Airdale
Well-Known Member
Okay, well its about time I make a clear decision here. Not that I really have a choice as of yet, but lets see.
My wife lost her job at the end of this past school year. The school board received a diminished budget, and my wife's teaching position was eliminated. She has been collecting unemployment since July, which pays a little more then half of her salary, which is about what I make. We own a house in Jersey, and I am based 3hrs away in NY. We had a nice financial cushion when I started this job, but its rapidly declining. Additionally, most of my expenses have to be put on credit cards because every dollar of my pay checks goes to pay not only my flight school loan, credit cards, insurance etc. but I'm also taking on most of the bills of the household, as my wife's unemployment checks just about cover the Morgage. I spend over $400/month to work here. That includes crashpad and fuel/food.
My wife has interviewed at 7 schools, but things have gotten so competitive in the teaching field that she hasn't been offered a job. In this financial situation, the outlook is dim at best. I'm not sure I can pay the household bills any longer. Our financial cushion has reached a point where we no longer want to touch that money. We need to keep at least 2 Morgage payments in there so that we have two backup months of paying on the house before we need to get out if need be. I work part time in the winter for NJ Hunting outfit, taking out clients for waterfowl hunts. Additionally I do part time work as a photographer for Conservation organizations. Therefore I needed a truck for this winter. I usually make a couple thousand dollars a winter with my part time work. This year, my part time work might be limited, but I'm still going to try, hence the reason I got rid of my car and bought a truck for the same payment (less then $200/month).
In addition to the above stress, there is the added frustration of not being paid for time spent on duty as mentioned before. With the current situation, I can not hold any sort of part time job to bring in another source of income, because I am in NY 4-5 days per week.
I've contemplated leaving Colgan for another Regional where QOL and pay might help my current situation. I've narrowed it down that the only company I would want to leave here for, is AWAC.
Cons of where I am now:
- Commuting/living expenses in excess of $400/month. Basically I need a second place to live in NY because of the out and back trips. We have no base that would eliminate this for me, except LGA on the Saab.
- Financial outlook in the next 2 years only improves marginally. From $21/hr to $26/hr.
- No per diem, no duty or trip rigs, no extra pay. Straight from the hip $21/flight hour
- No union. Uncertainty in the future with reguard to a whipsaw or staple to PCL list
- Uncertainty on time frame of Beech aircraft phase out, will more then likely not allow me chance to upgrade
- With commuting, its 2 hard days off with a 4 on 3 off, 1 hard day off with a 5 on 2 off.
- Expensive health care.
Pros of where I am:
- Average 80+ hrs of flight time a month
- Could see upgrade on Saab in minimum of 2yrs
- In 3yrs time could be building TPIC
- May be able to transition to the Q400 out of EWR as Captain in 3+yrs
- Major growth projected, including new flying contracts
Pros of AWAC:
- PHL based. 30 minute drive from home. Commuting costs very low. Would save $400/month just on commuting expenses
- $24/hr to start, $36/hr second year.
- Per Diem, Duty and Trip Rigs. Overnights with hotel provided (no crashpad needed)
- Very good contract among current industry leaders
- Own 13.5% of US Airways, one seat on the board
- ALPA represented
Cons of AWAC:
- Current 3yr upgrade. Time frame within 1yr of Colgan upgrade for me (hired low time)
- US Airways flying ammendable by 2011
- Growth? Unlike Colgan, AWAC has no real projected growth. Company states they are seeking contracts with other carriers. Questionable?
Basically, I don't know what the heck to do. I will have 2yrs in the right seat anyway because of my total time. Right now, its the commuting costs that are killing me. Home based would still be a little rough, but $400/month is almost half of my monthly take home pay. I want the upgrade, because of course I don't want to be at a Regional forever, but at the same time I need to do what I have to in order to keep our house. I'm sure my wife will find a job, but we're a week into the school year here and nothing yet.
I know everything is a crap shoot. One Regional is just a crapshoot as the other. But in this case, would choose the QOL/pay over growth/upgrade? Is it really worth that much? If upgrade at AWAC stays around 3yrs, then essentially I would be upgrading there very close to within a year of upgrading at Colgan. Being PHL based, even if on a Reserve line, would at least allow me a chance to work part time with my father in law.
Just when you think you have it figured out.....
And Seggy, I understand your reasoning for me to stay here, but it just makes more financial sense - to me anyway, to leave. I do not want to leave the industry! I love the job, man its what I've always wanted. And I could care less about flying a Barbie Jet or a Beech. Honestly I think the Beech is the best airplane for ones career development as an aviator. But credit card limits can only take you so far. Even single guys have a hard time financially at this company.
My wife lost her job at the end of this past school year. The school board received a diminished budget, and my wife's teaching position was eliminated. She has been collecting unemployment since July, which pays a little more then half of her salary, which is about what I make. We own a house in Jersey, and I am based 3hrs away in NY. We had a nice financial cushion when I started this job, but its rapidly declining. Additionally, most of my expenses have to be put on credit cards because every dollar of my pay checks goes to pay not only my flight school loan, credit cards, insurance etc. but I'm also taking on most of the bills of the household, as my wife's unemployment checks just about cover the Morgage. I spend over $400/month to work here. That includes crashpad and fuel/food.
My wife has interviewed at 7 schools, but things have gotten so competitive in the teaching field that she hasn't been offered a job. In this financial situation, the outlook is dim at best. I'm not sure I can pay the household bills any longer. Our financial cushion has reached a point where we no longer want to touch that money. We need to keep at least 2 Morgage payments in there so that we have two backup months of paying on the house before we need to get out if need be. I work part time in the winter for NJ Hunting outfit, taking out clients for waterfowl hunts. Additionally I do part time work as a photographer for Conservation organizations. Therefore I needed a truck for this winter. I usually make a couple thousand dollars a winter with my part time work. This year, my part time work might be limited, but I'm still going to try, hence the reason I got rid of my car and bought a truck for the same payment (less then $200/month).
In addition to the above stress, there is the added frustration of not being paid for time spent on duty as mentioned before. With the current situation, I can not hold any sort of part time job to bring in another source of income, because I am in NY 4-5 days per week.
I've contemplated leaving Colgan for another Regional where QOL and pay might help my current situation. I've narrowed it down that the only company I would want to leave here for, is AWAC.
Cons of where I am now:
- Commuting/living expenses in excess of $400/month. Basically I need a second place to live in NY because of the out and back trips. We have no base that would eliminate this for me, except LGA on the Saab.
- Financial outlook in the next 2 years only improves marginally. From $21/hr to $26/hr.
- No per diem, no duty or trip rigs, no extra pay. Straight from the hip $21/flight hour
- No union. Uncertainty in the future with reguard to a whipsaw or staple to PCL list
- Uncertainty on time frame of Beech aircraft phase out, will more then likely not allow me chance to upgrade
- With commuting, its 2 hard days off with a 4 on 3 off, 1 hard day off with a 5 on 2 off.
- Expensive health care.
Pros of where I am:
- Average 80+ hrs of flight time a month
- Could see upgrade on Saab in minimum of 2yrs
- In 3yrs time could be building TPIC
- May be able to transition to the Q400 out of EWR as Captain in 3+yrs
- Major growth projected, including new flying contracts
Pros of AWAC:
- PHL based. 30 minute drive from home. Commuting costs very low. Would save $400/month just on commuting expenses
- $24/hr to start, $36/hr second year.
- Per Diem, Duty and Trip Rigs. Overnights with hotel provided (no crashpad needed)
- Very good contract among current industry leaders
- Own 13.5% of US Airways, one seat on the board
- ALPA represented
Cons of AWAC:
- Current 3yr upgrade. Time frame within 1yr of Colgan upgrade for me (hired low time)
- US Airways flying ammendable by 2011
- Growth? Unlike Colgan, AWAC has no real projected growth. Company states they are seeking contracts with other carriers. Questionable?
Basically, I don't know what the heck to do. I will have 2yrs in the right seat anyway because of my total time. Right now, its the commuting costs that are killing me. Home based would still be a little rough, but $400/month is almost half of my monthly take home pay. I want the upgrade, because of course I don't want to be at a Regional forever, but at the same time I need to do what I have to in order to keep our house. I'm sure my wife will find a job, but we're a week into the school year here and nothing yet.
I know everything is a crap shoot. One Regional is just a crapshoot as the other. But in this case, would choose the QOL/pay over growth/upgrade? Is it really worth that much? If upgrade at AWAC stays around 3yrs, then essentially I would be upgrading there very close to within a year of upgrading at Colgan. Being PHL based, even if on a Reserve line, would at least allow me a chance to work part time with my father in law.
Just when you think you have it figured out.....
And Seggy, I understand your reasoning for me to stay here, but it just makes more financial sense - to me anyway, to leave. I do not want to leave the industry! I love the job, man its what I've always wanted. And I could care less about flying a Barbie Jet or a Beech. Honestly I think the Beech is the best airplane for ones career development as an aviator. But credit card limits can only take you so far. Even single guys have a hard time financially at this company.
