Hawaiian goes Airbus, orders 24

[HAL]

On airline pilot central it says that the most junior Captain was hired in 1991? Is this correct?

That was correct until this last vacancy bid that just closed. There were a couple of '92 hires that had just made Captain when we went through the bankruptcy in '03, which caused a lot of downgrades, along with them furloughing a bunch of us. For several years ('03 to '06) it was back to '87 hires as the junior Captain. Over the past year and a half we've recalled a bunch and upgraded a lot too, so we are currently back to where we left off before the bankruptcy. HA didn't hire from '92 until late '98, and now some of those '98's and early '99's will be upgrading in the coming months.

That's just the way it is at HA. We don't have a lot of growth, and very little attrition. It has taken an average of 10 to 12 years to upgrade here, and we all knew that when we hired on. That's why it's so hard to get hired here; not a lot of growth, and nobody leaves except with a retirement party or on a stretcher. Hopefully this new batch of planes will allow for some moderate growth, and new hiring too (which hasn't happened since July of '01).

HAL

 

[Orionpilot]

Hey Hansoma,
Time to update your personal info - you're not haulin the trash out of Vegas anymore! How is the commute over the pass going? Congrats on taking your recall back to HAL, things are going nowhere fast around here.

 

[ERJFO]

I wonder where you guys are going to go with these things? Same places or new places?

 

[HAL]

Hey Hansoma,
Time to update your personal info - you're not haulin the trash out of Vegas anymore! How is the commute over the pass going? Congrats on taking your recall back to HAL, things are going nowhere fast around here.

He's fine, and working as my personal gofer boy. Once in a while we let him out of the cage to post here although since I'm senior to him again, he'd better watch what he says!

HAL

 

[HAL]

I wonder where you guys are going to go with these things? Same places or new places?

I doubt they'll decide for sure until a few months before the new planes arrive, although it will probably be a mix of both. If it is new international destinations though, I'm sure they'll be working on getting route authorities in the mean time.

HAL

 

[CommanderHoek]

My old dream

I always wanted to fly for Hawaiian. I went to see them in 1991 when they still flew the DC9, DC8, Dash 8 and L1011. Well, we all know what happened. But I have to say I am a bit disappointed in the Airbus order as 1) I think Boeing helped Hawaiian in their time of need. 2) the 767 is still being built, along with 777 and 3) Hawaiian has always had AMERICAN airplanes! Ok so the Short's and the Dash 7 but primarily US aircraft. Nothing really against Airbus, OK I think their planes are crap. The Hibiscus and the beautiful Hawaiian girl on a french airplane? Just does not seem right to me. Ok enough rant. Good luck to the Hawaiian guys and gals.

 

[jmt]

Congrats to HAL! There's an airline with a vision...

WE need some of that vision over here at AQ!

 

[Freight Dog]

Sorry, our proud 60+ year old airline is crippled by a 4 RJ operation.

 

[TWA Dude]

Hansoma:

Did Hawaiian phone your cell or leave a message at your home to recall you?

 

[NAAPilot]

Congrats on the new airplanes! Are these additional aircraft or replacements for the 767's?

 

[The_Russian]

The Airbus is holding up quite well, plenty of older birds around (of course old is relative, since the first 320 started revenue flying in 1987)

That plane is dead in Opa Locka as we speak! Airframe timed out. Funny, I am still flying a 30 year old 727!

BTW, most all of the accidents and incidents were caused by the Airbus's fantastic automation system.

 

[curtis46]

I donna but airbus is kicking @ss lately,racking most of the a/c orders in asia and west/east europe,even with a strong euro which is not in their advantage. they must be doing something good or is it a lack of aggressiveness from Boeing?

 

[Dan Roman]

That plane is dead in Opa Locka as we speak! Airframe timed out. Funny, I am still flying a 30 year old 727!

BTW, most all of the accidents and incidents were caused by the Airbus's fantastic automation system.[/quot

How much time do you have in Airbus's?
I've never flown one, so I'm withholding an opinion, but I find it interesting that the people I've talked to that have flown them seem to like them and the people that bash Airbus's often have never flown one.

 

[Dan Roman]

Congrats on the new airplanes! Are these additional aircraft or replacements for the 767's?

Both, They will be flying a mixed fleet for quite awhile. This is also a long term new aircraft order. Additional used 330's will be coming on line starting in 2009 for growth. They are planning expansion to Asia and Europe.

 

[Hansoma]

Hey Hansoma,
Time to update your personal info - you're not haulin the trash out of Vegas anymore! How is the commute over the pass going? Congrats on taking your recall back to HAL, things are going nowhere fast around here.

I suppose you're right. I keep trying to think up something catchy but for some reason I just can't take my eyes off the Sky Belts ad....