Not to mention that those of us who were in Regional Pilot Purgatory for the Dark Decade. We finally got a job to get us out of debt that was incurred during that time (including student loans).

+1
Filler

Isn’t it annoying how these pilots that have been here 20+ years all assume UAL new hires are brand new to the industry? News flash, most of us aren’t green. We’ve been at regionals for decades, already been through multiple downturns, and when you guys were going through your pay cuts to 80K a year, we were only making 30K. This isn’t 1995. Most new hires are either military or prior 121, are middle aged with families, and are trying to make ends meat just like everyone else. We aren’t all 25 year olds living the dream in a bachelor pad.

The annoying thing is that despite the decade(s) of experience in the industry (according to you), most new hire pilots still don’t have a clue about the history of labor relations and the origins of the current book. Why is that?

Exactly!!! I was only in Regional Pilot Purgatory for 10 years. I took the very first upgrade opportunity that I had, but that was while I was in the pool at United. I never made $50K/year until I got here. I am not the only one, by far that went through this stuff. Many have had worse!!!

I totally get it now "this time is different". I'm not smart but what happened in the past after lual pilots gave concessions to prevent a furlough?

Think Charlie Brown vs Lucy.

Sorry, but I call total and complete BS. I haven’t talked to a single new hire I know here that thinks we should take concessions. We know how bankruptcy works. Maybe there are few young guys here and there that need education, but they are by far the minority. It’s amazing that we are joining the ones who are saying “keep the UPA in tact” and we’re the ones that will be on the street making ZERO. Meanwhile senior guys are all over the forums complaining about getting bumped, taking a pay cut, and having to go to training. I’ve been in the industry for 15 years and the first year I made more than 50K is my probationary year here. Meanwhile I still have kids heading for college, still trying to save for retirement, still trying to pay bills, etc.

During the “lost decade”, we are the ones who were stuck making 30K a year trying to support a family. We’ve all been through at least one bankruptcy, if not from our regional carrier, then from the carrier we were
flying for. I was told 2 years max at a regional. It took me 10 to get out, and I made it out sooner than many others I know. I’m not trying to throw a pity party for any of us, but we aren’t CFIs just getting started. Many of us have been furloughed before from a much lower paying job and are about to get furloughed again. Nevertheless, I’d rather be out of flying for a few years and come back at full pay. I don’t know anyone else that feels differently. FPLD.

I've heard many talk concessions. Just saying

First, I know the lost decade sucked for all, even more so with a regional wage. It’s about to suck again and I’m not marginalizing that grim reality.

Also, it’s unfair of me to paint all junior pilots with a broad brush like I did, but they do exist, I’ve had to pick my jaw up hearing it in person.

I am heartened to hear support of maintaining a strong CBA that we can grow on, at some point, rather than spend the next decade getting to where it is now.

Good luck to us all, in unity I’ll S T F U And let the union speak for me.