Not knowing your currrent employment status, I really can't comment totally on your statement.

Why the anger Readback? I am self employed, and contract my services, via employment agencies, to airlines round the world. Back in the day, I worked for an ALPA carrier. Do to more money going out faster than money coming in, crews were offered a voluntary leave… so I took it. I explored the contract pilot route. I took a shot at it, knowing I would be eligible for recall to airline. In the day contracted pay and benefits were comparable if not better than that of US carriers. I chose to pass on my 3 recalls as I was enjoying seeing the world someone else’s nickel. That’s where I’ve been for the majority of my career. I did return to the US to fly with a US carrier, but became bored with the mundane and am once again overseas.

Gainfully employed you say??? for the next year I am. There is no guaranty of contract renewal with airline. With that being said I am contently searching the horizons for new jobs every few years.

As a sidebar, one employment agency I was aligned with inquired if I would take assignment with a non-US carrier. I did some research on the prospective project only to learn that the pilots were going to go on strike. Ergo, I declined the invitation. I have never heard from that employment agency again. Oh well. As the number of pilots on the street are increasing and the opportunities are decreasing it is getting harder to negotiate the same terms of conditions. But that’s my problem and not yours Readback… now isn’t it?

Anyway, Readback, good luck to you and I have you have a long, happy and fulfilling career.


I don't know. Perhaps you can make that enquiry with your fellow airmen and colleagues who are employed by ALPA carriers.