Originally Posted by
Shiner
Everyone mocked the 2.5 year upgrade claim, too. Here we are 2 years later and it's actually way less than that. Projections can go up or down, but in this time of unprecedented pilot hiring, I expect them to trend to the optimistic side.
Getting all upset over the recruiting department's claims of flow time reeks of frustration and jealousy because guys hired today will have it way better than you did.
You are right, it was mocked. At the time, we had very low FO pay and a trickle of new hires coming in the front door. It was mocked because management said they thought flow was enough to recruit, and that they didn't need to raise pay. That was definitely worthy of mockery, especially since their upgrade projections depended on a huge amount of new hires that was unimaginable at those pay rates. I'm really glad they saw the light and raised pay like they said they wouldn't. I'm sure it had a negligible effect but legitimate negative press helps pressure management to do the right thing sometimes.
I am frustrated but I am not jealous. Anyone who is jealous of today's new hires would do well to think about those who spent 20 years here and flowed in their 50s. Today's Captains waiting for flow have it much better than they did. I've never met a Captain here who is upset that FOs make more money. Have you? Every single one I've talked to is happy about it, thinks they deserve it and that it was a long time in coming. Myself included.