Mesa
#4031
Put your big boy pants on and get used to it. Just wait until you spend Thanksgiving day eating some crappy Subway sandwich in the airport terminal. I remember when Thanksgiving "dinner" offered by the airline for the crewmembers was a microwavable cup of mac and cheese with a bag of mixed nuts and a soft drink.
We've all paid our dues; welcome to the airlines.
We've all paid our dues; welcome to the airlines.
#4032
You're insane if you skip a class date for two holiday days off.
If you really want to be an airline pilot, and intend on spending more than a year in this job, you need to get your priorities straight and train your family to never expect you to be home on a holiday (or any specific day for that matter). It's better to be upfront about things ilke this, and to set a realistic level of expectation with your loved ones before you even start groundschool--it'll save your marriage, relationships, and mental health if you just clear that up for yourself and your family NOW.
20 numbers of seniority can (and often does) mean:
1) Having a job vs. being furloughed for 8 years
2) Being stuck as a CA for 8 years vs. being stuck as an FO for 8 years
3) Holding a line for 8 years vs. being on reserve for 8 years
4) Commuting for 8 years vs. being based where you live for 8 years
5) Having the experience to get hired at a legacy 8+ years earlier than the guy a class behind you who missed upgrade/got furloughed
6) Having more money and better QOL over the next three decades of your life because of all of the above and more.
If I had been ONE class earlier when I was hired at Mesa, I would've been a CA 3-6 months earlier, and I would've been a lineholder roughly a year earlier--that's a lot of coin to give up just for a couple of days at home, and you'll probably be too anxious about groundschool to relax and enjoy your holidays off anyways.
Long story short--SENIORITY IS EVERYTHING. Buck up and take the earlier class date--there's a chance you'll still get one or both of those holidays off (check airmen/instructors aren't known for liking to work on holidays). And anyone in your life who can't handle you missing the holidays is going to be a problem in your pursuit of this profession in the future anyways--get it out now don't put a bandaid on it.
If you really want to be an airline pilot, and intend on spending more than a year in this job, you need to get your priorities straight and train your family to never expect you to be home on a holiday (or any specific day for that matter). It's better to be upfront about things ilke this, and to set a realistic level of expectation with your loved ones before you even start groundschool--it'll save your marriage, relationships, and mental health if you just clear that up for yourself and your family NOW.
20 numbers of seniority can (and often does) mean:
1) Having a job vs. being furloughed for 8 years
2) Being stuck as a CA for 8 years vs. being stuck as an FO for 8 years
3) Holding a line for 8 years vs. being on reserve for 8 years
4) Commuting for 8 years vs. being based where you live for 8 years
5) Having the experience to get hired at a legacy 8+ years earlier than the guy a class behind you who missed upgrade/got furloughed
6) Having more money and better QOL over the next three decades of your life because of all of the above and more.
If I had been ONE class earlier when I was hired at Mesa, I would've been a CA 3-6 months earlier, and I would've been a lineholder roughly a year earlier--that's a lot of coin to give up just for a couple of days at home, and you'll probably be too anxious about groundschool to relax and enjoy your holidays off anyways.
Long story short--SENIORITY IS EVERYTHING. Buck up and take the earlier class date--there's a chance you'll still get one or both of those holidays off (check airmen/instructors aren't known for liking to work on holidays). And anyone in your life who can't handle you missing the holidays is going to be a problem in your pursuit of this profession in the future anyways--get it out now don't put a bandaid on it.
btw people, if you're stuck in Phoenix,AZ for anything during the holidays you won't even notice. It's desert and parking lot.
-rspct
#4033
Put your big boy pants on and get used to it. Just wait until you spend Thanksgiving day eating some crappy Subway sandwich in the airport terminal. I remember when Thanksgiving "dinner" offered by the airline for the crewmembers was a microwavable cup of mac and cheese with a bag of mixed nuts and a soft drink.
We've all paid our dues; welcome to the airlines.
We've all paid our dues; welcome to the airlines.
#4034
sippin' dat koolaid
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Position: gear slinger
Posts: 982
How long have you been in this industry?
Obviously not long with that kind of mindset.
Here's something to ponder tinman: if he's 20 numbers higher on the list, for the rest of his career at Mesa, he's going to have a higher likelihood of holding xmas/NYE off--or holding a vacation slot on those days--for the REST OF HIS CAREER here.
So, by your logic, taking a guaranteed xmas & NYE off now is worth sacrificing an increased likelihood of xmas/NYE off every year for the rest of his career here, an increased likelihood he won't be furloughed, an increased likelihood he'll get to upgrade while the class after him is stuck as FOs, an increased likelihood he'll get better vacation weeks, an increased likelihood he'll get the training dates he wants for recurrent every single year, and--for the rest of his career here--hitting the next year of pay longevity a month earlier every year.
If you really think 2 friggin' days is worth all of the above shifts in probabilities, you probably shouldn't be an airline pilot either.
No holiday with the fam I've ever had was worth 20 slots of seniority--ever--even when I was dating ungodly hot college women and having play time with them in their parents' house while their parents were out shopping/working.
Anyone who thinks 20 spots on a 1,000-pilot seniority list is worth two piddly holidays off has no idea what they're even saying.
Obviously not long with that kind of mindset.
Here's something to ponder tinman: if he's 20 numbers higher on the list, for the rest of his career at Mesa, he's going to have a higher likelihood of holding xmas/NYE off--or holding a vacation slot on those days--for the REST OF HIS CAREER here.
So, by your logic, taking a guaranteed xmas & NYE off now is worth sacrificing an increased likelihood of xmas/NYE off every year for the rest of his career here, an increased likelihood he won't be furloughed, an increased likelihood he'll get to upgrade while the class after him is stuck as FOs, an increased likelihood he'll get better vacation weeks, an increased likelihood he'll get the training dates he wants for recurrent every single year, and--for the rest of his career here--hitting the next year of pay longevity a month earlier every year.
If you really think 2 friggin' days is worth all of the above shifts in probabilities, you probably shouldn't be an airline pilot either.
No holiday with the fam I've ever had was worth 20 slots of seniority--ever--even when I was dating ungodly hot college women and having play time with them in their parents' house while their parents were out shopping/working.
Anyone who thinks 20 spots on a 1,000-pilot seniority list is worth two piddly holidays off has no idea what they're even saying.
BTW I totally see what you're saying though and yes I do agree about having a better schedule because of a few numbers. I'll be honest though I'm a little surprised that the training department would work on the holidays.
#4035
I'm not a Mesa pilot, sir. My point was that airlines and their class schedules do not run around ours; which sucks but it's reality. We're a service industry and service industries run around the clock. For those new to this, the sooner they understand that the better. Missing events and the family around the holidays is a real gut check for those who aren't used to it. Anyways, please accept my apologies for offending you.
#4036
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 555
Mesa
For every person who missed X by X seniority numbers, there are many more for whom it made no difference. Decide what's important to you and do that. I've attended amazing family events that I'll remember forever, but also took a Mesa class on eight days notice to be as senior as possible. I missed Thanksgiving last year, but have a number of days off around both Christmas and Thanksgiving this year due to my seniority. Was it worth it? I don't know. Apparently I missed one for the record books last year.
Not sure if I subscribe to the "you suck if your life doesn't suck so suck it up" attitude, but consider the implications.
#4037
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,509
Put your big boy pants on and get used to it. Just wait until you spend Thanksgiving day eating some crappy Subway sandwich in the airport terminal. I remember when Thanksgiving "dinner" offered by the airline for the crewmembers was a microwavable cup of mac and cheese with a bag of mixed nuts and a soft drink.
We've all paid our dues; welcome to the airlines.
We've all paid our dues; welcome to the airlines.
#4038
sippin' dat koolaid
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Position: gear slinger
Posts: 982
I had to defer my class a month because I was getting married and decided that Mesa's 10 day notice for class wasn't enough to rearrange my life over. Had it not been for that I would've been in the first class available, but I wasn't going to make my wife take a backseat to my career.
#4039
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 223
The training department will be closed for holidays.
#4040
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 223
i again agree with Flaps. 20 numbers DOES make a difference of living in base or commuting, reserve or holding a line, better scheduled days off or working holidays. 1 number below me has to commute 1 more month. He spends $500 extra money per month because of his commute. If he was on here he'd rip you a new one about seniority.
Do what's best for you. Just don't complain on here months from now when you don't get the base you want or the schedule.
Do what's best for you. Just don't complain on here months from now when you don't get the base you want or the schedule.
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