Nothing wrong with being a lifer in any profession reaching that level of salary/time off/comfort. Er. Isn't that what your supposed to feel and strive for? No. I'm not a regional lifer. Worse. I'm slowly becoming a charter lifer.

 

I think a more important aspect to this discussion is how many "lifers" are now leaving. At L-XJT there are several 15-20 year folks that are walking out the door. Some are leaving the industry all together.

Managements have said for years that long term employees at the regional level are a problem for them. So, they willfully and systematically destroy all the good things that made a life as a senior regional pilot livable.

Life at XJT has become so toxic and unmanageable that a 18 year CA in the top 20 in base leaves for an LCC and a $60,000+ pay cut. And his commute only got marginally shorter.

I will admit it, I was a lifer. 15 years and counting. Until last year when two guys in my crashpad (yes at 15 years I need a crashpad) that a commuting to reserve at United are spending more time at home than I am.

So, I am a lifer no more.

Good luck everybody

 

Comments on fleek.

 

Gotta like how regional lifers only look at first year LCC/Major pay to justify themselves. Seriously? There is something beyond 12 months.

 

Got that right. UPS, for example, you will easily make over $150K in your second year.

 

Around 2006 I was talking with a check airman. We were discussing the future. He had young kids, was living in base, making 90K+ I imagine, and was VERY happy. We were growing, we had our VERY OWN BRAND, new bases, forward thinking CEO, He had 17 days off a month, reserve was short, any line holder got 14-15 days off a month, pay was good, contract was great, FREE vacation passes, usually in business first on Continental.

NONE of that exists now at XJT. Our pay and contract are still above std, but the std has fallen so looow. There is no future as a regional pilot. Regionals are suppliers to mainline and suppliers can be switched quickly. Most regionals signed ludicrously one-sided contracts to even get to participate. These contracts can be canceled for a variety of reasons and the only way to keep playing is to keep cutting costs--on the backs of the employees. That is the ONLY thing this model can do. They can't raise prices or cut capacity on their own. A regional pilot is in effect an employee of an employee (the regional airline he works for). Employees get laid off all the time, so why be in an even worse situation and remain a double employee for one minute longer than necessary.

 

Regionals were always suppliers to their major partners. The only difference between now and then was that 2002-2006 was the boom of the regional airline industry. 12-24 month upgrades everywhere (except Eagle due to flowbacks). Your check airman friend was enjoying all of that in 2006 at a 100% expense of furloughed mainline pilots. Now that the tables have turned...

 

OK, but who gave way the scope to allow that? Who refused to allow "barbie jets" at mainline? And who allowed it to continue to 76 seats? What organization encouraged further pay and benefit cuts at the regional level, thus ensuring more regional competition? Regional pilots took jobs, that mainline and ALPA discarded. Regional routes morphed from 5-700 miles to transcons and international. Didn't hear ALPA raise one word. They didn't send out one letter, like they did with NAI or customs in Abu Dabi; nor did they even set up 1 inflatable party toy for the requiem for the 1930's picket line catwalk.

 

I wasn't trying to justify anything. Just to point out that someone with many years invested in a company, 4 weeks vac, in their late 40's with maybe a kid in college might find it difficult to just up and jeopardize the financial security of their family.

First year pay only lasts 1 year, but you will be furlough bait for many to come.

 

Get out of my seat.