Originally Posted by Hetman:1344894
Originally Posted by
thump
Don't get me started on "golden handcuffs". The senior guys complain about how they make too much to go anywhere but Fedex/SWA/DAL. I.E. the guy next to me making 2.5 to 3 times what I make and is complaining about making too much money.
These guys all upgraded in approximately 2 years and never spent more than a couple months on reserve. They've never worked a holiday, a weekend, etc.
Meanwhile I'm a 6 year FO and still not able to hold an upgrade..... making $36.62 an hour, making less take home pay every year.
I get it, this industry is about luck. And I thank my stars I didn't get hired 6 months later, but the senior CAs get paid fairly, but only at the expense of the FOs.
Our competitive labor costs are attained by the subjugation of the FOs.
So these nastybad captains are holding you back, are they? Bastards! They should take a huge pay cut, go back to commuting, go back to working weekends and holidays, go back to reserve and go back to minimum days off to make room for you at the top. It's the right thing to do.
Roger Waters once asked:
....Tell me, is something eluding you, Sunshine? Is this not what you expected to find...?
Welcome to the real world, Sunshine.
When I quit RAH I had in over 11 years and was at 126 on the seniority list. I took the huge pay cut and everything else and not a day goes by I don't congratulate myself for bailing out of that flying circus. My reasons for leaving were many. Not included on that list, however, was the imperative to vacate some whiney-butt FO'S throne
Whiney? Ok old timer. But in my opinion (which in your old timey eyes is worth s#1t) he is correct. Even our union admits our Captain rates are industry average. In fact, on the 76+ seat category we are the highest paid hourly CA rates. At least according to the document emailed by the union.
He is correct, the cost advantage comes from the lowest paid FOs in the industry. He also never said anything about anyone taking paycuts.
It also comes from the lack of cancellation pay, lack min day credit for lineholders, lack of duty/trip rigs, crappy vacancy system, crappy vacation, crappy healthcare, etc.
In the end, the cost advantage also comes from the CAs. But the FO rates are beyond terrible. I also don't see many FOs around here claiming your throne. I see more FOs who hope/try to go to US Air, Spirit, JetBlue, Virgin America, Allegiant than are trying to claim that golden throne. I'm glad you got out of this place, everyone wants out for the most part.