Dave Mc.

1 Comment

    • ON: Fri Apr 4th 14:56 PM
      Commented on:
      Warning to Airlines: Flight Instructor Shortage Could Create Long-Term Problems
      Why be a pilot? I've been flying for 17 years, and all the reasons to do it are pretty much gone. The salaries seem terminally depressed, and every rebound gets struck down. My CEO makes more than 1,000 times what I do at a mainline carrier. First year pay at most majors is $32/hr of flight time. Sounds great, right? Well, you're on duty for something like twice that, and away from home for 3-4 times that. So think about it, after college and all that training you're making 8 bucks per hour away from home. The light at the end of the tunnel keeps going out as your domicile closes, your airline goes bankrupt, and your contract gets shredded.
      I can't think of another career that requires greater personal sacrifice. "Starving flight instructor" is not just an expression. At one point I was living on $20/week in food money. I ate a crab I caught on my patio. You miss holidays, birthdays, get divorced, and miss your kids.
      Many airlines seem to be run like CEOs piggybanks. All costs are passed on not to the consumer, but to the employees. Instead of retaining pilots with decent work rules and pay, we are treated as expendable commodities. Many new hires at my last airline were woefully inexperienced with little flight time and bad judgment.
      Flying's still fun, but the next hiccup will probably mean I'm done.
      View article »
Loading...
Symbols:
Authors:
Quick Links:
Contribute an Article Become a Seeking Alpha Contributor

Transcripts

More Transcripts»