Pilots who 'get it' vs pilots that are trained

[Ray B]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Ray, I'm guessing you're with Delta out of Atlanta?

Si. Yourself?

[Ray B]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Scott, yes he is, and the ATR was called the 'Party Boat" when I was there, partially because it had a crew of 4 and all the hot, junior F/A's were stuck on it and it had 20 hour overnights in Panama City, i.e. Club LaVela... whew,. the stories i've,.... uh,.. heard,...

I don't want to talk about. International is great if you're into elbow skin.

[450knotOffice]

Originally Posted by Ray B

Si. Yourself?

18 years at Eagle. LAX based on the Embraer RJ, but I have also been based in MIA, JFK, DFW, ORD and BNA over the years. I've only lived near two of the bases however - LAX and MIA. I commuted to the other bases. I have a number with AA - if they ever hire again.

[Ray B]

18 years. That's a bunch of dues paid. I suppose it's the same for us all. You pay yo' money and take your chances. AA seems to be a good outfit. Do they have a flowthru?

[450knotOffice]

They do - and I have a number - but it's going to be financially painful for a couple of years after I step over for this mid-forties age guy. That's the way it goes though.

[rattlsnak]

You may never make captain there either if you dont get there soon, or stand the chance of being based somewhere you dont want to be and being on reserve as a captain when youre 60ish. We had a Northwest guy on our jumpseat a few years ago that I will never forget. That was his situation. Junior captain at age 58. Still on reserve and commuting from ATL to MSP. There are at least 10-15 guys here that I know of at my fractional that are still waiting to be recalled to AA. That would be a tough decision.. There are plenty of lifers at ASA..

[Bob Goding]

I was talking with a guy the other day ,that flys a Metro on night freight/mail and he referred to the aircraft as the "Death Pencil"---I had a chuckle.

[450knotOffice]

The way our flow through agreement works, if I have a number (I do), I have to go when called over. I can't tell them "never mind".

The thing that might help me is that AA's list is OLD (in terms of average age). They haven't really hired in almost ten years and their junior guys are all mid thirties and above. The majority of guys there I believe are in their mid 40's and older, and most of their captains are 50+. They'll have quite a few retirements over the next ten years, so that should help me move on up the list.

We'll see.

[MT930]

Originally Posted by Bob Goding

I was talking with a guy the other day ,that flys a Metro on night freight/mail and he referred to the aircraft as the "Death Pencil"---I had a chuckle.

AKA San Antonio Sewer Tube.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I thought the Metro guys referred to it as the "dildo of death" at my old place.

[widgeon13]

Nice to know the crew feels the same way as the passengers.

[air-cool-me]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

. They'll have quite a few retirements over the next ten years, so that should help me move on up the list.

We'll see.

do you want the actual numbers? Happen to have the data.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

There's a reason why airlines like to hire pilots from the military. First off they all have lots of flight hours. Second, in the military, you train for emergencies.

Kurt,

This used to be the case but not these days. Their flying is greatly limited and most have 3-5000 hours total time, which is not a lot of time. Their training is very good but then these days most civilian pilots are trained well.

If you can get past the initial stage and into a seat where you are making some descent money its a good job. Still, ever 6 months we get two chances to lose our career, a checkride and medical, and its EVERY 6 MONTHS that we do this.

Am trying to be like Singpilot and retire in the next few years so I can fly this more often:
Slipping to a landing "in the bush" in Western AZ.




Just about down



Rolling out on a 1200 foot strip in the boonies.

Until then I get to fly this to pay the bills:




Challenger 605

[fingpilot]

Joe;

I'll give ya a hint.

Retirement under the present conditions ain't what was planned for.

Keep flying.

[red-beard]

I think the ultimate ironic job would be for Joe A. to fly Dr. Phil someplace.

[Ray B]

Originally Posted by fingpilot

Joe;

I'll give ya a hint.

Retirement under the present conditions ain't what was planned for.

Keep flying.

Amen to that, brother!

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I think the ultimate ironic job would be for Joe A. to fly Dr. Phil someplace.

James,

The problem is that Dr. Phil is a jerk (cannot say the "A" word here) and not a nice guy to fly. I have heard this from several sources that is has a real temper. Friend of mine knows a pilot who charters out a Cessna Citation that he is half owner of.

They picked up Phil in VNY or BUR and were taking him to Dallas. About half way the stew comes forward and tells the Captain that he needs to come in the back, that they have a problem.

He goes back and finds that Phil has evidently spilled something (was told red wine) and that one of the pax were writing on the side walls of the interior. This is a big red flag and is not done on a private jet without massive payments of money to re-do the damage. The Captain had a discussion with Phil and was trying to get him to be a bit more considerate. Evidently Phil told the Capt to "FO."

Wrong move as the Captain returned to the cockpit and started a descent into New Mexico. Was told that he dropped the entire family in Las Cruces and took off for home. Its not nice to pi$$ off the Capt/part owner of the jet and Phil found out that being an A**hole does not always work. It as well would not work on me and I have absolutely no desire to fly or for that matter meet him unless he can conduct himself as a gentleman.

Singpilot, know what you mean and my retirement took a big hit in the last year. Just got the statement last week and its back up 10% and hope it continues this direction.

Joe A

[fingpilot]

I got a statement last month (for the first quarter of the year) and it showed this BIG graph with a rising trend from the lower left to the upper right, like 45 degree slope. Then I looked at the units of the graph.

.9% up total scale. Made $61. dollars last quarter. Immediately went for a cheeseburger and a coke.

Am now even for the year.

On another subject; +1 on the Dr. Phil. He is partner in a plane at Clay Lacy. Is typed and 'qualified' if only in his own mind. Does not fly because no one will fly with him.

On another subject. Captains' perogative. Dropped DeNiro in Guymon, Oklahoma cross country after he chewed out studio president on flight phone while in studio G3. Said prez called me and told me to strand him somewhere, and he'd better have to walk to town.

Anyone familiar with Guymon? I am. Robert DeNiro is.

[Joeaksa]

Sing,

Mine actually went up just short of $10k in the last 3 months. Have my 401k in "River Source" and they have done a very good job.

Good one on Guymon OK... been through there and there is absolutely NOTHING there. Hope that Bobby enjoyed it there. Sorry but "stars" do not mean squat to me, they are just someone who can memorize lines and who hollywood wants to push that week.

Heard that Phil flies a Citation at times. Your comments mirror what I have heard.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by fingpilot

Anyone familiar with Guymon? I am. Robert DeNiro is.

Great Story!