gonyon

I agree on the legal bit but calling his entire post whining is a bit much as well as the condescending tone of your responses.

At the risk of turning this place into the spirit pilot board reincarnate, I'll leave it at that.

Normann

Fine. You have expressed your opinion. I disagree. This is a perfect place to rant. Where else should I whine at? This is the only really anonymous place. The other two forums? Well... one is run by... ummm someone nobody knows who. The other one goes by real names. So there goes that. Even this isn't anonymous since quite a few guys know me. Besides, my rant was partially intended to those looking in.

I do not want to get into a ****ing match but I find it insulting that you tell me that I am free to leave. I was walking with a sign in my hand. You were not. I was furloughed from this place along with another 120ish for two years. You were not. Nobody with 5-7+ years seniority range is "free to leave". It is very expensive to do that in terms of QOL and total pay before retirement.

What I wrote is true. I could go on and post more. Way more. You all could. You too! You want to hide the laundry. How are we going to fix problems by dressing up the pig?

Normann

Ohh.... and the graammmmmeer line now... awesome. Papi. Binglish is my 3rd languiage. Meee sooo sorry...

SG1159

Lol- I'm not hiding anything- and even pointed out already that I don't disagree with what you said. LIKE I SAID- I just don't think a public forum is the place for you to post YOUR experience, if it makes it sound like ANY of our captains left with an open write-up. There are many people that view these forums thAt can take that kind of statement the wrong way. From the general flying public, to some high school kid writing a paper.

Be offended all you want. I am VERY thankful for the NK pilots that walked that line- good for you- COMPLETELY IRRELAVENT to my point.

I started airline flying 20 years ago- and the ONE thing I know is; it's no fun to fly with a whiner. Hence the "free to leave comment." I didn't mean it quite as harshly as you took it. I just hate flying with people that complain, and do nothing to fix the problem.

Normann

I will give you that perhaps talking about the... errrr... mx practices of other pilots... I guess I could have saved that. Than again, may be idiots do not deserve to be saved. They will get the Darwin award eventually.

So how do you fix the problem? What do you do to fix the problem? I am not fighting you but seriously, what do you do? I have sent my share of e-mails, ASAPs, and Safety Reports over the years. Most the time you end up with a retarded reply. After a while you stop sending them.

I hate myself complaining. But what do you want me to do when I walk into another filthy cockpit? What should I say? "Look at this cockpit dude!... It is filthy. Sweet! Yay! Upgrade is 2.5 years!"

IT is a disaster. Should I be happy about that? It has been a disaster ever since I have been here. I can't do basic stuff. E-mails are overflowing all the time. Sweet isn't it? Meanwhile I am doing video conference with my nieces and nephews who are on the other side of the Atlantic. It is the 21st century but we still have a size limit on our e-mail boxes. Google gives you what? 2 gig?

CP does not return calls and he does not reply to e-mails. Is that normal? Same goes for HR, Travel Department, ... you name it.

I show up for my trip and my Jepp update is not in my folder. The only reason I knew there was one because my FO told me. I ask the intern she says they ran out. Last time this happened the FAA gave me a letter of warning. They handed out some 30-40 that morning. I end up arguing with her for 5 minutes and she takes a set out from another pilot's V file. Wow... I guess.... I got to go. So I take it. I do the update and I leave. But WOW.

MX is not really bad. Not at the moment. Planes are not flying with 20 DMIs like they used to. Dealing with MOC is a real problem though, especially when B team's shift is on. Documentation issues are ongoing. Recently we have not even had a major MX related meltdown like the fueling meltdown or the seats meltdown. Were you here for those? Was it fun? Was it something that an intelligent, forward looking, proactive management could have easily avoided? Well... did we avoid those? I guess the fueling issue was being addressed but it was too late. We all had to apologize on every leg for weeks to the passengers. It gets to you.

I dunno bro... I agree it is not fun to fly with someone who is not upbeat. Hard to stay upbeat when you have to spend time questioning the support system that should be in place to help you doing your job.
It is stressful to say the least. Having said that I don't think I am on anyone's no fly. For now...

I ran this one through Word. Hope I get a B- at least.

cynicalaviator

Hey, Mr Grammar, I believe it's irrelevant. not IRRELAVENT. Rather ironic mistake from a grammar/spelling nazi.

I'm very grateful that people like Normann are able to complain, vent, whine, wash their laundry in public. This is exactly why we have forums. You are saying he's free to leave. Feel free to read something as well. I am quite interested in what he has to say personally.

I'm sure we all know what Forum means: a place for discussion. This is exactly why prospective candidates come here for. They need to learn what is going on behind the curtains of the airline they are interested in. Only then, they can make an educated decision as to whether they should apply or not.
And before some get excited about my grammar or spelling, English is my second language as well.
Peace!!

Normann

So it is true? I thought he was screwing with me. I hope it is at least a double wide!

SG1159

Whew- caught me there, ROCKSTAR!!!

Go back and count grammar and spelling mistakes if you want to be THAT guy. My ORIGINAL point still stands- you might look into a class, or book, or maybe an online course on "reading for comprehension..." In my INITIAL comment, I AGREED with the sentiment... However, I STILL say that there are a few things that might be better left to something OTHER than a PUBLIC forum...


That's all.

NotAHobby7

As I new guy, I welcome everyone's perspective. As far as the maintenance thing, that is inexcusable. The same issue was rampant at my previous employer. On one hand, I had a previous captain leave me a paper note about a bleed valve that failed closed multiple times in flight, no write up. I ended up writing it up of course after arguing with maintenance, and sure enough did the same thing in flight and we diverted. On the flip side, some captains would write up placards at outstations. When there is a potential write up for the aircraft, the previous crew should write it up, unless there is a verbal exchange and agreement between the two captains, very busch league, unprofessional in my opinion. Now, if it is an item that is cosmetic such as cabin trim...

In terms of Spirit, the training was great (every single instructor sincerely cared for my success and learning), the airplane is easy (not that I have even come close to mastering it or ever will, and still am and will always be learning), all the crews have been excellent (with the exception of one senior FLL captain), the contract has some great caveats, and I strongly believe in the business model.

However, as a 34 year old with this being my only income, who will probably be commuting regardless of where I work, I am having a hard time not looking to at least apply for legacy jobs. It is hard to ignore that I can make much more money without ever having to upgrade. Trip averaging is not so good, we need true trip/duty rigs and premium pay for late-night flying. Also, our retirement can't compare to a 15% contribution at AA for example, that is not a match, but a contribution (I could be mistaken). First year pay, c'mon, this is a career airline right? I fully respect those who went before me here, and am proud to be associated with those who held the line, but because you and I had it substandard, does't justify having those behind us suffer. There are no shortage of applicants now, but it could definitely happen here someday.

I have high hopes for this company, and am proud and fortunate to work here, and am doing my best to improve the brand, but am fearful if I am still here in three years, I'll be a mid-level F.O. watching us go through a protracted contract battle with no end in sight, as my friends at legacies make twice as much with equivalent schedules.

Yes, let then "don't let the door hit you on the way out", "get the hell out then", "I bet you're a joy to fly with", comments fly.

I just want to make the best career choice and am worried the next contract will take awhile, as we have plenty of senior guys who seem to be content, and management has little incentive to expedite giving their low-paid pilots raises.

Normann

We got it Bill. Noted and Thanks! Now move on... you sound like a parrot