If things really do get better. If wages significantly improve and schedules become livable. If pilots regain the respect of management and become truly in demand again then not only will I eat my words, but you will see me on the line.

Skyhigh

 

So....by YOUR definition :

Question is - could they EVER meet your demands? I don't think so.
So.....you want him to play - so should you.

USMCFLYR

 

It use to be a common saying in the industry that a pilot should expect to get furloughed at least three times over a career. Every time you change companies and surrender the safety of seniority you are exposed to the risk of furlough. As we climb the ladder we are continually exposed to the risk. The alternative is to stick with the first regional that you can get a job at and hope that they never go out of business.

Especially in the current business environment as companies merge, go out of business shrink and otherwise change it is likely to expect that occasional furloughs or layoffs will be a recurring event. In 20 years most airlines that are in operation today will be gone or significantly changed. Most pilots have at least a 40 year career and that is a lot of time to be exposed to the forces of change that effect the industry.

Though not all of them were airline jobs by the time I was 36 I had been laid off or furloughed three times as a pilot and nearly laid off a few other times. Had I been able to get hired by after I got laid off the last time then most likely I would be laid off again now since three of the four companies I had tried to get on with have now gone under.

Skyhigh

 

My demands are not all that high. I need to be able to make a worthy living and there needs to be room to have a life.

60K and having to commute across the country for the right seat in a sweat shop is not OK.

SkyHigh

 

Right now I'm sitting at home on reserve. I'm on a minimum 12 hour call out, but usually get 16-26 hours of notification for an assignment. I will make 60K+ on 2nd yr A320 FO pay, and could break 100K on 3rd yr pay. With DAL workrules, all but 6 of my work days WILL BE long call reserve.

I understand the bitter taste in your mouth. I think you put a tremendous amount of heart and soul into the industry, only to be kicked in crotch repeatedly. But keep in mind that good jobs are still out there. I agree that traveling across the country for 60K a year is not worth it to many. However, it's YOUR choice to commute.

 

Bingo! Most people in this country don't commute across states to work. You (in general) don't have to either. However, you can if you choose to.

 

Your job does sound like a good one and I agree that there are some good ones left. The trick is in getting them and being able to hold on to them. I wish that I could have landed a good job. It wasn't for lack of trying.

Skyhigh

 

I'm pretty sure many pilots out there disagree with me completely with the statement I'm about to make, and I'm sure that there are some out there that completely agree with me as well ...

I honestly believe that this industry has grown so much over the last few years (supply wise) that we have completely exceeded the amount of service required for the demand that exists. With the economy the way it is right now, and judging by the flight loads over the past several months ... unless Obama somehow manages to pull something no one saw coming out of his rear ... I truly believe that one airline (MAJOR NOT REGIONAL) will have to fold in order to bring a balance back to the supply vs demand schematic.

The other way I can see it balancing out is by doing what SWA is doing right now. Every airline cutting back their schedules by a certain percentage. Now, if every airline did that, then there would be almost no choice but to scale back (if not completely dismiss one or two) the regionals as well.

Discuss!!

 

I choose to have a life. What is the point of having a wife and children if you are only home one and a half days per week because you have to commute? Some would say to always live at your base and that is definitely good advice however your spouse and children have lives and needs as well. How can you keep asking your wife to leave his or her career and your kids to leave their friends and school to move with every upgrade, new company or base change?

Eventually there comes a time when it is too difficult or expensive to keep moving the family to follow your career changes. The next answer is then to start commuting. The job is hard enough without having to spend much of your days off sitting in airports and crash pads only to come home to an empty house because your spouse is at work and kids are at school.

SkyHigh

 

I think that most would agree with you on that statement. The next question would be who will be the ones to go under?

Skyhigh