ClickClickBoom

Whatever, I upgraded at 6 years, into a line, transferred into my "dream" base, and spent 2 1/2 years on reserve, easily the worst years of my working life. 12 months means either you bid right into a line or are dense. 2 airlines at SKYW, regular lines and reserve, if you haven't had a snout full of Anita's evil minions, give it time, you will then understand. Just wait until the refleeting takes effect, your 12 months of line holding will mean, you will be on reserve for the rest of your days at SKYW. You know what 15 years at SKYW means? I have heard plenty of your ilk, and I had the displeasure of watching/listening them become disillusioned and bitter that their "dream job" turned to dross.

450knotOffice

Or not.

I spent seven years as an FO from '91 to '98, and enjoyed almost all of it (other than the furlough), and that was as a TURBOPROP FO. God Forbid.

It's mostly one's attitude about life in general. Yes, there were times when I would lament the fact that my buddies who got on at Mesa back then upgraded and were gone to UAL, etc. before I even upgraded, but I eventually realized that I was somehow judging my happiness based on someone ELSE's accomplishments in life, which is wrong. I looked deep inside my own life and realized I had a great life: I had (still have) an awesome, beautiful (yup), fun, and intelligent wife, we traveled all over the world, we had a nice little house with a pool, and enjoyed each other's company - along with our dogs and cats. In short, I was HAPPY with my life. I realized that it was counter-productive to judge my life based on someone else's. I have to live MY life, and try to be happy with MY life.

It's funny. I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders and I realized I truly WAS happy and content with my life.

Enjoy what you have. Have perspective. Your upgrade will come eventually, and your next chapter in life will begin.

rcfd13

I like to go pick up Heidi's and check my E-Mail while my captain does 'captain things' like calling maintenance, calling dispatch, deferring items and dealing with rampers. That's why they pay captains the big bucks right?

Counselor

Why only 13 days off if top 10%?

JustAMushroom

I have to laugh when I read it hear stuff like this. It's ignorance on a level this guy won't know about for years.

The rest of his complaints are spot on tho. Reserve could be a lot more manageable but for many reasons it's awful.

Having said that, you remind me of a Delta Cappy I jumped with once. Wide body captain in his early 30's and boat loads of investments. One of the most miserable people I've ever met.

johnso29

A DAL WB CA in his early 30's? Well that was a while ago.

born2aviate

How long for a new hire to get LAX and how long will reserve be there?

19hundo

I'm gunna throw this out there.

This is my third airline. Reserve is not that bad. I've been crediting 80-95 hours each month and still home 18-23 nights a month. There are usually 2 days a month where they don't call. So I'm 13-14 days off breaking guarantee and home a decent amount. Sure there are frustrating times when they change your schedule 4 times in a day, but no job is perfect. You have to find happiness where you're at now. You could be at another job getting messages like, "PC Load Letter" and "Did ya get that memo?" Now I live in base..........if you commute to reserve, consider moving haha.

JustAMushroom

Yeah. I should have said he said he upgraded in his 30's. He's probably 60 now.


My point stands. You could be a king and miserable. Or an RJ FO and not miserable. It's a choice.

TheFly

Attitude or ones perception of any given circumstance will often determine the outcome of it. Make the best of it or maybe the circumstance isn't the right one for you. But don't poison the waters that all of have to drink from just because things don't pass your white glove test.