U.S. Regionals Struggling To Attract Pilots
05-06-2015, 09:31 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Position: ERJ, CA
Posts: 718
We have to modify or get rid of the seniority system, it's the only way to level the playing field. How to do that, I have no idea. One way, I suppose would be to see how it works in Asia and places without it. Or get that mythical national seniority list going.
Another wrinkle in this is the current economic climate has businesses scared of the uncertainty and unwilling to plan strategically. We are a hair's breadth from another stock market correction or crash. The P/E ratios are too high, 20:1, when the historical avg is 10 or 12:1. The stock market is stuck in molasses because the big boys refuse to pump anymore money in. It has topped out. It's now just trading bot v trading bot.
In this climate, signing a long term contract is too risky for business. This whole hiring wave could end in the snap of the fingers if there is a big correction; historical indications are one is coming, they know this. You won't hear it on MSNBC or CNN, they want the little guy in while they get out and go short. If there is a correction and the govt. decides to do another stimulus package, it won't have as much of an effect and it will cause the price of oil to skyrocket, hurting airlines. Of course, hedging could mitigate this, but I'm not sure how many are hedged when prices are so low as they are now.
Another wrinkle in this is the current economic climate has businesses scared of the uncertainty and unwilling to plan strategically. We are a hair's breadth from another stock market correction or crash. The P/E ratios are too high, 20:1, when the historical avg is 10 or 12:1. The stock market is stuck in molasses because the big boys refuse to pump anymore money in. It has topped out. It's now just trading bot v trading bot.
In this climate, signing a long term contract is too risky for business. This whole hiring wave could end in the snap of the fingers if there is a big correction; historical indications are one is coming, they know this. You won't hear it on MSNBC or CNN, they want the little guy in while they get out and go short. If there is a correction and the govt. decides to do another stimulus package, it won't have as much of an effect and it will cause the price of oil to skyrocket, hurting airlines. Of course, hedging could mitigate this, but I'm not sure how many are hedged when prices are so low as they are now.
05-07-2015, 05:11 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Position: fifi whisperer
Posts: 1,255
We have to modify or get rid of the seniority system, it's the only way to level the playing field. How to do that, I have no idea. One way, I suppose would be to see how it works in Asia and places without it. Or get that mythical national seniority list going.
Another wrinkle in this is the current economic climate has businesses scared of the uncertainty and unwilling to plan strategically. We are a hair's breadth from another stock market correction or crash. The P/E ratios are too high, 20:1, when the historical avg is 10 or 12:1. The stock market is stuck in molasses because the big boys refuse to pump anymore money in. It has topped out. It's now just trading bot v trading bot.
In this climate, signing a long term contract is too risky for business. This whole hiring wave could end in the snap of the fingers if there is a big correction; historical indications are one is coming, they know this. You won't hear it on MSNBC or CNN, they want the little guy in while they get out and go short. If there is a correction and the govt. decides to do another stimulus package, it won't have as much of an effect and it will cause the price of oil to skyrocket, hurting airlines. Of course, hedging could mitigate this, but I'm not sure how many are hedged when prices are so low as they are now.
Another wrinkle in this is the current economic climate has businesses scared of the uncertainty and unwilling to plan strategically. We are a hair's breadth from another stock market correction or crash. The P/E ratios are too high, 20:1, when the historical avg is 10 or 12:1. The stock market is stuck in molasses because the big boys refuse to pump anymore money in. It has topped out. It's now just trading bot v trading bot.
In this climate, signing a long term contract is too risky for business. This whole hiring wave could end in the snap of the fingers if there is a big correction; historical indications are one is coming, they know this. You won't hear it on MSNBC or CNN, they want the little guy in while they get out and go short. If there is a correction and the govt. decides to do another stimulus package, it won't have as much of an effect and it will cause the price of oil to skyrocket, hurting airlines. Of course, hedging could mitigate this, but I'm not sure how many are hedged when prices are so low as they are now.
05-07-2015, 05:48 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Posts: 500
Not sure what part of my post you disagree with. Hard to disagree with the fact that high school students come to the flight school who want to learn to fly but tells me they have no desire to be airline pilots because of the reasons I stated earlier.
I agree that there will always be people doing someone's job for less. But as far as entry level airline jobs, I think that number is declining in a big way; largely thanks to the Internet and social media.
When Captain Sullenberger made statements like these last week, I think the writing is already on the wall:
"This widespread perception, that jobs, entry level jobs at the regional carriers are not good ones, is deserved. And it's become more widely known. And I think to the extent there are people who are making other life choices for themselves and for their families, it's because of that. This is something that they have done to themselves, and it's easily reconcilable, if they simple offer starting wages and working conditions that would attract qualified candidates which are out there, but who are currently doing other things."
"Pilot passion will only carry you so far, the same as passion for any profession will. At some point, like everyone else, like all of us, we are going to want to be able to buy a car, or have a family, or eventually buy a house, and have a life. And we need to have a career path that's going to enable us to do that. That's why the regional airlines have had so much trouble, because they've been offering for so many years, a substandard set of wages and working conditions and to try to continue to make fit in the real world a broken economic model."
I agree that there will always be people doing someone's job for less. But as far as entry level airline jobs, I think that number is declining in a big way; largely thanks to the Internet and social media.
When Captain Sullenberger made statements like these last week, I think the writing is already on the wall:
"This widespread perception, that jobs, entry level jobs at the regional carriers are not good ones, is deserved. And it's become more widely known. And I think to the extent there are people who are making other life choices for themselves and for their families, it's because of that. This is something that they have done to themselves, and it's easily reconcilable, if they simple offer starting wages and working conditions that would attract qualified candidates which are out there, but who are currently doing other things."
"Pilot passion will only carry you so far, the same as passion for any profession will. At some point, like everyone else, like all of us, we are going to want to be able to buy a car, or have a family, or eventually buy a house, and have a life. And we need to have a career path that's going to enable us to do that. That's why the regional airlines have had so much trouble, because they've been offering for so many years, a substandard set of wages and working conditions and to try to continue to make fit in the real world a broken economic model."
I also watched Sullly's testimony and practically stood up and cheered. It should be required viewing. The panel listened to him and it was obvious they had much more respect for him than all of that other "Malarky." What a fitting name for her.
05-07-2015, 05:58 AM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,533
05-08-2015, 04:53 AM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,316
I was writing up something big but ^^ nailed it. We're not operating under free-market capitalism... this industry is regulated in a very pro-business anti-labor way. Yes, part of it is the fault of SOME pilots... but there should be mechanisms in order to save the majority of pilots from a few idiots in the herd.
Fun fact: By 2016, 51% of the worlds wealth will be controlled by the 1%.
05-08-2015, 06:06 AM
#46
On Reserve
Joined APC: May 2011
Posts: 12
I have no problem with people spending money to cut the line. Its their money! Allot of parents screwed up and can't afford the best for their kids that's not his/her problem!
News flash! Not all parents sat back on their laurals, some actually took chances in life so their kids could have a foot up against the world, e.g. you! Sorry, but people cutting the line happens in every industry!
News flash! Not all parents sat back on their laurals, some actually took chances in life so their kids could have a foot up against the world, e.g. you! Sorry, but people cutting the line happens in every industry!
05-08-2015, 11:13 AM
#50
Bracing for Fallacies
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
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