United/Continental Furlough Time
09-10-2011, 05:23 PM
#11
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Furlough/Gun Driver
Posts: 437
Furloughed Sept 18, 2008.
Worked a 135 on demand job for about a year. 24/7 on call flying Aerostars. Was hourly which didn't pay the bills, then put on a modest salary with a change in the ownership and finally quit when they planned on putting me back on an hourly/daily rate because of slow business. I just couldn't live like that anymore.
Looked for non flying jobs with no bites. Fortunately in March of 2010 I was able to get myself pulled out of guard retirement and placed in an Apache unit, flew them on active duty a looong time ago. I am finally getting my self respect back and enjoy being treated as a valued member of a team. I have been sent to several courses and am scheduled for an MTP course in March next year. Earning enough to make ends meet, not much more, and am looking forward to a chance to get my career back on track.
Upside is I have had more time off in the past several years than I ever had before in my adult life and have been able to spend a great deal of time reflecting on my priorities in life.
Worked a 135 on demand job for about a year. 24/7 on call flying Aerostars. Was hourly which didn't pay the bills, then put on a modest salary with a change in the ownership and finally quit when they planned on putting me back on an hourly/daily rate because of slow business. I just couldn't live like that anymore.
Looked for non flying jobs with no bites. Fortunately in March of 2010 I was able to get myself pulled out of guard retirement and placed in an Apache unit, flew them on active duty a looong time ago. I am finally getting my self respect back and enjoy being treated as a valued member of a team. I have been sent to several courses and am scheduled for an MTP course in March next year. Earning enough to make ends meet, not much more, and am looking forward to a chance to get my career back on track.
Upside is I have had more time off in the past several years than I ever had before in my adult life and have been able to spend a great deal of time reflecting on my priorities in life.
09-10-2011, 06:24 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Position: Line Pilot
Posts: 142
Oh man, it feels good to hear you guys say all of that. I see that I am not the only one who went through such a tough 2nd furlough. I am still doing a stint as Mr. Mom...... Toughest job I will ever love! We will all be alright though , I can feel it! Keep the faith brothers!
09-10-2011, 06:41 PM
#14
Don't say Guppy
Joined APC: Dec 2010
Position: Guppy driver
Posts: 1,926
I think I am "different" furloughee, a volunteer. I pulled gear at UAL for 13 years. It sounds like several of you are UAL "double furloughees". Unfortunately you weren't here long enough to understand UAL. Hopefully UAL will change, and someday be a good company to come back too. Sadly, that day is not today, and may be a long way off. If ever.
I have been working since I was 13, doing many things, including 8 years active duty in the Corps. UAL is the dumbest thing I have ever done, and I got to have some fun while I was there, Miami and "old JFK" bases which had a lot of old Pan Am guys and gals. I did have a bit of fun. But that ended 10 years ago.
Since leaving, I flew scarebuses at Vietnam Airines for 18 months, and have been flying for a small carrier in China for the last 15 months. I actually enjoy my job, and get treated great at work (by both companies, and co-workers). For the first time as an airline pilot, I enjoy my job.
I also get a good deal, I got to keep my passes on UAL, which work very well out of PEK. Every time I get on a plane it reminds me of why I left UAL: walking onto a UAL aircraft is like walking into the middle of a f@#$%ing funeral. I hope the CAL side is better, and I jumpseated on them a bunch my last couple of years at UAL, and it was better.
I doubt I will ever come back. I will only come back if it is a step up. Coming back now it would be 4 steps down.
Good luck to all.
I have been working since I was 13, doing many things, including 8 years active duty in the Corps. UAL is the dumbest thing I have ever done, and I got to have some fun while I was there, Miami and "old JFK" bases which had a lot of old Pan Am guys and gals. I did have a bit of fun. But that ended 10 years ago.
Since leaving, I flew scarebuses at Vietnam Airines for 18 months, and have been flying for a small carrier in China for the last 15 months. I actually enjoy my job, and get treated great at work (by both companies, and co-workers). For the first time as an airline pilot, I enjoy my job.
I also get a good deal, I got to keep my passes on UAL, which work very well out of PEK. Every time I get on a plane it reminds me of why I left UAL: walking onto a UAL aircraft is like walking into the middle of a f@#$%ing funeral. I hope the CAL side is better, and I jumpseated on them a bunch my last couple of years at UAL, and it was better.
I doubt I will ever come back. I will only come back if it is a step up. Coming back now it would be 4 steps down.
Good luck to all.
09-10-2011, 09:06 PM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: If it ain't Boeing I ain't going....756 Capt
Posts: 74
2nd Furlough
1st year of furlough flying for a "regional" airline, now at Atlas. I do not indend to come back unless I see a major change in how the place is run and definitely not until I have a lot of bodies under me....unless my circumstances change (I.E. Atlas tanks). I am very fortunate to have landed on my feet. Not sure why but Atlas seems to not want any United stink on their pilots. I have not gotten any of my United bros' an interview (maybe it is just me)
Good luck to us all!
T
Good luck to us all!
T
09-11-2011, 04:41 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Position: N/A
Posts: 607
Applied to over 100 jobs after the November '08 furlough, got one phone interview, but the job went to an internal applicant.
So i started an FBO. Got turned down for all the loans I applied for, so I used one of those 0% credit card checks to start it up with a leased airplane. You can actually make a little bit of money in aviation, it pays the essential bills but that's about it. I had no clue how many expenses are involved with running a business. Taxes and workers comp insurance are massive, even wth only a small profit. And then there are the TFR's when the President comes to visit - he seems to know when our flight schedule is packed, always causes a lot of cancellations!
I need two full time flight instructors now - tell your unemployed friends!
So i started an FBO. Got turned down for all the loans I applied for, so I used one of those 0% credit card checks to start it up with a leased airplane. You can actually make a little bit of money in aviation, it pays the essential bills but that's about it. I had no clue how many expenses are involved with running a business. Taxes and workers comp insurance are massive, even wth only a small profit. And then there are the TFR's when the President comes to visit - he seems to know when our flight schedule is packed, always causes a lot of cancellations!
I need two full time flight instructors now - tell your unemployed friends!
09-11-2011, 05:14 AM
#17
On Reserve
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
1st year of furlough flying for a "regional" airline, now at Atlas. I do not indend to come back unless I see a major change in how the place is run and definitely not until I have a lot of bodies under me....unless my circumstances change (I.E. Atlas tanks). I am very fortunate to have landed on my feet. Not sure why but Atlas seems to not want any United stink on their pilots. I have not gotten any of my United bros' an interview (maybe it is just me)
Good luck to us all!
T
Good luck to us all!
T
The dumpy freight haulers all want you to hard resign. If u want to know what that means ask the guys currently trying to get back on the list because they needed a paycheck. 08 and 09 was worse than 9/11. There was zero love out there. Never again.
09-11-2011, 06:00 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Corporate Limo Captain
Posts: 102
You know, United is like a *****y x wife that has turned my life upside down over the past 10 years. I divorced a wonderful fortune 500 company with a very bright furure, to attend the wedding under the Jeppesen statue in 1999.
She was a good partner for the first two years, career progression, awesome new contract. Untill exactly ten years ago today it all came to a screeching hault. Career progression stopped, and the backslide began. C2000 pay lasted another two years until she took us to court and then that was gone with the bankruptcy. Although we werent on speaking terms, I stayed in the house because I had no place to go. In late 2003 I met a real hottie (another fortune 500 flight department) that overlooked my checkered past being married to such a skank. (UAL) She took me in, cleaned me up gave me a raise and a career path. Four and a half years later that ***** (UAL) came knocking again. I kept her on the back burner until the last "come back or resign call", my bad. I though I'd give the ole ***** one more chance, I'm still young, at 36 if I gave her the rest of my career my original expectations may pan out.
I have always heard "Love is blind", wow is it true. After one year that ***** was at it again. When she filed for divorce the second time and started the furlough process I went across the tracks to beat the rush. I took a voluntary to fly a limo for a rich guy.
Well, the ***** is back. Being in an off and on relationship and burning bridges for this ***** has brought me to the point of no return. I have to return if I want to be an airline pilot, it's true that nobody wants any of Uniteds x lovers.
She was a good partner for the first two years, career progression, awesome new contract. Untill exactly ten years ago today it all came to a screeching hault. Career progression stopped, and the backslide began. C2000 pay lasted another two years until she took us to court and then that was gone with the bankruptcy. Although we werent on speaking terms, I stayed in the house because I had no place to go. In late 2003 I met a real hottie (another fortune 500 flight department) that overlooked my checkered past being married to such a skank. (UAL) She took me in, cleaned me up gave me a raise and a career path. Four and a half years later that ***** (UAL) came knocking again. I kept her on the back burner until the last "come back or resign call", my bad. I though I'd give the ole ***** one more chance, I'm still young, at 36 if I gave her the rest of my career my original expectations may pan out.
I have always heard "Love is blind", wow is it true. After one year that ***** was at it again. When she filed for divorce the second time and started the furlough process I went across the tracks to beat the rush. I took a voluntary to fly a limo for a rich guy.
Well, the ***** is back. Being in an off and on relationship and burning bridges for this ***** has brought me to the point of no return. I have to return if I want to be an airline pilot, it's true that nobody wants any of Uniteds x lovers.
Last edited by iadfo; 09-11-2011 at 06:37 AM.
09-11-2011, 06:32 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: B777
Posts: 586
Twice Furloughed......
First time around 2003...went to a B727 Charter outfit that actually wanted to hire GOOD STICKS and didn't mind the UAL alma stink on me. Was a great job that paid low but had some nice time off and live at home while on reserve. Flying a Three-Holer again was too good to pass up.
Second time around (2009) I took and early LOA and went to "Tacobell Express" to impart my knowledge in the Regional Airline Management arena, first as Manager of Flight Standards working with some real winners wearing suits! Escaped the writing manuals day to day to become a Regional Chief Pilot who actually stuck up for his pilots (most of them kids...trying to find the dream) after two years of all that my thirst for Latin women got the best of me I applied and got hired as a DEC for a Latin American Airline with VERY HOT F/A's that call you Commandante! Flying a Boeing again and enjoying life again--no hurry to come back until that time is "right"
UAL Stink is alive as well. The Regional I was at had a VP of Flight Ops that couldn't wipe his own ***, but enjoyed remarking about how bad UAL was. Funny how he was fired when his dumb *** email got sent to the CEO!
Oh well--trying to make more lemonade out of all the lemons!
First time around 2003...went to a B727 Charter outfit that actually wanted to hire GOOD STICKS and didn't mind the UAL alma stink on me. Was a great job that paid low but had some nice time off and live at home while on reserve. Flying a Three-Holer again was too good to pass up.
Second time around (2009) I took and early LOA and went to "Tacobell Express" to impart my knowledge in the Regional Airline Management arena, first as Manager of Flight Standards working with some real winners wearing suits! Escaped the writing manuals day to day to become a Regional Chief Pilot who actually stuck up for his pilots (most of them kids...trying to find the dream) after two years of all that my thirst for Latin women got the best of me I applied and got hired as a DEC for a Latin American Airline with VERY HOT F/A's that call you Commandante! Flying a Boeing again and enjoying life again--no hurry to come back until that time is "right"
UAL Stink is alive as well. The Regional I was at had a VP of Flight Ops that couldn't wipe his own ***, but enjoyed remarking about how bad UAL was. Funny how he was fired when his dumb *** email got sent to the CEO!
Oh well--trying to make more lemonade out of all the lemons!
09-11-2011, 09:44 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B737 CAPT IAH
Posts: 1,130
Twice Furloughed......
First time around 2003...went to a B727 Charter outfit that actually wanted to hire GOOD STICKS and didn't mind the UAL alma stink on me. Was a great job that paid low but had some nice time off and live at home while on reserve. Flying a Three-Holer again was too good to pass up.
Second time around (2009) I took and early LOA and went to "Tacobell Express" to impart my knowledge in the Regional Airline Management arena, first as Manager of Flight Standards working with some real winners wearing suits! Escaped the writing manuals day to day to become a Regional Chief Pilot who actually stuck up for his pilots (most of them kids...trying to find the dream) after two years of all that my thirst for Latin women got the best of me I applied and got hired as a DEC for a Latin American Airline with VERY HOT F/A's that call you Commandante! Flying a Boeing again and enjoying life again--no hurry to come back until that time is "right"
UAL Stink is alive as well. The Regional I was at had a VP of Flight Ops that couldn't wipe his own ***, but enjoyed remarking about how bad UAL was. Funny how he was fired when his dumb *** email got sent to the CEO!
Oh well--trying to make more lemonade out of all the lemons!
First time around 2003...went to a B727 Charter outfit that actually wanted to hire GOOD STICKS and didn't mind the UAL alma stink on me. Was a great job that paid low but had some nice time off and live at home while on reserve. Flying a Three-Holer again was too good to pass up.
Second time around (2009) I took and early LOA and went to "Tacobell Express" to impart my knowledge in the Regional Airline Management arena, first as Manager of Flight Standards working with some real winners wearing suits! Escaped the writing manuals day to day to become a Regional Chief Pilot who actually stuck up for his pilots (most of them kids...trying to find the dream) after two years of all that my thirst for Latin women got the best of me I applied and got hired as a DEC for a Latin American Airline with VERY HOT F/A's that call you Commandante! Flying a Boeing again and enjoying life again--no hurry to come back until that time is "right"
UAL Stink is alive as well. The Regional I was at had a VP of Flight Ops that couldn't wipe his own ***, but enjoyed remarking about how bad UAL was. Funny how he was fired when his dumb *** email got sent to the CEO!
Oh well--trying to make more lemonade out of all the lemons!
I hope COPA puts out a NOTAM to all the Chica's every time you are inbound!!
Frats,
Lee
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