I like the picture of your dog but I don't have one in this fight.

If you check any source, you'll find that Mr. Robert Brooks, the President and majority owner of Hooters Restaurants, owned Pace Airlines through an LLC with two investment partners. Pace was never actually owned by Hooters Restaurants and as you incorrectly stated, Pace never "owned" Hooters Air. As a point of fact, Mr. Brooks and the investment partners shut down Hooters Air. It was "managed" by the restaurant folks and one doesn't have to have an MBA from Wharton to know why. Very poor management.

If you read my post a second time, I said that the pay for the pilots flying the Mavericks operation (Dallas Love based) have a starting pay of $ 75,000 for an F/O and about $ 120,000 for a captain. Those rates go up annually.

I have no idea what "Hooters Air" paid because it was Pace Airlines that operated the aircraft and wrote the checks based on what Mr. Brooks and his management team dictated.

As for the statement that $ 120,000 was F/O pay at most majors, perhaps a tad high but guess what. Those days are l-o-n-g gone and will never be seen again. This industry has changed forever and $120-140,000 a year for a Captain "ain't bad" in today's economy. Yes, I made twice what you quoted and then some in the 1990's as a narrow body Captain. Good memories but "them days are gone".

Just my opinion.

G'Day Mates

 

22 yrs. Astar

 

Phantom,

Those days are long gone only if we let them fade into the sunset! Never and forever are words used by someone giving up. You only get what you are willing to settle for and that's why airline management is attacking our profession. We have members of our profession that are willing to accept "whatever" to keep a cockpit seat. It's ruining our profession daily. Unless you are willing to fly for minimum wage, please get back in the fight.

Red

 

flhtrider,

I'm sorry to hear you are on this sinking german uboat also. You guys put up a good fight and I hope you continue the fight to the bitter end. Astar might get busy around March 17 because the 1224 eboard just sent a missle across the bow of ATSG and DHL. Looks like a service interruption might be in the works.

Red

 

Good luck, seriously! Our groups should have banded together a few years ago. Oh well, water under the bridge.

 

I'm certainly not giving up and have walked a picket line for two different carriers. In one case, it cost me my job.

In my previous life, I wanted to walk with the first pay consessions and I've always felt that the pilot group should have stood up and said "NO", we're not accepting these terms when UAL first declared bankruptcy. When it came time to throw our cards down, I was in favor of telling senior management to "shut the airline down" if necessary. I tried to convince fellow pilots that the Board of Directors would have put up with a walkout for about 2 or 3 weeks and then we would have had a new management team. Unfortunately, as you said, too many pilots were afraid to take a stand. In the most recent attack(s) on UAL pilots, Glen Tilton knows that he's won because no one has the balls to stand up and say "NO".

I don't have but a year until the "guvment" says I have to retire again but I can help the younger guys try to realize that it's their livelyhood and more important, their retirement that's being jeopardized.

Sorry for the mini-rant. BTW, I still like your dog.

Time for a brewski.

G'Day Mate

 

Phantom,

Thanks for your dedication to this profession. If we had an industry full of guys like you, this profession would be outstanding. As for my dog, thanks. He passed away in January unfortunately, just a few days before I found out my career was ending. What a year it's been so far. I think I need a brewski, maybe two.
I'm well aware of the United situation. I have two good friends from the military that are stuck in the Tilton show also. It's a sad situation! You can rant anytime you want, you've earned it. Take care.

Red

 

Heck, I didn't do anything. All I wanted was to protect what generations of pilots at all the major carriers had fought for long before I had the good fortune, to get into into this industry. Those that went well before my time paid the price so that a lot of pilots in my generation could make great six figure salaries and fly modern, safe equipment.

The problem is that too few people also felt that same way in the late 1990's and into this decade and then gave into the threats from senior management. I'll bet you all the good Bavarian beer you can drink if everyone at the start of Tilton's regime stood up and said "Hell NO", he would have been gone in 3 weeks. Look at Mr. Ferris. After the 28 day strike at United, he was replaced within a few months because the pilot group stood their ground and said "Nope". Oh well. That's history.

The disappointing aspect of all of this is that this industry has changed forever and airline pilots are simply becoming glorified bus drivers with compensation and retirement to match what Trailways and Greyhound drivers get.

Hey, I've got to go to "the rock pile" (driving range) and get my long iron game ready for Tiger's return. Maybe I too can make a successful career change. Right....

Very sorry to hear about your dog. Those four legged friends have a way of finding a really deep place in our hearts. I know.

FORE !!

G'Day Mates...which way to the first tee Please ?

 

Has Pace Airlines been sold? Rumors floating that sr. management team was let go and the old CEO was back in charge?

 

It's true. Senior management was let go Friday. The old CEO is involved but I'm not sure to what extent.