United/Continental Furlough Time
09-12-2011, 06:55 AM
#31
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: UAL Furloughed
Posts: 15
I was shown the door from UAL in the fall of 2008........ and it has been a saga.
I was initially excited, I had spent my working adult life as a pilot chasing a dream to work as a major airline pilot, actually, working for United Airlines. I was excited because I had obtained that goal and after seeing a furlough letter, thought a change of pace would be nice. After all, being an airline pilot isn't really a career, but rather a lifestyle. I had played my cards in life correctly..... no skeletons, I was educated, motivated, etc. I would surely find an employer that would be able to provide a cubicle career for me in management, banking, etc. After applying for months, I came up with nothing. I had a few interviews, they always asked about my reason for a career change. It was the fact that this career change I didn't choose, but rather choose me was my undoing. I tried to sell my background and the type of person I am to no avail. I am an opportunist, I am not committed to return to the airlines, but would stay in cubicle land if happy. I was once told that being an airline pilot was a great high paying job, sorry we can't compete and don't want a short term employee. United stink is unbelievable, I was expecting it when applying for 135 jobs, but not outside of aviation. After those humbling experiences, I decided to try to apply at United in a non flying position. At least United could value me as an employee. I applied for entry level open positions, short of being a CSR or ramp personnel, the high school diploma required types. Nothing, no response. That made me realize, and I still do, the importance I was personally at United.
After a couple of months, networking paid off. I had a friend who did help me out and I found employment at a local company with a bright future. He could hire me for an hourly job ($18/hr) and thought I would be able to move up the ranks. Well, after a few weeks, his supervisor saw my background on my application. He told me he liked me and I was welcome as long as I needed a job, but hoped I understood that others would progress since I was eventually going to return to the airlines. I spent the next year and half being "supervised" by 25 yr olds with no post high school education, no leadership abilities, etc. At times, I literally was sweeping the floors. It was so frustrating knowing I could do better. I was shocked at the incompetence of people.
I did then return to the regional airlines after finding I was more employable at the age of 23 fresh out of college without my life experiences and maturity. I took a job at a regional making equal of that of a McDonalds manager.
The only positives this experience has given me is the time with my family. My time with my kids has been my savior during this.
Like a good pilot, I have developed a plan B. I am taking classes with the intent of getting a MBA and trying to recreate my professional self. I am not going to sit and await for the "siren call of United" to only be shown the door again.
I was initially excited, I had spent my working adult life as a pilot chasing a dream to work as a major airline pilot, actually, working for United Airlines. I was excited because I had obtained that goal and after seeing a furlough letter, thought a change of pace would be nice. After all, being an airline pilot isn't really a career, but rather a lifestyle. I had played my cards in life correctly..... no skeletons, I was educated, motivated, etc. I would surely find an employer that would be able to provide a cubicle career for me in management, banking, etc. After applying for months, I came up with nothing. I had a few interviews, they always asked about my reason for a career change. It was the fact that this career change I didn't choose, but rather choose me was my undoing. I tried to sell my background and the type of person I am to no avail. I am an opportunist, I am not committed to return to the airlines, but would stay in cubicle land if happy. I was once told that being an airline pilot was a great high paying job, sorry we can't compete and don't want a short term employee. United stink is unbelievable, I was expecting it when applying for 135 jobs, but not outside of aviation. After those humbling experiences, I decided to try to apply at United in a non flying position. At least United could value me as an employee. I applied for entry level open positions, short of being a CSR or ramp personnel, the high school diploma required types. Nothing, no response. That made me realize, and I still do, the importance I was personally at United.
After a couple of months, networking paid off. I had a friend who did help me out and I found employment at a local company with a bright future. He could hire me for an hourly job ($18/hr) and thought I would be able to move up the ranks. Well, after a few weeks, his supervisor saw my background on my application. He told me he liked me and I was welcome as long as I needed a job, but hoped I understood that others would progress since I was eventually going to return to the airlines. I spent the next year and half being "supervised" by 25 yr olds with no post high school education, no leadership abilities, etc. At times, I literally was sweeping the floors. It was so frustrating knowing I could do better. I was shocked at the incompetence of people.
I did then return to the regional airlines after finding I was more employable at the age of 23 fresh out of college without my life experiences and maturity. I took a job at a regional making equal of that of a McDonalds manager.
The only positives this experience has given me is the time with my family. My time with my kids has been my savior during this.
Like a good pilot, I have developed a plan B. I am taking classes with the intent of getting a MBA and trying to recreate my professional self. I am not going to sit and await for the "siren call of United" to only be shown the door again.
09-12-2011, 07:18 AM
#33
Recommend Retention
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Bigfoot
Posts: 1,077
There are some good stories and valuable lessons in this thread. I wish all the younger pilots in the regional forum and folks just getting into it would take note of the risks associated with this career and plan accordingly. Most importantly, I hope those that want to return will have the opportunity to do so, sooner rather than later.
09-12-2011, 08:19 AM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Posts: 520
i applied to over 40 non flying jobs with united-- csr supervisor, secretary, ux performance manager , etc--- dispatch supervisor. i got a few calls but what ****ed me off the most was the dispatch supervisor managerial position ( they wanted me to pay for my disptach certificate, ) then come manage the unionized dispatchers while thye made more $, then i could be hired as a dispatcher later on- ( more than a year later)-- for 40K .yr-- i told them they were fn nuts
09-12-2011, 08:03 PM
#35
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Position: UAL 2172
Posts: 72
I am so blessed.. I fell into a great job working with great pilots. I even had to take a volunteer early furlough to take the position. Weekends and holidays off are nice too. The worst part is we lost our house, but my wife is right by my side every step of the way, even though she did not sign up for this career. It has truly been a growing experience...
09-13-2011, 04:28 AM
#36
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Position: Bench Warmer-Put me in coach!
Posts: 39
I was furloughed in 2003 and built a very successful business. I got called away by United and my lack there of flying in 2006. I was shown the door in Oct 2009. By now, I had moved my family to a UAL Domicile-Denver.
I tried to build another business here in Denver. It was a rough go given the economy and that I was new in town. I also had to deal with no benefits as my wife left a county job when we moved.
In April of this year, I began flying for a 135 Charter/Air Ambulance outfit here in Denver. The pay is deplorable, 24 hous a day on call, and no respect is the practice at this company. There type of training is for you to learn the Lear on your own. No sim or aircraft practice. Your checkride in the airplane is the only practice you get. The benefits are non existent and I spend half of my pay on health insurance for my family.
For extra money, I am flight instructing on the side. At least that is being done at a top notch FBO with new airplanes and much better pay. They also value their employess.
Don't worry, the United stink is alive and well. At my 135 job, I had to endure comments during the interview and through training. I flly with pilots who have half to 1/3 my experience and listen to their comments about how they never want to be an airline pilot and if you can fly the Lear, you can fly anything. This is of course the only jet they have flown. I interviewed at a lot of places and was told that I am hard to hire because I have a seniority number at United.
The only saving grace for me and my family is that we have no debt except our home. If that was not the case, we would have been under water very quickly. Thank you Dave Ramsey!
FMT
I tried to build another business here in Denver. It was a rough go given the economy and that I was new in town. I also had to deal with no benefits as my wife left a county job when we moved.
In April of this year, I began flying for a 135 Charter/Air Ambulance outfit here in Denver. The pay is deplorable, 24 hous a day on call, and no respect is the practice at this company. There type of training is for you to learn the Lear on your own. No sim or aircraft practice. Your checkride in the airplane is the only practice you get. The benefits are non existent and I spend half of my pay on health insurance for my family.
For extra money, I am flight instructing on the side. At least that is being done at a top notch FBO with new airplanes and much better pay. They also value their employess.
Don't worry, the United stink is alive and well. At my 135 job, I had to endure comments during the interview and through training. I flly with pilots who have half to 1/3 my experience and listen to their comments about how they never want to be an airline pilot and if you can fly the Lear, you can fly anything. This is of course the only jet they have flown. I interviewed at a lot of places and was told that I am hard to hire because I have a seniority number at United.
The only saving grace for me and my family is that we have no debt except our home. If that was not the case, we would have been under water very quickly. Thank you Dave Ramsey!
FMT
09-13-2011, 06:52 AM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Cal reserve..the gift that keeps on giving
Posts: 532
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!
09-13-2011, 07:08 AM
#38
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Exactly
There are some good stories and valuable lessons in this thread. I wish all the younger pilots in the regional forum and folks just getting into it would take note of the risks associated with this career and plan accordingly. Most importantly, I hope those that want to return will have the opportunity to do so, sooner rather than later.
Skyhigh
09-13-2011, 07:15 AM
#39
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Ual
I am not a UAL furloughee however I can testify that the "UAL stink" is more of an airline pilot stink. employers just do not like to hire ex-airline pilots no matter where they come from. I was told that the guy who does the laundry at my parents retirement community is a furloughed major airline pilot.
However if you would like to have a pick-me-up USMCFLYR should be along soon to tell us all how valuable we are to the workplace as professionals with skills that easily transfer to other professions and that employers eagerly hire ex-airline pilots.
I however have not seen it.
Skyhigh
However if you would like to have a pick-me-up USMCFLYR should be along soon to tell us all how valuable we are to the workplace as professionals with skills that easily transfer to other professions and that employers eagerly hire ex-airline pilots.
I however have not seen it.
Skyhigh
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