A pilot does...

[ClueByFour]

Remember not just the pilots lost their pension, every rank and file employee did, (but remember the BOB gang gave up their pension without letting the pilots vote) at least the other groups fought the company and made the judge terminate it.

All employees took big hits, but the difference is the pilots make bigger money so they took bigger hits.

While I am generally unsympathetic to most of what was originally posted (I'm away from home just as much, not getting paid for time in transit, and have taken paycuts), there is something to be said for losing the pension. You (or anyone who can work until 65) are unlikely to make less than you would have had coming under the pension plan when it froze--the PBGC will cover the amounts that everyone but the pilots make.

Between the amount they would have made and (for now) being forced to retire at 60 severely hamstring what a pilot will bring in from a pension standpoint.

I would argue than anyone making 6 figures who was not socking money away on top of the pension probably has it coming RE: the pension shortfall, but that's a seperate discussion.

 

[Travels2mch]

Now you can see where some of your VFF are coming from as well.

I was thinking the same thing......most of the OP could be said about those of us frequent customers too.

 

[A320 Driver]

Last time I checked a pilot is a not an AMT nor authorized by the FAA to fix a plane or sign off a logbook. Nor did you go to A&P school and take the test nor do you have an Airframe and Powerplant license to fix the plane and signoff the book.

AMT is the person responsible for a repair, not a pilot.

Don't let the facts get in your way.

Check again dude. Many MELs require pilot signoffs as do those MELs applied in non-maintenance stations. Also, unlike yourself, many of us ARE A&Ps, myself included.

Better check your facts again.

A320 Driver B)

 

[700UW]

Signing off an MEL is NOT REPAIRING THE AIRPLANE.

You are not authorized nor trained to fix a plane. You can have an A&P if you dont use it or get training in a two year period it becomes void.

Funny dont see any pilots carrying tool boxes or overhauling a plane in the hangars?

Never seen a pilot sign off a repair in the logbook, job card or fill out an 8130.

You guys amaze me. You guys want credit for everything, guess you will never realize you are just an overglorified greyhound driver.

(No disrepect to the pilots that realize they are not the ones who keep the airlines in business, and it takes all employees).

 

[pilot]

700:

It does take all. Now we can argue the ranking in order of importance to the company if you want. I'd say pilots and mechanics would have the first two spots. Unless you want to put the company brewmaster at the top.

Bottom line is we all have choices if we don't like what is going on. But quitting without fighting to regain the profession (either yours or mine) is NOT an option.

And just so you know how important I think your job is:

If you make a mistake not only do pax die, so do I.
Same goes for me. If I make a mistake I go with the pax.

I'd say no other position in any airline has life or death implications if they do not do the job correctly.

pilot

 

[A320 Driver]

That's not what you said! Quote "Last time I checked a pilot is a not an AMT nor authorized by the FAA to fix a plane or sign off a logbook. Nor did you go to A&P school and take the test nor do you have an Airframe and Powerplant license to fix the plane and signoff the book."


Pilots DO make logbook entries on occasion and under very strict guidelines and that takes NOTHING away from the hard work our maintenance guys do on our aircraft. But you throw around these statements like facts and you know that you are not the authority on the operation nor the maintenance on an aircraft. That priviledge belongs to us licensed to do so.

A320 Driver B)

 

[USCREW]

700:

It does take all. Now we can argue the ranking in order of importance to the company if you want. I'd say pilots and mechanics would have the first two spots. Unless you want to put the company brewmaster at the top.

Bottom line is we all have choices if we don't like what is going on. But quitting without fighting to regain the profession (either yours or mine) is NOT an option.

And just so you know how important I think your job is:

If you make a mistake not only do pax die, so do I.
Same goes for me. If I make a mistake I go with the pax.

I'd say no other position in any airline has life or death implications if they do not do the job correctly.

pilot

Wow, I guess F/As are pretty low on this ranking system, below lav servicers. I'll remember that the next time I do an evacuation...which would be my third.

 

[USFlyer]

I'm baffled why pilots are not considered exempt employees given their skills and salaries. Then, this whole thread wouldn't exist.

 

[A320 Driver]

Wow, I guess F/As are pretty low on this ranking system, below lav servicers. I'll remember that the next time I do an evacuation...which would be my third.

Flight Attendants shouldn't be left out. If you count lives saved and responcible for, F/As rank right up there.
Also, there are many times during flight operations that the F/As shield me from issues that would otherwise distract me when my attention is needed elsewhere. We are a team plain and simple. I take care of them and vice-versa.

A320 Driver B)

 

[USCREW]

Flight Attendants shouldn't be left out. If you count lives saved and responcible for, F/As rank right up there.
Also, there are many times during flight operations that the F/As shield me from issues that would otherwise distract me when my attention is needed elsewhere. We are a team plain and simple. I take care of them and vice-versa.

A320 Driver B)

Thank-you! And how do you take your coffee?

 

[delldude]

Don't care. Several times a day, he has over a 100 "souls" on board his bird that he is responsible for. I really don't want some rookie up front when things go wrong. I've been on too many "close calls" when flying to want anything less.

Sure it is hours of shear boredom with a few minutes of pure fear, but I want the experience when needed.

Yeah,just like driving a passenger bus....

 

[700UW]

You sign off the book for special procedures due to an MEL.

And you can enter a verbal MEL from Maintenance Control, and when it gets to the mtc station AMTs sticker the book and sign off the MEL.

You do not sign off nor are authorized to repair an airplane, sign the repair off, sign the jobcard and stamp it(you are not issued stamps) nor sign off and fill out the 8130.

No pilot repairs an airplane at US Airways, no pilot works in the hangar overhauling an airplane, never seen a pilot at the line hangar fixing a plane either.

Don't let the facts get in your way.

 

[USCREW]

No pilot repairs an airplane at US Airways, no pilot works in the hangar overhauling an airplane, never seen a pilot at the line hangar fixing a plane either.

Don't let the facts get in your way.

I have seen mechanics drive an airplane though...can they make them take-off too? That's the most important part isn't it?

 

[delldude]

Check again dude. Many MELs require pilot signoffs as do those MELs applied in non-maintenance stations. Also, unlike yourself, many of us ARE A&Ps, myself included.

Better check your facts again.

A320 Driver B)

Dude....Pilot signs off only to agree repairs or MEL's were accomplished...(or Fed will wonder WTF you flying a broke plane for Dude?)he's not signing off the actual repair.As for non maintenance stations,someone in CSA or other will be a DQA person(per MPPM).
I haven't seen too many AP pilots who are willing to get their fingernails dirty much these days.....

 

[700UW]

Mechanics are authorized to taxi an airplane, I would think the landing is more important than the takeoff, lol!