Just saw this as the headline story on the Chicago Tribune website. It is full of all the usual mumbo-jumbo. Thought some people would be interested in reading it: Bigger role of small airlines raises safety concerns -- chicagotribune.com

 

Nice to know that the guy flying you around in a small jet is minimally qualified, makes video store wages, and still lives with mommy and daddy. I wonder if he still gets an allowance.

At least he's savy enough to realize that he's a defacto permanent replacement worker for a mainline pilot.

Geez.

 

This is what I call a subsidized pilot. It is usually the same people on here that believe that change cannot and will not occur, and therefore demonstrate zero effort towards achieving more favorable conditions. Just reference some of the other threads.

 

In my opinion it was one of the best articles I've read. Very fair and very true, it depicted the bigger picture very well.

 

I agree. We have the most favorable political environment we have had in a decade, and are receiving a great amount of media attention that has everything to do with our current quality of life, yet people are still incredibly resigned to do anything about the situation they whine about day in and day out. Speaking of doing something, as opposed to whining, is there anyone with a good list of contact information of politicians who are sympathetic to labor issues? I have a pretty long letter written out, regarding how the current rest regulations, low pilot experience requirements, and low pay have directly affected my professional flying, but I only know of a few senators who are actually active on issues of labor.

 

I wish we had more people like you in this profession. I too am writing another long letter describing our working environment to a politician, and the constant abuse we have to endure from crew scheduling and management. I am even going as far as putting it into perspective for there 9 to 5 job.

In order to answer your question, the best person to address right now would probably be John Boccieri, a Democrat in the House of Representatives. He is also a C-130 driver in the Air Force. Here is his contact information:

https://forms.house.gov/boccieri/contact-form.shtml

I would also urge you to give them a follow up phone call about a week after you send out your letter, and keep pushing them.

I also suggest you send a copy of your letter a representative from your state who belongs to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Here is a link to the list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Committee_on_Transportation_an d_Infrastructure

Let me know if you need anything else.

 

Thanks!!!!

 

I liked the part in the artical that said he and his parents spent $100,000 for flight training..He is one of the lucky ones in my opinion.

 

The actual artice in the chicago tribune shows how different our pay grades are.

i.e.

Colgan crew $70/hr
GoJet crew $86/hr
Mesa crew $87/hr

 

I've sent letters to the representative in my district, as well as all senators in my state. I even did it for the last state I lived in, as well. It's too bad that contact is difficult if they are outside of your representative district, or the senators are outside of your state. I was hoping to target congressman who were specifically interested in these issues. I've told my story to every congressman I possibly could. I would encourage everyone to do the same. It's a matter of doing a simple Google search to find the representative in your district, and state senators, if you don't know who they are already. Most have a really easy e-mail system to use, right on their website. The only problem I have with it, is that it verifies your zip code, to make sure you are not trying to contact a representative outside of your district. I guess it's understandable, so they can avoid needless spam; but at the same time, I'd like to contact congressmen who are informed on the issues we face. I guess I will have to print out my e-mail, and send it by mail, or start making phone calls. To those who say it won't do any good: I say it's like voting. Yeah, maybe one person doesn't make much difference. But, when everyone is not doing it, because "it won't make a difference", the whole system is weakened. Then, the only people who are heard are those with a mass lobbying effort, such as the RAA. I'm doing my best to do my part, regardless of actual affect. The planets are well aligned for change. The best I've seen it since I've been a part of aviation. This is a hot topic in congress right now, obviously, and we have the right people in the right positions to actually do something about our situation. The time for resignation and whining is over.