Originally Posted by
tsquare
A bit melodramatic aren't you? Yes there are guys that probably won't see the left seat, but they are in a very small minority. (Hired late in life, unfortunate in a merger etc...) But this is a cyclical industry like many others even though we are in an extended down cycle.. but the airlines WILL hire again. When of course is anybody's guess. When guys hit age 65, they WILL leave, and their seats will be vacant once again. As long as the majors hold the line on scope and don't allow the outsourcing of our flying, things will get better. We will probably never return (at least at DAL) to C2K payrates, but there will be improvements. I can't offer advice on whether to go back to AD or not, I would say for bull to do his research, and I think he is doing that by asking questions here. I do know this though.. if he has the opportunity to remain in the reserves and get the benefits of tri-care etc... I would DEFINITELY do that as a minimum. I wish I would have... NOW... at the time, a clean break seemed the correct move.
So, you say (I'll paraphrase) a) airlines WILL hire again, but nobody knows when, b) nobody will see the pay rates of yesteryear, c) some guys will never see the left seat, d) SCOPE is a huge issue, but we can all hope for the best, and e) stick with what you have now in the way of military pay and bennies.
Hmmm, I think we are in agreement.
Yeah, maybe a little heavy on the "glass is half empty" sentiments in my bit, but I'd say my view from my almost 10 years of furlough is a little different than yours from your 767ER captain's seat. Not holding that against you, by any means. Good on you - timing (and picking the right company) is everything.
In my view, the timing now is not right and picking the best company (of the few that are hiring) is tougher than ever.
Best of luck to bull and others like him.