I just don't get it, I've been flying for a while now, been through 1 furlough in the Midwest, and 1 layoff, but still a Champ.Looking at the industry right now...I just don't get it.

I feel like sometimes ALPA is that crazy childhood friend of yours that would protect you from bullies, but take your money when you werent looking.You'ld walk into your room and check your piggy, and his guts would be gone, then when you realized it, and confronted him he'd say "yea, but who else is gonna look out for you?" Putting you between a rock (them), and a hard place(your fellow brothers).So to keep the peace you go along with it and hope for the best. Why are there still 16 hour days?Why do I have to get only 5 hours of sleep after working a 15 hour day? ALPA's plan when it comes to major issues is, sit back, and watch it play out, then when its all done, try to find a solution.But, at least I get free stickers and a lanyard, If it aint broke don't fix it, right?

When I see threads about airlines like GoJets, and how we urge the pleebs to steer slear, it makes me wanna throw my laptop out the hotel window! Don't blame them! What are you gonna do when you have a 50k+ loan you need to pay for monthly, and you have bills from here to anchorage? Are you gonna sit at home watching TV and wait for Regional XYZ to start hiring again or are you going to be sending apps out to anyone and everyone. I look at it like this, You need a job, Its Legit and Legal, go for it! Gojets, was slammed for hiring guys that went around contract to better the company, and they were non union.Now they are union and its been years since those few guys,"the orginals" from TSA left for GJ.They are now union, with a union scale and CASS approved.Why not just put the "orginals" names on a blacklist, and give the late arrivals a break.For the guys in here that would let a GJ commuter spend a night in the terminal as your own form of punishment, you're not helping anyone, it makes you look like an ass."We're just ordinary people" By alienating an already divided industry and economy, you just make it worse, for all of us.

Im not saying this to stick up for GJ guys, I just don't know whats gonna happen to me or any of you! Lets say your airline shuts down tommorow...You have a mortgage, loan payments, a car, insurance, kids, and anlready stressed wife.Are you really gonna sit at home, and cry about how you once flew the largest RJ ever, and your company screwed you over, or are you gonna go out and doe something about it.I know if my airline shrivels up tommorow I will be sending an app out to everyone, GJ included!

I have come to the conclusion that pilots...especially regional pilots like to talk, and for us pilots, who love to fly, it is only natural for us to talk about flying, even when talking to women, we are thinking about airplanes! SO with that said, when talking to fellow pilots and conversatoin is once again limited to flying, it easier to talk about how bad each others company is and how they can't wait to get their time and leave, or how they made a mistake when they enlisted.I have done it many times, but when you think about it,its just a waste. Passengers will tell people more about their worst flights than they will about their best ones.We've all heard the sighs when we say we are gonna be 30 mins late to push, never do you hear cheers when your FA announces we have arrived 15 minutes early...

My dad passed away today, he had developed MS and when we found there was no specific treatment and that he didn't have much time left he wrote all my siblings a letter, he flew 707's for Pan Am,747's for Japan,and in these last months a caravan for a frieght charter, this is part of what he sent me, "Take care of your friends,only a friend can tell you when you're being a true ass, and a real gentleman, without even talking...We are all tied together by the same love for flying, the freedom of being able to go up, down, left, and right with no boundaries,we are pilots...royalty, as even the angels envy us"

To me,you are all friends, Im not trying to start a debate or bring up bad blood between the ranks and rollers, just ...talking....Merry Christmas to all, Stay warm, and be safe.

 

Merry Christmas to you. Sorry to hear about your father. He sounded like an old skool gentleman and pilot.

 

Bringdafunk...your Dad is right bro...we are pilots which a lot of people envy our positions period. Others may bash your post...but I'm not...I think it's time for all of us to be humble and swallow our pride for good. Once we all do this we will be able to make a better world for all pilots. But first put all the little wars to the side. Stop Bashing Mesa!!! Stop Bashing Go-Jets!!! Start creating threads that actually are going to better our careers rather than tear down our unity. May God bless your family Funk...during this holiday season bro. Sorry to hear about your Father...he's home now and good Hands.

 

great post. its nice when someone puts the big picture out there for everyone to see. Merry Christmas and sorry to hear about your father, he was obviously full of wisdom.

 

Like it or not, this industry is changing. In these days of ever-expanding regional airlines and contracting majors, the old career path of CFI-regional-major is going away. Just like in business everywhere, competition is the name of the game, and no, pilots are not excluded from capitalism just because the good old days of getting paid $250k to work 2 days a week are over. Unions slowly dying out in this industry. (Skywest and Southwest amou the most desired companies to work for) I read these forums and see a lot of bitterness (idle talk??) towards anything that apprears to dismantle the old way of life in this industry.

Although higher pay and better work rules are every employee's desires, bashing on your favorite target, be it Mesa, GJ, CRJ-900's, etc. is closing the barn door after the animals have already run away.


The bottom line in my book, (like bringdafunk says) is that we all have to do what is right for us. Family needs and paying the bills come before taking the moral high road and avoiding these places in the name of "joining together" or "fighting the machine" (no matter how fortuitous that cause may be)

Opportunities still exist in aviation, just not in the way of past years. It is possible to be a check airman at a regional and take home well north of 100k a year and have a good schedule to go along with it. Fractional ownership is an industry that is projected to grow substantially in the long run (NetJets are some of best paid pilots around). If flying heavy iron is still mecca for you, there are lots of big jets internationally that will desparately need pilots in years to come.

This has been a long post, but i think my point is this: to succeed anywhere takes creativity, hard work, perseverance, and a little luck. Aviation is no exception.

 

Funk Brotha',

You hit the nail on the head. My thoughts and prayers join on your wing, escorting the old man home. Keep his lesson close to heart for the rest of your days.

It'll be a tough one for ya, to be sure, but just the same, Merry Christmas.

 

We need more posts like this, albeit the losing your father thing is tough...Great post

 

you my friend make me feel like there is some hope out there for all of us, You said it best, so Ill just wish you Merry Christmas to you and yours, Heres to hoping Every pilot gets a jumpseat Home for the Holidays, and if your flying, Ill be out there to tell you Welcome aboard, sadly my furlough starts Jan 1, but I still have my Family, and some hope for this industry in the coming years . I wish you all (flying or not) Better Times Ahead..

 

Thanks for the kind words, I think once we all see the big picture, we'll understand why things won't be getting that much better. Regionals are cheap to run,the more they save on payroll, and MX probs on these simple planes, is another reason to keep the current scales, and work rules.

 

Your father was a great man. Please accept my condolences on your loss.

In terms of the industry, you said it very nicely and eloquently. Phenomenal post.