Sometimes getting an opinion from someone on the outside who can see the whole picture and look at it without emotion clouding their judgment can be very beneficial.

 

The biggest problem is there are a lot of guys like me at the regionals. We lucked out, timed it right, upgraded and then all of the crap hit the fan. There was little to no hiring for most of the early 2000s. Interviews we're hard to come by. I admit I had an interview at a major with a purple tail once and I blew it. When this happened I got discouraged and lazy. I stopped updating my logbook, didn't bother applying for Delta or United.

I was starting to get good schedules, holidays and pay I realized so why not just hang my hat here? I was able to justify it in my mind for a couple years and then 2008 happened. The economy took a dump, fuel was at a record high, and soon after Delta started trying to terminate contracts with any loophole they could find.

At this point I realized that it could happen to anyone. It motivated me to go back to school(yes I was one of those fools who got the worthless aviation degree). I was so focused on flying and I just wanted the fasted degree possible. Going back to school was one of the hardest things I have had to do but I was able to get a degree in accounting/finance. I still want to fly but it feels good having something to fall back on. I am focuesd on getting hired at a major now.

Even if you have over a decade put in like I do it is still better financially to goto a major unless you are in your late 40s/50s. Bottom line is don't be like me. Don't ever get too comfy at a Regional and always keep your resumes updated. There is no shame in making a reginonal your home, especially if it is best for your family. The problem is anyone can be ComAir'd which sucks. I wouldn't blame Delta because the 50 seaters were going away anyway.

 

This from a guy who commutes 4 hours each way to fly for one of the worst A320 pay rates / contract in the industry. The tool has resurfaced. Get over yourself.

 

Spoken like a real hero! One that has never had a hungry child to feed. I remember when everything used to be so easy.

I think your final decision must be based on one point alone. Do you really believe the company will survive if the pilots take concessions. Its just that simple.

Now if you believe it will survive, then a prudent thing to do would be to require "snap backs" and no bonuses for execs until pay increases.

However this turns out, you are all in our thoughts.

 

PPPOYPDNCAEOM.

 

yeah buddy

 

Fact 1: I live in base, no commute.
Fact 2: "one of the worst" is relative. My pay right now is better than what it is at AWA/US Air, Frontier, Allegiant, Spirit, Sun Country, and United (current contract). Only JetBlue and Delta are higher, as of 11/30/2012.

Your comments are coming as a Mesaba lifer who was lucky enough to flow to Delta. Get over yourself.

 

If, and that is a BIG IF, if we get the additional 900s, when all is said and done, Pinnacle will have roughly 100 aircraft. That means around 1100 pilots total, 550 will be FOs.

Under the 1113, what was top FO pay again? $34/hour? So $30,600/year guarantee? Less the cost of a crash pad... about $28,000. That is equal to $14/hour at a regular job. It's also less than the average first year McDonald's store manager.

McDonald's Salaries | Glassdoor

If you can feed the starving brats on $28,000 while commuting and sitting reserve, feel free to vote on a rock bottom TA. But, given the choice of a horrific contract that merely delays my eventual unemployment or demanding honest pay until my hastened unemployment, I choose the latter.

 

If anyone is curious about how this plays out in real time, go take a peek at the Southern thread in the cargo section. The really disgusting part of this is how the Unions are involved with this fear mongering. Once upon a time, a union had our best interests in heart.

For those who think otherwise, a no vote will be noticed. Perhaps not in the manner of getting cited in history books but in the manner that management will take notice that the tactics they have been using are becoming less effective. The best example of this is the fact that at least two regionals are offering signing bonuses. If pilots were not balking at the idea of making 30-40k the next 5-10 years, these signing bonuses would not be offered.

Nothing is going to change immediately but it is a step in the right direction. Like it has been said, the plan is already in place and the passage of a TA will not significantly impact that course. Once again I reference the Southern situation. I think that this should be seen as an opportunity to make a strong statement and for once make the company put their money where their mouth is. These chances don't come along often.

 

The math is a real tough thing to argue with. Unemployment pays more than FO pay and you don't have to be an airlines *****. Stay home with the kiddies and actually get to know your kid vs Dayton Ohio for 8 hr overnight with no food. All pilots at the regional level have put up with this nonsense long enough. I think if enough people are forced to look outside this industry they will find that there are better options out there.