Final pilot recalls

[BoeingBoy]

Just trying to understand why someone who isn't getting a paycheck would be willing to continue doing that?

Being furloughed only means that one isn't getting a paycheck from US. It doesn't mean that they aren't getting a paycheck from anybody. These folks have been furloughed since 2002, so they haven't been sitting around collecting unemployment all that time.

Jim

 

[aquagreen73s]

Being furloughed only means that one isn't getting a paycheck from US. It doesn't mean that they aren't getting a paycheck from anybody. These folks have been furloughed since 2002, so they haven't been sitting around collecting unemployment all that time.

Jim

In other words, they (the furloughees) are proven survivors. If it doesn't kill you, then it makes you stronger. Woe to the company and the ALPA Establishment if a lot of the furloughees come back. Any sizable group which isn't susceptible to fear is a force to reckon with.

 

[Elevation]

In other words, they (the furloughees) are proven survivors. If it doesn't kill you, then it makes you stronger. Woe to the company and the ALPA Establishment if a lot of the furloughees come back. Any sizable group which isn't susceptible to fear is a force to reckon with.

🙄...survivors, now thats priceless. If you're not at SWA, JB , FEDEX ,UPS , Airtan or AWA by now you are a refugee. Maybe you should call yourself a hero too...

 

[careerfurloughee]

🙄...survivors, now thats priceless. If you're not at SWA, JB , FEDEX ,UPS , Airtan or AWA by now you are a refugee. Maybe you should call yourself a hero too...

There are a lot more ways to make a good living than working at those places. Why would you put those kind of limits on yourself?

 

[Furloughedagain]

There are a lot more ways to make a good living than working at those places. Why would you put those kind of limits on yourself?

Yup, you said it. Even remaining in aviation there are tremendous career opportunities if you break the golden handcuffs that kept you at an airline. Corporate pilot (some fortune 500 companies are quite stable), training instructor (FSI, simuflight, etc), Fractionals (Netjets, Citationshares, Flexjet, FlightOptions, Avantair), overseas operators (Emirates, Cathay Pacific)... I'm sure i'm just scratching the surface.

The last 5 years have been an adventure. I was furloughed in March of 2002 and have since moved twice, flown a Dornier 328 turboprop, a CRJ, a CRJ700, and a variety of 30-series Learjets. And let me tell you -- you SIT in a Boeing cockpit...a Learjet you wear like a thong.

 

[jrsygrl]

a Learjet you wear like a thong.

Now there's a visual you won't forget......

 

[jrsygrl]

O yeah and I almost forgot.....

I have a feeling that this whole thread may have been a waste of finger exercise anyway. Shortly we will be hearing from the arbitraitor and his decision on the merged seniority list. Now this is only my guess(not opinion)so please don't shoot me for it, but I have a funny feeling he's gonna staple the furloughee's to the bottom of the combined list.
But as has been stated above most don't want to come back anyway since they have found much better jobs. Good luck to all!

 

[Phoenix]

So I don't understand something - if you have been furloughed - and aren't getting a paycheck - isn't being recalled to any flying position better than not getting paid? It seems to me that as US moves more and more to smaller aircraft - the chances of getting recalled to a larger aircraft keeps going down. Just trying to understand why someone who isn't getting a paycheck would be willing to continue doing that?

Many pilots had businesses on the side while flying(CPA, lawyers, doctors, professors, architects, commercial contractors, slum lords, restaurant owners, pro golfers, etc.--I flew with all of them. That became full time adventures once they were furloughed. Many are flying in the military again or have changed careers entirely.

That is a significant factor in why only 2 or 3 out of ten return.

 

[Furloughedagain]

From another board:

"Do you think that the psychology will change when they begin to work back UP the list again?

I mean let's look at the facts. It's been 5+ years since we were furloughed. We all have other jobs. For most of us we don't NEED to go back immediately (especially at those payrates).

So why not wait and allow a nice cushion of people junior to you to build up? I/E - lots of people passing the first run through the list.

Then, on the "take it or leave it" pass back up, more people will accept since they will have a little bit of built-in seniority?

Or am I grasping at straws?"

Thoughts?

 

[Swaayze]

From another board:

"Do you think that the psychology will change when they begin to work back UP the list again?

I mean let's look at the facts. It's been 5+ years since we were furloughed. We all have other jobs. For most of us we don't NEED to go back immediately (especially at those payrates).

So why not wait and allow a nice cushion of people junior to you to build up? I/E - lots of people passing the first run through the list.

Then, on the "take it or leave it" pass back up, more people will accept since they will have a little bit of built-in seniority?

Or am I grasping at straws?"

Thoughts?

Probably accurate. I expect a higher acceptance on the way up the list. The seniority list will be done. The single contract should be (may be) done shortly after the seniority list. Senior APL pilots will come back with some immediate seniority and avoid bottom reserve.


BTW, are we expecting 26 per month thru December or 26 total through December. Anyone?

 

[Phoenix]

Frankly, after viewing how USAirways pilots took care of furloughees last time with metrojet, worthless stock options, abandoning scope protection of min aircraft, and the soft landing of Jets 4 Jobs, I cannot for the life of me see why anyone is looking forward to returning.

We now are graced with the 190 FO payrate, and furlough protection for the westies. And don’t forget about the new heavy flying to China and Tel Aviv. What will the furloughees have to give so DB can get that? Nothing has changed except that it will suck worse than in the late 90s for those returning from furlough here in 2007.

 

[fatherabraham]

Frankly, after viewing how USAirways pilots took care of furloughees last time with metrojet, worthless stock options, abandoning scope protection of min aircraft, and the soft landing of Jets 4 Jobs, I cannot for the life of me see why anyone is looking forward to returning.

Phoenix,

I am guessing from your post that you may have been "thrown under the bus". Alpa has a long history of such behavior @ Usairways. Pathetic to admit!
Feeling a bit optimistic today hence the prediction. The majority going forward will not behave in a non-union fashion. Me thinks that generation is on the way out and hopefully the age 60 issuue will happen years from now as to weed some more "Screw you, I've got mine" folk out. Hate to generalize as is only an opinion and guys like Jim ( BoeingBoy) are not in this group.
Alpa going forward needs the furlough group back as they are proven warriors. Good luck to all

FA