Gentlemen (& ladies), thank you for your hard work!
 

To all of you who graciously read this post (it is my first one on APC), I would like to say thank you for your hard work at the airlines.

Nope, I am not a pilot, and I don't work in the airline industry either. I am one of those regular passengers who has traveled and lived abroad most of my life, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of you.

I recently befriended a pilot who introduced me to what your life is like, and I had no idea. The world doesn't know! Out of curiosity, I decided to check out a couple of pilot forums to gain more insight and have been reading your posts during the last couple of months.

I was surprised to find out how your industry works. Do not hate me, but I am in the MBA world. I side with all of you regarding management. The fact is, if one airline is doing well, it means that the possibility for better management exists and that it can be done with enough foresight and careful planning, and working as a team with all of the companies' employees.

I cannot believe the disconnect between management and employees in some of the biggest airlines. It is appalling. I apologize for such poor conduct and behavior from management. Yes, you are right, it can be done in a better way, and I am not just talking number and decimal points. When things get difficult, it is necessary to take drastic actions sometimes, particulary during a crisis. However, it is also possible to do it with the support of your employees. The tragedy is when you become enemies.

Every time I read your posts I gain an insight into your lives and my life as well. I usually head into an airplane, sleep most of the flight, and leave. Many times I do not even get to see the pilots. It is difficult to think about you all when we do not see you. I love it when you come out of the cockpit upon arrival and say good bye to us. I regret to say that up until meeting my pilot friend and reading your posts, I didn't even think twice about any of you . :(

I hope you don't mind if I continue posting in the forum, even though I will never be able to participate in any of your technical discussions. I enjoy reading them nonetheless!

Believe me, there are people with MBAs out here who care about the people, the working environment, and the business profit. And yes, it is possible to do all three. It's more difficult during a crisis such as the one you are going through right now.

I just want to say I admire what you do and all the hard work you put into it to get to where are.

BRAVO!

Very, very well stated. Are you sure you're not a pilot? :D

Welcome...I'm glad you're here.

Carl

I swear I am not a pilot. I took the MBA route (with a conscience and values)!

I now have a soft spot for you guys and gals. :D

Welcome....spread the word. We dont all live in 500K dollar houses and drive fancy cars... ( not that those are bad things ) ...many pilots make a life struggling wage.... and the vast majority of the public is totally unaware.

Thanks for the nice post.... any chance you want to work for an ULCC based in Miramar, FL????

With someone like you at the helm I just might be able to trade-in my Yugo; It is the rustiest one in my trailer park;)

On a side note: I always enjoy when someone stops and says thank you for the nice ride or just thanks.

once again, thank you for posting:)

Thanks for the great post and feel free to chime in on any of these threads we have going here. Some of our most well spoken members are not pilots, but people just like you.

i think i'm getting nauseous...

I just completed recertification for my income restricted apartment. woo.

I have no qualms in praising people for a job well done. On the contrary, if anything, I do believe that it is management's responsibility to highlight the positive and improve on the negative when it comes to employee performance. It is imperative to work like that -- did you know that Southwest airlines is widely used as a course case for strategy, leadership, and organization behavior in business schools? As in what to do to engage customers and employees to increase profits?

At any rate, yes, I was shocked to find out what the starting wages are. I have no idea how that came about considering the training and time devoted to becoming a pilot for a major airline.

By the way, please bear in mind that it is much easier for a passenger to say thank you when you are by the cockpit door, not sitting inside, and when the FAs are not blocking the door either. Out of sight, out of mind! Come on outside and smile!!! I love that.

Even with the greatest employee/management team in place, if you bring on too many knuckleheads, your business is doomed.