Readback: February 2019

I thought your Remarks, Pilot Shortage? in October were very well said, sir. I just retired after 40 years of airline flying. Like most, I started as a CFI before the airlines ($15 dual/wet) before getting hired as a Twin Otter F/O and then Captain making $1700/month flying about 50 hours per month. I finished as an International Heavy Jet Captain making in the mid $300K per year but still hourly but with better work rules. In reality the wages havent gone up that much when compared with the astronomical costs to get the ratings.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A retired pilot shares insights on airline pilot compensation, noting that wages haven't kept pace with high training costs, and emphasizes the power of strong union representation in improving career conditions despite hostile management.
The short duration of TAFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts) is attributed to historical factors such as limited technology, early bandwidth constraints, and accuracy concerns, rather than current forecasting capabilities.
Clarifications were provided on IFR procedures, specifically regarding circling approach turn directions (prioritizing ATC/approach restrictions then normal airport patterns) and confirming that MSAs are redundant on RNAV approaches that include Terminal Arrival Areas (TAAs).
A pilot expressed significant disappointment with a simulator training provider, citing outdated and malfunctioning equipment that undermined the value of the expensive course, perceiving it merely as an insurance checkbox rather than effective safety training.

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Likes Remarks

I thought your Remarks, “Pilot Shortage?” in October were very well said, sir. I just retired after 40 years of airline flying. Like most, I started as a CFI before the airlines ($15 dual/wet) before getting hired as a Twin Otter F/O and then Captain making $1700/month flying about 50 hours per month. I finished as an International Heavy Jet Captain making in the mid $300K per year but still hourly but with better work rules. In reality the wages haven’t gone up that much when compared with the astronomical costs to get the ratings.

Your last paragraph about Southwest management vs. other airlines is also spot on. I worked for 30 years for one of the two small package cargo companies and they were very honest with us—they hated the pilots and we hated them. That is fine as long as you know where you stand.