WmuGrad07

Thank you for understanding and taking time to read all this crap. It makes me feel like you understand where exactly I'm coming from. I never wanted to flight instruct. I do it to attempt to make money, but mainly to build time. And the job isn't working well in either of those departments right now. However all of my students enjoy flying with me, and I give them more than their moneys worth. However I have a hard time enjoying my downtime when I am not seeing progress with my own logbook/checking account.

As for the Eagle being my stepping stone as I said before. I was hired at Eagle with about 600 hrs, and Eagle was going to get me more multi and total time so I could move on to bigger and better. Not wait 7 years to upgrade just to be put back in the right seat.

Anyway, Fjetter hit the nail on the head. I know what I'm getting into. I have lived on the road for an aviation job for months at a time not coming home at all. So having a multiple few days here and there a month is way better than living in a hotel all the time. I too have spent xmas/new years/etc in hotels away from family/friends because of aviation. I love flying, and am working my hardest to get a job that works for me. Eagle was going to work, even if I only wanted to work there for my contracted 18 months & till I found something better.

Thanks again fjetter

Mason32

What double standard? I think I was very clear that ALL regionals are sweat shops in one way or another...

Ok, that's what I was aksing.... why are people choosing Eagle?

Nothing wrong with making a regional your career choice, since for most it will be the only career track available since legacy's are shrinking faster than the arctic ice, and regionals keep getting larger planes, and forcing more mainline flying into regional schedules... so, the odds of somebody today doing the CFI to Charter/Regional and then to a Major are pretty slim. People better be taking these jobs fully aware that they will be doing a long period of time flying regional equipment at regional pay, under regional work rules... and the reality of that has not yet hit the new pilots or the ones just trying to break their way in... So, if I'm a bit harsh in trying to get them to see reality, then so be it. If it saves even one young kid from making a mistake and wasting years of his/her life then I've done a good thing. Will there always be a few who do make the jump from regional to major, sure there will... but the days of doing 2-3 at a regional then going to a major are long long long gone.... yet our regional managements all still think they can get away with crappy wages and work rules in exchange for the valuable part 121 flight time to go to a major in a few years.... they play on this idea and hope and get young/new pilots willing to live under those conditions in the false hope (in most cases) of them going to a major. The reality is that by the time they upgrade at places like Eagle and are making good money, they will not be willing to leave to go to a major for a 60k pay cut to start all over again at the bottom of another seniority list....

So, my original question was.... for the people "in the pool" why Eagle and not someplace that you can upgrade ina reasonable time, get the PIC time while you're still less than 3-6 years into the company, so that you will be in a position to apply at a major when they resume hiring.....

oh, and as for the job; I love mine... well, I'll clarify that, I love everything on the other side of the hold short line. Everything on this side bites... but, looking into the neighbors yards I see theirs isn't any better.

Other than that; we are all afflicted with the dreaded disease... loving flying. Otherwise, none of us would ever put up with the crap that we do.

withthatsaid182

i'm going to my new LGA crash pad tomorrow and realized i left my pillow at my pad in JFK!!!!

how could it get any worse!?!?!

as far as i'm concerned Eagle is a good place to work as long as it remains a place to work...things are crappy everywhere...i may not love every aspect of my job....i'm lookin at spending Jan on the couch again however this can't stay this way forever...

three monthes ago i wanted to leave flying all together...i've decided to take the less than desirable QOL that we all share and just hope for a more bearable day

fjetter

No problem, sometimes people get so caught up in the "I'm right and you're wrong" side of debates here and totally lose perspective. Best of luck guys and hopefully things come around in the next year

swaayze

Ha, ha. God (and lots of others lurking here) is laughing along with me at "your" plans. No offense, but don't get to locked into your plans as they will change more than a few times throughout an aviation career. Hopefully you'll be one of the few that has the relatively easy path to your goals.

PP, if you're only 9 mos into Eagle you might want to explore other careers. What you say is all true, but it took me 15 years and 2 furloughs to get the view you have and I still have a considerably better attitude even with a failed (for lack of a better description) career. It's not that bad (but it is still very frustrating), once you get some seniority, have your priorities straight and don't mind not having nice cars and HDTVs and lots of "stuff".


Just my 2 cents.

Flyby1206

There is no question that things suck for you right now, but spending some quality time at the bottom of the barrel will make you appreciate seniority and holding a line all the more when it does happen. I spent about 2yrs on reserve when I got hired and when I finally held a line it was a serious celebration and I have never taken it for granted since. Its survival of the fittest out there, and the struggles make it all the sweeter when are at the top someday.

Pontius Pilot

I am exploring. Its not an easy decision to make, to walk away from this. There are parts I hate and parts I love. I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do after this. Its the first career opportunity I've ever had, but the negatives, at least in regards to my family life, outweigh the positives by a considerable margin. I've talked with many captains that tell me it won't get any better, so I should bow out gracefully now before I get addicted to the travel benefits! I'm inclined to agree with them.

bgmann

Or you can get on to the reserve list and hope you can get senior on reserve list and just stay home and get paid!

But also, how would you like to be one of the 44 DFW displacements and be so low on the seniority that you can only hold JFK or LGA? What would it be like for you and your wife for you to be in JFK and LGA for 5 days and only home for 2 days (3rd day for commuting). and only home in DFW for 9 nights (11 days off per month for reserves; you will loose some nights every month to commuting) Something ot be aware of. Things change and you may not be able to hold DFW. Although there are options: right now CRJ and EMJ FO's can do a "displacement proffer" to the ATR to keep DFW. Good luck man. Don't let people get you down with the negativity, but accept the facts and apply them to yourself if you would be okay with it.

I have been with eagle since March and leaving for Mesaba. I have no sour taste towards eagle and would recommend it, but I would really encourage an applicant to ask themselves if they want to be an FO for 9+ years. Why did I choose eagle? I had 2 airlines call for an interview while I was in ground training at Eagle. I figured "I've got to take this offer, I could lose it". I am leaving Eagle because I want to position myself for the next hiring wave and have PIC ME Turbine time.

normajean21

may of 09 1500TT

etflies

...I'm assuming you are saying Eagle's mins if/when they start to hire again will be 1500tt?