Attaboy, now you're talk'in TowerDog. I know how you feel. I feel like I've been starting over all my life, too. But, it does keep one from falling into a comfort rut. New airplane, new people, new places, good contract, etc. If you can be at it long enough maybe you can make back some of that retirement that Tower management stole from you guys. I know it's alot of work, but you must be still young since you obviously weren't the oldest in your class (hence you got an FE slot vice F/O?). F/O training is great - very comprehensive and practical. It's not JAL where I hear they specifiy exactly which hand and finger you position switches with. Relax and consider which equipment and base you want to bid F/O for.

Roadtrip:

I am 44. (Was 43 at date of hire)
2 guys older than me in class.
The oldest one left for Fed-Ex after 2 weeks of basic indoc.

Actually Tower Air managment did not steal retirement from me, as we only had 401K.
Some other guys may still be owed un-paid wages and such.

No doubt i will enjoy working for AA, but I sort of had this bug to go cruising. Therefore the uh, decisions.
Will keep my eyes on the ball from now on and see ya Dudes in Dallas. :)


------------------
Men, this is no drill...

[This message has been edited by PPRuNe Towers (edited 05 January 2001).]

Dont worry a couple of weeks of vacation combined with wise bidding and you will get plenty of cruising in, while checks are still hitting the ole bank account at the same time.

Heck, Ill have my next boat soon and we can go flotilla style through the Islands...


Cheers
Wino

Yay

Onya TD

Ernie, Gann or Hemingway take your pick, eat your heart out. :)

RRAAMJET:

Did you fly a CF18 in the military?

TowerDog,
I've never applied, but how would my resume look to the chief pilot. 14,000 hrs total. D-18 C46, 707, DC6, HS 748, DC 9-30/50, MD-83, L1011 and 737-700/800. Not too hard to figure out who I fly for. Pay sucks but fantastic job satisfaction and very nice home base. Am a US citizen with US CPL and CAA ATP, Perf A and most of the above type ratings. Age 48 and of Caribbean/Caucasian heritage. And how hard is it to get a MIA base to be close to the Caribbean?

NG:

They are recruiting folks with experience for a change. Sure ya get in on your time, but age-wise it may be last change: Some guy in my class was 47.
Have not met any older new-hire.
(They have an un-official cut-off for age, and can't make it public as they could get sued for age discrimenation.)

Better Fed-Ex yer papers in.
MIA base goes junior, ya get it right away.

Good luck.

------------------
Men, this is no drill...

Agree with you, NG, great outfit, great routes, LOUSY PAY. Let's get negotiating, comrade.

------------------
fly low, bite hard

Uh, so who do ya guys fly for?
Ryan has B-737 NG, but no L-10s?

Or is it BWIA?

(Great flying but low pay?)

------------------
Men, this is no drill...

Ryan ain't Caribbean, TowerDog, guess that narrows it down!


------------------
fly low, bite hard

Any of you guys care to help a poor old wannabe with less than 500 hours get a flying job in the US ?


Thanks

A2107

So, TD, I've been following this story with great interest -- real seat of the chair stuff! http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif So here it is with a great deal of time having past.

In the meantime, history has been made in some respects, presidents have cum and gone, even Israel has a new leader. So...

What's the latest scoop with you? Did you tuff-out boot camp? Have you done the F/O thing yet? Or did you finally decide to go sailing after all?

Hmmm, so many questions ... so little time! :)

------------------
Once a king, always a king.
But once a nite's barely adequate!

NG CAPTAIN -
There was a guy in a class that was 51, but probably had a US ATP, military background, and a bachelors degree (same as Perf A's??) A friend of mine who is from South Africa was just hired by AAL. MIA is junior and lots of new-hires get assigned there.

Last I heard TD was a day before his oral and doing well, but I've been busy and couldn't follow up...

He had the right attitude though, one day at a time, like a 12 step program...


Cheers
Wino