You've got to right about that. The need is greatest in the summer so training in October seems to indicate they know they're short of pilots overall, not just during the summer peak.

 

It seems to be really quiet the last few days.. Are they still discussing the whole GUM "Free Pass" idea? Does anyone know what the hold up is now? I sent an email last Thursday with NO response.

 

I sent an e-mail as well and haven't heard anything

 

i got an email that stated my info contact was correct and that there will be some sort of future info forthcoming ( however im so low. how low are you? Im so low i wont be called anyway- just passing it along.

seriously though-- how hard can it fn be to recall people-- its not like its never been fn done- especially at ual-- gmafb

 

You obviously don't know the idiots that are running this place. They could f'up a wet dream.

 

Speaking as a furloughee x2, it's not as bad as you think--it's worse. Apologies for the wet blanket, but my family and I have been through hell this second time. And I know a few of my furloughee x2 friends have been through the same.

Imagine running a marathon uphill, in the blazing heat, into the wind. The finish line seems just over the last hill. But when you crest that hill, you realize that the finish line is over the next hill... Repeat.

Good luck to you, HP44. Luck has more to do with our careers than many are willing to admit.

SCR

 

SoCentral...I hear you loud and clear. As a one timer, I don't like my situation and what I've had to do since '08 (the details are needless, same old furlough struggle) to stay in my career...well there for awhile I'd hardly call it that, anyway....it's the two timers I feel worst for. Twice going through this...I dunno, I can't see myself doing it again thats for sure.

It must be hard waiting to see if this recall thing is for real. On the forums they are tidbits here and there about them trying to work out commuting passes and volunteers for GUM. I would guess the bypass ratio would be very high if they didn't have something worked out. I'm not overly fond of what I'm doing now, but it's a damn sight better than commuting from Guam!

But really folks, sit back and look around yourself in the terminal, on the jumpseat and in the ready room. Look at these older guys for Pete's sake...I mean I am just amazed some them show up to work. They are tired and worn out and it's the same story I hear all the time, many of them are just holding on by their fingernails hoping for a last hurrah before hanging it up. What I see are highly experienced pilots who have served a lifetime at the airlines but who have lost the desire and "joi de virve" for the job. Can you hardly blame them really?! The ups and downs, strikes, mergers, bumping, surplussing, commuting on and on and on....

My point is I think we are on the verge of a massive exodus unlike anything we have ever seen in this profession. Older guys, respectfully, but I just don't see alot of young bright faces in the terminals (on the major side I mean) and thats mainly the fault of the profession being unable for the last 15 years to attract people because of the initial payout and lack of immediate reward. Word has spread folks that the piloting career just really sucks and young people (and their parents) are avoiding it. Can you hardly blame them? $80K in debt to sleep in a crashpad making $18K a year. Now you'll have to bridge to 1500 hours (doing God knows what the scum in 135 and 91 corporate will demand) just to get to that 18K a year regional job. Whose going to float that kinda cash for these kids? The government maybe but any smart parent is gonna think.

I don't think there will be a pilot shortage. If some airline is willing to sponsor a kid, send him through flight school and bridge him through jet transition to a regional, then of course your always going to have some ya-whoo who wants to be a jet pilot. No shortage there....ever.

But what you will have a shortage of in a few short years, lads and lasses, is a current 121 ATP with at least 1500 hours PIC jet (over 50K MTOW) and a degree. That, I promise you, very soon is going to be a rare commodity.

We also hear about the tens of thousands of "inactive ATP's" flooding back to the profession. Really? You think any training department will prefer some guy who hasn't been in 121 for 6-8 years (kindly, no offense intended). Can you imagine the training costs and the IOE involved to get this guy up to tackling ORD on a bad day? Sit out 6 months and see where you stand in LAX during rush hour.

I'm just saying folks that this thing is coming and there are only a few things that can stop it (which will probably happen, lol!). I don't think it will be the grand shortage everyone envisions, but I'm pretty sure if your the current pilot mentioned above, you'll have your pick in the not so distant future and we haven't even talked overseas demand.

Also, this recall (if it happens) is just the beginning. There will be another later in the year and certainly a need after a contract when those hanging on (on both sides) finally have had enough. I don't see the United side firing up the schoolhouse and then shutting it down again. That costs too much $$$$, so they'll trickle people through to keep the lights on. I also believe the resolution at AMR (push towards bankruptcy) will be the catalyst that pushes things along initially.

Lastly, I'd like to wager the bypass ratio on the recall will be 3-1 if they work out GUM issues. Much higher, 6-1 if they don't...any takers? Pick it apart and educate us all!

 

I guess the answer to the beginning of this thread is yes. As a 2x UAL Furloughed pilot, I believe that this is our time. There are a lot of things that have to happen but we could all be looking back 5 or 8 years from now on the left seat or senoir FO's making some good money and not having to worry about being furlough a third time from the same airline. Thinking , well it sucked there for a while but now it is all good. Again we have to get scope, longevity back, good pay rates and work rules and the senior guys start to bail after they get the retro pay. That is just my opinion and wish for all of us. We will see what happens in the end.

 

I think it has to get better because it really can't get much worse, can it?

 

Yes it can.