Originally Posted by
flapshalfspeed
My curiousity has zero to do with contract negotiations--it has to do with basic microeconomics.
Someone who lives in Wisconsin would have an insanely better QOL commuting 1-leg or a short drive to ORD for Skywest, or 1-leg/a short drive to DTW/MSP for Endeavor, while making insanely more money over the three year period you'll be waiting to upgrade--anywhere. Better work rules, time off, QOL, and 2-3x less time spent battling for jumpseats/being stuck in Houston in monsoon season.
Oh and at Skywest/Envoy/Endeavor, there isn't the potential of a lawsuit (union vs. company) hanging over your head about the money you're taking in as a new hire outside of the contract--that is an option on the table for our MEC and it's still uncertain how that's going to play out in the next several weeks with MEC elections coming up. I'm not going to say anything else about the new hire payments b/c my views are known to this thread, but I have spoken to several people in the union about it, and that IS an option being discussed.
Just things to ponder. Even for an "old guy" who has all the money they need and just wants to fly a 175 for a bit.
Well, not all the money I need...fortunately we are set with property, cars, and stuff. It's the fruit of 20years of business.
I think I am probably an atypical hire. My wife and I want to college in TX and the winters are getting long in WI. Kids are about gone and one can only eat so much cheese and drink so much beer in bed...maybe that's why we have 5 kids.
I did simply want to fly the 175, and I wanted an opportunity for a reasonably quick upgrade. We have clients in Houston and a number of close friends there as well. No, I did not contact Endeavor or Skywest. As much as I have loved Wisconsin, and it has been a great place to raise a family, I am seriously tired of the winters here. I spent 5 years in Longview, TX so we are familiar with the climate. I prefer winters in Texas and summers in WI.
The process with Mesa was simple. I called Mesa the middle of last week and asked for the 175 and an early class date. They called back the next morning with a yes for the 175 and a March 3 class date. Really not any more complicated than that. I was not promised any signing spiffs, free iPads, bonuses, etc.
Cheers, Judge