People will take career advancement and titles over wages. I was not happy with my wages however it was fun and exciting to be involved with a dynamic company that seemed to offer professional advancement and unlimited possibilities. When I hired on National Airlines was a very hot prospect. It seemed as though it could be the next SWA.

High time pilots were lined up at the door to get in. Whenever I jump seated on a legacy the pilots would often question me as to the best way to get hired at N7. It was pretty cool. However all I really wanted was to upgrade and get out of there to Alaska Airlines. I did not really care about the long term wages or plans for world domination. All I wanted was a stepping stone to my goal.

The ironic thing was that when I did get an interview at Alaska Airlines all they wanted to know from me was "why didn't I want to go to DAL, UAL or SWA"? They had a strong inferiority complex at the time.

Times are different now. The decision to go to a legacy is not so clear anymore. Would a pilot prefer to make 60K as a perpetual FO at a dying legacy or as captain at a bright and new LCC? Had I been a new FO at a LCC today even with the lower wages I don't think I would be too quick to try and make a jump to a legacy.


SKyhigh