Laid Off Pilots Will Fly For Food
 

Mercer and Fairview is very close to our condo. Maybe I'll go over there tomorrow and ask these guys to join APC. I do have to give these guys points for imagination and creativity.

man that sad to watch that !:(
we are not talking about a newbie commercial
or cfi.... steffen holds an atp mel, typed pic in the be1900
and ce525 and cfi, cfii and mei, with thousand of
hours !
guess i shouldnt be so hard on myself when i send resumes
out like candy and NOBODY bothers to even answer me.

And what has the mantra been about prostituting one’ self?

I wouldn't consider it "prosituting" oneself. I found myself for the first time laid off in this industry.

After the normal routine of CFI'ing, flying night freight for a couple of years, flying for a regional carrier for almost eight, and most recent with a corporate/135 that has been around for almost as long as the company (1926). However, my company after being hit over the last year laid off for the first time. Almost 20 of us in all in two seperate layoffs of December '08 and my group in Feb '09.

I was hired as a Capt with over 7300 hrs at the time (which barely met Wyvern and ARGUs mins for them). Now having just over 8000 hours and 2 type ratings, I have never been more "experienced" in my career. However, jobs are scarce, and those that have them I'm sure feel fourtunate. Those of us that dont are trying like heck to find one.

I applaud them for doing something different. I have sent at least 2 applications per week to comply with U/E benefit guidelines. I have had 2 interviews out of that. I talked with an HR for a position that was posted for a trainer at a local fleet/farm company which paid 33k. He stated he received 180 resumes in one day, and over 300 that week for just that one position. That is the reality of competition for employment these days.

I am fortunate my wife is a nurse and was able to send her to work full time while I play Mr. Mom to our two young daughters. After the initial "shock and awe" of losing my job for the first time, I taking it in stride and enjoying the time with the family that I have missed over the years commuting and overnight flying whether cargo or corporate.

But make no mistake, I have always said if you are in this industry long enough, you will either walk a picket line, a strike line, or unemployment line. It was just my time for the U/E line, and have taken this unfortunate event in my life to appreciate my family and friends I have for support when I needed it.

I am sorry but with that approach we will get paid "food wages" only. As professionals we need to act as professionals. I understand that the market is flooded by out of work pilots. I know because I have been out of work since Feb. If we "work for food" then we as a community will accept the "crap" wages we get paid and complain about.

When was the last time you saw Managers/executives holding up signs in the corners.


If we as professionals want to get paid professional wages, then we need to as a collective group not accept being paid $30K a year for spending 5-10 nights away from the family. Is it worth it?

Billy Baroo...I commend you on spending time with the kids. I am doing the same. But my wife works in Real Estate and that industry runs parallel to aviaition. I love being Mr. Mom. When I was in the military you didn't get much time to do that. But since leaving, it is nice to have fun wih the bambinos.

Spanky

You are exactly correct.

It is not only prostituting yourself, it is ruining the profession. Management cynics have always said that pilots are their own worst enemies. This behavior is a classic example.

Carl

Oh they don't need to do that, they already made millions off by sacrificing others careers so they can bring home their golden parachute.

What happened to Obama holding people accountable? Doesn't this need to happen in the airline industry as well?

Unbelievable...wanting the government to hold the people accountable while the people refuse to hold the government accountable. And I ain't talking about electing in a new group of crooks with a different letter behind their name...

Not all "suits" are evil as you seem to think they are; while there are a few highly publicized leeches other managers bust their humps 80+ hours a week to keep their companies afloat (which helps keep their employees receiving a paycheck). Flying a bizav plane, you might do well to remember that.

I don't fly a plane right now, I got fired so the company could get their precious ARGUS Platinum rating.

Very insightful and very well said, thank you.