7576FO

I'm surprised at how many pilots say i'll wait for here or i'll go to "ABC" Airlines.
My phone rang once. Only once. And I went there. And I was lucky. I'm not a "Gift to aviation"

Would I recommend AA? If you're ex air force I would. Civilian guys like me just shake your heads and go "Wow none of the other airlines do that/do it that way" alot.
Man I just work here.

One of my bud said "the secret to happiness is don't read anything, don't read the Company crap don't read the Union crap. Just go home after landing and read Berenstein bears to your kids"

flaps 9

I'm guessing none of those folks worked at Southwest

Lighteningspeed

I do not jumpseat with SWA as it is not convenient for my commute and I have only spoken to a few SWA pilots. Sounds like you are at SWA so why don't you tell me how it is at SWA.

I am not too concerned about how many major CAs will retire or not retire at 60 because I have no control over it and I am sure when you are at age 60 you may not want to be pressured to retire either.

flaps 9

I've flown with ONE guy who leaves in six months and can't wait, other than him everyone else says they'll stay till at least 62 and probably till 65.

Southwest is leading the charge to repeal the age 60 rule. Our union spends time in DC and lobbys hard for the change.

Things are different at WN. No one has taken a pay cut and those approaching 60 have benefited from at stock program and profit sharing program which has made them worth millions. Most of these guys made Captain in 2 years. I think it's time for them to move on, enjoy their millions, and let others have a piece of the pie.

Spartan07

I don't really understand how the airlines can afford to keep their highest paid employees on for an extra five years. Does anybody have any speculation on what this might do to the pay at these carriers? Anyone foresee any paycuts anywhere on the scale? Or maybe, just maybe, could it go the other way and expand the top step?

Lighteningspeed

Flaps9 thanks for SWA input. I don't disagree with you in that if you are worth millions, maybe they should retire and let the new generation have our piece of the pie.

Spartan07, I have no idea what it is pushing this age 65 rule. All I know is that ICAO which governs the international aviation regulations was pressured hard by European airlines to change the age 60 rule and ICAO did change its rule. Many European carriers as well as Asian, and Emirates airlines have changed their retirement age to 65. The FAA was pushed hard by airlines (senior pilots at ALPA and from Flaps9 it looks like SWA senior CAs are one those at the front) to increase the retirement age to 65 and they succeeded, it looks like because it is a done deal. I think it will still take about 2 years before it becomes a reality.

As far as paycuts are concerned, I don't see how we can take more paycuts. We have taken enough cuts as it is. It should go up but that is wishful thinking on my part.

Beagle Capt

From the ten year RJ captain pay level, I can tell you there's plenty of room for improvement. It's nice to think maybe we're finally valuable to someone out there at the major level. As long as majors can offer more than 12 or 13 days off a month, less than six legs a day, and airplanes that don't cause every other passenger to complain about low headroom walking in (like mine), then there is going to be a desire to move up. My family deserves the best I can provide, and in this day and age (and market), a lifetime ceiling of $100,000 a year is unfortunately not enough. (With max OT, IOE pay, etc.) What I won't do is subject my family to commuting, and so here I am, waiting for the last airlines that domicile here to start hiring (or resume hiring). I pray the demand for experienced pilots would have an effect on first and second year pay, that certainly would help decision making for people like me.......

scrapdog

And there absolutely shouldn't be one ever again...or any other carrier for that matter.

CALPilotToo

Typical military comment. I didn't flo thru as I was a 90 hire as they call us but it is guys like you why the airline managements have been successful in seperating this profession into two, three, and four groups weak as opposed to one airline pilot group strong.

Why is Delta weaker?
Comair, ASA, and Skywest. Delta pilots mostly military felt they weren't an issue.

Why is American weaker?
Because of 5 Eagles that gradually became one but still seperate. And AA pilots, mostly military didn't see the threat.

Why is CAL weaker?
Express Jet and Chittaqua (spelling). SCABS are stupid and self serving to begin with and many others here didn't see the writing on the walls.

Why is JetBlue gaining ground?
Their pilots fly all jet equipment.

Why is AirCanada strong?
Their pilots fly all jet equipment.

Your mentality is right behind the SCABS in my opinion.

Riddler

Sounds like you have some beef against military guys.