pilots living in shanty town at LAX

[sissyphus]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me ... 9617.story



"We consider living here a privilege."


So sad.

[MZUNGO]

livin the dream

[. ._]

I wish I could afford a trailer to live in.

Those guys got it MADE!

-istp

[Colibri]

Actually those trailers are nicer than any crew house I've stayed in. There was a motorhome in the back of one of the shots that cost more than most houses. Not a bad setup, but still kinda sad.

Keep livin the dream!

[HighBypass]

My favorite part of the article:

"The new arrivals brought in lawn gnomes, garden furniture and barbecues, which created a party atmosphere and the potential for public disturbances on airport property. A few dumped garbage and human waste on the pavement. Two prostitutes moved in as well, including one in her late 60s with a taste for tight skirts and silver high heels, residents say."

Gotta watch out for those garden gnomes, they can be real party animals! Deffinetly nothing but trouble.

[aileron]

Too bad the secret is out; hopefully the LAX airport won't shut it down.

[Doc]

Actually, I think it's a pretty damn cool set up.

[Dash-Ate]

Sadly the GTAA would likely charge the 2nd highest camping fees in the world..


This quote from the article:

Many of the residents are separated from spouses, children and significant others for days -- even weeks -- at a time in order to keep their jobs or move up the pyramid of the airline industry.


You don't say!!!
Lower on pyramid the ramper earns $9/hr but the CEO earns $900/hr with all the bonuses and stock options. when one of these guys calls in sick what causes the company more harm...guess.

[iflyforpie]

Pyramid scam I think.

[Tubthumper]

I couldn't resist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13JK5kChbRw&feature=fvsr

[flying4dollars]

Todd Swenson, 40, a first officer with Alaska Airlines, earns about $70,000 a year

Didn't expect to read that...

[C-GOYR]

There seems to be a multitude of organizations/groups out there with the intention of improving conditions for pilots yet it evident we’re miles away from accomplishing something of substance. After reading the article I was somewhat on the fence in terms of the “guys” living in the “trailer community” at LAX.

I’m not a pilot so correct me if I’m wrong when I say; the guys living there are being paid a fair wage but choose to live there strictly on the basis of convenience. On the other hand I’m also under the assumption that if they were being paid more they wouldn’t mind taking a trip home and back knowing they can afford that flight or the drive home because they have a bit of disposable income.

This is why I said I’m on the fence on this issue or more specifically this article. I’m sure there are many other guys out there going through a lot tougher times because they are pursuing their passion.

Presently I’m upgrading a few courses with the intention of applying to Seneca College in 2010. I have a burning desire to become a pilot and all the bad news has raised my brows but I’ve also started to try and build connections in the Caribbean. Naturally I’d love to fly in Canada but in the end if nothing is available I’ll have to look else where and I’m sure I won’t be the first to do so.

[ahramin]

Are you guys kidding? This is the way to go. I'm leaving mine in Vancouver.



It is very simple. Live where you want to, or where the prices are reasonable, and commute. If you don't have time to get back home between pairings, relax and enjoy yourself. A motorhome is more enjoyable parked at an airport, not less.

[b1ngnx33]

Having a roof over your head is great.

It's not the best, but not the worst either.

[Tubthumper]

Looks like one of those Urban Assault Vehicles.

[ahramin]

Yep, that is definitely a GMC. Best motorhomes ever made in my biased opinion.

[Carrier]

Quote: “Actually those trailers are nicer than any crew house I've stayed in.”

Fair enough comment for Los Angeles but what are they like to live in elsewhere? How would they be for convenience, comfort and practicality in somewhere like Fort McMurray, Alberta in the winter? Do any have a serious heating system? Are they easy and economical to heat. Do their water systems freeze? Are they only suitable only for warm climates?

[Colibri]

Fair enough comment for Los Angeles but what are they like to live in elsewhere? How would they be for convenience, comfort and practicality in somewhere like Fort McMurray, Alberta in the winter? Do any have a serious heating system? Are they easy and economical to heat. Do their water systems freeze? Are they only suitable only for warm climates?

You can live in some year round. They're available in winterized versions, with furnaces, etc... But you'd be spending quite a bit on one of those.

It's definitely a matter of convenience. On 70K a year, you can easily find a nice place to leave in the greater LA area. It comes down to a lot of people wanting to stay where they've always lived; so they have no choice but to work around it.

[Living 5500ASL]

What I think is a shame is that the article didn't focus it's attention on a newbie pilot that makes $25,000 or less as opposed to a $70,000 pilot. I wonder how many pilot's have no choice but to live there (mind you I'm with Doc, I think it sounds very cool ) I guess the point I am trying to make is that the more media focus we can get on how bad the industry is for the $25,000 and under pilots the better it will be for the industry overall. The general public will have a lot more compassion for a pilot making total crap for pay and having no choice to live in "shanty towns" as opposed to somebody that makes 70k. If more of the general public realized how newbie pilots have to live to just get by and how that lifestyle affected their fatigue for the flights the general public has to fly on there would be a lot more pressure on airlines to make the conditions better. (USA Especially although I'm not saying us Canadian's have it much better.) At least there was some mention of demotions and the Colgan Air crash.

[Pratt]

It should be mentioned that most of those in the shantytown do so because they want to, because it is the cheapest accomm that they will find in the area, the most secure since there are guards there, the best neighbourhood(under the circumstances), you know that your neighbours are doing the same thing as you so everybody looks out for each others place.

A YVR AC connector company has/had a similar campground(unofficial) in the back of the lot until it was recently taken over by YVRAA. I think that AC sold the property to the YVRAA, although I have no proof of that. Now those 15 commuters who have the trailers now have to go find trailer parks to go for the night, and pay for each night there where it used to be included with their parking pass. That was when it was AC that controlled the lot.

If YVR or YYZ had the same thing I think there would be a fair demand for it.

I think LAX is doing something good for their commuters.

This is speaking to you as a commuter from YVR-YYZ.

cheers

[magyar]

living5500ASL says,
"If more of the general public realized how newbie pilots have to live to just get by and how that lifestyle affected their fatigue for the flights the general public has to fly on there would be a lot more pressure on airlines to make the conditions better."

man, for some it's so dirty becoming a pilot and the general public doesn't have the slightest clue. yeah i am glad the media shows the trailer pilot guy. hey they should make a tv sitcom called Trailer Park Pilots

[. ._]

I tell ya Randy, there's a shit-storm coming that's gonna blow these pilots right back to their shit-hole crewhouses!

[Buzz Lightyear]

Pathetic? Sad? Or just the new reality?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/w ... 186753.stm

[karl08]

wow...do I ever feel sorry for you guys...the futures never looked brighter eh! lol

[CelBatrin]

Pathetic? Sad? Or just the new reality?

All three!