I beg to differ. I can't even get a job at Home Depot right now.

Junior FO, Senior CA, it doesn't matter. We all the the same thing. Neither is a "crap job."

 

Tried like hell to drop my last turn out of DEN the other day and was denied due to below min reserve coverage...checked it out on SkedPlus+ myself and there were very few reserves available system-wide. Did we give out too much vacation time or what?! It looked like nearly every reserve was flying. Pretty incredible considering I spent a few months back on reserve twiddling my thumbs.

 

At SkyWest the ULTRA senior do have that, at some point it limits the lines because someone isn't senior enough... but my point is no one is guaranteed it.

 

Well lets do an experiment then, if it's so easy to replace how about you quit your crappy FO job and let us know about the miraculous job you stumble on to replace your income and QOL.

 

uhhhh that's gonna be a NEGATORY ghost rider! I have been reserve since being awarded SLC in July and I have been looking seriously for other work since then. I have 4 years drywall experience 2 years electrical apprentice and 14 years as a cabinet maker and finish carpenter, I am friends with or related to several people in each field and everyone is laying people off. There are very few jobs to be had anywhere right now so while I agree that regional FO is a crap job, especially if you are locked into a plane that pays less and now people that are junior to you will make way more simply because they are on the jet! That is a real kick in the nads but I have insurance and I spend alot of time with my kids. So here is my heart felt Thank You to all of you who are making 75K instead of 80K this year so that I can keep my 18K! Here's hoping it gets better for all of us soon! If only I could get paid to kayak!

 

I agree with Newty. I didn't get this job just for the pay. Yeah the whole dream job thingy comes into play but when you get right down to it, I don't work a whole lot. I don't LIKE to work a whole lot. I always tell people I didn't become an airline pilot to work. The lifestyle is enjoyable to me. I never budget or plan for anything more than guarantee. It seems wreckless in my opinion, but thats just my opinion. Where was I going with this? I don't remember. This bickering is useless and stupid. Why am I getting involved? Where's my pizza?

P.S. I wish I had a dollar for every time we talked about, uh, being united, low time pilots in a crj, SJS, gojet, mesa, scope, regionals diong mainline flying (same as scope? I dunno.), skw not being union and its ill effects and how under appreciated we are as pilots. I'd be making captains pay. Not to trivialize these issues but I just feel like I'm on a merry 'go round

 

Not blaming anybody for anything. I'm saying I didn't agree with the poster's comment (this job isn't for everybody if you fail at upgrade).

Good luck in the Bro.

 

Actually I did that for most of 2008. Military reserves, and some other odd jobs I do. The reserves are great because your recall rights are guaranteed. Join up now, while there is opportunity and demand. You don't even have to fly, the pay is pretty good and gets better over time. I would recommend getting a commission if possible.

If you expect aviation to provide for you over your lifetime in a consistent and reliable manner you need a DOT test right now

But anyway...my entire premise on this subject was that junior FO's could replace their income and be home every night rather than commuting to reserve. If it really is that hard to get a $20K job right now, then I would vote not to fulrough (if there was such a vote).

 

I see your point but there are no foolproof job fields out there. A secure job now may be shaky at best in the future. On the subject of consistency, how confident do you think an employer is going to be that you're worth the investment if you're constantly jumping from job to job in search of that elusive secure future? The sole act will undermine all your efforts for a secure future in the first place. This, of course, is assuming you aren't fortunate and don't find a decent job in a timely manner. Geez, I should really not post when I haven't eaten all day.

 

If you can't pass certain tests, you shouldn't be able to do certain jobs, ie doctor, lawyer, pilot, etc. That way my point Tony.