e6bpilot

Last year. I can't find the infinity sign on my keyboard.

Seriously, though, myseniority says somewhere around 20 years. Will that hold true? Don't know. Don't care. I can't change it.

full of luv

Well E6, your right. If you were interested in quick upgrade you probably would have went to one of the majors last year.
They're all hiring, so enter content.

Socrates knows best:

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have

Brakes Set

Why? A b-list airline that got bought by a major where 80%+ of the pilots made more $$$ the day the ink was dry?

Guess what - everyone's hiring. If they don't like it and think they're that good, then quit and go to a better airline. Almost nobody did because after all the whinning, complaining, and "this is how we did it at..." they look at their 5th & 20th statements and say holy cow, I guess I am making more money in less days than I did before. AS POSTED BY CHINABUG.


For the life of me, I cannot understand how you can make such a statement. My grandfather was an airline pilot. My father was too. I have been very fortunate to work for an airline as a pilot myself for many, many years. I am personally aware of what the industry has been. Sure, it is not the same in many ways. Many improvements - sure. But the arrogance has crept in. By the likes of people like you. I don't care your background or your lineage in this industry. You have no idea and the statement about a "B-list airline" ..... Walk in the shoes so to speak. Airlines have come and gone over the decades, one way or another. The airline everyone wishes to fly for today is barely making it 10 years later or passed by another. Look at Southwest the past 10-15 years. I say good for them!! To look at my career earnings during this same period to what they used to be - shameful. Such is the life. But, I remember the pay and how many people wanted to work for Southwest in the late 70's , 80's and early 90's. Not top on many list. They were not that big in the early 90's. Look what has happened in the last 12 years. Multiple BK's that crushed careers and retirements.

I am familiar with ValuJet in the early 90's and also with AirTran Airways in the early 90's. Most probably don't even know they both existed. I also know what a career for the last decade has been at AirTran. They made more money than most. In 2004, a CA at AAI made 152.57 / hr. They did not have 73-800's but a rate to fly that was 172.41 / hr. In 2005 at AA- 154, Amer. West 138 ATA 116
CAL 144 DAL 156 NWA 163 SWA 198 (?) UAL 129 and I am sure USA was lower also. Who is sailing high today might not even be here tomorrow. It has been said by the old timers who know - they have lived it. Contracts come and go and so do the airlines. Seniority is your life vest.

AAI pilots were a good group from the same backgrounds as all of us. Many making 180, 190 and 200 k as Captains -14 15 days off a month. They held out for more ( a little too long it proved) when they turned down their TA in 06 or 07. 6 plus years in negotiations. I hope for all of us SWA does not let them drag it out that long and are able to leap frog us all. So you see, the AirTran folks were making a very good living compared to the all the others. Granted, not as much as a Southwest Captain but, I would say most at all the others. A close friend whose son was hired the same time as another's son with AirTran. They have shared career information. The AirTran career this past decade - not even close. Thousands were furloughed ! What is the price of that?
We deserve to get back what we have all lost in this profession. Look what an airline pilot used to make and what has happened to that number. Don't get me started on the loss of Captains Authority.

Chinabug

Shoot...that's what I get for drinking a few beers and logging on to APC for the first time since 2013. Totally forgot it's the same 15 guys that post 90% of the messages with all the data and facts of every airline at the touch of their fingers.

Yes, the SWA-AT integration is done and seems like 95% of the guys I fly with (from both "starts") are happy to move forward as one. The integration changed the future for guys for both sides...but nobody knows for certain how. Regardless of all *****ing, pros/cons, etc, etc, SWA is as good as any place to work if you drive planes in the civ world and beats long deployments. Work hard, less days, with a still relatively strong culture. Rarely, so far, fly with guys who've been furloughed from any airline and overall a great cockpit to work in.

B Set, sorry dude, not much negative in this message for you to pick apart in your next 4 posts.

Good luck to all my fellow pilots, fly safe...

blakman7

I said it to you before and I'll say it again Shoelu, speak for yourself and what you know. You'd do great in law or politics. It's an internet forum, you might want to start taking things with a grain of salt. If you don't know about it, stay tacet about it. Outside of those that you might know personally in the company, I would imagine that you know nothing about anyone on this forum outside of a username including myself.

I was former AT. I'm damned proud of it and what we brought to SW. Unlike some, I accepted it and was able to move forward a long time ago despite constantly reading your one sided way of thinking. It's ok, it makes us all unique as individuals. It isn't worth the stress, anger or hostility towards my new fellow employees who were hard working people as I was before this acquisition came about. No matter if you were AT or SW, we were all pawns at the hands of management one way or another, some faired better than others. It is what it is. At the end of the day we all have a choice to make......1) make the best of it OR 2) start filling out applications elsewhere. I chose the former. Aside from the normal 10% that you'd find anywhere, I've been treated fairly well and am happy with where I am.

blakman7

+1. Great post.

shoelu

I said former AirTran pilot or SWA pilot. The pilot union is unique because it is a 2 tier system with Captains and F.O's.

Are you not the same person that sent me a PM telling me expressly that you were "someone looking from outside-in" all while chastising me and telling me my views were all wrong??

blakman7

Yes Shoelu, pilot. We got it. I am very much aware of the pilot union, thanks. In answer to your question, yes and no. Yes, I sent you a message. No, I didn't tell you that you were wrong. I simply told you that I think that you are beyond brainwashed and can't be saved. Slight difference, only slight. I think it's fair to say that something has been misinterpreted along the way, no biggie. Not everything is as black and white as it seems I guess.

shoelu

Being aware of the pilot union and being IN the pilot union are two very different things. Being aware of the union does not place you in a position where you are directly effected by what happens there. I am very much aware of the Flight Attendant union in much the same way you are aware of the pilot union but the F.A. union business does not have a direct effect on me personally. This is an Airline Pilot Central forum in case you hadn't noticed.

As far as your statement: "No, I didn't tell you that you were wrong." You told me, and I quote: "I will go as far as saying "plain ignorant". As if you just don't get it." That may not be exactly telling me I'm wrong but it's pretty darn close.

blakman7

We are both IN it. You knew exactly what I meant but as usual you want to nitpick and "be right". I totally expect that from you, no biggie. Holy crap! I didn't know which forum this was. Through your guidance, I've found the right place and I am eternally grateful. As usual whenever we get into it, I walk away thinking about how I'll never get those minutes of my life back. Fly safe buddy.