Big Sky guys...

[SmoothLanderJ]

Originally Posted by Airdale

But his response will be "You had a choice in which company to work for."

Which I do agree with to some extent, you DO have a choice. That being said, PCL didn't look so bad when you went there and Colgan didn't look bad when I chose to come here. I was happy at first. There was no report that the 1900 was leaving, the ALPA drive was on and the company was taking BIDS for Q400 transitions. Then it snow balled. Maybe I was too vocal about my displeasure with this place and the way they treated us on the Beech, but again, while I love my job and love to fly, I HATE being treated like a piece of s***. Colgan does not deserve a steady flow of incoming pilots, young and starry eyed like I was.

And while everyone was saying "Shut up or Quit", well damn, I guess no one has ever been in that situation. Its much easier to get another 121 job while working for a 121 carrier. It took me a few months to FINALLY get an interview setup with my number one choice company.

** And I should also add, that aside from being a contract CFI, Colgan was my FIRST civilian job after being in the military. So I do have a level of tolerance that the military puts into you. But many times I was recalled and had to work on my off days in the Coast Guard, and I never once complained because I signed up for it and I was always ready for the call. I was in shock when I found out that this place likes to the do the same thing. My mentality was bulls***!! For 4 years I sacrificed every day of my life to the U.S. Government and I did it PROUDLY. In no way am I going to sacrifice every day of my civilian life to some half ass company that doesn't care one bit about its employees while being paid less than HALF of what the military was paying. I looked forward to the freedom that Civilian life offers, and Colgan tries to impede on that.

Great post!! Very good perspectives and insights.......

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by meritflyer

I am careful with expectations. They always seem to not be what you've "heard" or thought.

True, but expectations drive life's choices. For example, 25' Seas, 40kts winds, 35 degrees, capsized boat 40 miles off shore, at night. You better have the expectation that:

a.) Its COLD
b.) Freezing spray will be on the deck
c.) Falling overboard would be deadly
d.) Mission success rate for survivors will be low
e.) Possible roll over when transiting the inlet

Prepare accordingly.



Sure that scenario has nothing to do with career choices, but its an exaggerated example of how expectations drive choices. You want to work for a company that will come as close to meeting or exceeding your expectations as possible, keeping in mind this is the real world, and every job/company has its downfalls. There are probably some things at XJT that don't meet your expectations, but I'm sure much of it does, and despite a few things that maybe you don't like, they are not enough to spoil your happiness with the job and company you work for.

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Nah. It's just that easy. Things are so black and white, ya know.

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by Airdale

But his response will be "You had a choice in which company to work for."

Is there somebody that didn't have that choice?

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

Is there somebody that didn't have that choice?

Of course.

The guys that want to live in base. Whatever base that is, and their choices may have only been 1 company.

Easy as pie.

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Of course.

The guys that want to live in base. Whatever base that is, and their choices may have only been 1 company.

Easy as pie.

You can't use that logic, Surreal. They still had a choice - as much of a choice as anybody. They made their choice.

What's that they said about making beds?

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

You can't use that logic, Surreal. They still had a choice - as much of a choice as anybody. They made their choice.

What's that they said about making beds?

BUT...this is the REGIONAL airline industry Lloyd, a good choice today is a bad choice tomorrow. The point is, just because you haven't experienced any woes or detours in your career yet, doesn't give you a lick of right to put down those that have ended up in bad places with troubles or to make statements like "You had a choice". What goes around comes around my friend.

[SmitteyB]

Originally Posted by Airdale

BUT...this is the REGIONAL airline industry Lloyd, a good choice today is a bad choice tomorrow. The point is, just because you haven't experienced any woes or detours in your career yet, doesn't give you a lick of right to put down those that have ended up in bad places with troubles or to make statements like "You had a choice". What goes around comes around my friend.

Very good point.

[mikecweb]

Lloyd flew freight and built enough time to get hired at ANY regional he wanted. He was able to have a better life because he was slugging away in thunderstorms and ice in 210s and Barons while guys were getting hired into RJs <1000 hours. He didn't go to the first regional that offered him a job. Also if you have high expectations for any regional job you are only setting your self up to be disappointed. The job is what it is. Go to work, fly safe, and collect a paycheck. I assure you if you stay positive no matter how ###### things may seem you'll feel better about yourself and your situation.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

I assure you if you stay positive no matter how ###### things may seem you'll feel better about yourself and your situation.

I can't disagree with this.....BUT


There's a difference between being positive and being realistic. Realistically, there ARE regionals that suck. Like it or not. Yes, people have a choice to go there. But, ya know what? I'd rather be here, living in base then commuting to XJT, possibly not upgrading for a while, maybe getting displaced, losing days off a month away from my family and spending money on a crashpad or a hotel. I've NEVER said I regretted my decision coming to Pinnacle, and I probably never will. But, I'm not for a minute just gonna clam up about the things that are wrong here. To me, that's doing the rest of the people that are job hunting at the regional level a disservice. "Come on over to Pinnacle! Everything's fine!" Hardly. We've got our problems, but ya know what? We're working on fixing them, and THAT'S what counts.