There is a fine line between being happy and being realistic.

 

To those that don't work at silver anymore but continue to smack talk please have some respect for your former co-workers. We get it. Things are far from perfect. We have a lot to do to mak it right and it may take years or never happen at all. That being said, you are hurting us by hanging around a silver thread just to talk $h!t. I doubt too many people pick where they work based on what is said on APC but some may. It is no surprise we need to hire people. Going out of your way to trash a former employer hurts the remaining pilots. Good luck at your new airlines you all work for. Chances are many of us still here will end up junior to you on your new lists, but for now we are trying to see if we can make silver work for us. Let those that still have jobs here comment to potential new hires. Some even said that the people here were the part they will miss the most, so if that is true try to help us not hurt us by going away. Please.

 

There is a real problem at your employer bud. I will never stop going out of my way to inform any and everyone of the evil practices that Silver calls day to day business. If you or anyone else want to work there then great but by staying you're not helping anyone but mgmt.

 

Chris, nobody has said anything untrue on here. Nothing is intended to belittle, or hurt the guys at Silver. You can't sugar coat things there in hopes of attracting newhires because it will just do a disservice to the guys remaining there. Unless the company realizes that the pilots there will not stand for the par or horrible work rules/schedules, nothing will change...

 

You are correct.

Not helping anyone but mgmt? Lets say you succeed in preventing anyone from ever going to silver and the place goes under and puts everyone here on the streets would you be happy your former brothers are unemployed? Sure we deserve better. Everyone does. I still believe I will upgrade sooner here than starting over at any other airline in the country and that is what I need to get a job I am proud of. I don't ask that people stop speaking truth. Truth is education for everyone else out there looking for employment. You can choose to comment or not as that is your choice. We need FO's for upgrades to happen. We all do. That is all I care about. 2 or 3 upgrade classes and I will be one of those people in out station bases complaining about QOL. I don't ask that you be part of the solution just not the problem. If you care not about anyone you used to work with then do what you will that's your choice.

Let me sum things up here. Out station basing sucks. Lines at these bases are not commutable. Days off at these and other bases are too few. Pay is always inaccurate when payroll reports come out and yes ALWAYS inaccurate. We are paid less on the saabs than the previous owners of the aircraft. Management knows the issues and doesn't care. There is a genuine bad attitude from all of management towards pilots. We are all treated like soulless numbers. Our CP worked hard early on to earn a reputation that rivals Hitler. Did I get it all? Things of this nature merrit mature discussion. I am ok with discussions, but if someone comes on here with questions about possibly applying let them ask and give accurate informative answers not condescending rhetoric. I need someone to take my seat over.

 

Nobody forced anyone to stay at Silver that's a fact the lifers chose to make that decision and that's on them. I'd rather see a cancer on the industry close up and my friends get better jobs elsewhere. Even if you upgrade and get the magical TPIC now you just joined the ranks of thousands of other guys it won't be getting you a call any quicker. You might as well make some live able coin and a better QOL while you're waiting for the majors.

 

Oh gotcha. So I was wrong. You don't care about the guys you used to work with at silver. Or you seem to think you should be the one to decide where we work. And yes the tpic will get us there quicker for some. If you think that tpic doesn't help a resume you may be one of those that spends a long time(or a career) at a regional and that is fine. The PIC is a huge part of being competetive. There is a lot more to getting a job in a competetive market than just hours but that part is important. You wanted out. Got it. Not all do. Just didn't think you were the type that would be happy to see your former brothers forced to start at first year RJ pay when some are close to their short term goal of TPIC because you thought it was best.

Oh and for the lifers, I don't get it either. I don't understand how someone could be happy making a career on a Slob out of FLL. But as you said, that's their choice.

 

Your summation is on point. May I add one more factor that kept gnawing at my soul: pride. I never felt proud to fly for Silver. It's an airline with multiple personality disorder. The paint scheme says Silver but most of the operational practices and the upper half of the seniority list is Gulfstream. I am against Gulfstream and all their old ways with every fiber in my body. I took a chance coming to Silver- I was told it was a new airline purchased from the assets of GIA- but that's not true at all. Flying with the captains that paid to play at GIA is SCARY. Its not true of all of them, but most of the lifers are just plain brutal when it comes to flying skills and good technique. Thus, I never felt proud climbing aboard the Saab that smells like poop with a brand new FA who is fresh off IOE. I never felt proud teaching captains how to use a FSS or when we can descend on an instrument approach. I never felt proud asking for a ride when jumpseating on another carrier and saying I worked for Silver. I wish the current pilots success with the upgrades and job security. However, for me, I need something more. I need to be proud of the company I sacrifice and devote the majority of my time to. Good luck.

 

His summation was correct and echoes what I say. I wholeheartedly agree with what you wrote though and that was one of my main reasons for leaving.

 

I have a friend who left Silver as a Captain to start over again and his first yr pay will be better than his 2nd pay on captain. I'm not even going to start on how it'll be when he gets on 2nd yr pay. It's not that bad out there but hey if you wanna hang out for another yr or two waiting on an upgrade then great but you just passed up seniority and possibly an upgrade somewhere better.