying the left seat on the 777. Same with People's Express. Some have never spent two minutes in the right seat.

VA hasn't even turned its first wheel with revenue pax onboard and many are saying it is a ****** airline. And yes, it may turn out that way. But it also may end up a darling like SWA. Only time will tell.

Just keep in mind one thing, to all those, "I won't ever let them js on my plane", "they are all bottom feeders", "could never get a real airline job". If there is one thing predictable about this industry is its unpredictability. Unless you are at a cargo carrier and have no plans on leaving it, that guy that was trying to get home to see his kid's soccer game, or that guy that you insulted in passing, just might end up being your boss one day, or your captain one day or your LCA on an aircraft you are struggling with. Memories are very long.

Enough said, time to go dust off the sand that is covering my car.