Originally Posted by AlexBlakeCFI

I have to disagree with you there a bit. I came to PlaneSense as a pseudo career move. Im not here for life but I came for more than just time building, and planned to stay past my 1500 hours and contract. It IS some things that the company are putting us through that is making me teeter totter on a decision to stay or not past my contract. Im really not concerned about the money the airlines have to offer. The QoL that PlaneSense promises is what got me here in the first place. Having every other week off is a lot better in my opinion than having 3-4 days off when 2 of them are commuting days.

That being said, when youre gone for 8 days and min rested a majority of it, and then scrounging for food like a savage. It makes those 8 days feel waaay longer and those 6 days off not nearly long enough to recover physically and mentally.

If I leave for an airline, its simply because the QoL here is not what I was expecting it to be. That being said, I have just under a year until my contract is up so who knows what can change in the pilot group and schedules. It could get way worse, or way better. I also have pilots in my class who wont stay past their contracts and CANT go to the airlines (due to multi-time), but theyre so fed up with the mistreatment theyre getting from ops that they wont even think about upgrading or staying longer than necessary.

Everyone has their own stories. I dont have it as bad as some, but some days still make me question whether this was the right choice. So I dont blame those who leave for other options, airlines or not. A lot of people choose jobs for money, so the appeal of the airlines is ridiculously strong, but some of us dont. And when we leave that shows theres a bigger issue in my opinion. Same reasons I chose PS. I like the people, the culture, and the work. I often get the notion some feel you aren't a "real" pilot without applets on your shoulders from fellow and former employees and those that have ventured to the airlines. I have had some great days and some not so great days. I'm not anti airline, just not into chasing an airframe or applets or a type. I truly enjoy what I do. Some folks will never be happy here. You could tell some people they are going to be paid 100k and work 2 days a month. However, they would be the ones to complain than they had to airline a day before and a day after and file their own flight plan on the flight days. Some will never be happy at anything and will complain regardless. That is life. Some like work while other do not. As an F.O I always flight planned and compared it to the captain so we were both in the know and could work as a more cohesive unit.
Some didn't like that but the majority didn't mind.

Here just a few things that would make me stay longer...

-Longer min rest. 12 hour. 10 hours is unreasonable. That gives you an hour from the time you land to be ASLEEP In your hotel to get a full recommended 8 hours of rest. Obviously theres no time for dinner or breakfast on a min rest night if you plan on sleeping 8 hours. Per the PC that's in the works. I agree with yoh totally here.

-7/7 schedules. Everyone says itll never happen. Im hopeful. That was tried and didn't work for coverage reasons I am told by several in the know. I wasn't here when the transition began to an 8/6.

-Turn times no shorter than 45 minutes. Thats already the minimum and its not frequently followed...so...
That takes me back to the original statement I made a page back. Don't worry about the turn times. Run your schedule with your captain the best you can. If youre late that's on ops. Not you. The more you worry over the small things your day starts off in a hole. Remember, it is what you make of it.
-Less responsibility on the pilots for frivolous things. Part of the reason I dont want to be captain is because of all the damn paperwork it comes with. I dont want to be a bookkeeper and a captain. Idk how you guys do those expense logs I give you major props...
keep it organized by month and pull it all out in no particular order and submit it. I do think that there is a better way. Digitize it and move on. Snap a pic and be done with it
Again, don't sweat the small stuff. Personally I wouldn't mind booking my own hotel and airline flights. That's just me.