AHHH YES, paycheck envy strikes again. Guess since you don't make as much as we and probably never will, you want to bring everyone down to your level.

Browntail,

How long have you been at UPS?

I got into IT. Not near as fun as flying, but I feel much more secure and started out with the same pay I was making after 6+ years at the Beagle. It looks like I will be getting a substantial raise after my first year as well. I know money isn't everything, but it is nice to get a good check right off the bat as opposed to busting your a$$ for YEARS before you can make a decent wage.

So what is your story? I believe I've seen posts where you have been furloughed before and got sick of the whole deal. Can't say I blame you. I nearly missed being furloughed at a previous airline job by seeing the writing on the wall there. Unfortunately, I went from one crap hole company to Eagle (a crap hole company). Didn't make up any ground in that transaction. LOL

Good luck and happy living!

Bt
 

Actually you are one of my heroes. It takes quite a lucky SOB to retain the High School snobbish arrogance like you. Most of the rest of us have been kicked to the curb so often that we are all meek reduced figures. I am sure that you are or will become a legendary AH captain.

Really I was just hoping that you would reply. Could you autograph your post for me?

SKyHigh

Flying
 

I have a similar background, business and aviation degree followed by crawling my way up the ladder over 12 years to end up flying a 757 and getting paid less than a mailman. Things are much better now, but I do miss my aviation dream. (the reality was a nightmare)

SkyHigh

I'm also an ex eagle guy. I saw that there was no future in it for all the reasons described in previous posts. Left the job in less than a year and am currently out of aviation as a career. I am pursuing a masters in teaching science. At least I'll start out making 50k (with a secure pension, plus I like to teach) when I am done with school in a year and a half. I don't understand why there are so many people still wanting to take a job that offers just about nothing except the glory of saying "I’m an airline pilot". I too think about going back to flying as I miss it, but it doesn’t take much to remind me of the logical reasons I left. Plus, I don’t have to sleep in a hotel. I still fly light aircraft and instruct for fun and a couple of bucks and kind of laugh in my head when a young guy with big bright eyes says to me "I’m going to be an airline pilot" - I was once like that too. But it is not for me and at least I can say I did it.

All you ex-eagle pilots should get together and sue AMR under emotional distress or something. Every single one of you are bitter and out of aviation. I sincerely believe your thoughts would be different had you choosen somewhere else to go.

I saw my ex-commercial CFI in Toronto one day, I was on OE and this guy was a captain at pinnacle, he had 1000+ hrs TPIC and upgraded in 12 months. Was hired in 2003. He was happy - but most people that end up in the right spot at the right time are :).

Blame
 

Sure, blame it on them. They were the problem. Had we all gotten hired by UAL or SWA at 22 then there would be little reason to have this forum. Life does not happen that way for most. Just pray that you make all the right guesses.

SkyHigh

I'm just saying people know when to cry uncle. For those that trudged through eagle from 2002-2005, you missed some crazy hiring sprees at other airlines (Pinnacle, Chautauqua, XJET, Colgan, Air Wisconsin, Mesa, etc.). I guess I don't understand why'd you would stay there when other companies are hiring, expanding, etc. and you are stagnent.

I've given myself till age 27 to upgrade, if it hasn't happened here I'm leaving for freight for good.

Life is about taking calculated risk not making the right guesses. Indecision has destroyed more than one career, company, life...

Like I said before your goals have to be realistic and match your abilities and age. At 18 the world is and should be yours for the taking! At 33 with a wife and kids - I need to adjust my goals to retirement w/ pension then 121 CA as the long term destination.

Remember Icarus? I try to daily...One can soar high without getting burned...

-LAFF