Ameriflight and RACCA on the pilot shortage
- Thread starter Beefy McGee
- Start date
Soku39
Well-Known Member
I just can't bring myself to care. The entire industry has made the prospects becoming a pilot so bad for so long, to the point that an entire generation hasn't bothered to learn how to fly, and those that already can are doing other things. They dug this hole, they can dig themselves out, or go bankrupt because there's no bodies for the seats, either way I don't care.
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You'd be surprised how many people my age wish they could get into flying or could have previously. Sure that doesn't mean they'd all follow through with it even if they had the means, but there's definitely an interest in a lot of people still.
knot4u
Repeat Offender
I agree, but it won't matter if there are no airworthy planes because there isn't anyone to fix them. A/P schools have been closing steadily nationwide for quite a while due to a lack of students.
Itchy
Well-Known Member
I'll agree with you on one point, the industry never paid well in that end of things.
I don't agree with the apathy, but that is of course a personal thing.
It is a slightly good thing for the pilots there, more$$, as long as the shortage is not making them work wicked hours to cover shortages. The writing has been on the wall for some time now.
Tommay85
Well-Known Member
The changes made at AMF were too little too late I'm afraid. We are barely hanging on and most of the other carriers are even more screwed with staffing. Things could swing either way for us. I think we'll probably come out alright, but a mouse fart could send us the other way pretty easily I feel.
Great, the pay is now where it should have been in the first place and the raises should have pushed E120 pay to over 100k. Even if it were that way though, I'm pretty sure most young pilots wouldn't get into freight for a mere 3 year advantage in pay, only to work 5 days a week or more, while every regional is hiring anyone with a pulse.
I get decent pay in my current position, and I'd probably do it again if I went back in a time machine. I'm a weirdo though...
Great, the pay is now where it should have been in the first place and the raises should have pushed E120 pay to over 100k. Even if it were that way though, I'm pretty sure most young pilots wouldn't get into freight for a mere 3 year advantage in pay, only to work 5 days a week or more, while every regional is hiring anyone with a pulse.
I get decent pay in my current position, and I'd probably do it again if I went back in a time machine. I'm a weirdo though...
wheelsup
Well-Known Member
PIC under 135 in a piston twin should be 500 TT. Turbine 750. Jet 1200 in line with the current regs. That would help out substantially without reducing safety. IMO. It was always nuts to me that you needed 1200 to fly a clapped out Baron hauling checks. That would give a decent path for those wanting to build time in a structured environment toward the 121 carriers and provide a definitive career path.
rockman2343@aol.com
Well-Known Member
Especially when a lot of that 1200 could just be day VFR.
z987k
Well-Known Member
Cabin class piston twins single pilot IFR is about as challenging commercial aviation gets. The jet should be 500tt and you work your way into the pistons.
jgheggie
Well-Known Member
This
Guys like me would love to fly. But the truth is....it's extremely hard to succeed in this industry. I've heard it all, mostly from this site actually! Things like, "get your cfi." And..."move across the country in a week to fly jumpers for slightly more than minimum wage." Or my favorite, "pay your dues, instruct like the rest of us."
I get it. I really do! I don't want the "easy" way. I don't want to step on toes! However, this is literally the only industry set up like this. It's frustrating, but it's life. It's reality.
I really really really want to fly an airplane for a living. But unfortunately, I can't afford to make less than $40k to cover my living expenses. And even if I could, the "vocational" certification that I spent 40 grand on doesn't even qualify me to accept my dream job with a salary of only $28,000 or so.
I have not given up. I'm happy with my current job, but I still plan to fly for a living one day. Until then, all I can do is watch the industry from afar and give props to those who do succeed in it. Seriously, you all deserve mad props for making it!!! It should not be this hard for someone to make a living doing something they love.
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mmmmmm wine
Year 12 E120 CA is 74k according to APC. I know that doesn't include the BS "bonus" pay (that can go away at anytime) but I don't see where 100k is coming from.
None of the changes done at AMF were for QOL. Still no per diem, still crappy hotels or crew apartments, still an insanely horrible schedule for the majority of the system. Combine that with loading thousands of pounds of cargo yourself at times, and the planes... Well I think we can all assume the quality of the aircraft.
Pay isn't everything. Guys are leaving in droves to the regionals which pay less, yet they are happier...
z987k
Well-Known Member
He's saying it should be over 100k not that it is.
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I will also add, that a stigma within AMF that I have complained about for years, reared its ugly head in that article. AMF management did little complaining about an actual shortage, rather that they had a lack of "qualified" applicants. Lots of applicants required extra training etc etc etc. It is just like the regionals complaining that they don't understand why they are not filling classes.
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I agree. But even the article says that a senior captain makes 89k. So you need to have stated at AMF 12 years to get paid 89k right now with the bonus. That is crazy....
Tommay85
Well-Known Member
Come on man, read my post again. I stated that pay is where it should have been a long time ago and that the raise and the new bonus should have added on top of that to be even higher now.
The only thing I said that kind of praised AMF was that I'd probably do it again if I had a time machine.
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I read what you said. I disagree that is where it should be. A bonus is just something to make people feel like they have gotten a raise. They didn't go through the trouble to readjust the payscale again, why? Because they plan on ripping that bonus away at a moments notice.
Tommay85
Well-Known Member
Alright, let me put a timeline to my post because either I typed it out weird, or you're ignoring a few key words.
The pay, right now, should have been that way 10 years ago. The raise we got last year should have been in addition to that.
I've never seen or even heard of a bonus being taken away btw... They would be INSANE to do that now.
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Forgive me I have a flu bug so I bet I misread.
You have never seen a bonus taken away ever? Stay tuned lol. Why do you think they issued it as a bonus instead of adjusting the payscale properly like they should have done? Why do you think the regionals are doing the exact same thing? It is so when there is another market downturn, they can do away with the bonus. Once you change a payscale, it is really hard to change it, especially at union organizations.