Originally Posted by
MD-11Loader
I'm in class on the 19th as well, and I couldn't be more excited to start. I started a a ramper and have worked my way through the ranks and into a good position in the industry. I had options just like everyone else when it came to which regional I would go to. Envoy was my number one choice, and that was even at the old pay rate. Republic didn't give me the warm fuzzy, neither did Piedmont. I wanted Envoy because I see increased potential here and that was important to me and to my family. Do I plan on waiting for the flow? As of now I don't know, but I do know that most of us do have common sense enough not to develop a "I've got my AA ticket and I'm just going to wait for my turn to board" attitude. If the flow works in my favor, well then great. If DL, 5Y, UA, or FX call first, then I will once again see what is best for myself and my family.
I make it a point to come out of my office at the airport and talk to the Envoy crews. We only get the ERJ at my airport, but it still gives me a chance to talk to the men and women who are out on the line. I'm taking a chance coming to a regional, leaving a government job with a pension, but this is my passion, and I don't think anyone with true passion will let the negative comments pull them down.
I'm sure there are things that will suck, and we'll complain, but at the end of the day I'm making a livable wage and gaining experience patrolling the friendly skies. I'm excited to get to the schoolhouse and see how it all shakes out.
This is exactly what I'm talking about. I could probably make a lot more money and I have a lot better schedule at my old job, but I want to do this. We are going to take those reserve lines and those flights that those senior to us do not want and they will stop complaining because we will be doing it. They have earned that right because they were before us and we will earn it because of those that come behind us. I can't wait to complain with you. I haven't even made my mind up yet if I want to leave the regional to go to a legacy. I don't know what the future has in store for me and I've never known. The only thing I do know is that when I bring my positive attitude with me it seems infectious. I know we can make this place work. I know someone that's been flying the line for a year or two is probably going to disagree with this and I hope that you do because I'm going to listen to what you have to say. The more that you tell me things are bad just makes me want to work harder to make it good. Pedro is probably not in the position to make it any better but we pilots are. And I think the flight attendants are as well. We aren't slaves from 500 years ago and we aren't caught up in a situation where we can't simply walk away. It's a free country and you do not have to work at this place if you don't want to. I'm going to come there and I'm going to do my best. But I welcome any and all and every criticism of what I'm saying because if you offer information and insight into my upcoming world. I was never a ramp or, I work in an industry where I could make a lot of money and not ever go to work. I am choosing to do this because it's who I am. I can't escape it. I also interviewed at Republic and didn't get the "warm fuzzies". I think there are some people who left and regret it and I also think there are some first officers who have been at the company for two or three years and are very angry about the bonuses. If I had been hired on two years ago I would feel the exact same way. But it's those bonuses that are bringing the new people so that you can make captain a lot quicker. Everything in this world is timing and it's my time to come aboard. It's also MD-11's Time to come aboard. We are ready willing and able to spend our time in the barrel. It might be longer than those that came before us and it might be shorter . All we can do is bring a positive attitude and do our best every single flight, so that is what we will do .