Like Skybus? ATA? The "business case" you keep referring to isn't mine, dude. It's ECON 101. Economics Basics: What Is Economics?

In David McCollough's book, "1776", he noted Gen. George Washington about that "seeing things as they were, and not as he would wish them to be, was one of his salient strengths." We should all take a lesson in that profundity. I do my best to do so. My remarks about the current domestic and international aviation industry, along with other globalized industries, about based upon reading both history and business articles plus personal observation. The results and effects of industry trends are always what I wish them to be, but I do my best to see things as they are.

Beagle;

I am a big beleiver in Capitalism, but I also am a huge beleiver that with capitalism a work should have the right to as much as they can get/protect.

Our contract that our labor group is no different than that of an executive. Yep, even they are under contract with the company. Lawyers negotiate theirs, lawyers negotiate ours. The difference is that we grant our bargaining right over to our association with their exclusivity with the company.

I know it is completely within my right to protect what I do, how it is performed, and my compensation for it. Everyone has been attracted to bottom line thinking and has taken the quality of the job that a company asks a employee to perform. We as a society have forgotten how to take care of our workers. Companies that still strive for this coincidentally seem to perform better on the bottom line.
I cannot help what cuts they want to make, and where to make them, but I can push my bargaining agent to put protections in place to 1) stop the practice or 2) slow the inevitable down. In the end it allows the employee the time to prepare.

One thing I think that you fair to see is that employees working against each other does more harm that good. If anything it quickens the lowering of the quality of the job which we all perform.

We have gone though the ear of outsourcing, and I beleive that many companies and their leaders has seen the weakest length in that regard. They have realized that there is too much of a "good" thing.

Agreed on all points. To elaborate, companies have become so focused on the bottom line, they've forgotten the value and importance of abstract concepts employee loyalty and moral. Unless it fits on a ledger, management doesn't concern itself with it. This is their loss, but the competitive gain of those leaders who know how to use it.

I see that very clearly. Why do you think I fail to do so?

Not quite following you here. If I understand you correctly, managers are recognizing that cutting the fat is good, but cutting off muscle and into bone is bad, then we are agreed again. Unfortunately, the constant quest for gold will continue to be the ultimate driving force for corporations. In the case of the airlines, they'll only raise the bar enough to either 1) comply with government regulations and 2) be able to produce a PR campaign giving the illusion of safety to their passengers.

At the Colgan hearings my own CEO testified that commuting was a "life style choice". He stated this within months of closing down a domicile and displacing hundreds of pilots across seven domiciles.

What year did you get into this career and how's it working out for you?

What point are you trying to go after with this other than a personal attack probably including the word "luck?"

Instead, you should focus on the end game and improving the career instead of expanding low level outsourced jobs.


For your question:
I've been pro for 10 years, and with a good foundation and setting myself up to be available when the time was right... it's working out better than average. Every day in our lives has to do with a little bit of luck, good or bad. How you deal with that which is out of your control and how you set yourself up for good luck or bad luck is up to you. I am not satisfied until we are beyond these bankruptcy payrates and contracts with massive amounts of outsourcing, though.

When I was at a regional, I always had very very strong words for anyone hoping for "more jets dude" or "bigger jets dude," as that showed a focus on the now instead of the end game.

Ahhhh. Pilots are so cute when they're young.

Everyone I know want's higher pay and a better lifestyle as a pilot. Some want to do it at their present airline. Others think the grass is greener at other airlines. It's a personal decision.

Don't shoot the messenger....what about bringing all aircraft to mainline and pay according to years at the company like other careers(ie not plane specific pay). Some pilots what the 747 life while I'll fly a cessna for 200k. Thoughts??