AWAC current Info

[berkss]

Just wanted to see if anyone had any info about Air Wisconsin, such as

Junior base

Likelyhood of getting the other bases out of newhire classes

How long reserve has been lasting over the past year

Expected upgrade times over next few years as AWAC is currently seeing no growth

 

[bizzum]

Just wanted to see if anyone had any info about Air Wisconsin, such as

Junior base

Likelyhood of getting the other bases out of newhire classes

How long reserve has been lasting over the past year

Expected upgrade times over next few years as AWAC is currently seeing no growth

Junior base right now seems to be DCA, followed by ORF, then PHL being most senior. RSV really depends on where you are based, I am coming up on my 1 yr point and am still on RSV in PHL, while I could hold a decent line in DCA, and a toward the bottom line holder in ORF. As far as getting a specific base, it would depend on what they decide to open up at the time you are in class. When I was in class the first 2 weeks they kept telling us we were all going to ORF, then we all got awarded PHL. Expected upgrade time is also hard to tell, being that the new captains have just over 2 yrs at the company, but alot of that was the mass attrition that occured at the time we separated from United. If I had to guess, and again just a WAG, I would say 3yrs. Alot of people here upset that we did not get the Midwest flying, however the company has a long standing tradition of just announcing things, as everything major that has really ever happened here was not rumored at all. Overall I am really happy here, we got another 8yrs left for US, we have a really good contract and pay, and a extremely good group of pilots.....just curious, are you one of the poolies? If so my roomate is also one and would like to get in touch.

 

[berkss]

No im not a poolie but looking to possibly start applying, I really appreciate the info, Its nice to hear some good info that isnt just negative.

 

[berkss]

Also, Does AWAC like current crj pilots and do they send you in the sim during the interview if you are currently flying the crj

 

[bizzum]

Also, Does AWAC like current crj pilots and do they send you in the sim during the interview if you are currently flying the crj

I do not know if they do now or not, when I interviewed, if you were crj current, there was no sim eval. Even if you do have to do it its not hard at all, and is really nothing to worry about.

 

[CaptainChris77]

For what its worth I was awarded DCA out of class, and now I am ORF based. I am in the top 10 out of 22 in ORF (Reserve). Looking to get a line in the next couple of months.

Reserve here isn't bad at all, I'd say 75% of the time I'm given notice about a trip the night before. Right now being on RSV we don't even fly that much. Maybe that will pick up with this past weeks announcements.

Its a GREAT place to be as far as pay, contract, QOL. My class was divided into thirds... 8 of us.... 3 went to DCA, 3 to PHL, and 2 to ORF. If you live in base... life will be even that much better. At my interview (back in July) we had some CRJ/ERJ guys at the interview... and we all did the sim. It's pretty easy---you just fly an ILS, steep turns, and call out a hold entry.

Good luck on your quest for a regional job! Merry Christmas!

 

[berkss]

Thanks chris, I know that some people are getting a little discouraged there because of recent news, buts its good to hear some people are still happy

 

[bizzum]

Thanks chris, I know that some people are getting a little discouraged there because of recent news, buts its good to hear some people are still happy

I would say that most people are still happy, but with the recent announcement, its kinda like if you wife was telling you for the last 6 months that you were getting a new ferrari, how sweet it will be, what color it will be, its on order, just wait a few months, then one day she says eh...just kidding. You would have had your hopes up, so of course you would be upset. Its just that we have always worked hard to keep our work rules and pay, and not grow because we are underbid by others.

 

[CaptainChris77]

Thanks chris, I know that some people are getting a little discouraged there because of recent news, buts its good to hear some people are still happy

Nothing to really be discouraged about. Yes, it is disappointing.... yes, it would've been great for the guys living in the midwest area, yes it was growth that we missed out on. But focus on the positives.... we're not furloughing, we're not dying, we have 8 years left on our USAirways contract, and our owners have always adapted to the environment. That was my big thing with AWAC when I decided to come here---was how they survive. Looking at their history, they always adapt. They might adapt a little late, but none the less---they've been around quite a while!!!

It is a little disappointing, but the sun will rise tomorrow.... we'll still be flying our 70 RJ's.... and most important everyone still has a job! If you want to upgrade in 1.5 years, this isn't for you. If you want a good QOL, pay, contract, etc. and you're willing to sit right seat for 2-3 years... apply at AWAC. Looking at our pay you'll see that 2nd and 3rd year FO pay is VERY doable.

Merry Christmas again! PM me with any questions!

 

[berkss]

I would say that most people are still happy, but with the recent announcement, its kinda like if you wife was telling you for the last 6 months that you were getting a new ferrari, how sweet it will be, what color it will be, its on order, just wait a few months, then one day she says eh...just kidding. You would have had your hopes up, so of course you would be upset. Its just that we have always worked hard to keep our work rules and pay, and not grow because we are underbid by others.

That makes total sense, and I am sure a lot of it was the hope of the denver guys that were looking for a base closer to home.

One last question, During training is it possible to travel home at all (jumpseat or travel benefits). I didnt know if travel benefits started at the beginning or end of training

 

[bizzum]

That makes total sense, and I am sure a lot of it was the hope of the denver guys that were looking for a base closer to home.

One last question, During training is it possible to travel home at all (jumpseat or travel benefits). I didnt know if travel benefits started at the beginning or end of training

Yes, you get your ID at the end of indoc, which is friday of the second week, alot of people will go home that weekend, and by then you should be in the non-rev system. The thing that is different now, though, is that the first 2 weeks are in ATW, with the second in CLT, so I don't know how they are doing things as far as getting people where, when I was in new hire, all 4 weeks were in ATW.

 

[orangeskysurfer]

hey bizzum.. Im a poolie.. interviewed in late october.. sittin on my thumbs till i hear something.. ive been trying to get in touch with people as well.. PM me if ya need anything..

 

[Drill Sgt. Dad]

I got hired last January. We all got ORF RSV. I bid PHL. PHL got me off RSV the fastest. I was on RSV only 6 weeks. I only flew one three day trip while on RSV. It is all luck of the draw. I was one of the older in class, so I got lucky. I suspect after the Midwest, NWA bombs being dropped, there will mass attrition.

 

[CaptainChris77]

I got hired last January. We all got ORF RSV. I bid PHL. PHL got me off RSV the fastest. I was on RSV only 6 weeks. I only flew one three day trip while on RSV. It is all luck of the draw. I was one of the older in class, so I got lucky. I suspect after the Midwest, NWA bombs being dropped, there will mass attrition.

In addition to SWA/JetBlue/Airtran hiring, and United/Delta expected to start hiring this year as well.

 

[berkss]

I suspect after the Midwest, NWA bombs being dropped, there will mass attrition.

Thats my gut feeling as well

 

[Wacko]

Not yet, so far only 12 have left. Wait until we lose or win the arbitration. Then holy cow the flood gates won't hold!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DirkkDiggler]

Uprgrades have been down at 2 years and 8 months. Not 2 years. Without growth, I'd say the upgrade time here is more like 5 years. Unless of course there is a huge amount of attrition at the higher seniority levels. 3 years would be very optimistic if hired right now. That being said, it's a good place to be an F/O.

 

[Wacko]

Would be a great place if morale and the schedules were better.

 

[BoilerUP]

Ask Beechnut about AWAC...:laugh:

The rumor is 12 people have left since the Midwest announcment...if true that would be quite a bit for one week, especially a week over the holidays. Expect January to tell the real tale, especially when there is a decision from the arbitrator.

Compared to most other RJ operators, FO pay and work rules are very good here. That said, living in domicile is waaaaay better than commuting but none of the places we have domiciles are cheap, and unless you want a roommate or three funds will be tight as a probationary FO on reserve.

More than likely, you will not upgrade quickly at AWAC. When hired I expected to upgrade around 4 years, and now I hope to be able to upgrade 3 years on property. I realized after finding out we didn't get Skywest from a friggin' press release last week I can only show up, do my job, try for the highest possible QOL or W2 and take the upgrade when it happens. Until then, I'll continue to take the 7% the company puts into my 401k and realize I can actually afford to live and save as an FO without going into thousands of debt every year while dreaming of that 4th stripe.

 

[Beechnut]

What are you talking about? The future is bright! Just ask all the new guys!

S.

 

[AdSo81]

Ya...infact...its so bright they might have suffered temporary blindness. Or maybe thats from drinking so much during some of those 45 day stints of no flying on RSV.

 

[Beechnut]

Alright, now I feel bad and maybe I don't give credit where it is due.
On a personal level I am treated well. When talking to the staff in ATW and even the crew desk, never an ugly comment or snide remark. Generaly the folks in ATW are helpful with family situations and commuting problems. Many places are not.
I upgraded in 3.5 years and am going on my 6th here. I was able to upgrade while we lost 2 contracts, 2 fleets and limited the growth of the CRJ by half. For this I am grateful. The Company affords me a good life on my few days home. I bought my first home in February and I wouldn't have been able to do that without this job. For a long time, even through the Great Move East, I did not feel an urge to leave the Company.

Now... I wake up from time to time in the middle of the night with this feeling that if I don't start beating down doors soon, I may be in some real trouble.
This Company has 8 years left on the USAirways contract. Having proven it can not grow, and is unwilling to accept risk or work with their Mainline partners in securing growth with larger aircraft, it seems that when those 8 years are up, so is the life of AWAC.

Despite how you may feel now, 8 years is really not very long.

Grateful for what I have, and interested in keeping it longer than 8 years,

S.

 

[AdSo81]

Well...just to clarify, my post was not intended as any kind of bash on new guys...I am relativly new to this company myself and do also infact feel very greatful to have the opportunity to work with awac. The pilot group over here is absolutly the best I have worked with and although I despise a commute 2/3rds of the way across the country, (which I knew I was in for when I was hired) I enjoy my job when I do get there.

However, its very concerning to me to see what appears to be an absolute lack of acknowledgment by managment of the concerns of the entire employee group. Infact it sometimes seems like they are finding it mildy entertaining. As beechnut said...8 years isnt that long of a time and banking all of my hopes on the possiblity of growth coupled with massive attrtion feels slightly too risky to be considered comfortable.

 

[SkyNation]

do my job, try for the highest possible QOL or W2 and take the upgrade when it happens.

Boiler,

I have been curious what FOs make at other companies. what will your W2 be this year? do you work a lot, as little as possible, etc? how does open time work at AWAC?

just curious how it all comes out in the wash at year end for you guys.

thanks, PM me if you don't want to post $ info here.

 

[BoilerUP]

I'll gross just under $26k on my W2 for 2006, including perdiem. I have been on probation all year, and while I know a couple guys that have made upwards of $30k this past year on probation, they are single, live in domicile, and are big opentime whores.

I spent the first five months of 2006 in the training pipeline or on reserve. I primarily bid for QOL (weekends off with the wife) and if I had to guess my average credit every month as a lineholder would be around 83 hours with 14 days off per month (our schedules have been waaaay less than efficient). I have picked up less than 10 hours of opentime all year (daily opentime pays 1.5x), and before I moved to domicile I would often trade my crappy trips with opentime or drop turns to be more commutable (lowering my credit). I've also probably lost upwards of a grand in pay because of military duty, moving days and PTO throughout the year.

In 2007 I expect to gross around 50% more while not compromising my currently excellent QOL...but we all know about expectations...

 

[CaptainChris77]

I'll gross just under $26k on my W2 for 2006, including perdiem. I have been on probation all year, and while I know a couple guys that have made upwards of $30k this past year on probation, they are single, live in domicile, and are big opentime whores.

I spent the first five months of 2006 in the training pipeline or on reserve. I primarily bid for QOL (weekends off with the wife) and if I had to guess my average credit every month as a lineholder would be around 83 hours with 14 days off per month (our schedules have been waaaay less than efficient). I have picked up less than 10 hours of opentime all year (daily opentime pays 1.5x), and before I moved to domicile I would often trade my crappy trips with opentime or drop turns to be more commutable (lowering my credit). I've also probably lost upwards of a grand in pay because of military duty, moving days and PTO throughout the year.

In 2007 I expect to gross around 50% more while not compromising my currently excellent QOL...but we all know about expectations...

Are you in the National Guard?

 

[BoilerUP]

Are you in the National Guard?

I usta-was...separated in April.

 

[AirHead99]

Hey bizzum, I'm another poolie treading water out here. Interviewed in early November, and the phone's been awful quiet since then. Anybody have any inside info, feel free to PM me.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

Hey bizzum, I'm another poolie treading water out here. Interviewed in early November, and the phone's been awful quiet since then. Anybody have any inside info, feel free to PM me.

class in late Jan.

 

[1973Arrow]

Having proven it can not grow, and is unwilling to accept risk or work with their Mainline partners in securing growth with larger aircraft, it seems that when those 8 years are up, so is the life of AWAC.

I keep hearing that 8 year number and it goes down about a year each month. The other day somone was talking about 7 years left. The 'deal' was signed in 2005 for 10 years (or at least thats the propaganda we were given).

And for what it's worth KLW posted something about a planned Jan 22nd class. I don't know if thats firm and/or how many people, but thats what they are tenitavely planning on.