Questions?

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This are a couple of questions that some people have asked me through email and I just wanted to post them here. Basically, I'm copping out of another day of blogging. I am in no sense bitter but I'm just telling you how it is! Enjoy!

How many hours do you work a week? And what type of schedule do you keep?
Well, currently, I am on a 4 days on, 3 days off type of schedule. That consists of about 20-25 flight hours for those four days but working anywhere from 6-11 hour days in terms of total duty. Total duty consists of the time in between flights and the other times in terms of waiting for you aircraft, arriving 45-60 minutes early prior to you trip, etc. One day, I flew 4 hours but was on duty for about 14. If you were to calculate how much I got in pay that day, I receive 4 * 19.02 + 14 8 1.5 (which is my per diem rate at ASA) = $97.08 which then further equates to about $6.90 /hr. We are limited to a scheduled duty day of 14 but can be extended due to weather / company delays to 16 hours. Don't let the pay get you down but you can do more research at www.airlinepilotcentral.com <-- they have all the payscales there for you.

Does it rotate or is it pretty much set?
We have a bidding schedule like most airlines which consists of you choosing what type of schedule you want for the month in advance in terms of what days on or off you want. For the new month of August, I am working Thursday - Sunday the entire month. That is my set schedule. Next month, as my seniority goes up, I can get a better schedule with semi weekends off or whatever days that I might need next month off. In the beginning, because you are junior, you will be on reserve for a little while which basically means that the days that you are on duty, you have about 2 hours to show up to the airport and be ready for a flight when operations call you. You are not going to get paid either until you show up at the airport for that assignment.

What is a typical day for you as an airline pilot?
It's really hard to type this all out. I would much prefer if you would give me a call and ask me so that I can explain it to you. Today for instance, I had to show up at work by 1505 that meant that I left my house by 1405 so that I can get to the employee parking lot, park my car, take the employee shuttle to the crew lounge (not a lounge by any means) and check in then hurry to my aircraft in order to arrive 45 minutes prior to my departure time which was 1605. I flew my trip today which included a aircraft that had the autopilot deferred so that was a task in and of itself to Brunswick, Georgia and back. I logged a total of 1.9 hours flight time and arrive back home at 2000. So, I was on duty for about 5 hours, I works only 1.9, I got about $50.00 but because I was junior manned for this trip (they assigned it to me outside of my schedule that i bid for last month) I will be getting time and half or the greater of 3.5 times my regular wage rate which in this case is greater. 3.5 * 19.02.

Are there any other programs/ duty tasks that an airline pilot has to take care of other than basic pilot shenanigans?
Taxes are definitely a different type of deal as an airline pilot. You can write off a lot of things that are incidental to you job and your per diem is non-taxable too. You have to learn all that stuff that has to do with taxes as a pilot. Totally different. You just have to also be able to learn fast, get along with a whole slew of different types of characters, and just deal with a lot of BS. That's what it basically comes down to. I have a crash pad in ATL which I pay for about $200.00 a month so that means that I share a room with 2 other guys. They are my friends so its all good. I commute to ATL from San Diego so that's a kicker. It makes me a little tired, but ATL isn't that great in comparison. I have friends and family there so its all good and worth it to me.

What are some of the advantages/ disadvantages of working for the airlines?
The travel benefits are the best, but as far as traveling while working (like having an overnight in Albany, GA) isn't going to make it worth it. The disadvantage is that it isn't like it use to be. That's basically it. The travel benefits are also impossible to take advantage of during the summer when everyone is travelling because you probably won't be able to get on due to the full loads.

What happens to a pilot if he/she can’t maintain a class one flight physical? Do they keep them or kick them out?
There's a chance to somehow get it back through the help of the union / FAA but it depends on whether you have been here "long enough". I heard of a guy losing his medical, and now he's an instructor. If you cannot maintain a class I then of course, you cannot be a commercial airline pilot or act as PIC (Captain) If you weren't here that long to learn the gig, then I'm not sure what they would do with you because you aren't worth that much to them. We are just a commodity.

What’s the upgrade training like for the airline?
Upgrade training is a two week course where you go through all the things of being a Captain. Learning the checklists, what do to here and there, making sure that you have some type of command authority and that you just know your aircraft out and in. I'm not sure because obviously I haven't crossed that bridge yet. My Captain this afternoon said that she was notified 2 days prior and that she had to learn everything really really quickly.

Is it best to get into smaller Regional airlines before getting into a larger company i.e. Delta (that is, of course, you have a choice)?
I personally don't see a difference. If you could skip the CFI gig, and the regional gig too then all the more to you. You might have some people in your class that think you might not belong there, but who are they to judge. You definitely learn quite a lot in the regionals but a major is where you want to end up anyways. I have heard of some guys making it a career and I have in no doubt that if it happened to be that way that its all good. In the end, you fly planes!


As far as the CAPT program is concerned, what was the hardest part of it? Do you have any suggestions to better prep for it, or rather, get through it?

Study hard, know your material and just keep positive. Everyone there is there to teach you and you are there to absorb as much as you can in as little time. It's a great environment that promotes learning but if is up to you to make that your advantage. If you really want to prep for it, just start reading and learning. Learn about the weather. www.aviationweather.gov There are numerous websites to help you out. I mean, its all over the internet!

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I answered your questions the best that I could and I hope that I was able to give you some insight. Take it easy and I hope to see you on the line soon!

August Schedule

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Back by popular demand, I just posted my new final schedule for August. I hope that if any of you guys / gals find yourself in the town that I will be overnighting in, don't hesitate to give me a call. I'm usually down to hang out and do stuff. As before in July, I will be off Mondays through Wednesdays. I'm starting to really feel the fatigue of a month's schedule of flying a lot, but I have to say that I'm excited for the per diem in my check this upcoming 15th of August. It's definitely going to help offset a little of my unnecessary expenditures. Adelle was in town this past three days that I had off and the following week (July 30 - August 1st) I will be visiting my cousins in Edmonton, Canada. That should be fun! I can't hardly wait for that trip. When Adelle was here, we got to spend some time doing the things that one must do while in Atlanta...go to the Delta Museum, and check out the world's largest granite rock, Stone Mountain. It was definitely an awesome hike up the mountain and I'm really glad that I got to do it with Adelle. It was a lot of fun and I really think that I will be undertaking a lot more trails of such in the south here. I have to admit that it was really hot, but it was definitely a great workout! Here's a picture of us at the top!

Anyways, my flight tonight into Fort Wayne was a little exciting with a traffic resolution where I had to pull up quite a bit in order to avoid a collision and the fact that we ended up a little high on the approach into runway 5. It was, of course, of no incident, but it was definitely something that is constantly reminding us of why there are still two human bodies at the controls of an aircraft to where they can make the right (well most of the time) assumption about the current situation and how to handle the aircraft. I have a great Captain once again on this trip and its just awesome how I keep on getting the good ones. I haven't had one incident yet, but lets not jinx this.

As a side note, I'm not sure if you guys have noticed but right next to the title of my blog appears little entries from Twitter that is more up to date and current than these long entries. It's been hard to update once again because like I have mentioned before, I've been getting exhausted on these trips. Oh yeah, the National Mediation Board also just announced that they want the ASA ALPA Committee to meet again with the ASA Management in order to come to an agreement! It's just preposterous how long we have been at it and that these people think that we will come to a resolution soon. We need to take action and really just start to do something about it. Oh well, the life that I chose to live...go figure. I wanted a challenge and I got one!

security nightmare w/ awesome dinner!

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Today started out a little hectic trying to get on my flight back to ATL today with the fact that the line for security in Terminal 2 was being held up for 1.5 hours due to a security breach. This in turn caused the captain to time out and us to end up flying to Salt Lake for a new crew then on to ATL. Oh joy… now instead of getting into town around 5:00 PM local, I’ll be there around 11:00 PM. Should make out to be a quick nap at Loxford Lounge then onto my awesome four day trip. I spend the last three days just hanging out in San Diego and got to see the Padres vs. the Mets. Adelle and I took the trolley to downtown which was really easy and cheap and we ate some garlic fries and hot dogs. This is the definitely of a good night at the ballpark.

My line in August that I was awarded consists of 350 hours away from base so that should provide for another $500 of per diem. Now as long as I don’t’ spend it on food while away, I’ll be good. I also might be able to pick up some open time in August for some time and a half to help out with things. The biggest deal will be swapping out my car in Atlanta for the one in Wildomar. I’ll be driving the 1985 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo Diesel and it doesn’t have any air conditioning. That’s going to be fun in Atlanta. If anyone has any ways to create a new cooling system in a car, please tell me. It might be a little rough, but we’ll see how that goes. Wish me luck!

I had dinner with an old friend tonight and it was fun just hanging out. I'm glad that she's doing well and I do hope that we get to talk a little more often. We ate at a place called Joe's right near the airport and I have to say that they made me a really awesome hamburger. Now I'm fat again.

Still haven't found my headset (QC2s) or my video iPod. I'm very disappointed with Delta Lost and Found! =(

downgrading....

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Ever since I became a Regional Airline Pilot, I have succumb to a simple life. I didn't have one that was too extravagant I might say but of course, others have had a difference of opinion. I ended up selling my Mercedes C55 AMG because I no longer wanted to bear the responsibility of the monthly payment (not that I was making it either while in school) but I felt like it was time. I will also be transporting my car bar to my mom from Atlanta and driving once more the 1985 Turbo Diesel! I'm excited to be driving that car again, but getting it there is one thing. I'm too sure exactly how I might accomplish this car swap, but we'll see how it goes.

To date, I have been spending less and less and becoming a little more frugal with my cash flow as it has been restrained by the paychecks that the airline provides me. Even though I am as skilled as I feel I am (BS degree and professional airline piot training) I'm forced to be dealt the cards of a poverish wage. It'll be a while before I can ball it up again, but I will once more. It'll just be by slower and different means. I have been able to experience the good life and I am more than eager to get back there. I do feel a sigh of relief and look foward to just being simple. I hardly buy clothes anymore or things (although I want the new PS3 and no I didn't get an iPhone) but we'll see how things go in the next few years. It's going to be an interesting ride!

Supposedly August 7th is a good day to keep in mind for new and upcoming Apple products...we'll see what ALPA and ASA provides for the pilots in the next few weeks.

hanging out in San Diego

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Loving the clear skies down here. The weather is perfect but I forgot to bring my swim trunks for some beach action today. I might do it tomorrow but we'll see. I bought tickets to the Padres vs Mets game here at Petco Park and I'm going to try the Trolley from Fashion Valley. Should be different and this time I don't have to worry about any traffix driving down to the stadium or parking for that matter. The round trip is only $4.50!

Anyways, I'm going to try to get rid of my old car back here in San Diego so that I don't feel the burden anymore of having to have my mom take care of it. It definitely was a cool idea, but there's no need for anything like that anymore especially once I got over (temporarily due to cash flow restraints) the nice car gig. My car back in Atlanta has definitely humbled me more on the idea of, "a car's a car just to get your around," kind of deal. I'm going to try to bring over the old 1985 300D Turbo Diesel Mercedes to Atlanta and use that as my airport car. We'll see how long that lasts, but I have faith in it! Wish me luck guys!

Flying has been fun and still yet, I'm blessed with the company of good captains and a great flight attendant. I got my new tentative schedule for August and I'll post that once I find out that its set in stone. I got the first line that I bid for, but of course, it was just some random one that I really didn't look at. I do have a Flint, MI overnight and I hope that my friend is in town. That would be fun. Either than that, I don't think that I have anything else going for me in August. We've been offered 1.5 pay for any open time that we pick up which is cool, but ASA likes to block us so high that we can't pick anything up! It's ridiculous! Oh well, I'm just trying to get the hours anyways.

Yeah for San Diego!