Originally Posted by
Droog
I think that conditions will eventually improve, if for no other reason than everything goes in cycles (in addition to the fact that the new administration will have a more favorable attitude towards gov't employees). Also, I certainly agree that money isn't everything! I was also miserable for a long time, because I felt like I couldn't walk away from the good pay/benefits. But after a while you reach a level of comfort with your situation. Flying for Comair is not an option right now for Diesel (and I don't know what else he is qualified to do), so I still think that he should take advantage of this opportunity. By the way, I was furloughed in October. I was able to fly a few trips after IOE, and I'm glad that I had a chance to have this experience (even if I never fly part 121 again)!
I believe Diesel original message was "good-bye Comair" so I assumed he was currently employed at Comair. Whether he has other option or not is beside the point. If he is looking for competent management I was only stating he wouldn't find it with the FAA. It is secure (not as secure as it used to be) and fairly well paying. It seems to me that the biggest complaint on this forum is about bad management first and pay second. I, too, was in the same boat you were where I was miserable but had too much time invested to walk away. I agree things will probably get better because once you reach bottom there's no where else to go but up. These new guys will never make the money we made and IMO management is far worse than it was 5 years ago. Given these two ingredients I see poor attitudes in the future. At least then (5 years ago) we had a union with some authority. It appears to me that NATCA is completely impotent and can only rely on BHO to fix their problems. So far he doesn't seem to be living up to his promises (I know it's only been two weeks) because he has already gone back on most of what he campaigned on.
I have not regretted a moment since I left the FAA last May.