Good points USMC, but it is slightly apples to oranges in A LOT of cases.
That's true, it's in the brochure, it's ALWAYS been in the brochure, and not even in the fine print. It ALWAYS cracked me up to hear pilots complain that there weren't any day trips or 2 day trips to bid on. Well, being a pilot means you HAVE to spend time away from home. During the hurricanes and storms, many crews could be out well past the 4 days and they're flipping out having a conniption fit.
Valid point, but it circles back around to apples and oranges.
The people I know that travel for their job (Pharma, IT sales/consulting, etc) make more than most regional pilots do. They stay in better hotels than regional pilots do. They ALSO get treated BETTER by their employers than regional pilots do. They get a higher (way higher) per-diem than regional pilots do. So again, it's apples to oranges
Originally Posted by
buddies8
actually those others you are discussing travel on company business and get paid for it or are reimbursed for there costs, whereas a pilot commuting to work does not and is standby and left at the mercy of the gate agent. Or have I missed something.
I am only talking the aspect of being gone - not how well you are paid or treated while on the road. That is an aspect of the job.
BUT....while we are using examples - I'll throw in a real life example.
My sister, who works for the Oklahoma DHS, travels extensively - by state vehicle which greatly limits her freedom when traveling in a state car - makes less than MOST regional pilots, stays at hotels in smaller towns than most regionals would travel too (meaning many of her towns are so small that they don't even have airports much less ones with 121 service, and is a State Gov't employee, so you're just a small cog in a huge machine. She doesn't get 14 days off a month, no chance for overtime (I think she might get some comp time when her driving takes her over the hours), no picking up open time, etc....
Sorry John Carr but on this point we'll just have to say that apples to oranges is fair enough to convince ME that the 'poor me' attitude when it comes to traveling for an airline job ought to be no surprise, and the quality of life while traveling varies greatly with different jobs. My sister might be able to leave her job, a pilot who hates life for whatever reason can convince themselves that they are stuck - or not. Choices. It is what makes America great right?
Sebastian - I can see where there is an expectation that one would be able to commute in the airlines industry. It certainly seems that it would have been that way set on precedent. If in fact certain scheduling practices are put in place that make commuting impossible for a group of pilots, then that is unfortunate and I'm sure it will a hardship for the pilots and their families involved. I found it much easier to move earlier in life. I move 8 times in my first three years in the military. I then moved often over the remaining 17 years in the military. Now that I am older and have tried to find a job and an area to throw down some roots for some time I'm would not be happy about having to pick up and move. I've been in my present location for 3 years come November and it amazes me that in my past life I'd be planning my next move right about now.
What - I generally use 50% of my per diem during trips and I eat out three meals a day when traveling. Luckily - the breakfast is usually free at the hotel, and if lunch happens to be at an FBO that has a cheap lunch then that helps too. I definitely enjoy a healthy dinner out with the crew though - it makes for good crew dynamics.