Why? A b-list airline that got bought by a major where 80%+ of the pilots made more $$$ the day the ink was dry?
Guess what - everyone's hiring. If they don't like it and think they're that good, then quit and go to a better airline. Almost nobody did because after all the whinning, complaining, and "this is how we did it at..." they look at their 5th & 20th statements and say holy cow, I guess I am making more money in less days than I did before. AS POSTED BY CHINABUG.
For the life of me, I cannot understand how you can make such a statement. My grandfather was an airline pilot. My father was too. I have been very fortunate to work for an airline as a pilot myself for many, many years. I am personally aware of what the industry has been. Sure, it is not the same in many ways. Many improvements - sure. But the arrogance has crept in. By the likes of people like you. I don't care your background or your lineage in this industry. You have no idea and the statement about a "B-list airline" ..... Walk in the shoes so to speak. Airlines have come and gone over the decades, one way or another. The airline everyone wishes to fly for today is barely making it 10 years later or passed by another. Look at Southwest the past 10-15 years. I say good for them!! To look at my career earnings during this same period to what they used to be - shameful. Such is the life. But, I remember the pay and how many people wanted to work for Southwest in the late 70's , 80's and early 90's. Not top on many list. They were not that big in the early 90's. Look what has happened in the last 12 years. Multiple BK's that crushed careers and retirements.
I am familiar with ValuJet in the early 90's and also with AirTran Airways in the early 90's. Most probably don't even know they both existed. I also know what a career for the last decade has been at AirTran. They made more money than most. In 2004, a CA at AAI made 152.57 / hr. They did not have 73-800's but a rate to fly that was 172.41 / hr. In 2005 at AA- 154, Amer. West 138 ATA 116
CAL 144 DAL 156 NWA 163 SWA 198 (?) UAL 129 and I am sure USA was lower also. Who is sailing high today might not even be here tomorrow. It has been said by the old timers who know - they have lived it. Contracts come and go and so do the airlines. Seniority is your life vest.
AAI pilots were a good group from the same backgrounds as all of us. Many making 180, 190 and 200 k as Captains -14 15 days off a month. They held out for more ( a little too long it proved) when they turned down their TA in 06 or 07. 6 plus years in negotiations. I hope for all of us SWA does not let them drag it out that long and are able to leap frog us all. So you see, the AirTran folks were making a very good living compared to the all the others. Granted, not as much as a Southwest Captain but, I would say most at all the others. A close friend whose son was hired the same time as another's son with AirTran. They have shared career information. The AirTran career this past decade - not even close. Thousands were furloughed ! What is the price of that?
We deserve to get back what we have all lost in this profession. Look what an airline pilot used to make and what has happened to that number. Don't get me started on the loss of Captains Authority.