They will all get paid the same. The question is will the 757 driver actually go to a regional. They did the last time they got furloughed, but many friends of mine who were previously furloughed are looking elsewhere and no one is going back to the regionals. Also, it won't be a 757 Captain rather than a typed FO getting furloughed.

 

We had a former AA captain in my new hire classes at Eagle. He was forced out because of the age 60 thing, then decided to get back in when it was raised to 65. I can't even imagine...he must have a lot of ex-wives to pay alimony to or one hell of a gambling debt.

 

All of the above. I had a mentor tell my that unless the hoochie is worth $8k a month in alimony don't go for it. Great advice. Of course, there is an old saying that says if it floats, flies or ........, rent it. Its cheaper.

 

Hi!

Regionals hiring now: GoJet, Great Lakes and Lynx. Cape Air is also hiring.

They way things are, at the MIA job fair, it was about a 2 hour wait to get in to talk to Cape Air. The CA recruiter said often he would only get 10 or so resumes, with only a couple with the experience they wanted. He was deluged.

Eagle said they planned to hire in Jul.

A lot of places will start hiring Spring/Summer/Fall.

cliff
GRB

 

I personally see a much worse outlook as to in the 60 and out days.

Given there are incentives for some pilots to retire prior to 65, there will still be the mass exodus of these pilots regardless...and Congress folded and pushed back the effect we were suppose to feel now to 2010-2011ish.

Couple that move with the spike in oil last year. Couple that with the overall downturn in the economy.

New flight students that are looking for a career in aviation have tapered off about 10% every year since 2006 (internet can back me up on that one...somewhere...somehow...)

Couple that with the bottom feeders in aviation right now...the ones with wet commercials, wet CFIs...there are next to no jobs for them right. Why? They are competing with those who 3 times (or greater) the amount of hours and work experience. The result? They leave the industry and go get a job that pays...cause dreams alone dont pay the bills.

So in sum (for those who wish to skip the ramblings of a self proclaimed "bottom feeder")...lack of new career oriented flight students plus lack of jobs for those attempted to break into the first job plus the now 65 and out effect soon to come...Im not all that optomistic...

 

I think the key to having a half way decent quality of life is to try and get on with someone halfway decent in the first couple of months of this next up swing. By the time the next down turn comes you can ride the wave as a lineholder or a senior reserve and have a little bit more piece of mind not having to worry about a furlough.

It is going to get crazy (in a good way) but in the meantime it sucks. No jobs for guys to build experience and make a decent living. There is always an upswing and then a downswing... dont think it is ever going to stay one way or the other.

 

You're certainly right on all accounts....I'm a bottom feeder in the industry now as a semi wet CFI with virtually no students. The strong dream isn't what it used to be.....

All I want is a flying job....cargo, charter, airline, anything and there's nothing...zero. Very frustrating times indeed.

 

Just keep an open and objective mind. At this point in the field of aviation you have to be willing to grab a job if one comes your way. You may have to take a job to pay the bills now and grab something better when the industry recovers. Also dont let history escape your memory. The industry WILL recover (and NO ONE knows when that will be no matter how much they want to make their opinion's seem to be the right one), so dont let this "slump" make you put off your dream of being a commercial pilot. Perseverance will always pay off in the end...

 

[quote=newarkblows;549081] By the time the next down turn comes you can ride the wave as a lineholder or a senior reserve and have a little bit more piece of mind not having to worry about a furlough.
quote]
I was a line holder and my ass is on the street. You are never all that safe remember that.

 

the interesting twist will be this..... by the time the next hiring cycle at several majors kicks in.... lets say oh ... 2 -3 years..... and assuming the mainline type carriers remain essentially the same.... there will probably be on the order of say 1000-2000 jobs each year to account for retirements. NOW..... when that cycle kicks in.... many of the current CA's at regional carriers will have been a capt 3-7 years or more.... and albeit not a GREAT wage... will be making lets say.... 70k+ per year with ( depending on their personal circumstance ) perhaps a decent QOL..... how many will become lifers and stay were they are..... ??? I suspect many of the next group of regional pilots to move on to the mainline carriers to come from the bottom third of the CA's lists.... and of course any and all FO's who can meet the minimums...... what says the group?