It's a pretty common topic of conversation among regional crew since it's something we can all relate to whether you have plans to leave or not. I've never gotten any resistance when the topic is brought up. It usually is either "Yes, I'm hoping to go X airline or No, I'm planning to stick around."
Of course if you're at a major, which would presumably your career airline this topic would have little relavance. For Regional crew however , it's something that's commonly discussed.

 

I try to talk about other subjects. Ask about kids. If your co worker has kids ask them about them. Hobbies, Sports, Band/Orchestra. Most proud parents love talking about their kids. If your colleague is short with the answers as it pertains to their children. Back off the subject. Things at home might not be going too well. Move on to sports. Favorite teams? Playoffs? Been to any live games lately? Talk stats. Memorable games and stadiums.

Then you can move on to music, movies, beer. My captain and I talked about The Grateful Dead for about an hour last night in cruise. I had no idea he was a deadhead. And he probably assumed the same of me. Until i brought it up. The majority of us aren't complete pilot stiffs. Some are. Those are challenging trips.

There is always something to talk about. Just dont make it akward and do the 20 minutes of silence and then click on the hot mic and utter "So.......do you like stuff?" Good conversation flows and segues from one subject to the next. The key to good conversation is asking questions. My favorite cruise talk is with someone of a completely different background and someone that has an entire different set of interests and hobbies. Ive learned a lot about cricket, sailing, cooking, carpentry. Everyone has a story. When in doubt, quote movies and living the dream. You're bound to have something in common or at least learn something new from anyone and everyone.

 

My math skills tell me that the PPS check that I received last week amounted to an additional $8.80/hr for the quarter bringing my hourly rate up to about $121/hr. That's based on my rate at the time. Under the new agreement, add another $3/hr. What other regional pays near that, year 18?.

 

If you don't have kids, don't ask about kiddos.

Creep me the hell out

 

You're absolutely correct. That's why I said scheduling and work rules are more important than book rates. Horizon my have higher published rates, but knocking out six to eight legs per day in a Q400 doing short hops more than negates that.

Being senior will always pay better than being junior. If you're not in the top third of the Captains list, move on.

 

If you want to restore silence in the cockpit, just say: "Let me tell you about an easy way to earn lots of money in your spare time, right from your own home."

 

Anyone have a ballpark on time to get to Phoenix as an FO? Thank you.

 

Looks like about a year to get PHX. There had been rumors of more flying there which would change things dramatically, but for now it's just one of May rumors.

 

But wait! You've made the same comment very recently in an Alaska thread. Double standard? Or just trolling?

 

It's not just about hourly pay. What is your vacation and sick accrual? What percentage of health insurance premiums do you pay? Do they have cost escalation restrictions for year-over-year insurance increases? Do you get paid block or better? What matching funds does your employer provide and is it at 100% or something less? Do you have a defined contribution plan? Does your employer provide an occupational injury bank? Do they provide premium sharing for LTD policy that pays until you are 65?

And if you want to include QOL items, do you have a contractual no fault sick, fatigue, and commuter policy? Do they have a contractual train to proficiency policy that includes an impartial training review board? Do they have a neutral third party arbitration clause to handle disputes? Are they able to reassign you via ACARS? Are you required to check-in? Are you required to sit reserve if a flight gets cancelled? Is airport standby more than 4 hours? Can they assign you back to back airport standby days? Is there a limit on airport standby assignment per month? Can they assign you airport standby on the last day of reserve? Are there any automatic release rules for reserve?

Those are just a few items I can think of off the top of my head.