Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
Recently a legacy pilot come onto the regional forums and chastised regional pilots; "so many with SJS have accepted less than prevailing wage,
that they created a new sub-standard prevailing wage and called it regional".
When asked how to get to a major without going to a regional his/her reply was: "They do it like everybody else did. You don't get it by accepting the top level jobs for bargain basement prices.... since the eventual result will be the loss of all top level pay at those jobs. You have some personal pride and fly CFI, military, 135, pipeline, whatever... There are tons of ways to fill a logbook without undercutting the profession because they want to play Airline Pilot for free."
How are new pilots supposed to get the experience needed to get to a major airline without climbing the ladder? He did not come back to answer me so I am here asking you guys. The major airlines create the hiring path that everyone follows. Believe me I wish that they would hire flight instructors and bush pilots but they don't. Major airlines like to hire young regional captains and military heros. My suggestion is that major airline pilots petition their HR department to hire away from regional pilots with "SJS" and then you could preserve wages at the top.
You guys at the top control how new pilots climb the ladder. There are no points given to new pilots for taking the hard road. The current formula is to get to a regional as fast as you can, upgrade at your first opportunity, jump to the first legacy that offers you a job. Pilots who fly pipeline patrol or instruct when there are regional jobs available are seen as not really serious about being an airline pilot.
I don't know if this is a common attitude at the majors but you guys hold the keys to making a change. Hire away from guys who jump to a regional with only 300 hours or perhaps you should stop hiring regional pilots altogether. Change the industry by taking a stake in hiring practices. Hire people who have made a big investment into getting there and perhaps they will fight for better wages. Make the path to the majors longer and harder and wages will begin to go up for you and everyone else.
It is just an idea.
Skyhigh
Here is a simple answer to a complicated question:
HAVE SOME SELF RESPECT!
When you are looking for a job, dont take the first one that comes your way regardless of pay, QOL, benefits, etc. If more young pilots had some self respect then the scumbag operations out there would either have to raise their pay and benefits or shut the doors. So the answer is simple bud, have some self respect.