Lost decade

I graduated in 2008. I still remember how every other job available post was like “C182 corporate pilot position available, successful candidate will be willing to manage aircraft, sweep hangar floor, shine bosses shoes, pay for own hotel on overnights, and contribute out of pocket to company beer fridge fund. Expect to fly about 100 hours a year, all time logged as dual given as the boss is working on his private cert, 24/7 on call, $30k/ year, must live within 5 minutes of company hangar in Lubbock, TX (no relocation assistance provided).”
 
Richman said:
You left out the final transition from 3 man to 2 man aircraft like the 727, DC-10 and classic 747s. That helped the fun right along.
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No. I didn't. That predated the lost decade.

I was hired in 99 and my airline had already retired the 727s. The lost decade began coincident with 9/11.


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GypsyPilot said:
Andrew’s a good dude. Definitely sucks.
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I’m grumpy on his behalf, because I have heard 100% of this before:
- have you considered upgrading?
- have you considered becoming a check airman?
- have you considered volunteering for (__)?
- have you considered getting more education?
- have you considered being a chief pilot (seriously!)?

And, of course, the all-purpose “keep doing what you’re doing,” which sounds suspiciously close to one definition of insanity.
 
bike21 said:
PTC, Monument/Castle Rock, The Woods, Gig Harbor...I'm sure there are 'locales' we tend to flock to among those.
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one of my best buds/longtime roommates in college grew up in The Woods. I crashed at his place a few times, definitely a unique cultural experience.
 
I think a lot of you guys are being too hard on yourselves. I was 25 when I was hired by my first major airline. I was 40 before I got to the airline I work for today. It sucks! But the reality is that the industry is alway so volatile and our profession so precarious, that it doesn't take much to result in multi year furloughs, bankruptcies, and mergers.

Yes there are those who are hired in their 20s and never hit a speed bump. They are the exception, not the rule. I'm jealous of their good fortune too. For the rest of us all you can do is go to work on time, dress how they want you to dress, make good choices, don't post stupid things on social media, and take opportunities as they come. You'll get a call eventually. And if you don't, you're still flying an airplane for a living and that ain't nothing.

I wish Martin still posted here. He wanted to fly for a major as much as anybody. Finally gave up and went to Atlas where he's a 747 captain. Does he make as much as a UPS captain? Not yet. But he makes more than i do as a 737 FO. It's all in the roll of the dice.

The biggest problem I see is that prior to Covid-19 there was a generation of pilots that new nothing other than a profession where they had CHOICES. Regionals fought over them and enticed them with hiring bonuses. When it was time to move on they had choices between United or Delta? American or FedEx? That was the experience that MOST of us in the profession had!

For most we just applied everywhere (back when it cost $50 to apply to each one) and went to the first place that called.

Equilibrium is probably somewhere between the two. So do your best, be prepared to make tough decisions (maybe a few more stepping stones than you hoped for), don't make the same mistakes I did and you should be at a destination carrier before you're 40!

Good luck!


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What did I do during the "lost decade"?

Started an aerial survey company and hired all your asses ;)

I got this weird thing about detours in my career, and there have been a few, but it has given me a chance to do stuff I never planned on doing, like becoming a mechanic or teaching college courses, etc.

I'm working my way to the next jump, but who knows? Whatever happens as long as I can pay my bills and stuff I'm good to go.
 
ZapBrannigan said:
I think a lot of you guys are being too hard on yourselves. I was 25 when I was hired by my first major airline. I was 40 before I got to the airline I work for today. It sucks! But the reality is that the industry is alway so volatile and our profession so precarious, that it doesn't take much to result in multi year furloughs, bankruptcies, and mergers.

Yes there are those who are hired in their 20s and never hit a speed bump. They are the exception, not the rule. I'm jealous of their good fortune too. For the rest of us all you can do is go to work on time, dress how they want you to dress, make good choices, don't post stupid things on social media, and take opportunities as they come. You'll get a call eventually. And if you don't, you're still flying an airplane for a living and that ain't nothing.

I wish Martin still posted here. He wanted to fly for a major as much as anybody. Finally gave up and went to Atlas where he's a 747 captain. Does he make as much as a UPS captain? Not yet. But he makes more than i do as a 737 FO. It's all in the roll of the dice.

The biggest problem I see is that prior to Covid-19 there was a generation of pilots that new nothing other than a profession where they had CHOICES. Regionals fought over them and enticed them with hiring bonuses. When it was time to move on they had choices between United or Delta? American or FedEx? That was the experience that MOST of us in the profession had!

For most we just applied everywhere (back when it cost $50 to apply to each one) and went to the first place that called.

Equilibrium is probably somewhere between the two. So do your best, be prepared to make tough decisions (maybe a few more stepping stones than you hoped for), don't make the same mistakes I did and you should be at a destination carrier before you're 40!

Good luck!


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Another change between the lost decade and recovery is the generation of pilots that have choices/ don't have to do much time building or risk their life with a 'cut my teeth' job anymore. The new path became college -> a little instruction, pipeline patrol or fly the family's C182 as needed -> R-ATP and land at a 121 regional. Gone are the days of needing find that intermediate step of time building by flying checks in a clapped out C210 or lab specimens in a Baron... 10 years ago you still had to buy blocks of multi time if you weren't situated as a busy MEI.

Times have changed.
 
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My experience with straight military or corporate to 121 airline (where this is their first airline) is they tend to be clueless. To be fair, most of them try and learn up on the history of what's happened, the union stuff, etc.


You'd have to be delusional if you don't believe the lost decade happened. 2001-2010. 9/11, mainline furlough and regional expansion, Age 65 stagnation, and 2008-2010 recession.
 
Ayork62493 said:
Funny but sad hearing this as I’m doing non stop IOE these days being told they’ll be at United in two years after they upgrade. Then they ask me why I’m still here. “I don’t know, but it’s not for a lack of trying”.
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It's especially frustrating when they're not great pilots and are just trying to mail it in ... but based on their credentials (often military) you know there's a good chance that they're right.
 
Roger Roger said:
I graduated in 2008. I still remember how every other job available post was like “C182 corporate pilot position available, successful candidate will be willing to manage aircraft, sweep hangar floor, shine bosses shoes, pay for own hotel on overnights, and contribute out of pocket to company beer fridge fund. Expect to fly about 100 hours a year, all time logged as dual given as the boss is working on his private cert, 24/7 on call, $30k/ year, must live within 5 minutes of company hangar in Lubbock, TX (no relocation assistance provided).”
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Do you have a phone number for that job? Asking for a friend.
 
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