Consequences of delaying a class date?
07-08-2019 | 07:27 AM
#22
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2019
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Thanks guys lots of good info. I should make it a bit more clear that they are not over the wall upset about me taking an earlier class,
just a bit disappointed.
I do have to disagree, to a certain extent at least, about this career being hard on family QOL. With a bit of seniority at the airlines one usually has more time with family than someone who works M-F 9-5 especially living in base and with a bit of seniority. Plus, at least when they are home, they are 100% off with absolutely no work obligations. I’ll NEVER go back to working a desk job again!
just a bit disappointed.
I do have to disagree, to a certain extent at least, about this career being hard on family QOL. With a bit of seniority at the airlines one usually has more time with family than someone who works M-F 9-5 especially living in base and with a bit of seniority. Plus, at least when they are home, they are 100% off with absolutely no work obligations. I’ll NEVER go back to working a desk job again!
The other issue is kids. I have a 7 year old that struggles with behavior issues at times. He does great for a month then loses it for a few days.
The good news is, on my days off it could just be us.
07-08-2019 | 08:00 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2017
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Don’t worry all will be forgiven after you get on at Fedex you’ll be rolling in dough taking the family to the French Riviera on a yacht lighting up cigarettes with 100 dollar bills. All because you took the first avail class before the next crisis hit......
07-08-2019 | 08:18 AM
#24
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,167
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Ended up in the same very small base with several of my classmates (senior by lottery) for about a decade, they upgraded and I missed it. When I did upgrade I was stuck working weekends and holidays. If I had taken the first class I would have upgraded 4-5 years sooner and bid 30-40% instead of 60-70%. In addition to CA QOL that would presumably got me out of the regionals about five years sooner. I did enjoy good QOL as an FO before upgrade, but I'd recommend grabbing seniority when you can and then you get to choose what to do with it.
07-08-2019 | 08:20 AM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,302
Likes: 2
Sometimes a furlough does good things. I had a friend that was very comfortable at a regional. He's still there. My other friend few months jr got furloughed. Forced him to get another job at a less desirable regional, and get his time and get out. fast forward 15 years. He’s upgrading at a major. The comfortable regional captain is finally applying for the majors.. but in the end. You don’t leave life with your job. But I'm sure you leave it with your family... So it’s always a easy choice for me..
07-08-2019 | 08:23 AM
#26
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,167
Likes: 803
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Sometimes a furlough does good things. I had a friend that was very comfortable at a regional. He's still there. My other friend few months jr got furloughed. Forced him to get another job at a less desirable regional, and get his time and get out. fast forward 15 years. He’s upgrading at a major. The comfortable regional captain is finally applying for the majors.. but in the end. You don’t leave life with your job. But I'm sure you leave it with your family... So it’s always a easy choice for me..
07-08-2019 | 08:40 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,030
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I deferred a class date for two weeks (wife wanted to take a planned vacation). They were running classes larger than 50 pilots, figured it wouldn't matter much.
Ended up in the same very small base with several of my classmates (senior by lottery) for about a decade, they upgraded and I missed it. When I did upgrade I was stuck working weekends and holidays. If I had taken the first class I would have upgraded 4-5 years sooner and bid 30-40% instead of 60-70%. In addition to CA QOL that would presumably got me out of the regionals about five years sooner. I did enjoy good QOL as an FO before upgrade, but I'd recommend grabbing seniority when you can and then you get to choose what to do with it.
Ended up in the same very small base with several of my classmates (senior by lottery) for about a decade, they upgraded and I missed it. When I did upgrade I was stuck working weekends and holidays. If I had taken the first class I would have upgraded 4-5 years sooner and bid 30-40% instead of 60-70%. In addition to CA QOL that would presumably got me out of the regionals about five years sooner. I did enjoy good QOL as an FO before upgrade, but I'd recommend grabbing seniority when you can and then you get to choose what to do with it.
07-08-2019 | 09:04 AM
#28
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,167
Likes: 803
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Many pilots were screwed during the last recession. Only a select few got lucky, many many more we’re not as fortunate first class or not. I know, I was one of them. If you think you can control anything in this industry, your dad is a 777 CA or you’re delusional. There’s no way I would turn down a family event for this job, if I had a choice.
07-08-2019 | 09:54 AM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2019
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There’s a lot of us on this forum that left the industry for a bit when things got rough, leaving 5-10 years seniority on the table. A lot of us don’t regret it either given the circumstances. I wouldn’t stress too much over a few months. You really don’t have as much control as you think you do, so try not to get TOO carried away with thinking long term and try to enjoy your present
07-08-2019 | 01:31 PM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 98
Man, while seniority is key. But at the same time family time is important too, plus you never know sometimes you may see a family member again. So enjoy your time with your family and take the later class and just don’t look back.
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