Quote:
Originally Posted by SpecialTracking
There's that thought about quitting again. It's been three to four years since I've started hearing people espouse that notion. I'm still trying to understand the value of saying it.
The concept is very simple. Technology drives safety. I'm sure it's efficacy is much stronger in third world markets but it still improves the margins here.
I see you believe in the trickle down business model where the $$$ flow into our pockets. I also gather that you are squarely in the "it's safe and legal" method of dispatch. Keep in mind that the Pilot has one trump card over everything else. A Pilot can decide and say no to the process unfolding in front of him. He can say no even when $$$ or the "it's safe and legal" mantra is glaring at him.
Simple, if you are not happy, feel like you can't achieve anything, not your kind of flying, best solution is to find another job or career that will bring you that satisfaction.
In regards to equipment; again, you knew what you were getting into, and B737 has been proven to be safe enough and efficient for the flying it does. Don't like it, don't fly it. If you feel strongly about safety, bring it up with FSAP, contact Union safety, talk to UAL safety, contact your congressman, go public. I really don't know what is your point.
Pilot preference in equipment is not management problem.
There are plenty of people, that would like to drive BMW M760i xDrive Sedan because of its safety features, but settle for Toyota Camry, or Ford Taurus.
Airlines are about economics in the most safe and economical form. You can't argue that Toyota or Ford is unsafe to drive, just because you don't like those cars.
In regards to your comments about trickle down economics. UAL is not a country, it's business for profit. Yes, it's design to trickle down from stock holders, BOD and officers down to janitors. If the whole system does well, we hope the rest of employees will benefit as well as part of the overall system of essential scheme to operate.
I believe that airline pilots are the most lucky in organized labor. Show me another corporation where an employee gets paid by the time spent on the property, and not by the level of performance, experience, knowledge and education level.
An average pay for employees with a Doctorate (PhD) Degree is $140K, a rocket scientist makes on average $130K, PhD in Chemistry or Physics $160K depends on field (corporate or gov.). What is an average salary of UA pilot nowadays? $190K and no college degree necessary!
Before you start talking about 9/11 pay cuts, furloughs, hardship, etc, just think about it; amongst those unlucky ones furloughed twice (less then 1500), almost 6000 pilots still worked for UAL since 90s making on average $130K plus benefits, when national average was $35K no benefits, no 401K matching. What about all those flying heavy in UAL for the past 20 years, they didn't even felt any pain. Pilots get 12 days off minimum, and 3 weeks vacation, what is national average in US?
There are so many individuals here calling themselves conservatives; attacking social security, entitlements, handouts, attacking auto industry and unions; yet they receive full pensions from USDOD, and enjoy above average union negotiated salary and benefits and still asking for more.
I don't believe in trickle down economy or distribution of wealth; I believe in paying for education, experience, and performance, I believe that individuals willing to work hard and being dedicated should be appropriately rewarded for it.
I believe we are experiencing the best in US airline industry you'll ever see, and the only way, from this point, is down. We are appropriately compensated and taking care of nowadays, and we really don't have much to complain about.
We fly newer and better equipment with the least amount of MELs, we have great network, and good MX support. We do have to improve customer service though.
I don't feel any pressure or repercussions if I refuse an aircraft or ask for revised route, add or subtract fuel and get new OFP, we have total control over A/C operation. Pilots are fully entrusted to operate and manage multi million dollars assets with crew and entrusted with customers safety; pilot have total jurisdiction.
It's strange, how pilots go through their career with different idea of safety at the specific job and flying experience. I never heard pilots complaining or refuse a flight, because of danger executing a mission inside hot zones with possible SAM units, or small arms fire. Never heard a pilots complaining about safety while flying cancel bank checks at night in icing with broken boots, and questionable cockpit lights, having to use a flash lights mounted to their DC. Never met a pilots in regional airlines flying RJs into Mexico at night complain about it, as much as pilots in UAL. But the moment they get into legacies, they all becoming concern about safety of flight when overhead dome light is MELd. Guys adding 10K more fuel for safety, but don't even consider, the extra 10K will require 3300 of extra burn at 8 hours of flight and higher engine thrust on take off - higher EGT. Just look at what happens to the turbine temperature when you increase your EPR by only 0.1! All Pilots think, they are smarter then the system, but collective thinking is better then individual. That of course comes with personality; majority of us are type A.
So, yes, it upsets me, when pilots continue to complain and I hear people like you saying B737 is unsafe to fly. Quit, that is all I have to tell you, because I see no solution to your problem, and no way we can make pilots like you happy.
Yes, I'll get a lot of heat from the rest of the complainers on this site, for my views. So..., whatever, cry me a river and quit. We are all replaceable, so enjoy what you have, try to make this place more enjoyable to work, and enjoy your passion for flying. As you so eloquently put it, with advancement in technology in modern aviation, safety goes up; therefore, there is less demand for experienced pilots; as we all will soon experience with an increase in competition from Europe and Middle East.