Originally Posted by
DeltaPaySoon
Well, every RAH pilot that continues to show up for work does. You don't, magically, receive "immunity" because you simply complain about your managements actions.
If you show up to work flights operated by Midwest pilots that were sent home, you are, BY DEFAULT, supporting the actions of Bedford and telling him that it is ok. There is no "other side of the coin", "our side of the story".
This is, by far, one of the most idiotic statements that I have read on this board.
So, instead of 300 pilots on the street, lets make is 301 (or more) by having the RAH pilot refuse to fly. I personally need the job (income), so I will continue to fly. Do I like the situation that the company put me in? No. But I don't have a choice in the matter. If you haven't heard, the economy is in really bad shape. Anyone that has a job needs to work hard to keep that job.
And for those of you that say that we are creating an environment that is not conducive to moving up to a major, get real! Wherever anyone is right now, you better get used to it. Its no longer an environment of 2 years at a regional and then moving along. I need to make sure that my place of employment has a contract that is reasonable and provides for retirement. That is how I am taking care of my brothers and sisters. I personally have over 8,000 hours of flight time and that isn't competitive in today's market.
Moving to a major right now is almost career suicide and I will explain why (and hopefully this provides insight as to how I function at my present company).
If I get hired by a major in the next 2 or 3 years, I will be 40 years old. Back to making less than 1/2 of what I am making right now. If times are really good, then I might only be on reserve for 4 or 5 years. 2 years after I am hired, I am back to making my present salary. But my quality of life is significantly decreased. So I wait, watch my quality of life improve and finally upgrade to Captain on a 100+ seat jet. I'm now 50-55 years old. My quality of life goes back to the pits being a reserve Captain. When I finally get a good quality of life, I most likely have less than 5 years before mandatory retirement.
Regional pay: $70,000/yr for 27 years = $2,106,000.
Mainline pay: FO at $30,000 for 1 year, then FO at $70,000 for another 9 years. Captain at $120,000 for 15 years = $1,800,000. Total = $2,460,000.
Difference is $354,000.
If it costs me $354,000 to be able to see my daughter, do school functions with her, etc - well, that is a price that I am willing to pay.
I am just guessing on the numbers, but I think that you can see what I am getting at.