I will say, first off, that I have been pretty disgruntled lately about this airline job. Backing away three feet, though, I think I do sometimes get carried away with things that I have posted both on this website and in public forums.

Things at this specific airline are pretty bleak. We are on the verge of striking, have already conducted two informational picketing events. Those who know the GoJet/Trans States story will have an appreciation for the mentality that this management group governs with. This being my first endeavor into the airline world, I would have to say that above all else, I am disappointed with many aspects of it and have voiced my opinion through many posts on this website.

However, let it be known, that I still have a healthy respect for what the profession used to be and what it has the potential to be as regards compensation, advancement, and overall job satisfaction. The profession is a highly skilled one and the costs of error are incalculable.

Regardless of my contempt for the current situation, I have always taken my job seriously and will continue to do so until the end and will do so again should I come back. I have played by all the rules laid down, sitting reserve when I am supposed to, flying the trips I am supposed to fly, I do not have excessive sick calls, and I have never missed a commute (due to my conservative nature and sense of responsibility – leaving the night before, etc).

I am fortunate to have worked with such a great group of pilots here. I very much consider the experience to have been a worthy pursuit and have not given up on the profession in whole. True, I am walking away slightly disgruntled, but still holding appropriate respect for the profession, the pilots, and the goals of the management teams.

Due to the relatively small group of us out there, this website could be a double edged sword for me. It has been said that should a hiring board get a hold of this website and tie it to me, I wouldn’t get hired.

When it comes to the actual doingness of the job, I have done everything that has been asked of me and will follow the straight road until the door is closed behind me, even leaving sick time in the bank. This website serves as a medium on which I can post my thoughts (both the good and bad) regarding the aviation industry and the subject as a whole. However, I am likely going to have to temper what I write from now on in order to not deface my professionalism should I decide to come back to the profession in the future.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pm and is filed under Airline Life, Career Advancement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.