Originally Posted by
Dashdog
I worked for ALG from 98 to 01- right at the end of the last upswing in aviation. The pay scale was almost identical to AWAC's current one. I made 32K my first year. I left as a CA and was on my way to about 60K (4th year). We had many CA's making 100K+. This was also when the major's pay-scales got pretty impressive (Delta 777 CA= $305/hour!). The early 90's were rough for everyone. Everyone was pretty much stuck wherever they were at the time. I know plenty of guys who sat right seat at a commuter for 6 or 8 years, and even more guys like me who ended up instructing for 5+ years. Sometimes it's a little hard to go on this forum and listen to the guys getting hired with three four or five hundred hours and just started flying a few years ago. I know they don't really understand what a downturn is, and what it means to pay your dues. I have every confidence that they will all eventually know.
I understand where your comming from and believe me I am very greatful for the oppertunities I have recieved in my flying career so far. I'm also glad to hear your going to AIRWIS. I am at the LaQuinta tonight to start training tomorrow.
I do hope your wrong though. I hope that we don't have to see furloughs and hardships. I have every bit of confidence in my job at AIRWIS. I also know that if Sept 11 were to happen again I could very well end up on the street. And I know that no matter where I go there is always a chance of being laid off. If not for hope and loving what we do; we would all live in fear. I don't want to have to know what a downturn feels like, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. Being from ALG I'm sure you've felt what thats like and I'm sorry people have to go through that.