Boy O Boy do these posts bring back the nightmare! Trying to get a jump seat on a busy Summer night to Europe. If you got bumped there were few places to run to since most North Atlantic flights launch at the same time. Very little wiggle room. Can not commute? Do not expect any support from the company. Scheduling will tell say you should have bought a ticket. (Check out the prices on the Internet, Goodbye one months pay) Expect to get docked pay or out and out get fired. And the old 17 days on, 7 off then another 17 days on schedule. Just when you are ready to scramble home for the 7, they take three of the days keeping you flying. Involuntary assigned. (Who needs a life) The commute home for the remaining 4 days has now become impossible. Now your stuck in Europe for those 4 days on your on dime. If you are lucky you might find a room for $120 per night. Remember the US Dollar is very weak at the moment. Oh yes, in reference to the above post. "The Have/Have Not Club" My fondest memory was landing in Frankfurt one night and it being to late to commute home. Three of us checked into the same hotel. The Captain's "Have Club Membership" got him a room for the night and a Business Class ticket home the next day. The other F/O's "Have Club Membership" afforded him a travel credit in which he had a room and a ticket home as well. And there stood lowly me, proud member of "The Have Not Club" My Visa card in hand to pay for my room. And hoping beyond hope that I could get a jump seat West to the US the next morning on an oversold flight. As stated above, 3 Pilots, same airline, same union on three different programs. If you are single, move to Europe and go for it. If you are married and its on shaky ground go ahead and get divorced if you choose this job. If you have growing kids at home, find another line of work, watch them grow up. They will be gone before you know it. As of last month there is no one remaining from my new hire class. Everyone reached their breaking point at different times. I wish I had better things to say but if you are at the bottom at this airline it is a horrible place to work. Good luck.
