Need Advice...Frustrated!

[fsiflyer]

Hello Everyone,
Let me start by explaining the situation and then asking for advice.

At my company our normal rotation is 7/7. Last rotation I went 13 days instead because of short staffing. We are one pilot short on the lear 60 so that requires everyone to take more days on while they are training the new guy...fine. So after 13 days on I come home and my wife and I are moving from Phoenix to LA. Moving truck picks up the stuff, we head off to LA and yesterday (Sunday) the stuff was supposed to arrive. Well it came today (Monday). Today is also a day off for me. My last one at that. Tomorrow I am back on duty and supposedly was supposed to deadhead to Kansas City to begin my rotation.

The plot thickens...At 9:13AM Pacific time I get hear my phone ring. Like a schmuck I answer without looking at the ID (BLOCKED NUMBER) and guess who? DISPATCH. We want you to get on the 1:10PM flight to MCI to position into Kansas City for tomorrow. But wait I am being shorted a day off and I worked extra days the previous rotation.

My wife gets very angry (at me) and uses many adult words. She really is starting to hate how this company does business. Our first night in our new place in LA and I am not there. Great husband that I am. Anyhow, she cried a bit and said she understood and drove me to the airport. None the less I am still very agitated at my company on how they are starting to do things.

When I first started this was a great place to work. Home all the time, bennies were great. Now they suck the fun out of it and ruin your home life as well. I guess I would like some advice from everyone. My wife and family are more important than anything to me but I love to fly airplanes. I don't have the time for a major and don't think going to a regional is a good idea. What do you all think? How do you explain things to your significant others? I really feel that she can't take alot more of this and would really hate to see things get ugly. How should I approach management if at all? Anyhow looking for advice. Thanks everyone. Sorry for the long rant.

[Seggy]

What are your times? Mesaba is hiring street captains.

[Crockrocket94]

Maybe ill just be a lifetime CFI

[mooneyguy]

This may be a little naive on my part, Im not a "pro" pilot yet, but I would think that a company such as yours would rather NOT pay a lot of money to train a new guy to replace YOU! So have you thought about a face to face with management to discuss with them that you are considering a change in employment due to the schedule? Just a thought! GOOD LUCK

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by Seggy

What are your times? Mesaba is hiring street captains.

I am at 2000 hours with not that much turbine PIC.

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by Seggy

What are your times? Mesaba is hiring street captains.

Originally Posted by mooneyguy

This may be a little naive on my part, Im not a "pro" pilot yet, but I would think that a company such as yours would rather NOT pay a lot of money to train a new guy to replace YOU! So have you thought about a face to face with management to discuss with them that you are considering a change in employment due to the schedule? Just a thought! GOOD LUCK

Yes, I am definetly thinking about setting up a face to face. It just does not seem that they are very receptive to new ideas for some reason. Theya re going through alot as well. We are getting a second Lear 60 on line and they are going through the hoopla of purchasing it. I understand all of those things but they really are running us hard and if not me it could be one of the other guys that walk. How would one approach management that is not very approachable? I am open to any and all advice.

By the way, you definetly do not need to be a "pro" pilot to hand out good advice if you have any. Thanks.

[Seggy]

Originally Posted by fsiflyer

I am at 2000 hours with not that much turbine PIC.

I know a guy who was offered a street captain position with no TPIC. How much total turbine time do you have? I would put it in and see what happens.

[calcapt]

I have always found that friendly, but frank discussions with the boss works the best. It is not unreasonable to expect some quality time with your family, and I think a good boss would say the same thing. If things are getting out of hand as it seems they are, I would schedule some time with those who make those decisions and explain your dilemma. You really have no option here as your family should take priority over any unreasonable employment issues. Hopefully you have a good boss and they can work with you. If not, I would start looking for new employment as it's not worth losing your family over.

Don't make this overly complicated, it's not.


Just read above post about unapproachable management. I feel strongly that you have the upper hand here. I would think there are a lot more places looking for pilots than there are pilots knocking this guys door down. Don't be intimidated and when you walk in to talk to these guys have a picture of your wife/family in your shirt pocket and take a good long look at it just before you see your boss. This should make what needs to be said easier. Share your dilemma and then it really is up to them at this point. Once you have given them the opportunity to fix it, you have done all you can do. In the meantime, start making some phone calls and looking at other options so you will not be starting off cold should new employment be necessary. The right decision is the one that's best for your family - period! A flying career is difficult on relationships even with good benefits and schedules. I see no reason to keep yourself in a situation that borders on unbearable - and I think your wife would agree. Good Luck

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by Seggy

I know a guy who was offered a street captain position with no TPIC. How much total turbine time do you have? I would put it in and see what happens.

I have visited their website and have applied. Time will tell now.

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by calcapt

I have always found that friendly, but frank discussions with the boss works the best. It is not unreasonable to expect some quality time with your family, and I think a good boss would say the same thing. If things are getting out of hand as it seems they are, I would schedule some time with those who make those decisions and explain your dilemma. You really have no option here as your family should take priority over any unreasonable employment issues. Hopefully you have a good boss and they can work with you. If not, I would start looking for new employment as it's not worth losing your family over.

Don't make this overly complicated, it's not.


Just read above post about unapproachable management. I feel strongly that you have the upper hand here. I would think there are a lot more places looking for pilots than there are pilots knocking this guys door down. Don't be intimidated and when you walk in to talk to these guys have a picture of your family in your shirt pocket and take a good long look at it just before you walk in. Say what needs to be said and then it really is up to them at this point. Once you have given them the opportunity to fix it, you have done all you can do. In the meantime, start making some phone calls and looking at other options so you will not be starting off cold if you have to start looking for a new employer. Good Luck

Thanks...I like the idea of the picture in the shirt pocket. I will try to set up an appointment with my DO an CP and see if anything can be worked out. i also agree that the KISS principle should be applied and keeping it simple is the best way in handling this,

[MusketeerMan]

Good luck on whatever happens. It's good to see your putting your family first!

[moxiepilot]

the way i see it is very black and white, but that's the way i am.

you have 3 options:

your family takes priority and you base your decisions on that.
your passion of flying is your priority and you base your decisions on that.
you work with management to balance the above two and if on compromise can be made, you base your decision on that.

[aviatorrbt]

Originally Posted by Seggy

I know a guy who was offered a street captain position with no TPIC. How much total turbine time do you have? I would put it in and see what happens.

...what is a 'street captain?' I've never heard this.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by aviatorrbt

...what is a 'street captain?' I've never heard this.

normally you get hired at company x as a first officer. then you fly for x amount of time until you have the seniority of the position of captain. in the sense of a street captain, you are hired directly into the left seat. from day 1 at the company you are flying as a captain.

if my understanding is correct though once a FO who has been at the company for any amount of time choose to upgrade to CA they will obviously be a higher seniority CA than the street captain.

[kellwolf]

My advice is to go in and talk to the powers that be and let them know how you feel. If things don't change, it's time to go elsewhere. No job is really worth breaking up a marriage, IMO. There's enough stress out there that can do that already.

[MarkE]

Definitely go in and talk to the bosses. Let them know how you feel and how it's affecting your home life. Maybe ask them if the current flying schedule is going to stay the way it is or is this just a temporary change. AT least they'll know how you feel and they will have something to think about. If you're a valued employee then they should be able to be more flexible with you. If they're not then you have your answer and time to start looking.

[Kevin.Held]

This may be a stupid question (another non pro-pilot talking), but have you talked to your wife about what you should do? Perhaps if she realizes that you want to improve things, and she has a say in it, she'll be less likely to get angry with you about it. But then again, this is the female mind we're talking about.

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by Kevin.Held

This may be a stupid question (another non pro-pilot talking), but have you talked to your wife about what you should do? Perhaps if she realizes that you want to improve things, and she has a say in it, she'll be less likely to get angry with you about it. But then again, this is the female mind we're talking about.

Yes, I spoke with my wife. She knows that I want to improve things but they are outside of my control. I just have to buck up and face management and then make a choice.

Thanks.

[MarkE]

Sounds like we're gonna have to grab some beers out here sooner than later

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by MarkE

Sounds like we're gonna have to grab some beers out here sooner than later

Without a doubt. We finally moved into our place although I have yet to stay a night there. Hopefully within the next two weeks I will be back.

[GQ_Pilot]

Hey FSI...

May I just Refer you to my previous post? Where I talked about how ( I'll do it for the forum) "swear word"ed up 135 flying is. They are all the same FSI. You are worse then a number and if you quit they would just hire some other shmuck and give them a training contract to sign. Thats how pathetic this 135 game has gotten. I really wish I could tell you something better. What I have gone and done now is I am working as a contract pilot. So if a place gets to haywire I tell them to get "swear word" ed.

I just had a go with a growing 135, and I have to say Operational Control never existed there, and there was no communication with pilots unless it was necessary. Like call you the day of a flight to let you know to catch a Flight to pick up your trip that night. It was splendid! The 9 and 5 schedule they promised was broken every time by 2 to 3 days. Their explanation of this was, "We only try to do a 9 and 5 sked." On part 91, owner trip days 20 + hr duty days were common. I would like to say I haven't experienced this before but I have. The only way you can counter act this BS is to do contract work, or go with the Net Jets.

I am afraid to tell you corporate aviation won't change until we get rid of the scabs that sign these training contracts and allow the Organizations have all the power of the pilots.

Above loved ones, my girlfriend met me while I was a pilot and loves what I do. We enjoy my limited days off, or sometimes plenty days off. She loves aviation and has had a great dose of how ###### it is. The thing is if she truely loves you she won't mind. Like my father (747 pilot and more ) always told me, "Some day you might get married and your wife might say you have to quit flying to stay with me, you can quit flying and a year it will be something else and you'll still be divorced but you won't be flying anymore".

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by GQ_Pilot

Hey FSI...

May I just Refer you to my previous post? Where I talked about how ( I'll do it for the forum) "swear word"ed up 135 flying is. They are all the same FSI. You are worse then a number and if you quit they would just hire some other shmuck and give them a training contract to sign. Thats how pathetic this 135 game has gotten. I really wish I could tell you something better. What I have gone and done now is I am working as a contract pilot. So if a place gets to haywire I tell them to get "swear word" ed.

I just had a go with a growing 135, and I have to say Operational Control never existed there, and there was no communication with pilots unless it was necessary. Like call you the day of a flight to let you know to catch a Flight to pick up your trip that night. It was splendid! The 9 and 5 schedule they promised was broken every time by 2 to 3 days. Their explanation of this was, "We only try to do a 9 and 5 sked." On part 91, owner trip days 20 + hr duty days were common. I would like to say I haven't experienced this before but I have. The only way you can counter act this BS is to do contract work, or go with the Net Jets.

I am afraid to tell you corporate aviation won't change until we get rid of the scabs that sign these training contracts and allow the Organizations have all the power of the pilots.

I see where you are coming from but I have been at this company for almost a year. Now I know this is not a long time but I do know the DO personally and it really seems that lately things have gone a bit downhill. I am hoping this is temporary and is tied to our getting another plane but with our current staffing shortfall I can't imagine how we will operate another airplane. When I started we all had a blast here and everyone really wanted to make this a career place. Seems like the head honch (above the DO) had a change of heart. Time will tell. I am going to speak with the DO and CP and hopefully get some answers.

[moxiepilot]

let us know what you do when you do it.

[Stone Cold]

FSI, Best of luck no matter what you do, and my phone is always on if you need it. Just getting back on the road, so I'll be on the boards more. I've actually had quite a bit of time "off" lately, but will hopefully time things to get Turkey day at home.

[fsiflyer]

Originally Posted by Stone Cold

FSI, Best of luck no matter what you do, and my phone is always on if you need it. Just getting back on the road, so I'll be on the boards more. I've actually had quite a bit of time "off" lately, but will hopefully time things to get Turkey day at home.

Hey Stone, glad to hear you got some time off. I got a call in to the DO so we shall see. I doubt I will walk but I want to see this place get better.