Originally Posted by
SAABaroowski
Hey, to all of you major guys, what was it like getting on with a major Pre-9/11. Was it fair to say that once you met the mins and applied you would most likely get a call, without internal recs? How long was it that most people had to stay at the regional (I guess it was Commuters back then) level etc................I would ask what the lifestyle was like Pre-9/11 but I would rather not get depressed but feel free to comment. Like most guys at the regional level any major at this point seems like a long shot, more like winning the lottery, what was it like back then, as well as how desirer able were places like UPS, FEDEX, CAl, and SWA Pre- 9/11 Thanks.......
I Wasn't at a Major then, but I will tell you how it was at the Regionals.
As a newhire in '99 you would fly with a Captain one week and the next week he was gone. Hiring was brisk. Everyone was trying to be a buddy of Cecil Ewing or Playto Rhyne
Attrition was high, but for a good reason. Captains were going everywhere. United, Delta, American and Northwest seemed to be the top choices. Others went their "second" choice, places like TWA, Emery, America West, Continental, and if you can believe it Southwest, UPS, and FedEX
. We had others go to Polar, North American, Midwest and Midway.
I was JFK based so in 2000 about 20 or so Captains tried their luck at Jetblue. Senior F/O's were headed to Air Tran, National, Vangard, America West,TWA and Tower Air.
Jumpseating was a thing of beauty. Cockpit access on all carriers and First Class seats with movies and meals were common. TWA would offer "Crew Tea" for those in uniform, and somes Captains would tell you to lose the boards and drinks are on me!!! two drink minimum...
After 911 many of the guys I flew with in the right seat were back again, with them in the right seat
....Not too fun but most were just happy to keep a paycheck comming until they could find something better.
Hope this helps shed some light on how it was.