I agree, but many of the guys that have come out of the military as of late are not happy with this airline quality of life. I do not speak for everyone, just the ones I have personal information about.
Many of them have gone on extended leave to have a better QOL at home. Sad but true.

Then that means that they really didn't do their homework concerning their new careers, but instead relied on stories from friends. I really don't have any sympathy for anyone who didn't realize the shape this industry was in, or what the potential for a crappy QOL was. Only a Pollyanna would think that they had just gotten "The last job they would ever have" in this day and age.

Time served in support of conflict doesn't count against the five years, I do know this.

Wow, I didn't realize that my question would generate such debate. All good stuff here.

I have to be a realist. I'm 7200-something on the seniority list. Soon I'm going to be 12000+? I firmly believe the company will cut a minimum of 10% or so from the schedule once new effeciencies are realized. Us low lifes on the seniority list are furloughed.

Given this past week's economic meltdown, I think are headed for a real roller coaster for some time to come.

-Fatty

ACL, QOL is definitely an issue, but I would submit that pay is the biggest reason. A major/LCDR flying in the Mil makes about 100-110K a year. It is actually worth even more because the housing allowance is not taxable and medical is free!! If the country needs you, you can keep your seniority #, continue to accrue longevity, and make waaaay more $$ than even 7th or 8th year narrow body F/O pay, why wouldn't you. For guys who live near their reserve unit and can go home every night, it is a no-brainer. Purely speculation, but I think new guys today find it harder to swallow the QOL pill because it is not just the first year or two they have to get through to make good money...now you have to wait till you make Capt to make significantly more than a MIL paycheck.

ACL, if I'm not mistaken, I think your broader point was it is "sad but true" the airline industry is not what it used to be (when 2nd year F/Os were making subsantially more than their buddies who stayed Military). I don't believe you were inferring that anyone should feel sorry for the Mil guys in particular. Is that right?

Latest for the new Delta (from the daily company rag)...............

Sports charters are great in that they put so much food on for these guys it's insane. If your on a diet, never bid a sports charter.

Ferd

Newly Configured Charter Aircraft Take to the Skies

On Tuesday, our inaugural charter flight with the newly configured A319 departed Philadelphia on-time for Ottawa, Canada with the NHL team, the Philadelphia Flyers onboard. This is the first of 1,200+ charter flights we’ll operate for two NHL and 16 NBA teams this season with a fleet of seven A319s configured to 54 first class seats.

It's important to be realistic and obviously all the sunshine coming from the company is a little unsettling when you consider that they are trying to sell this merger to the public, lawmakers, and employee groups.

Having said that, however, I think it's a little premature to categorically state we will be furloughed (I'm in a similar position to you on the list.)

First, nobody knows for sure how the SLI will go down. My buddies at NWA are all convinced they're going to get the short end of that stick. So there's uncertainty on all sides.

I'm interested in where you get your 10% schedule reduction numbers from. Seems pretty specific for speculation. Considering the potential numbers of MIL leaves and early outs at the New merged company, I would bet staffing is very difficult to predict and could go either way. Delta work-rules alone will make for more pilots required to do the same flying. New 777 deliveries also fit in to the mix.

There are flow-back options at both Mesaba and Compass for those who may be furloughed from the new company equating to a couple hundred pilot jobs. That's not a huge cushion, but it's something.

Granted, planning for a furlough is the most conservative approach. Everyone near the bottom of any airline's list right now should be considering all their options. I do think, however, that it's a bit early in the game to declare furloughs at the New Delta a certainty.

Correct.
The state of this industry makes it more advantageous for guys to take mil leave then to stay with their major airline job. I also agree that Pay along with QOL are the issues. I have a friend at CAL that is actually thinking of dumping his seniority number for a full time gig. He just can not stand the airline way of life anymore.

I also agree, It is quite early to be thinking about furloughs.
Lets reexamine that after SLI, dealing with the 400 guys at NWA that want early outs v/s what the company is willing to grant, and our growth plans in the near term. I think that once DCC and the SLI are done, things may look slightly better. Not great but better.

Your totally right about the food. We've been doing NFL charters and college football charters for years on the 767 and baseball charters on the 75s and 737s. I think we're the largest carrier for the NFL?? Just did a Oregon football charter a while back and it's amazing how well those guys are treated and how much food they board.