Do you guys really think that flying a 747, making just over 100K a year, and working 19 days a freaking month is a good deal? YGBSM--right? As long as you guys are willing to work your asses off (19 days a month) for less money, things will never get better. Wake up dudes and walk away from the light. Saying you fly a 747 is just not that big a deal. I understand you are trying to "make it", but trust me you have not arrived where you want to be just yet.

 

I think everyone is right. The 747 guys aren't getting paid what they should for flying the old Classic all over the world. But comparetively speaking of the job market and trying to get wide body time so we can get in the door at Fedex or UPS, its not a bad place.

The biggest problem with Focus is you will hardly get any hours. I have a bunch of friends there and they say they are lucky to get 30 hours a month. So if you want to build time, go to Southern or Kallitta.

Plus I hear management is horible. Downgrading guys because they made a mistake in the Jet and reported it, firing guys without warning, etc.

 

Focus Pilots just need to become Union

 

Don't get the wrong idea by my post. I'm rooting for all you guys. But the dudes flying in the regionals and flying for less without a Union in order to "build hours and credability" are on the front lines. Things won't get better until they take a stand and say--NO the buck stops here. The guys at Jet Blue, the regionals, and sounds like focus are in the trenches and we are counting on you guys to make it better for all of us.

 

I know you are! I'm just saying that these thugs will keep getting there way until the job market improves. Keep posting your gripes on pay! These young guys need to understand and RESPECT your point of view.

 

So in the meantime am I supposed to quit? Then do what landscaping? Home Depot? Sorry it's not the money all of us want it to be but last I checked it's paying more than anything else I've done since getting furloughed after 9-11. Dutch is right I am not getting a ton of time here but I still am making more than an RJ dude or any 727 job out there. Wide body international time is still better to some degree even if it's not much. Yes 19 days away sucks but so does commuting all the time and getting short layovers and never having more than 3-4 days off in a row. At least I am getting 11-12 days off in one chunk with no calls asking to come in for junior assignment. Man every person here wants what they want. Just some expectations are just not even close to realistic. I was only sticking up for the company because some commuter guy who probably can't even get an interview here was saying it was "*******ing Pathetic" at Focus. It's not what it used to be before 9-11. In case any of you have been in the witness protection program since 2001 nothing is anymore. I keep hearing from guys on this site saying take a stand don't do it and most of them either are flying an RJ for a whole hell of a lot less or they are FedEx/UPS guys who haven't seen whats coming even to them eventually. The days of us all making huge money are gone gentlemen. I miss them as much as anyone and unlike many who spout off here I actually made good money before 9-11. As far as the management at Focus being scumbags somebody please show me an airline where they are not! Especially in supplemental 121. Hey it is what it is these days. If it sounds like the kind of flying you'd enjoy and you can live with the pay and the schedule come on and I'll buy you a nice cold German beer as we sit in the Sheraton FRA doing squat for 4 days. If you are some commuter guy with 5 years of flying 121 have fun with what you are doing. But don't go telling guys how it is here when you don't know first hand. Sorry JollyF15 I am not making any slight to you as Ill bet with all your fighter time and current 727 FO you are enjoying the hell out of FedEx and can't even fathom working at an outfit like Focus. But others that have posted here spew out what we should all be doing with no real experience or time to back it up.

 

See my earlier reply to JollyF15. Show me an airline where they are not. As for the Downgrades and Firings remember there are 2 sides to every story. Hey I am not drinking the Kool-Aid here but compaired to some other scumbag South Florida trash haulers I've worked for it's a giant step forward.

 

Not trying to slam you L1011 dude, just saying why not Unionize and fight the good fight? It could be that good again if we want it too (ok almost as good). As far as that happening at FedEx or UPS, never say never, BUT you should know how much people pay to ship boxes---our salleries are noise level when you talk about how much money there is in boxes dude. Will we have to deal with a low cost alternative someday---Maybe, but I really don't see that happening. Not if it's going to be dependable overnight to anywhere on the planet. I wish you the best, and please don't take my comments as a Slam. If it sounded that way I appoligize. I was just pointing out that the state of the industry and it's future is up to us, all of us.

Jolly

OBTW - have you checked the pay scales for 727 drivers at FedEx or UPS? I think you may be wrong.

 

Is Focus still paying only wheels up to wheels down, or have they gone to straight block?

 

Careful there L-1011... In all honesty you don't know what my qualifications are.... From looking at the Focus Air website... http://www.focusaircargo.com/flightcrewres.html
I actaully have more than the mins for FO and hell All I would need is about 1500 more total time and appearently 500 747 PIC (which ok I dont expect to have any time really soon) and well I would have the mins for street CA..... But my guess is I could probably get an interview, I just have not elected to apply..... but anyways I still stick by my statement of your contract is lowering the bar.....