I lost my job today.

[xlr8]

I've been a pilot at ATA since 1996.

http://www.ata.com/


I'll begin driving home this weekend.

[widgeon13]

Sorry to hear this, good luck for the future.

[dzls rok]

that sucks! were there warning signs it would happen or was it a shocker?

[Macroni]

sorry.

[WolfeMacleod]

What? They won't even give you a ticket to get you home?

[MT930]

Sorry to hear about that. I have friends in Indy that were working there and were concerned. When one door closes another opens. That was a good company, sorry for the loss.

[xlr8]

My base was in Oakland, I have been keeping a personal vehicle there and have to drive it home now. The company is providing a ticket to return to my base from my present trip.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by xlr8

My base was in Oakland, I have been keeping a personal vehicle there and have to drive it home now. The company is providing a ticket to return to my base from my present trip.

I flew ATA from Honolulu to Oakland on Saturday. What a shame. The industry is headed for a major shakedown.

[Por_sha911]

Wow Russ, sorry to hear this. I didn't hear you say any concerns about this at the last PCA mtg. Were you blindsided or did you see it coming? Looks like we have time to work on the Porsche now, eh?

[Jim727]

That sux - been there.

Hang in; you'll make it.

Jim

[mikester]

When my dad retired from the Air Force in 1994 he went to work as a Flight engineer for ATA, I think they pretty much eliminated that position in subsequent years but he worked for them for 4 or 5 years.

Best of luck to you man, I think we're just hitting the tip here with Air travel and the economy...we have been saying it for years but 'if energy prices continue to rise this way' low prices just aren't sustainable.

I want to say that the laws of supply and demand don't apply to oil but that is foolish - they of course do. We are just seeing the test of how much we as a market are willing to pay for oil. Until we STOP buying it - the price will continue to rise.

I've always felt uncomfortable with our energy being subject to market forces the way it is. When Pete Wilson deregulated electricity it took a few years but we saw what happened with Enron. I think we're on our way to something similar happening in oil...

[MRM]

Wow. Best of luck. We're thinking of you.

[red-beard]

Mike, there are way too many political factors in Energy. If the market were free, the USA would be getting oil from Alaska and off the coast of California, Florida and in deeper water in the Gulf.

The reason we don't have much nuclear power is a combination of the political forces which then made it cost ineffective, compared to conventional energy.

And then we do the reverse, we subsidize cost ineffective things that sound good. By screwing with the market, we make things worse. Regulation should be there, only to make the playing field level.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Terrible news - very sorry to hear, hopefully you'll be up there again soon.

[Nine17]

Originally Posted by red-beard

And then we do the reverse, we subsidize cost ineffective things that sound good. By screwing with the market, we make things worse.

...Like using FOOD to fuel automobiles (Ethanol is Green!). There is going to be a lot more pain because of the "Mythic Thinking" that goes on in Congress and the statehouses. I read that ATA went belly-up because of a government contract that didn't come through. The same government that won't let us develop oil and nuclear is also the biggest sub-prime borrower, and they're going to have to start tightening their belt. Sorry.

[450knotOffice]

Wow, Russ! I'm so sorry to hear about this. I'm in this business as a pilot, just as you are, and I've been watching our industry slowly being brought to it's knees by the amazingly high oil prices, the faltering economy, and the inability of the airlines to charge reasonable ticket prices. I read about your airline closing down operations this morning and was shocked, but not surprised, if that makes any sense.

[xlr8]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. "shocked, but not surprised" makes perfect sense.

[porsche4life]

That sux man. But look on the bright side you are going to see things you have just flown over all these years. Theres some neat stuff along I-40. I work all along it in Oklahoma with my dad and we only live a few miles off of it.

[Joeaksa]

Russ,

Sorry to hear that. Do you know Kevin Nugent? He is the only ATA guy I know right now.

Do you need a job? If so pls PM or email me. The overseas market is going crazy and I have my pick of 6 different situations right now. Lots of jobs working 30 on/30 off, business class travel to and from and descent pay.

Joe

[911mnypt]

Best of luck...market yourself well and you will bounce right back!