I can understand why a lot of pilots close to retirement voted "yes." (They had it real bad over the past decade or so. A large % of our group will never get another vote, so they went for the money and cashed out.

What I can't understand is why we still haven't fixed our union. I fear we will wind up with crap contracts from now until the day we actually have decent representation.

Our union is a flaming dumpster falling off a cliff. I have never seen or heard of a more horrible organization to "represent" anyone.

Fast forward to 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034....until 2050/2051. Your FO's will be thinking "your view from the top looks good. You upgraded before you were thirty, have been a 777/787 CA for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...20 years, and you're this bitter?"

New hires and third listers out number 777/787 CA's by about 4:1. Add in furloughed TWA guys and the ration becomes 5:1 or 6:1.

New hires and third listers outnumber the number of votes in most elections.

You have the ability to make HUGE changes in the union IF you guys actually get organized.

You can't blame it on others.

Good grief, why don't you guys take it somewhere else? THIS thread is about folks trying to get the job.

Sure, we have plenty of issues and room for improvement, but right now it's the 6th best airline job in America (maybe higher depending on where one wants to live/fly) - that's not too shabby and this thread is supposed to help some get here and take a step up in their career.

The only reason I upgraded before I was 30 was the APA dropped the ball (again) and decided to pay group 1 captains the same as group 2 FOs. 190 captain isn't a true upgrade. It's only a few dollars more in the second year. From the third on its a wash eventually becoming less than group 2 FO. Theres a reason I have better seniority as a 190 captain than I would as an airbus FO.


Like I said before, I highly doubt I will ever get to be a group 4 captain. AA will shrink to almost nothing.

UPS and Fedex.

Basss and Mainline,

Thanks for telling me what I can say and where I can say it. I would be so lost without your Millenial advice.

My generation of pilots had thousands of new hires, took over our union and fought for years to improve things. Please tell me that's what you are actually involved in, not just whining in a chat-room? You can always "vote with your feet"...go to DL if you can.

Bottom line, AA is one of the better flying jobs in the world. We have applicants from everywhere trying to get here. There's your proof. Can it get better? Yes. I'll do what I can to help you make that happen.

That's a true statement but as far as the United States is concerned, the AA pilots have their heads up their anuses. We are at best # 6.

Serious question, do you pull out your ruler and measure the guys wang standing next to you taking a leak?

Nope.......