PDT News and Rumors
Mesa going under?
10-15-2008, 08:18 PM
#142
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: bar stool
Posts: 771
I think many of us share a similar story…
Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with flight. If an adult asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say, “Airline Pilot”. When presented with the opportunity to begin flight lessons, I could not refuse. After getting my private license, I could see the hopes of my childhood dream come closer.
I would listen to stories from my flight instructor about their former instructors of how they had a very long road to becoming an airline pilot. They would have to flight instruct for many years, get a job flying cargo or charter services. After many years of moving up through the ranks, they might have the fortunate chance of getting the big interview from a regional carrier. It sounded like a long and tough road, but I was willing to do what it takes to get there.
The pilot shortage hit and hiring minimums dropped and the future starting looking bright. An unanticipated window opened I did what I could so I would no miss out. I did so, and got hired at Piedmont.
The planes are fuel-efficient and Piedmont had around longer than any other regional carrier. Looked like the safest bet for job security. The planes might not be glamorous compared to an RJ, my thoughts were that I would be happy just flying.
I was told, along with many others, that training most likely would start in September. September has passed. Gas prices shot up and the economy has dropped along with Mural in the industry. There obviously is still no start date for training. Best guesses are maybe a year from when hired.
Every time I turn on the news, it seems like the sky is falling with the economy, and I read about the Parent company suing each other from within. Now I read there are “glitches” in the system for paying Piedmont employees. It may just be harmless, but with the circumstances of the credit crisis, it makes me wonder. There are also rumors of loosing flying / airplanes. Those at the bottom of the seniority list of other companies have gotten the ax. Piedmont is now offering voluntary leaves of absences. Does this mean furloughs are around the corner?
Now this bright future is looking dimmer. Other than say Republic, I thought Piedmont was a more stable company, but is now questionable. This nothing like I thought the airlines were like when I was younger. I can say I love aviation and are willing to put up with many things. However, I think a line must be drawn. There is a point were giving up everything in life...relationships, money, time, sanity (fill in the blank)….will not be worth the continue pursuit of this career. I know everything in aviation is cyclical, and that in light of what others in the past have gone through to get the job, it really is not that bad…but I fear aviation is headed in a very dark direction where the timing might just not be right. I’m hoping for the best, but also think I should be planning for the future if I simply cannot make a living this way. I fear that if I were to give up at Piedmont, the road to being a professional pilot may be an ever longer and harder climb. I wish everyone the best and hope I can help to push your seniority number up in the future.
And a random question….if I was stuck on reserve forever at Piedmont, would I at least be able to manipulate my schedule to take advantage of travel privileges? What I mean is how long could I get off at a time to travel somewhere if I wanted to. I think you can get 4 days off in a row and two sets of two days off. Is there any way to put them together?
Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with flight. If an adult asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say, “Airline Pilot”. When presented with the opportunity to begin flight lessons, I could not refuse. After getting my private license, I could see the hopes of my childhood dream come closer.
I would listen to stories from my flight instructor about their former instructors of how they had a very long road to becoming an airline pilot. They would have to flight instruct for many years, get a job flying cargo or charter services. After many years of moving up through the ranks, they might have the fortunate chance of getting the big interview from a regional carrier. It sounded like a long and tough road, but I was willing to do what it takes to get there.
The pilot shortage hit and hiring minimums dropped and the future starting looking bright. An unanticipated window opened I did what I could so I would no miss out. I did so, and got hired at Piedmont.
The planes are fuel-efficient and Piedmont had around longer than any other regional carrier. Looked like the safest bet for job security. The planes might not be glamorous compared to an RJ, my thoughts were that I would be happy just flying.
I was told, along with many others, that training most likely would start in September. September has passed. Gas prices shot up and the economy has dropped along with Mural in the industry. There obviously is still no start date for training. Best guesses are maybe a year from when hired.
Every time I turn on the news, it seems like the sky is falling with the economy, and I read about the Parent company suing each other from within. Now I read there are “glitches” in the system for paying Piedmont employees. It may just be harmless, but with the circumstances of the credit crisis, it makes me wonder. There are also rumors of loosing flying / airplanes. Those at the bottom of the seniority list of other companies have gotten the ax. Piedmont is now offering voluntary leaves of absences. Does this mean furloughs are around the corner?
Now this bright future is looking dimmer. Other than say Republic, I thought Piedmont was a more stable company, but is now questionable. This nothing like I thought the airlines were like when I was younger. I can say I love aviation and are willing to put up with many things. However, I think a line must be drawn. There is a point were giving up everything in life...relationships, money, time, sanity (fill in the blank)….will not be worth the continue pursuit of this career. I know everything in aviation is cyclical, and that in light of what others in the past have gone through to get the job, it really is not that bad…but I fear aviation is headed in a very dark direction where the timing might just not be right. I’m hoping for the best, but also think I should be planning for the future if I simply cannot make a living this way. I fear that if I were to give up at Piedmont, the road to being a professional pilot may be an ever longer and harder climb. I wish everyone the best and hope I can help to push your seniority number up in the future.
And a random question….if I was stuck on reserve forever at Piedmont, would I at least be able to manipulate my schedule to take advantage of travel privileges? What I mean is how long could I get off at a time to travel somewhere if I wanted to. I think you can get 4 days off in a row and two sets of two days off. Is there any way to put them together?
I feel your pain man, and I am sure there will be an upswing, hopefully soon. But who knows. Lately I have been pretty bummed about stuff too and am getting worried I might be out of a job soon. Not to mention the pay is absolutly horrendous, and I can't even put away a dime. Not breaking guarentee does not help much, either. Not to mention I don't have kids, a wife, nothing, and I still only break even.
That said, I think it sucks everywhere right now, and I guess we all just have to try to ride it out and wait for the upswing. Best is to try to ignore it and let time do it's thing. Although realistically it's almost impossible not to think about it. Don't worry, keep flying while your waiting, or make use of your time and be productive if it's away from flying.
Last edited by stoki; 10-15-2008 at 09:45 PM.
10-15-2008, 08:19 PM
#143
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: bar stool
Posts: 771
MESA operates -200s out of PHX so I guess to get a CHANCE even at PHX they would have to go under, or we would have to get that flying, which would I am sure require more A/C which there are no plans to get anywhere in the near future from what I know. But who know's.
10-16-2008, 07:45 AM
#146
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: DHC-8
Posts: 150
You know we really shouldn't complain about reserve. And I am experienced at it cause I have been on reserve as an F/O now 1 year in EWN. Anyways, there are captains here in EWN who have been on reserve for over 5 years so we really can't compare to them. Schedules fluctuate year to year, month to month. Eventually things will pick up. Just think about how the people who were here when Piedmont and Allegeny merged. In the past 4 years, PDT has returned about 50 planes. Times change, schedules change, yet we keep flying. I know it's rough right now, but at least we still have our jobs and pay, what little we get, and sometimes a few days late, but it still comes. Try not to let reserve and scheduling get you down.
Just to make you smile too, the other day scheduling called to adjust my on-call to 4am but no plans as of yet. I told the girl, I think it was Kate, that it doesn't matter and she came back kinda offended. I responded "It doesn't matter, cause I'm gonna sleep till 10 anyways like normal and your not gonna call me like normal." She laughed then.
Just to make you smile too, the other day scheduling called to adjust my on-call to 4am but no plans as of yet. I told the girl, I think it was Kate, that it doesn't matter and she came back kinda offended. I responded "It doesn't matter, cause I'm gonna sleep till 10 anyways like normal and your not gonna call me like normal." She laughed then.
10-16-2008, 07:52 AM
#147
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 26
Why do you think we are so over staffed and not furloughing? That is costing Steve lots of money. When something costs Steve money he gets rid of it. Why hasn't he furloughed yet? Something is in the works. All you swimmers keep your head up.
10-16-2008, 08:00 AM
#148
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: CA
Posts: 155
Well said Higgi. I think guys starting out fresh in this industry think that holding a line your first month of SOE and upgrading in a couple years is the norm. Far from it. Before we closed SYR almost a year ago, you needed 18 years senority to hold a line as a captain in MDT. I'm not kidding.
What is going on right now happens about every 8 years. Some guys just happen to hit that sweet spot.
What is going on right now happens about every 8 years. Some guys just happen to hit that sweet spot.
10-16-2008, 08:23 AM
#149
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: bar stool
Posts: 771
You know we really shouldn't complain about reserve. And I am experienced at it cause I have been on reserve as an F/O now 1 year in EWN. Anyways, there are captains here in EWN who have been on reserve for over 5 years so we really can't compare to them. Schedules fluctuate year to year, month to month. Eventually things will pick up. Just think about how the people who were here when Piedmont and Allegeny merged. In the past 4 years, PDT has returned about 50 planes. Times change, schedules change, yet we keep flying. I know it's rough right now, but at least we still have our jobs and pay, what little we get, and sometimes a few days late, but it still comes. Try not to let reserve and scheduling get you down.
Just to make you smile too, the other day scheduling called to adjust my on-call to 4am but no plans as of yet. I told the girl, I think it was Kate, that it doesn't matter and she came back kinda offended. I responded "It doesn't matter, cause I'm gonna sleep till 10 anyways like normal and your not gonna call me like normal." She laughed then.
Just to make you smile too, the other day scheduling called to adjust my on-call to 4am but no plans as of yet. I told the girl, I think it was Kate, that it doesn't matter and she came back kinda offended. I responded "It doesn't matter, cause I'm gonna sleep till 10 anyways like normal and your not gonna call me like normal." She laughed then.
My only real beef with reserve is not so much the schedule, but the lack of money by never breaking guarentee. I know we all went through it, but that doesnt make it any less painful. Especially now when pay is pretty much the same but the costs of everything have skyrocketed, and the dollar really doesnt get you that much anymore.
I had the 4am reserve 4 days in a row now. Never makes a difference to me, either. For the same reasons you stated.
10-16-2008, 11:28 AM
#150
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 517
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but look at amount of dash 8 flying out of PHX. its 5 destinations a day plus a saturday to Palm Springs. I don't see that as a enough to open base. We would need to acquire more equipment and also have to take the Be1900 flying in order to open a base.
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