Unions do serve a critical role preventing “fly it or I’ll find someone who will” hijinks common in 91/135

 

I don’t think that would be politically palatable in today’s day and age.

”delta fires pilots below poverty line to save jobs of Multi millionaires.”

Too many radical freshman in congress trying to make a name for themselves to let that slide without hearings/briefings/investigations.

 

I disagree, politicians will let it slide. See ExpressJet.

 

They have to know and understand the issue first. People outside the airline industry are surprisingly ignorant on what the regional model of business has become, even those in congress.

 

Agreed. The public thinks we are all rich, have great overnights with hot flight attendants for four days at a time. I cannot think of an employee group that the public, and by extension politicians, have less sympathy for.

 

^^^ and we have a winner.

 

Bingo!

Not to mention if you have an accident or violation, you can’t just be fired without due process once off probation

 

I have to disagree with this sentiment. Absolutely no one outside of the regional industry gives a rats ass about the plight of regional employees. If I’ve learned one thing during these last few months, it’s that Americans have shockingly little to no empathy for anyone and anything that doesn’t immediately interest or affect them. It’s not even limited to the political turmoil engulfing the country. Americans simply don’t give two ****s about anyone but our “ruggedly individual” selves.

 

100%. No disrespect to anyone here, but many of us aviators don’t exactly help ourselves in that regard. A guy I used to fly with made it to the majors, and did nothing but post on social media about the cars and airplane he bought, the custom vacation home he was having built, the vacations, his ‘rough life’ sitting reserve from his new swimming pool, etc for years. He erected a facade of mega wealth (complete with #airlinepilotlife)...and he wasn’t the only one in my news feed to do so.

Now he’s posting nothing but sob stories about furloughs, and how people need to support their airline pilots. Even I’m rolling my eyes into the next zip code, and I support the cause. I can only imagine what his followers are thinking.

There’s something to be said about humility—it’s tough to play the Oliver Twist card after acting like an obnoxious big shot for the better part of a decade.

I’m not about blaming the many for the actions of the few, but there’s a reason this public perception of airline pilots being extremely wealthy and living lavish lifestyles persists, and it isn’t all coming from Hollywood. Like it or not, losers like the above poison the well for the majority who are working hard and paying their dues just to get by.

Anyway, here’s to hoping that the public (and Congress) sees the light and understands how critical this aspect of the infrastructure is.

 

If you have faith this industry will recover within 4-5 years, now would be a great time to start training. I changed majors freshman year to aviation after 9/11 and have to say the timing was almost perfect. Luck involved too. Didn’t get my 1st regional job til 2007. The last few years of quick movement is now the past and irrelevant. Focus on the future. If you can’t plot a course for what’s ahead that suits you, don’t take that trip