02-08-2009----------------
The final numbers for MAG Pilot attrition for 2007 have been compiled. Total pilot attrition for 2007 was 782. This represents almost 50% of our pilot work force.
The number of Captains departing was 416 or 53% of the total. First Officer departures numbered 366 or 47% of the total.
Many of the departing pilots took the time to complete the online ALPA “exit survey”. Of the exit surveys received, 84% of the captains went to airlines with lager equipment and the remainder declined to state or left the industry. Of the First Officers who left and filled out exit surveys, 88% went to similar jobs in the regional airlines (lateral moves) and the rest declined to state their destination or left the industry.
Interestingly enough, many of the departing pilots stated that the number one reason for their departure was the poor working conditions at this company. These departures represent the loss of tens of millions of dollars of training costs which a more competitive contract could have prevented. Moreover, the departures of both First Officers and Captains continue unabated. The training department ranks have been depleted as well, resulting in up to 6 months of delays in training new hires. This results in a large net loss of crew, which showed in cancelled vacations, pilots forced to work on their days off and constant reassignments and “junior available” assignments. The resultant chaos only serves to further increase attrition as more pilots simply leave to gain a measure of control in their lives.
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Just food for thought... Remember to try and have fun out there every now and then! Don't let doom and gloom rule your life no matter how bad your QOL is.
