Kalitta Air (K4) Information
#2881
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: Old and Unemployed
Posts: 107
I don't chime in very often, but this is a subject near to my heart. I will be gone from K4 in a little over a year. When I walked in the door in 1992, I would have sworn that this would be a 6 month job while I looked for a better gig. Funny how life changes.
You get a couple choices in destiny. Be happy with your life. Or, chase the money. Sometimes you get to hit the lottery and get both. But not often.
I have career long friends who work for the majors. Most of them are content. Some are not (American). But, very few are genuinely happy with their life. They are pretty much the ones who moved to their base, which took out multiple monthly commutes.
Couldn't say which way I would vote right now. It is a bet on the future to stick around K4. But, Doug and Cory are definitely focused to continue Connie's legacy. And, there are a lot of management folk who are hanging their hat on this being a lifetime job.
Having said that. You can be confident that a job with the big 5 (7 if you count UPS and FedEx) will keep you well for your career. But, if it is just for the money, don't count out the little airline that could. We had just over 150 employees when I showed up. Think we have a few more now...
You get a couple choices in destiny. Be happy with your life. Or, chase the money. Sometimes you get to hit the lottery and get both. But not often.
I have career long friends who work for the majors. Most of them are content. Some are not (American). But, very few are genuinely happy with their life. They are pretty much the ones who moved to their base, which took out multiple monthly commutes.
Couldn't say which way I would vote right now. It is a bet on the future to stick around K4. But, Doug and Cory are definitely focused to continue Connie's legacy. And, there are a lot of management folk who are hanging their hat on this being a lifetime job.
Having said that. You can be confident that a job with the big 5 (7 if you count UPS and FedEx) will keep you well for your career. But, if it is just for the money, don't count out the little airline that could. We had just over 150 employees when I showed up. Think we have a few more now...
#2883
Banned
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 229
I battle with this monthly. I'm currently top 25% (767 CA) and mid 30s and deep in my heart I know I should move on but it's tough considering how good Kalitta has been to me and my family. I have decided to await the new contract before I make the final decision.
My approach right now is paying off all my debt and living like I'm an FO on min guarantee. If this place goes away in 10 years the guys that stayed responsible with their money could easily have 500k in cash no debt and a nice 401k.
I guess it's a good problem to have.
My approach right now is paying off all my debt and living like I'm an FO on min guarantee. If this place goes away in 10 years the guys that stayed responsible with their money could easily have 500k in cash no debt and a nice 401k.
I guess it's a good problem to have.
#2884
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Position: B747-400 FO
Posts: 2
With that said everyone is on their own path. For some people its the money, for some its the retirement or both. For some they just want to be recognized for flying for “insert airline name here”. For other its quality of life. To me and me only... coming to K4 woke up my inner child and re-grounded me in an industry I was beginning to feel had turned its back on me.
I have no idea what the future holds. I have 23 years left, and this is the most fun I have EVER had flying (and I have had some incredible flying opportunities) I make more than enough here to provide a nice life for me and my family and still put a nice chunk in the bank for rainy days. If this next contract goes half as well as I think it might, its gonna have to take some serious juju for me to put my apps back out again.
#2885
On Reserve
Joined APC: Apr 2018
Position: 777 left seat windowlicker
Posts: 22
I don't chime in very often, but this is a subject near to my heart. I will be gone from K4 in a little over a year. When I walked in the door in 1992, I would have sworn that this would be a 6 month job while I looked for a better gig. Funny how life changes.
You get a couple choices in destiny. Be happy with your life. Or, chase the money. Sometimes you get to hit the lottery and get both. But not often.
I have career long friends who work for the majors. Most of them are content. Some are not (American). But, very few are genuinely happy with their life. They are pretty much the ones who moved to their base, which took out multiple monthly commutes.
Couldn't say which way I would vote right now. It is a bet on the future to stick around K4. But, Doug and Cory are definitely focused to continue Connie's legacy. And, there are a lot of management folk who are hanging their hat on this being a lifetime job.
Having said that. You can be confident that a job with the big 5 (7 if you count UPS and FedEx) will keep you well for your career. But, if it is just for the money, don't count out the little airline that could. We had just over 150 employees when I showed up. Think we have a few more now...
You get a couple choices in destiny. Be happy with your life. Or, chase the money. Sometimes you get to hit the lottery and get both. But not often.
I have career long friends who work for the majors. Most of them are content. Some are not (American). But, very few are genuinely happy with their life. They are pretty much the ones who moved to their base, which took out multiple monthly commutes.
Couldn't say which way I would vote right now. It is a bet on the future to stick around K4. But, Doug and Cory are definitely focused to continue Connie's legacy. And, there are a lot of management folk who are hanging their hat on this being a lifetime job.
Having said that. You can be confident that a job with the big 5 (7 if you count UPS and FedEx) will keep you well for your career. But, if it is just for the money, don't count out the little airline that could. We had just over 150 employees when I showed up. Think we have a few more now...
No one can tell any of us any single choice that is right for us and our families- each of us individually needs to decide that for ourselves based on our needs and wants and responsibilities. For myself, I can say that Kalitta is a great match for my lifestyle and my personality. Enough so that I have turned down legacy opportunities which I didn't feel were as good of a match for me. So those of you looking for a slot with the legacies, you're welcome ;-)
That being said, it's important for all of us to look at not only our present needs and wants, but trying to project to the future. And I think that's an area that K4 could definitely improve on, as many of the legacies offer significantly better retirement savings packages. For those of us who don't have another 20-30 years to go and who've already been fortunate enough to build up a decent 401k from our past careers, it's maybe not as important. For younger folks with family, it's certainly much more of a factor to consider.
Last edited by OffAirportAK; 02-23-2020 at 01:07 AM.
#2886
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,888
That being said, it's important for all of us to look at not only our present needs and wants, but trying to project to the future. And I think that's an area that K4 could definitely improve on, as many of the legacies offer significantly better retirement savings packages. For those of us who don't have another 20-30 years to go and who've already been fortunate enough to build up a decent 401k from our past careers, it's maybe not as important. For younger folks with family, it's certainly much more of a factor to consider.
If I had to commute I would have probably stayed. I had no complaints about K4. Other pilots were great. I loved the overnights. I was always treated well and felt like I was part of a family.
#2887
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 85
I know at this point there are so many unanswered questions and variables at work it's be nothing but a broad guesstimate but:
For you guys at K4 presently that know and understand the tone of the company how do you see things playing out (hypothetically) over the remainder of 2020 in consideration of the the current business and travel impact of Covid-19?
More specifically, if one were to start with the company in the next month or so what chance do you all feel there'd be a furlough by year's end? High, medium or low?
For you guys at K4 presently that know and understand the tone of the company how do you see things playing out (hypothetically) over the remainder of 2020 in consideration of the the current business and travel impact of Covid-19?
More specifically, if one were to start with the company in the next month or so what chance do you all feel there'd be a furlough by year's end? High, medium or low?
#2888
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Position: Gear Slinger
Posts: 708
I know at this point there are so many unanswered questions and variables at work it's be nothing but a broad guesstimate but:
For you guys at K4 presently that know and understand the tone of the company how do you see things playing out (hypothetically) over the remainder of 2020 in consideration of the the current business and travel impact of Covid-19?
More specifically, if one were to start with the company in the next month or so what chance do you all feel there'd be a furlough by year's end? High, medium or low?
For you guys at K4 presently that know and understand the tone of the company how do you see things playing out (hypothetically) over the remainder of 2020 in consideration of the the current business and travel impact of Covid-19?
More specifically, if one were to start with the company in the next month or so what chance do you all feel there'd be a furlough by year's end? High, medium or low?
The Company knows about COVID-19 and it's potential impact. I think, and a few have said (Cargolux), that all the lift wants to be ready for when COVID-19 dissipates and there is a huge need for lift in China.
We will see though...
#2890
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 85
Thanks for responses gents. I can certainly see the lift need into Asia absolutely exploding if the warm weather knocks down infection rates to near nothing. Just resupplying Asia with consumables I can see will keep the cargo carriers quite busy this summer.
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