Regular readers of the Fledgling Flyer know that I have only been pursuing my airline dream for a month. So, with only one month of ground school behind me and another month to go before my very first CRJ-900 flight, could it be that I might be about to be awakened from this dream and slapped in the face with the F-word...FURLOUGH! Maybe not yet, but suddenly it seems possible.First of all, a little history. As much as I would like to think that my seasoned flying skills is what made Mesaba hire me, I know that it was a shortage of pilots. More specifically, a shortage of pilots willing to be separated from their families for days on end, bring home about $350 per week, and fly the CRJ-900. The CRJ enters into the equation because Mama Delta promised Mesaba that we would be getting 15 new CRJ-900's for Christmas, and to keep 15 CRJ's flying, you typically hire about 5 crews per aircraft. So, doing a little Jethro Bodine "cyphering" here, 15 CRJ's equals 75 Captains (most moving up from the Saab 340's), 75 new hire CRJ First Officers (enter yours truly), and 150 Flight Attendants (a mixture of new hire and existing employees). Keep in mind that the 75 Captains means that 75 Saab Captain positions are vacated, so existing First Officers now have the opportunity to upgrade to Captain. Upward mobility at its best.
For the last quarter of 2008 this hiring frenzy was pretty much the only airline hiring in the entire US, which explains why so many of the new hire First Officers in my class are furloughed pilots from other airlines. Based on the delivery schedule of the new CRJ's, the company expected to continue hiring and forming classes until March or April 2009. However, like so many others this year, the Christmas present that we wanted so badly did not appear under the tree, and it was announced a day ago that instead of 15 new CRJ's, we'd be getting 5. So, substitute 5 for 15, cypher a little, naught from naught leaves naught, carry the one...you get the picture. Suddenly instead of a hiring craze, the company finds itself with about 100 extra pilots. The party is over; over so quickly in fact that the very next CRJ class that was supposed to start next week has now been cancelled, along with all future CRJ classes. Ouch!
Where does that leave the Fledgling Flyer? First of all, it leaves me in a lot better position than many of the folks who were scheduled for the Jan 5 class, that's for sure. I know for a fact that many of these folks had already given notice to their current employers that they were leaving to join the Mesaba team, which is no longer happening. It also leaves me much better off that some current Mesaba pilots who have been with the company for a while, and were waiting for that elusive upgrade to Captain, which is now less likely. In the notice letter to the company, our CEO stated that furloughs of current employees were not expected, "at this time", but "at this time" ended a minute after that memo was posted. So, my fellow classmates and I are now on the bubble, praying that it does not get popped.
So, as we enter into 2009, it is hard not to feel the spirit somewhat dampened, not so much because I fear that I may be furloughed before I even sit in the flight deck of the CRJ, but because I know how many lives have been affected by this change in plans. Tonight there are many, many pilots and flight attendants who were excited about joining Mesaba in the coming weeks and months who no longer have a job. By the grace of God, I was on the right side of the door when it closed, but I know that I am only one corporate decision, one employee memo away, from having to let go of this dream of airline flying. Don't get me wrong, I would never wish this on anyone, but in some ways it seems almost just that I experience a little turmoil in my airline employment as so many others have. Another ticket punched toward admittance to the airline pilot club.
Every cloud has a silver lining (and a few have mirco bursts and hail, so beware). ASA was awarded the 10 CRJ's that Mesaba did not get, so many of their pilots and flight attendants who were facing furlough now perhaps have a brighter future. They like Mesaba are a part of the Delta family, and for the good of the parent company and the industry, I wish them tailwinds and God Speed. For all of those on the other side of the door when it closed, keep knocking. Those of us blessed enough to be on this side will hopefully continue to do the things needed to keep Mesaba growing and on track for a successful 2009, which will hopefully get that door opened again.
Until I hear otherwise, it is business as usual. FTD's and simulators start soon, and after a couple of days of enjoying some time with Cathy, Randy and Rose in Alberta, it is back to the grind.
Blessings and best of wishes to everyone in 2009!
