Firebird2XC
Well-Known Member
People will tell you this profession can't get better. They'll tell you that the airline managers hold all the cards and they still cheat anyways. They'll say it's better to always err on the side of caution, to believe in threats, and to think that no matter what you do, somebody else will always do it for less and you can be replaced.
There are, in fact, times in the industry when this is true. Since 9/11, there have been more than a few days when we have seen iconic airline names come off the arrival and departure boards never to return. With them, so went the careers of their employees.
Even so, all things economical and in the airline industry are cyclical. The waves roll and crash during the more turbulent times, and during the more stable times, the tide comes in, and out.
I have for the last seven years stated again and again that if we fought hard, we could better our profession. While only the biggest of fools believes that the airlines exist to pay employees and that we can vote ourselves into endless wealth, there is still a balance to be had where a profitable airline can also compensate their employees appropriately and well for the revenue they produce.
Each time I have said this, there has always been someone offering a cautionary tale (or even outright mocking my optimism) and calling my drive Quixotic, a true fool's errand. It's been frustrating, even to the point where others have reached out to me in sympathy of the criticism I have received. They've asked me why and how I can continue to stomach the slings and arrows of my critics while I stood out front and waived the flag.
People said the rest rules would never come, the 1500 hour rule would never come, and more than anything else, the new pay rates would never come. The rest rules are here, and we sleep easier at nights- and avoid that bleary-eyed confusion in the cockpit that much more. The 1500 hour rule is here, and despite the debate of skill coming from experience or education, it has achieved something- if Pay For Job was really to die, it was the last thrust necessary to take it down. It has made buying your way into the airline pilot profession so economically unfeasible that someone paying their way into a First Officer seat (and the Pandora's Box of trouble that comes with that) is as dead as dead gets.
And now we come to pay. ExpressJet and American Eagle 'Envoy' pilots have voted down paycuts. And today, it's come to my attention that Republic has a Tentative Agreement that raises pay scales. While this still has yet to pass, the fact that these scales are even being considered but a regional airline management team speaks volumes.
... and I know some of you probably think I'm saying "I told you so." I can see how you might think that. I feel fairly vindicated right now, and I must admit- I do love to be right. That said, it is by no means my purpose here to criticize or gloat over my critics, but to encourage them to reexamine their thoughts on the trajectory of the regional airline segment of the industry and the trends in our career, and possibly temper their words with a little more optimism. A great many of the people who speak negatively of the prospects of the airline pilot career carry a great deal of weight with the rest of us, myself included. I humbly suggest that your statements that "Things will never change" may be negatively influencing the people who absolutely could affect positive change for all of us. Every negative word encourages people to look down and do nothing- and makes it that much easier for management to pick our pockets to pay for management's mistakes. Not to mention management's arrogance and greed.
More than anything, I hope this shows everyone here that when the circumstances are right, and when we work together, we can in fact make a difference. Solidarity and Unity aren't just buzzwords. They allow us the benefit of teamwork across an industry that very much wants us separate, weak, and conquered.
We have new rest rules, and now pay is trending upwards. Pilots are standing up for themselves in places where previously it was deemed unthinkable.
That's why I'm out front waving the flag, and why I'm willing to weather the criticism. Times have changed and opportunity is ahead for all of us- IF we work together, stay positive, and are willing to stand against criticism, intimidation, and baseless threats. We, as airline pilots, manage incredible risk on a daily basis and move the world's people and industry. We should remember that, educate ourselves, and step up.
Support your coworkers in demanding your due. Support your colleagues at other airlines in demanding their due. Let them know when they step up to defend what's theirs- you're on board. And when the time comes, look for them to let you know the same.
I'M ON BOARD.
Are you?
There are, in fact, times in the industry when this is true. Since 9/11, there have been more than a few days when we have seen iconic airline names come off the arrival and departure boards never to return. With them, so went the careers of their employees.
Even so, all things economical and in the airline industry are cyclical. The waves roll and crash during the more turbulent times, and during the more stable times, the tide comes in, and out.
I have for the last seven years stated again and again that if we fought hard, we could better our profession. While only the biggest of fools believes that the airlines exist to pay employees and that we can vote ourselves into endless wealth, there is still a balance to be had where a profitable airline can also compensate their employees appropriately and well for the revenue they produce.
Each time I have said this, there has always been someone offering a cautionary tale (or even outright mocking my optimism) and calling my drive Quixotic, a true fool's errand. It's been frustrating, even to the point where others have reached out to me in sympathy of the criticism I have received. They've asked me why and how I can continue to stomach the slings and arrows of my critics while I stood out front and waived the flag.
People said the rest rules would never come, the 1500 hour rule would never come, and more than anything else, the new pay rates would never come. The rest rules are here, and we sleep easier at nights- and avoid that bleary-eyed confusion in the cockpit that much more. The 1500 hour rule is here, and despite the debate of skill coming from experience or education, it has achieved something- if Pay For Job was really to die, it was the last thrust necessary to take it down. It has made buying your way into the airline pilot profession so economically unfeasible that someone paying their way into a First Officer seat (and the Pandora's Box of trouble that comes with that) is as dead as dead gets.
And now we come to pay. ExpressJet and American Eagle 'Envoy' pilots have voted down paycuts. And today, it's come to my attention that Republic has a Tentative Agreement that raises pay scales. While this still has yet to pass, the fact that these scales are even being considered but a regional airline management team speaks volumes.
... and I know some of you probably think I'm saying "I told you so." I can see how you might think that. I feel fairly vindicated right now, and I must admit- I do love to be right. That said, it is by no means my purpose here to criticize or gloat over my critics, but to encourage them to reexamine their thoughts on the trajectory of the regional airline segment of the industry and the trends in our career, and possibly temper their words with a little more optimism. A great many of the people who speak negatively of the prospects of the airline pilot career carry a great deal of weight with the rest of us, myself included. I humbly suggest that your statements that "Things will never change" may be negatively influencing the people who absolutely could affect positive change for all of us. Every negative word encourages people to look down and do nothing- and makes it that much easier for management to pick our pockets to pay for management's mistakes. Not to mention management's arrogance and greed.
More than anything, I hope this shows everyone here that when the circumstances are right, and when we work together, we can in fact make a difference. Solidarity and Unity aren't just buzzwords. They allow us the benefit of teamwork across an industry that very much wants us separate, weak, and conquered.
We have new rest rules, and now pay is trending upwards. Pilots are standing up for themselves in places where previously it was deemed unthinkable.
That's why I'm out front waving the flag, and why I'm willing to weather the criticism. Times have changed and opportunity is ahead for all of us- IF we work together, stay positive, and are willing to stand against criticism, intimidation, and baseless threats. We, as airline pilots, manage incredible risk on a daily basis and move the world's people and industry. We should remember that, educate ourselves, and step up.
Support your coworkers in demanding your due. Support your colleagues at other airlines in demanding their due. Let them know when they step up to defend what's theirs- you're on board. And when the time comes, look for them to let you know the same.
I'M ON BOARD.
Are you?
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