B727DRVR

Astar,

You should really think twice before you diss your fellow ALPA breatheren... Or even fellow aviators in general.

Did you really think this through before you typed this crap? Seriously, it's dumb to generalize in this business about an entire pilot group. The Capital Air ("Cappy") pilots and FE's bravely organized under ALPA in June 2007, and I daresay, deserve everyones respect for doing so. If there are scabs there, I guarantee that there are less scabs at Cappy, than at several major airlines and other union and non-union carriers...

Why is it that when we don't like a pilot group, "they're all effen scabs"? Where do the generalizations end? 10 years ago, the generalization was that cargo pilots (Yes, Astar/DHL, too) didn't have what it took to fly for UAL, AA, DL, NWA, CAL, etc. 5 years ago UAL, AA, DL, NWA, CAL, and other unfortunates should have flown cargo.. 8 years ago NetJets was considered a "loser" job, by some, but now they make more than many majors.... How about SWA?? Remember when they were considered a "stepping stone"...? We are all where we end up and it is LUCK!!! There were Academy grads, Top Guns, etc. at Braniff, EAL, Pan Am, TWA, etc. and they too ended up on the street. There are some of "best of the best" still on the street. Aviation is a seniority list crap shoot and nice guys don't always win. Or if they do win (i.e., end up on the UPS, UAL, DAL, SWA, FDX, NJA seniority list), they can be furloughed at any time. You should know this. I understand when the uneducated public thinks less of a DC-8 or B727 cargo pilot, but you should know better.... Where we end up after various furloughs isn't always a "major", unfortunately. The pilots at Cappy might just be hanging out for something better, or they might like home basing. They might like two weeks off straight as well. Right now, there really isn't anywhere to go, so Cappy wouldn't be a bad place to lay low during this Depression. I have several friends there, and they have all worked at "worse" places, including 121 pax. carriers.

Most of us in this industry have had a reversal of fortune, including sadly and most recently nearly 100 UPS pilots and almost 500 NetJets pilots. I have had mine and I know that you have had yours, but generalizations like this are what keeps this industry a mess.

For the record, the Cappy pilots are fighting for a beach head with their contract just like Astar and everyone else had to at one time or another. Somebody has to be the " wave first ashore" at every airline. They have a pretty decent schedule (two weeks on, two weeks off), home basing, jumpseat agreements, ASAP, etc. They may not yet be what Astar once was, but then neither are most airlines now, including Astar unfortunately.

Bottom Line: Your fellow ALPA brothers at Cappy deserve more respect.

In Unity,

B727DRVR

BALZAHARI

Well said!

FlyAstarJets

As a former AStar pilot of 14 years, I would like to say that "hireastarpilots" does not speak for present or former AStar pilots. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But as the saying goes "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.

The AStar group has asked that if anyone knows who this person is, to ask them to tone it down. Being bombastic and rude in your posts about other companies and their pilot groups does nothing to help AStar pilots who are on the street looking for work as you imply with your handle

From the post history, it looks like he/she might be a FDX pilot.

By the way, Well said B727DRVR

FAJ

B727DRVR

Hey FAJ,

Glad that you landed well there at ATI. Those guys can use your input on contract stuff, as they are new to ALPA.

Take Care,

B727DRVR

MNPS 50N50W

I will have to echo your sentiments, and say 'WELL SAID". So often we tend to forget. After working for no less than 6 bankrupt airlines....The Falcon Air Scabs are one thing, but the entire Pilot group should not be disparaged...

nicholasblonde

Anyone know if Cappy is preferentially hiring Astar guys like ATI is???

nitefr8dog

Actually, Cappy and ATI are giving preferential hiring to ABX furloughed pilots not Astar. This was as per a side letter of agreement that was signed with the new ABX contract in Mar or Apr.

BYUFlyr

That would be the category I fall under.... Having said that, would it be worth getting the FEX written just to apply? I know it isn't all that expensive, but reference my aforementioned category of regional FO. I just don't want to throw money away if they are not going to consider me because they have enough ABX guys throwing their hats into the ring. I'm open to any suggestions here.

Milk Man

I am as well in the same boat, any current pilots at Capital please please give us some information. Maybe PM if you wouldnt mind. Im very interested in an FO positiion if its a decent place to work. Sched, pay, the home base travel, destinations, etc. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

nicholasblonde

ya prob start sitting sideways/SO if it's like most 72 ops...their ad doesn't differentiate b/t so or fo reqs