Carl Spackler

Coca Cola just furloughed pilots...out of seniority.

Just sayin.

Carl

ClickClickBoom

In any corporate environ, airplanes are the last to arrive and first to go from the balance sheet. That being said, the airline gig isn't for everyone, for every upside there is a downside. Depending who your offer is for, and where you live, that will determine your seniority and subsequent QOL. Wrong domicile and your time on reserve may be longer than you might like.

USMCFLYR

For those with experience working under both systems....why does an expense account beat out per-diem?

usmc-sgt

I merged these two threads into the major forum. This will get plenty of exposure here from guys who have "been there, done that."

Denny Crane

Off the top of my head, an expense account allows more money for meals in a day than a straight per idem does. Also, I think with an expense account you pay for the hotels etc (and get reimbursed) and can get credit for points etc whereas at the airline gig it's already paid for...

Denny

WienPilot

I was at airlines and now I'm at corporate. I'm thinking about eventually going back to airlines, but life isn't so simple. It's great you have choices about your future employment, congratulations!

Reality sunk in for me twice and I eventually turned down 2 decent major/legacy jobs a few years ago to stay at my corporate gig. I haven't regretted my decision, yet; 2001-2010 were rough years at major airlines and without a doubt I usually had a better quality of life, pay and stability than my peers at majors did during this time.

Times, they are a changin'. Some of my major friends are getting paid more than I am now and some have a better QOL. My flight department is due for a pay raise (Wal Mart just gave their pilots a decent raise and increase in benefits), but I'm thinking it will be unlikely most corporate flight departments will maintain parity with some majors and legacy carriers. The airline industry will look totally different in 15 years than it does now. This I guarantee.

The entire industry is constantly being pushed towards decreased pilot compensation over the long-term. Automation and the increase of LCCs will put pressure on legacy carriers during the next recession. While there are many retirements occurring in the future and airlines are making record-profits now with low fuel prices and relative political stability (lack of terrorism) that will not continue. It never does.

Seniority based systems have flaws. Which major will you go to? I can think of two that would be good for me. I can think of others that wouldn't be good and I'm skeptical of their long term solvency.

Good luck with your decision. The future of your career unfortunately is not decided by you, it's decided by mergers, leverage, buyouts, bankruptcies, political instability, and the like. Try to enjoy the ride & good luck. Chasing money did not work for me, I doubt it will work in the future. I'm interested now in QOL -- days off, enjoying my work day, etc. What are the goals for your career?

steepturn

That's correct. I pay for all of my expenses on my credit card (hotel, food, rental car, cell phone bill, ipad plan, uniform, etc.) I earn hotel, credit card and rental car points. Plus I get to choose my own hotel and get a rental car at every overnight. I also use my cc for catering, food/stock items on aircraft, cell phone bill, etc. everything goes on my card, and I get reimbursed 100% each month

steepturn

Thanks. It's UAL, and the commute will be tough. QOL and time with my family are most important. I miss having several days off (really off) in a row when I was at a previous airline several years ago. Now I work every weekday but see my family almost every night. I have more time for them but less time to actually do anything if that makes sense. I get Saturday/Sunday off now, but still have to stick close to home in case the phone rings (rarely does).

USMCFLYR

I thought the avialable expenses for meals might be one reason.
You mention the hotel points and reimbursement on an expense account; I guess I work under a combination of the two then.
I get paid per-diem (based on location), but have a credit card use to pay for hotel rooms and rental cars (for which I keep the rewards). A vast majority of the time I don't spend all of my per diem (meaning I eat what I like), but I can certainly see that it would be possible to spend more than the low end per diem (446/day) if having to pay for all three meals in a day.

Thanks for the input Denny.

rvr1800

To each his own obviously, but the highlighted section above would be enough for me to leave to go anywhere else. Those aren't days off.