I'm getting downgraded in January also. The only difference is I was hired at Mesaba in February of 2005, and have been in the left seat for over six years. It sucks for a lot of us, but we all have different perspectives

 

Yes! Pinnacle/Mesaba/Colgone/Endeavor post of the night! I nominate you sir!

 

Disclaimer: I'm a glass half-full kind of guy. So if it sounds like I'm puking rainbows I apologize

If we end up keeping the 100 200s that were discussed on the latest flight ops memo and continue taking on the 900s we'll be up to 181 aircraft by the end of next year. If we only keep 60 of them we'll still be at 141 aircraft.

We continue to lose 25 pilots per month on average and that number will continue to increase as Delta, United, American, jetBlue and Spirit are all hiring.

With those numbers 13-02 will essentially be a wash. We'll be upgrading right after, if not inside of the realignment period.

I know there's a LOT of ****ed off pilots in our company, and most have every right to be. Just remember that we're all in this together and there's no reason to take jabs at each other unless someone is just being one of those a$$ clowns we all know and love

Ok. Done puking rainbows!

 

That's too bad, I had flown with a Colgan guy, former Marine...real cool dude. I'd hate to see him get a bad name. There's a different way to handle things than just going off and threatening people. Especially in this day in age of work place violence. I'm military too. A guy in my shop went bye bye from the whole damn military when he said he wanted to hurt his supervisor. This is bad juju.

 

Now I remember why I only come on here once a year. Until next year, fly safe!

 

I'm based in DTW. Remember those that speak the loudest at this company are in the minority. I assure you your rage is misplaced towards all Pinnacle pilots as are the thoughts of these Pinnacle pilots you reference. This is big company and I hope this doesn't spill over to your cockpit.

For what its worth I have mostly enjoyed flying with Colgan pilots. Most issues are to be expected with a brand new airplane. I hope things work out for you and your kids. I've been raising mine on $2300 a month and know the challenges all too well.

If you are indeed a military man then I would like to thank you for your service on this Veteran's Day, all jokes aside. I volunteer with my local VA and Wounded Warriors. I wish only good things for you and your family.

 

I have no sympathy for you or any other Colgan "puke" who gets downgraded. Of any of the pilot groups I have had the pleasure of flying with I have had to babysit the colgan captains in far greater numbers. I just love being a flight instructor again(NOT). How in the hell did some of these guys get through their fed ride is beyond me. Also most of the legacy 9E/XJ guys are better pilots from my perspective(maybe not better people). This thread got hijacked by some colgan hot head. Back on topic. I am glad we are going to start hiring!!! I need some better seniority!!

PS. Shamrok...if you "could care less about this job" please do us all a favor and quit, no one wants to fly with someone who has that sort of attitude.

 

Good post, and your right! My rant is and was misplaced. With my wife recently losing her job and the imminent downgrade things are getting tougher daily. And I do realize I am not the only one with these scenarios. I wish everyone good luck. And yes. I served this country and you are welcome. Also I can say that I find myself quite embarrassed with my childish rants and hope some understand the frustration. We are all fighting a battle in one way or another.

 

My main reason for commenting is that I think it is ridiculous that a downgraded captain feels the right to wear 4 stripes because they are mad they downgraded. What would you think if your FO walked in with 4 stripes and said I should have 4 stripes because when i was hired it was a 2 year upgrade and i have been here for 6. You would most likely think he was a tool.

 

I actually pulled aside a guy I knew when I ran into him in DTW knowing he was downgraded and was still wearing 4 stripes. I let him know that it was entirely disrespectful, and even though he was dealt a bad hand with the merger he needed to man up and respect the guy in the left seat. His excuse was "I'm not spending the money on new stripes." To which. I replied "if you can't afford $5 for new stripes at the crew outfitters here go see the base manager and they'll hook you up."

That type of stuff I just flat out don't put up with.