NoJoy

Here is an article about the future of Horizon Air:
Horizon Air faces challenges in a stressed industry | Aerospace - The News Tribune

After reading this article, I am not sure what is more interesting; that 9-11 did not happen yet (2011) or that their new President is gay. (Living with partner Mike)

I have alot of friends over there, and I wish them all luck.

StallFail

Way too long to read.

EmbraerFlyer

This isnt a suprise to anyone that works there.

duvie

Yea, can you believe what this world is coming to?! Pretty soon women will be voting and slavery will be abolished

FL410

I don't care that Glenn is gay. I care that he is destroying Horizon and over 600 pilots careers. Also, dispatchers, FA, mechanics, ect are losing their jobs. Outsource and save $500,000 so the mgmt staff can get a big bonus. And withe 5.1% RIOC they will wirte off items this year to keep us under 10% RIOC just to screw us.

Splanky

Exactly. I am looking forward to getting out of this place. Will likely not happen as soon as I would like. But I want out of this sinking ship.

HAL39

I know Horizon has the most experienced pilot group among regional carriers in the U.S., but are the pilots REALLY justified in demanding a pay raise while 90 (soon to be 130) pilots are on the street? I remember when I was first hired at QX, I was always told that I had to "pay my dues" just like all the other 7 year FO's and CA's who had long upgrades. But none of those guys had to sit on furlough for 2 years, with at least another 2 years (probly 4 years) on the street, while senior captains are enjoying a nice 4-on 3-off and $120k+ / year. Is that not enough? Do you really need more? I know management is really letting the crap hit the fan, but it seems to be a double-edged sword.

I know this is completely unrealistic, utopian, wishful thinking, but why would the pilot group demand a pay raise (in exchange for cutting benefits, which is a completely absurd decision in my opinion) while guys are on the street? Why not ask for lower guaranteed credit hours per bid in exhange for bringing furloughees back? Especially now that 40 more are being put on the street in November, with possibly another 50 to follow? Yes, it would reduce eveyone's pay, but at least there wouldn't be such a great disparity in pay between senior pilots and junior pilots, and the overall welfare of the pilot group would be improved. We're all in this together. I know by nature, greed is our motivator, but the great thing about being part of an educated society is that we have the ability to decide what is right and what is wrong. I know, and agree, that management is not necessarily making the "right" decisions, and the fact that I am on furlough was their decision. However, as pilots who are part of a unified front, don't we have the power to make a difference?

HAL39

Oh yea, and I forgot to add to that....Executive compensation levels at AS/QX are RIDICULOUS. That's absolutely part of what is so wrong. It chaps my a** every day knowing that BA was paid over $4 million last year while I'm on the curb....

...ok, im done spitting off philosophical bs...

Splanky

HAL39- I am sorry, but has it occurred to you that maybe many of the pilots are furloughed so that the managers can use them as a bargaining chip? Gene made it known a few months back that 'they could bring back pilots-if our costs were lower'. I am saying this from the perspective of someone that has been given notice of being in the next round to go.

This airline is absolutely being run into the ground. The shell that is left is no longer worth anyone's time. HAL39, you will be happy to know (if you want to come back) that many of the active pilots are working on exit strategies.

By the way, I too generally don't like the idea of junior pilots subsidizing high pay for the senior pilots. However, rather than lower the rates of the top paid, my preference would be to work hard on getting the lower pay rates up. But in this case I don't think it high pay at the top. Rather, it is what pilots should expect for being a 121 captain.

I hear time and again from our managers that we cost too much. I absolutely refuse to accept a business model where I need to return to poverty so that the executives can reach some high-flung goal that personally enriches them. I waited until I had 3,100 hours before applying to Horizon. At the time, they were doing mostly branded flying and I thought I could stay out of the whipsaw game (it is why I waited longer). I will quit this industry before returning to poverty. And by the way, I am working my way out and will hopefully open up a spot for you HAL.

BoredwLife

HAL run, don't walk away. My guess is that you have some tie to the Pac NW like 90% of the subaru drivers at QX. Don't let your love for the NW cloud you judgment when it comes to a career at an airline that is going nowhere. Get on somewhere else and commute if you haven't already. 10 - 13 year upgrade is a joke. You could move to a nice major in 8 if you get on at the right regional.

Just because guys are on furlough doesn't mean it is time to take a pay cut or keep average pay. That kind of thinking is what got us to the place we are now. It's time to take it back, and if QX pilots can get a raise, well then every regional should be able to follow suit.