The glory days are over
05-25-2006, 12:50 PM
#11
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Student Pilot
Posts: 2,277
I just got off the phone with a former Air Force pilot. This guy is about 80 years old. At one time he was going to fly for NWA back in the 50's. He told me about how when NW only had DC-3 and DC-4 and how the pilots would sometimes only fly for half a year. The other half the guys would be out of work and how they complained about pay and other issues that are still affecting the industry today.
So keeping things in perspective, according to the gentleman I just got off the phone with, pilots have had the issue of pay since the beginning. Glory days...sounds like there never were any. JMO.
atp
So keeping things in perspective, according to the gentleman I just got off the phone with, pilots have had the issue of pay since the beginning. Glory days...sounds like there never were any. JMO.
atp
Last edited by atpwannabe; 05-25-2006 at 01:05 PM.
05-25-2006, 02:47 PM
#12
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Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: CR7 Capt
Posts: 1,621
Originally Posted by mike734
The only good thing about the state of our industry is that current working conditions will discourage young folks from entering the profession. A shortage of pilots is the only thing that will raise pay and benefits.
The question of whether it is too easy to become a pilot is still something that has to be addressed but the barriers to entry are still pretty high (cost).
The question of whether it is too easy to become a pilot is still something that has to be addressed but the barriers to entry are still pretty high (cost).
I agree.. I know quite a few who started out and gave up when they found out about pay and QOL. Always thought to myself that I hope it will means a pilot shortage and better pay for me.
05-25-2006, 03:42 PM
#13
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
New Stategy !!
Originally Posted by ERJ135
I agree.. I know quite a few who started out and gave up when they found out about pay and QOL. Always thought to myself that I hope it will means a pilot shortage and better pay for me.
What if we all work to drive the pay and benefits even further into the ground until the weak are driven off and the new are discouraged? Then once the flood of pilots has subsided we can demand higher pay. SO what do you think?
Skyhigh
05-25-2006, 04:15 PM
#15
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Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: Retired 767 Captain
Posts: 548
atpwannabe, I started with Delta in October, 1966. I was an 8 year veteran of the USMC with 1350 hours of single engine fighter time (that won`t get you a job with a commuter now). I started as a flight engineer on DC6&7`s. I had a wonderful career, flew the L100, DC 9`s DC 8`s, L1011, MD 80`s 757, and finally the 767. I flew both domestically and internationally. I made a lot of friends, a lot on money, got a wopper of a retirement check. I`m not sure what exactly the "Glory Days" are, but if they existed, I had them, and they will be back. The pendulum swings both ways. There is an old saying in the Marine Corps.." a *****ing Marine is a happy Marine"...must be a few real happy guys on this forum....
05-25-2006, 05:05 PM
#16
Self Employed.
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
No Sir
Originally Posted by BURflyer
SkyHigh, did you ever fly the 707, 727, md80?
SkyHigh
05-25-2006, 05:10 PM
#17
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Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: CR7 Capt
Posts: 1,621
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
What if we all work to drive the pay and benefits even further into the ground until the weak are driven off and the new are discouraged? Then once the flood of pilots has subsided we can demand higher pay. SO what do you think?
Skyhigh
Skyhigh
Its definitly unfortunate and only time will tell.
05-25-2006, 07:36 PM
#18
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Joined APC: Nov 2005
Posts: 758
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
And some here think my ideas are nutty and that I am just a bitter failure. Now AOPA is writing articles similar to my postings. Could flying magazine be next? Perhaps I should write a few articles?
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
Why are you still here?
No, AOPA/Barry Schiff is NOT writing articles similar to your postings. To do so, they would have had to include some pilot and some ALPA bashing; they did not.
Believe you me, you're not the only pilot who realizes that the career isn't exactly glorious at the present, but you are one of a very small number who thinks that it is your fellow pilots and their union at fault.
SkyBolt
05-25-2006, 07:48 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Nov 2005
Posts: 758
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Lots of things in life are "possible" however when your future is on the line most would prefer terms like probable. It is also my position that comfortable isn't good enough after so much sacrifice. It is difficult to recall many good times. Poverty, disappointment and misery have a way of blinding one to the smell of roses if they ever even existed.
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
Man, I'm starting to feel sorry for you. It must suck to be you, and to carry the bitterness that you carry. Step away from the keyboard and go hug your kids.
skybolt
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