So where to begin? I know you all probably want an update and I will try but right now things are so UNCERTAIN that I don't know quite what to say...so I guess I will do some FAQs that we tend to get lately.
Does Andy have a job at Frontier or not? We don't know. He is in the next class but that class could happen in a month or two or never. So technically NO. He doesn't get paid. We have no benefits through them, meaning medical insurance or flight benefits. Right now we are paying out of pocket for Health care. it isn't a small amount....
Can he get his old job back? Yes & No. He can without going through the interview process but he would start over like he never worked there. He would be a first officer and his pay scale and seniority would reflect that. He would also have to get an apartment in Cincinnati area because he would be on reserve. Plus we have no idea if there will be a job there in a few months because of the merger with Northwest. They could decide to close that base (Base of operations) altogether.
Can he get a job at another airlines? Yes and he is working on that. But those things take time. It isn't a short process and sometimes it can take MONTHS. While he is putting out his resume to lots of places, we have to know that the fit is right for us...meaning the pay has to offset the reserve schedule.
What is Reserve? it means one of two things. He has to be located within so many miles of an airport and has a beeper. Those days of reserve he has a window (hours to be possibly on duty) and sits with a beeper for a POSSIBLE call. The other reserve is where he actually sits at the airport and may or may not get used. Either way you have to be close or at the airport....not the airport you live by, the airport where your job is.
How does that effect the job? Well most of the jobs he is applying to are in another state. There are only so many airlines based out of the Denver airport. Frontier, United, Lynx, etc and most are not hiring. So you see he will have to have an apartment or a "crash Pad" (multiple pilots sharing a space) in whatever city he is based.
He has so much experience, can't he just go work for another airlines? LOL...this is funny to me because this is the part that always frustrates us too. The airline industry isn't like most industries. While his experience gets him the interview, it means nothing for pay or seniority. Those things start all over when you go to work for another airline. Pay, Seniority (meaning bidding for trips), and Seat (First Officer versus Captain). It doesn't matter that he has been a Captain for the last 8 years of his career or that he was a check airman (training new hires & upgrades). He starts over. Period.
Pilots make lots of money though. Even at a new job he would be making lots, right? LOL....I wish that was true too...maybe then these tears of worry would go away. When he started with Comair years ago his first year salary was $12,000. It depends on the airlines...the bigger the planes, the more passengers, usually means more money. However most first years make $30,000 or less. Most cases...less....lots less.
So what are you two going to do? Right now we don't know and it is in the LORD's hands. He has sent out his resume to many airlines. He has some interesting prospects that could work out better for us than we ever dreamed. But right now that is an IF. He still has a couple paychecks coming to him and we do have a savings. Something I am hoping not to tap into but it is there if we need it. So we are taking things one day at a time. It could be that I will be returning to work and him looking for a job in another field. It's not the way we want it to go but we will do what we need to. And we are trying to cut back on everything so that we can be ok.
How is Andy holding up? Andy is doing ok. If you talk to him he sounds pretty positive but I can see he is very upset. He is not used to being at home so much and I think he is feeling useless....He has been trying to keep busy doing household things so that has been good. But I still see the worry in his face. I know he feels like he has let us all down. Its been hard on him.
the kids? The kids are doing pretty well. I don't want them to have to deal with some of this. I tell them the truth when they ask about it. I don't lie to them. But I don't want them to worry either. Lexi is more acutely aware than Anthony. She even offered us her bank account and piggy bank....broke my heart. I told her to keep it. Anthony cried when I told him I might have to go back to work. He is my sensitively boy.
And how are you? I am lots of things....scared, upset, worried, frustrated.... but mostly right now I don't want to talk about it. There are things I don't share about this whole process and I am trying to deal with those on top of the situation. Some days are better than others. Some not so good. Most days lately involve tears. So I think I will end this q&a here. I thank you all for all your prayers and wishes for my family. They do mean so much to me. I am sorry I haven't answered some emails lately...it's just been hard.
I know you all probably think I am crazy because YES I am still
creating. But for me, it is an outlet and something that occupies my
time without having to think too much. So here are some sneaks for the upcoming Just Cre8 reveal (May 15th!) for June's kit. My favorite kit so far.
And don't forget to SPY.
