Gentilemen,

Thank you for the uplifting messages. I do have a positive attitude but also a realistic one. It will take a miracle start up like UPS to save my career. A lot of my enthusiasm comes from watching my peer group and these days most are selling oranges by the side of the road. One of my peers (ex TWA) does the laundry at my parents retirement community. It isn't all that grim but there are an awful lot of unemployed or underemployed pilots out there. Currently I am working construction and several of the sub-contractors or their employees are ex-airline or ex-military. Next year I turn 40. I can't jump at the next FO Learjet position or get in line again at the regionals again. I have a growing family to feed who need money and are not so excited about resurrecting the airline lifestyle for chump change.

That is why I would jump at the chance to fly a 737 for an LCC. I think there are a few thousand out there who would do the same. The first generation of pilots at UPS were not making the big bucks. I would bet that they were hungry refugees like myself. To me it is a question of the haves vs the have nots and there are a lot more of the have nots.

Many here have made some very negative statements towards scabs and I can understand your anger, but you have to see it from the other side as well.

Duffrick,

National Airlines went out of business three years ago. The business plan was alright but few start ups could survive 911. National Airlines base pay for a 757-200 Capt was 55K and 35K for an FO. On the first day of ground school the founder of the company would come it and give a speach on how we would never make more than 100k while working for the company. Most of the hiring took place during the boom times of the late 90's and there were still qualified applicants lined up around the block. My guess is that half of the pilots have still not found another flying job.


SKyHigh