My husband's employer, Delta Airlines, is transferring him to Minnesota, May 1. We don't know for how long.
I wish this were an April Fool's joke.
Northwest Airlines was in trouble. Delta bought them relatively recently. Northwest made out: they were able to keep their pensions, received raises (up to Delta rates), better medical benefits, and keep their seniority.
I'm all for them getting raises and better benefits, but instead of putting NW employees below Delta's, they were merged into the seniority line. This put my husband dangling on the bottom of the list. (Union's response: You're lucky we aren't furloughing.)
Danny has been based in Salt Lake City, Utah (this is why we sold our home in Illinois and moved here). SLC is a coveted hub. Northwest employees want it. Now they get it. Bye, bye, Danny (husband and father of three -- not a number).
This is why I save my boxes. You just never know in the airline industry. Except, we are going to stay this time and pray for his rapid return. He's going to have to find an apartment and transportation out of his own pocket; the company won't help financially for that. And contrary to popular belief, pilots in general don't make much money. Sure, there's some with high seniority that have been with a particular company for many years that make an obscene amount, but that's not the norm (and if he/she were to transfer to another airline, they'd be at the bottom making squat like the rest).
It's hard to not be angry. I keep telling myself, "At least he has a job, at least he has a job, at least he has a job." That wasn't the story Christmas Eve, 2007, when his previous airline e-mailed him with the announcement that they are closing their doors, don't come back to work, and mail in your badges. (Yes, Christmas Eve).
Please fly Delta - keep my husband employed.
I'm sorry Gina. I understand how frustrating this situation must be. We've always chosen to move to the new base when Michael has been transferred but I know how much you guys like SLC so I totally understand your decision not to move. Hopefully he'll be able to transfer back before too long.
ReplyDeleteOh WOW! Oh wow.
ReplyDelete:(
Anna - Yes, we do like it here a lot. It's our favorite place so far. The heart will grow fonder, right?
ReplyDeleteKatieo - My sentiments exactly. :S It'll be okay, and time will fly.
Awww, that is difficult. I know so many people facing weird commuting situations or splitting parents/spouses up between 2 cities for a period. You guys will make it work, I pray he is able to come back quickly!
ReplyDeleteOh sweetie, I'm sorry to hear this! I hope he's able to get back to SL soon. Keep us updated.
ReplyDeleteOh, Gina, yikes. I know that was not weight you wanted to lose.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was an aerospace engineer in the 70s so we went through this too. At times he lived half the country away. Does it help working for an airline-- can he get cheap rides home? If it's any comfort, Minneapolis is a nice place to live with a lot of lovely Midwesterners who are some of my favorite people. Anyway, he'll retain that man-of-mystery feeling (probably has that all ready, in his line of work.) I'll be pulling for you.
Sorry to hear about this - I hope he gets to stay by some miracle.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness. I'm sorry to hear about that, but I am glad you're grateful he has work. My dad is still struggling for good, decent paying work where he lives.
ReplyDeleteI will pray wisdom for you both as to what to do in this situation. I didn't know they moved their pilots around so much.
So sorry to hear about that. I'm in Memphis (non-desirable NW hub)and we have quite a few pilots here who share housing with other pilots. I know one group of four who had an el cheapo apartment near the airport. I think it cost them $200/mo. each for rent, utilities, and cable television, which they deemed a necessity. :) Maybe your husband can find a similar arrangement until he's able to transfer back home. *fingers crossed*
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about this transfer. I hope that you will be able to be all back together soon. I assume he will be a "flying commuter" between your house and the new hub. That's going to be tough but you guys are strong and you can do it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, all, for the lift.
ReplyDelete-It's not forever.
-Hopefully he'll find a crash-pad we can afford like Cammy suggested.
-He will be able to come home for visits, and the company will let him fly for free but on stand-by (paying passengers have priority), and he'll have to have at least 2-3 days off in between work shifts to make it worth it (otherwise he'll fly home only to turn around and fly back, again).
It'll work out.