So, you're saying that the pilots at Freedom, Expressjet, Compass are safer than Delta and Northwest pilots right now?

 

That's what I was getting at. When I got my first ob in 2000, safe wasn't an issue. But it was one of the best job as far as growth, pay, and CBA. It was more just dumb luck and a matter of who called me first. That company no longer exists.

After taking the furlough, I went to what at that time was the SAFEST (relative term) and the best "regional" to work at. Well, it's still a good job. But safe, far from it. The best? Like I said, good, but I'm pretty sure that's going to change.

 

Labbats,
That's the problem with us airline drivers, we crucify and generalize without using all the facts If you noticed when Jsled was hired, then hopefully you know the RJ trends were well done by 97. He is riding along the management train like you. He has no thumb pointing his way. BTW, managements are the ones who liked the 'regional' concept in the first place. They proposed it, the unions should have figured it out, but because we pilots (all stripes) fight over nickels on the floor while management is busy losing dollars over at their end, no one is really watching the strategy of the industry. Unions should have tossed it back, but again, we airline pilots always fight the last contract over, when we should be looking fwd. Oh well. At least CO and UAL MEC's are showing a glimmer of hope by working strategy out ahead of time.

 

And nothing prevents them from negotiating them back at the next opportunity.

 

You sound like a totally immature newbie. You give regional pilots a bad name. No wonder mainline pilots here have a lot of contempt for new regional pilots with the SJS. We are all glad you love your job, but don't delude yourself into thinking your job is safe because it is not safe. My guess is that you fly for CHQ or Republic which is the same thing. Your job is only safe as the Majors doling out the contract continues to do so. If UAL goes out of business and the domino effect of other majors cutting back on domestic flights, your regional will surely feel the effect, probably before the year is over. More RJs whether it is ERJ 175 or CRJ9, means less jobs at the majors, which means more time at the regionals. Not a good situation.

 

You have to realize, the majority of the newbies in this industry has never had what you had in your heyday. We NEVER had pensions. We NEVER got $300/hr to fly one leg a day and have 7 flight attendants (under 30 and hot mind you) follow us around like the master aviators we are. We NEVER flew a flight where it was mandatory to wear a suit and get get meals served on fine china. I could go on, but I won't. Bottom line, I LOVE MY JOB..Ooops, almost said career. I used to wanna do my time and then go to a major like the majority of my regional peers but to be honest, I don't mind staying where I'm at, topping out in the low 100's, OK trips and great QOL. The majors?? You can have it. Now, overseas is a whole different ballgame.

PS: I am married and have a mortgage BOTH of which I budgeted for on my measly salary. No ex wife (flight attendant) and child support (pilot error) also helps the situation [/quote]

Good luck holding onto that my friend. The aviation industry is a vicious cycle. There will come a time when your mgmt will push you aside because your salary of "low 100k" in the year of 2022 will still be too high and they can find some naive wannabe pilot who will do your job for $70,000. Ohhh, and you wanna go overseas??? You might have that opportunity when you get repalced by the "new" regionals that will take your job. It just won't happen flying your beloved E170 or E190 or E whatever comes along next.

 

Actually, your first post sounded a lot more like "my job is a great job" than "I like my job." You might not realize it now, but your job isn't secure. A friend of mine was working for CO express and declined to go to CO because he didn't want to sit reserve in EWR and he liked his job. How is expressjet doing today? He could have been at CO for the last several years.

Many at Mesaba liked their job too. It use to be an ok job. Then nwa started shifting flying to other regionals and putting pressure on them to give up some stuff, and all of the sudden the job wasn't so great. Same thing happened to DL regionals. You have no control over your future at any airline, but you certainly have even less control at a regional.

I think its great to enjoy your job. I think its great to have a good attitude. I commend you for that. We should, perhaps, all be a little more like that. That being said, you should also value your skill and dedication enough to realize that you deserve more. Having been at 2 regionals and 3 majors, I can tell you that DAY 1 at every major has been COMPLETELY different and better than any day at the regionals.
cp

 

I totally agree with your post cessnapilot!!