Life is not fair
 

I had to turn down 3 Colgan interviews due to my wedding and honeymoon. Colgan called me again today to interview July 3 or 6. I will be in Hawaii. Oh well. I guess i am a highly desired man though ha ha. I hope it works out as really want the position as there are 3 bases where i live.

Now, I'll tell you what's not fair. UPS will not allow me to be dual qualified on both the 747-400 and the A-380. I want to fly both, but I'll have to choose one over the other. I tell you, it's just not fair not to be able to fly both.

I like the idea life isn't fair. I find I work harder to get what I want in so called unfair environments/settings.

-LAFF

Dude, shut up with the heavy BS already. You're annoying. Don't you have some Algebra homework to do or something?

And to buffalopilot, don't worry about Colgan. A buddy of mine had to reschedule his interview 4 times, and was still hired. They're pretty reasonable people. Chuck Colgan has got the be one of the most easy going guys I've ever spoken with.

I've been trying to get a tour of a 121 operation - any suggestions? I understand security and such so I don't push the issue on the phone...

-LAFF

There's a couple places that do open houses every now and then, I think.

I remember when I worked the ramp at FedEx, there was a once yearly airshow at OAK, and they would have a couple planes out on display. But that was as close as you could get. Now, are you talking seeing what actually happens behind the scenes? Because there's a few good dvds out there on what you're looking for. Check out http://www.worldairroutes.com/ . Hope that helps!! :)

Dude! Why didn't you cancel the wedding and honeymoon? I cancelled my wedding for a UPS class date.

Just kidding with you....I did cancel my wedding for class at UPS though. Sounds like you are in demand. :)

Wow. Did you and your fiancee reschedule it or was that the last you heard of her?

If your future wife can't understand having to reschedule a wedding, which can be rescheduled, compared to a class at UPS / colgan, then she is going to be a problem, pilot's wife...

If an airline thinks you are good enough to work with them this month why don't they think you would be good enough to work for them next month. It's just someone having a power trip if they wouldn't reschedule an interview or class date.

I am guessing you havent been in the airline biz long or at all. If you turn 'em down once that might be the only chance you have. And remember its all about the three S's anyway. Senority, Sex, and Salary.

So what is it about all this sex I hear? Are there regular orgies involving the flight crew or something??? :eek: :p

Uh, you mean him????

I told him if he really wanted to get married, I would put off the class date.

His prompt response was "******* that! You need to get off probation and first year pay asap" Smart man.

That's not the point......seniority is everything.

She is the he in this case...I believe Freightpuppy is a lady. Explains a lot! A man would feel the wrath all the way to his grave for a stunt like that!

Cause chances are they are looking for pilots for a class starting shortly. Next month there wont be a class so there wont be a need for you.

Oh and seniority really is everything.

There wont be a class where, Colgan? or was that a rhetorical statement

I think that was a rhetorical question (if that's the proper phrase).

I think the point was, try to get hired ASAP at a company. Don't put off the class. You get off probation earlier, you have more seniority, etc.

I did it at my company. When they called to offer me a class, I turned down TWO!!! One was to give my previous employer two weeks. The other was to go on vacation in HNL which was planned for a while with my then girlfriend (now wife). Why not ? They were hiring like crazy, and upgrades were fast because all thge majors (legecies, whatever) where hiring!
Came back and nipped my butt. Seven months after class start 9-11. Everyone that was hired in 2001 was furloughed (me). If I took one of the previous classes I would have snuck by. Back now, but in right seat, and those who were in the classes ahead, are LEFT seat!
So get in when you can!
Also, give two weeks when you can. Once I was furloughed, my previous company (Colgan) found out, and offered me my job back if I wanted because I didn't "screw" them like some others who left. I was only furloughed for a bit, so declined politely.

See, most guys are pretty rational about matrimonial stuff...

But I wouldn't have wanted to have had to confront my wife with that sort of dilema... :eek:

Not my man! I agree many women are a little ridiculous when it comes to weddings.

rickair,
I would be rational too but I understand the industry and how it works. Heck, even my mom agreed because she knows what it's like. Unfortunately it's sometimes hard for a person outside to understand how truly seniority is everything and can impact your entire life.

That is so true. Just as well if you ever try to explain it to someone. Saw it in the military and now I see it on the civilian airline side. They just don't ever understand without way too much effort put in to help them get it.

And yes Buffalopilot, it was a rhetorical statement. I think we still have a couple more classes coming up due to getting a few more Saabs and a few new bases due to open on the UAL side for Colgan.

So does that mean I can slack off and do mediocre and the guy behind me can be the greatest pilot on earth, but i'll stick upgrade faster to capt. since i've been there longer?

Provided you are competent and haven't ****ed anyone of importance off, then unfortunately most likely yes.

Yea that's pretty much what i've figured. Which I guess is yea unfortunate because there is no need to push yourself or overachieve if it won't go noticed.

The problem is that it is really difficult to measure over-achieving pilots...it's really a pass/fail job: if you don't get violated or flunk your PC, you pass. Of course there are many intangible things you can do to make the process easier on yourself, your crewmembers, and your pax, but it is really hard to measure those things objectively.

The reason we have seniority is that in the absence of clearcut, readily measureable and gradeable factors, who is going to get promoted? The F^&*^ING BROWN NOSE, BACK-STABBING, @ASS KISSERS... THATS WHO !!!

Seniority system protects us from what would otherwise be a political free-for-all...all the upgrades, good schedules, days off, desireable bases would go to the manager's buddies. In fact, that's the way it was in the early days of the industry.

Now you might say that you could clearly evaluate pilot skills in the sim, but that is really pretty subjective depending on who the evaluator is and what he wants to see. Besides there is a LOT more to being an airline pilot than sim skills...that's just a video game really.

I'd rather fly with a personable, conscientious guy/girl who's pilot skills are on the lower end of the bell curve than with some otherwise-useless idiot-savant who only ability in life is that he can fly the hell out of the sim...

BTW, most regionals with be very creative about finding ways to push your limits for you...no need to do that yourself :eek:

Amen brother, low man on the totem pole sucks. Good way to explain seniority too.