slowplay

As did the guys hired in late 91 and 92 after their furlough.

When you're hired at the back end of a wave (over 3000 pilots hired in the south between 1996-2001 in the south) you won't have nearly the same career as the guys hired at the front of it. As pointed out, you could always look at the career stagnation of all those airlines that furloughed over the last 5 years.

slowplay

Nice.

GMAFB.

dragon

I take it you see it differently?

Sink r8

We're OK. I've just found the stagnation tough to stomach lately, and I don't begrudge anyone else for being dissatisfied. I don't suggest to anyone they need to leave (to a certain extent) just because they're frustrated over the short or medium-term, so I understand and accept your frustration.

I just specifically object to people who are sure it's better elsewhere, the proof being that newhires are leaving, and are trying to cash that into sympathy. Newhires can, and should, move around when hiring is ongoing. I admire those who make calls, and don't want to be stuck with those that can't.

I also think that if there ever is a point when I absolutely can't stand my career, and it's been going on for years, I should go. In the meantime, I would have tried to strike a balance between just enough complaining as to make conversation, not so much as to look over to find the other guy hanging from a hat hook with his tie around his neck...

Elvis90

I've brought this up before: in my newhire class of 28 from Sept 2010, 3 have left - 2 for SWA and 1 for FedEx, mainly for commuting reasons. The domiciles of those companies worked out better for them.

With the AirTran merger, I would not want to apply to SWA right now. FedEx will continue to hire for some time according to the last FedEx pilot I've talked to. I think UCAL has a great network, but they have poor mgt-labor relations, and that merger is still thorny.

My friends leaving the military are now applying either to FedEx or Delta, and I'm trying to steer them our way. I agree that the stagnation is frustrating (being here only two years, I haven't experienced it) - I'm thinking more of year 2000 hires and guys that were furloughed, that's got to be a nasty experience.

Looking ahead, I think Delta is the only US airline company that is poised to take advantage of opportunities because our merger is complete, our labor groups are fairly content, and debt is being paid off.

capncrunch

Yes he does and he'll let his condescending attitude let you know it.

Sink r8

Did you read his follow-up post?

sailingfun

It does require more pilots. They will be coming. The contract was signed less then 100 days ago. The first aircraft that you site don't arrive until Aug of 2013. That schedule has not changed a day. They expect to add as many as 150 mil leave returnees to the list this winter. 15 are in class now. Probably does you little good since most were 2000-01 hires but its more bodies. They never planned on hiring more then a handful of pilots this year under any circumstances. Next year they will be hiring and it will continue for many years unless there is a world wide collapse.
You should however keep one thing in mind. They are making record profits only because of severe capacity restraint on the part of marketing. If that breaks down the profits will evaporate.

Free Bird

Glad you're able to tell everyone on the list if they have the right to say "I've had a disappointing career" sinkr8 approved.

Could you tell me where I fit in? 12 year 88 ATL B, still in the bottom 1/3 of the line-holders. This coveted position allows me to work most weekends and holidays.

It's not that I posted this to complain, it's that you and other "senior" folks really shouldn't be so quick to judge what life at the bottom or close to it is like for a long period of time.

dragon

I understand they are coming and if we're able to take the long view, in a couple of years we'll be laughing about this. I still think we sold too many jobs for a small pay raise and with the work rules we're going to be operated a lot more lean than DAL is used to and a more like NWA was used to.

The frustration other than being told we're fat is I keep getting calls for IA and out of base GS (Sat aka CFB morning) and so I'm not seeing it on my "beloved" fifi. The main frustration is not being able to bring my military friends on board. I can only tell them so many times, we're hiring soon. As Annie says tomorrow, tomorrow, it's only a day away.

Guys, let's watch some cheerleaders, I mean College football enjoy the ones we're with and I'll try to remember this is a great company going places and I have a job which in this economy is a great thing!