One word: Bad!
After 17 months of employment and 10+ months with a preset schedule (hard line), I am back to a build up schedule. Basically this means that a schedule is created based on the scraps left behind from the line holders. Its the last step before being tossed back on reserve. I will be on reserve in Dec, no doubt. Furthermore, it appears that those who are based in IAD now are nearly all on reserve. The company basically put 50 crew members out there in IAD and put 90% of them on reserve.
So, this is the first tangible effect to hit me so far. I’ve lasted this long without much personal effect as pilots under me were furloughed and downgraded. However, its getting personal now.
We’ll see what happens with the schedule.
I am making serious moves right now to purchase an airplane (won’t do it until the time is right). But, it will happen pretty soon. As the airline business shrinks, I might stick with my plan to wrap up my involvement with this place at the close of the year and attend school in Jan to finish my CPA. I do this job because I love to fly and it is my only way into the sky right now. However, purchasing an airplane, which will in turn make the sky accessible on my terms will likely suck nearly all the appeal out of the airline business.
One of the tougher decisions I’ve faced: Which road to take, when to take it, and for how long.