USAirways Info

[m80drvr]

It's not that bad here at USAIR. This message board is full of a bunch of hype. The people that are "miserable" in this profession are the people that do not have a life outside of their career.

Just like anywhere else... you show up, fly your trip, and go home. I do not beleive that life is somehow sooooooo great and soooo much better and soooo wonderful over at some other major.

There is RAPID advancement here, thanks to all the retirements. The crews are great too.

Things will get sorted out here one way or another.

Rapid advancement, thats a laugh! If you are a new hire PRAY that you do not get placed on the west side. All of the reserves are in in their 4th year or starting it soon. The west has not hired in 3 years. Word on the street is that LAS is going the lose about 25% of its flying in the Jan bid and from what I understand the flying is just going away, not moving to PHX.

The west guys are really enjoying their windfall.

 

[weasel_lips]

Rapid advancement, thats a laugh! If you are a new hire PRAY that you do not get placed on the west side. All of the reserves are in in their 4th year or starting it soon. The west has not hired in 3 years. Word on the street is that LAS is going the lose about 25% of its flying in the Jan bid and from what I understand the flying is just going away, not moving to PHX.

The west guys are really enjoying their windfall.

Good thing enough revenue is being generated on the east to keep you employed out there.

 

[JetMonkey]

Good thing for you guys you found a sucker to hookup with to keep you people alive. You SHOULD be paying us.

 

[The Rookie]

It's not that bad here at USAIR. This message board is full of a bunch of hype. The people that are "miserable" in this profession are the people that do not have a life outside of their career.

Just like anywhere else... you show up, fly your trip, and go home. I do not beleive that life is somehow sooooooo great and soooo much better and soooo wonderful over at some other major.

There is RAPID advancement here, thanks to all the retirements. The crews are great too.

Things will get sorted out here one way or another.

Some of the venom spewed on this board and others does not represent my thoughts nor the opinions of the majority of the pilots I know and fly with on the west. I can't speak for the East pilots, but I assume a lot of their grief has come from a career that hasn't gone as planned or hoped for.

You can prepare for the worst, but you cannot worry about things that simply are not in your control. A Joint Contract and USAPA will come down to a vote. If the East pilots collectively decide to attempt to implode the airline, I'm prepared. Every West pilot should be.

My opinion is that this place is a high risk/high reward airline job. In this day and age not one single airline is immune from a recession, merger, or bankruptcy.

On a side note, on reserve this year I've only flown 327 hours, yet was paid for 847 with 12-13 days off a month. It should be better, but it certainly could be much worse.

 

[m80drvr]

Good thing enough revenue is being generated on the east to keep you employed out there.

Riiiiiiiiiight, Be happy AWA gave you a place to be recalled to.

How quickly the east folks forget that the east coast is the first to feel a recession and it lasts the longest. Please mr. lips, let me know how may years AAA has made a profit in the last 20 years, prior to AWA's buy out.

 

[waveflyer]

i agree-- the reason a lot of east guys are so unhappy is b/c of the lack of advancement over time-- which is something, whether they like it or not, our career does not guarantee.

But to be hired now-- seems like a good idea-- THINK about it- most pilots who've had a tough go of it are people hired on the back end of a hiring wave.... Due to retirements and a/c orders being new there i'd think would be good thing if you can wait out the next 5 years.

My theory- AAA was in trouble... AWA used to be.. neither of those airlines are going anywhere b/c Philly and Phoenix have way too much $$capital$$ and pull in their business communities... Both cities need and love the fact they have hubs in their towns... Why do you think Philly survived over PIT?

ramblings from an outsider-- i do wish you all the best-- both sides deserve to get over the pride of this award.

 

[weasel_lips]

Riiiiiiiiiight, Be happy AWA gave you a place to be recalled to.

How quickly the east folks forget that the east coast is the first to feel a recession and it lasts the longest. Please mr. lips, let me know how may years AAA has made a profit in the last 20 years, prior to AWA's buy out.

Who is really saving who here?

It starting to look more and more like the east is saving the west.

On the other hand, who really cares? What difference does it make? So what? Big deal?

Hey, it is the holiday season. Thank God for what you have and spend some quality time with your family.

 

[reepicheep]

Since 1990 and prior to the merger the east lost $5 Billion and 2 out of 3 years saw losses.

But don't confuse 'em with the truth.

 

[reepicheep]

neither of those airlines are going anywhere b/c Philly and Phoenix have way too much $$capital$$ and pull in their business communities... Both cities need and love the fact they have hubs in their towns...

The data show that PHX has significantly more O & D traffic than PHL but the yields are much higher in PHL. The problem historically for AAA has been you have an entire legacy carrier basically dedicated to a shrinking number of these high-yield markets in one small corner of the USA. You have such high costs that you can't compete anywhere else. Including, now, perhaps PHX. AWA always had costs very near SWA but AWA is history and you're left with an airline where your costs are 30-40% higher than SWA. Historically that has meant only one thing.

And, I would take no comfort from the fact that HDQ and senior management happen to be from the west side. The west side is headed for deep trouble.

 

[n757st]

The data show that PHX has significantly more O & D traffic than PHL but the yields are much higher in PHL. The problem historically for AAA has been you have an entire legacy carrier basically dedicated to a shrinking number of these high-yield markets in one small corner of the USA. You have such high costs that you can't compete anywhere else. Including, now, perhaps PHX. AWA always had costs very near SWA but AWA is history and you're left with an airline where your costs are 30-40% higher than SWA. Historically that has meant only one thing.

And, I would take no comfort from the fact that HDQ and senior management happen to be from the west side. The west side is headed for deep trouble.

The merger doesn't necessarily mean that most of AWA's former routes all of a sudden went up 30-40% in cost. If I was a betting man I would say that the AWA native routes are about the same CASM as they were prior to the merger, they are just being skewed by the integrated data of the east operations. Although the east used to develope most of its revenue from short haul buisness east coast routes, most of their revenue is now being made through international operations, which is not a shrinking market, but rather an expanding one. One thing I see that happened from this merger was that there was synergy, which rarely happens in an airline merger, or any merger for that matter. Without the feed that the West provides to east coast operations US Airways would likely not have made nearly the money it has in the last couple years, and vise versa the West would not have had access to highly lucrative east coast and trans Atlantic operations. And this is said as an outsider, with the utmost respect for both pilot groups, but neither one of the two companies would be in very good financial shape without the other. US Airways and AWA would not have made a collective 177 million dollars without each other. Anywho, I will put on my flame suit... still waiting for a call here too.

 

[Captzaahlie]

Does anyone know if interviews have been held yet?

I'm actually interviewing there tomorrow...
(via the wholly owned preferential interview deal)
Other guys i know have interviewed recently and have received offers. Hoping to not break the trend.....

 

[Guppiedriver]

It's amazing how fast that turns into, "What in Blue Fuq was I thinking?!?!?!" Choose wisely sir.

This, coming from a Nut Jets guy....definitely funny.

Question:

Why are you on the majors board so often?

 

[weasel_lips]

I'm actually interviewing there tomorrow...
(via the wholly owned preferential interview deal)
Other guys i know have interviewed recently and have received offers. Hoping to not break the trend.....

Good luck!

Hey, you should be in bed then!

If you get the job, I think you will find it is actually not a bad gig despite all the negative comments on here.

 

[Boeing747Driver]

I'm actually interviewing there tomorrow...
(via the wholly owned preferential interview deal)
Other guys i know have interviewed recently and have received offers. Hoping to not break the trend.....

Good Luck.

 

[FLYLOW22]

This, coming from a Nut Jets guy....definitely funny.

Question:

Why are you on the majors board so often?

Am I not welcomed here? Especially with my 121 background and past ties to US Airways (east)?

I didn't get those A320 and B737 types at NetJets friend.

Also, what seems funny about seeing an airline career go down in flames? The best way to describe a "career" at US Airways these days is like a game of Chicken or Russian Roullette (sp?).

Thousands are saying, "What IF industry consolodation doesn't happen?". It's happened and there's more coming; lot's more.

Compare consolodation to folding a piece of paper 7 times. Those last 2 folds are tough. What happened to US Airways is just a taste of more to come. ALPA was "ubber-unready" for the seniority issue at the National level and won't touch the issue now. Who loses? ALPA members... all of them.

It's just sad really... should be so much better for the amount of effort and sacrifice that a pilot puts in to get to "the show".

Also, it's amazing to see all the applicants clamoring to get in for a 3rd showing of the same sad story that seems to repeat itself at US Airways every 10 years titled: "We're hiring!!! You're furloughed."

Pilots have such short memories.

 

[Guppiedriver]

Also, what seems funny about seeing an airline career go down in flames?

Nope, this is what's funny; A bitter, ex-US Air furloughee, now turned Nut Jets cheerleader, trying to scare off a guy looking to get hired.

Am I not welcomed here? Especially with my 121 background and past ties to US Airways (east)?

I never said you weren't welcome.

Since you didn't answer my first question, answer this for me:

If you are secure with your decision to waive your recall rights and stay with Nut Jets, why do you keep looking over your shoulder?

 

[zman]

Man, you got that right......neither does "senior."




Well, yeah I guess 2000 is the "Middle Ages" for newbies to this game. Actually, if not for Republic and PSA delaying the hiring of pilots because of being allowed to "hold" J4J people for 9 months after their recall, there probably wouldn't be new hires just yet.

Looks like by March or April '08 all the classes will be purely new hire; at that point all the held J4J's will have been paroled.

My honest advice for anyone considering US Airways: unless you just have to live in one of our domiciles, and you feel sure that it will never close (PIT?), I'd look elsewhere. This company will have its way with you whenever the lighting is right. It's not just the two pilot groups that have turned seniority upside down; the company has little or no regard for seniority as well, and it often costs you, the line pilot, tens of thousands of dollars. When this happens, believe me, neither ALPA nor the Company will shed a tear or lift a finger to help.

Yep, Juniority and Lady Luck is the name of the game at this place. If you are properly junior, you might get placed on the 767, and the system basically says "screw those senior to you who want that flying. They should have been junior to themselves."

Think I'm kidding? Being (just a little)senior has cost me nearly $20,000 this year alone, and that's going to double over the next 12 months.

Ah, to be junior and placed on the 767.....must be nice.

The ALPA Grievance lady says: "just don't focus on the windfall happening junior to you."

You guys think ALPA's days are numbered only because of Nic? Think again!

You are so stupid, I dont care if they bend me over and rape me till I go blind or what airplane I fly as long as its not at my current regional I work at!!!

 

[Captzaahlie]

Thanks lips! Feel pretty good about it. I met with a bunch a really nice professional people and seemed to click pretty well with them. We will see if the phone rings.....

 

[Captzaahlie]

Good Luck.

Thanks man! I think I may have even had some earlier today....

 

[FLYLOW22]

Nope, this is what's funny; A bitter, ex-US Air furloughee, now turned NetJets cheerleader, trying to scare off a guy looking to get hired.

If you are secure with your decision to waive your recall rights and stay with Nut Jets, why do you keep looking over your shoulder?

There's nothing funny about it at all. I just wish someone would have warned me.

No looking over the shoulder... more like looking at a trainwreck continue to evolve and thanking God that I'm not on it, attached to it or in any way affiliated with it any longer.

I can't describe the relief. If the rate of recall (0.002% accepting) wasn't enough of a signal to future US wannabees, I don't know what else will be.

For the 1st time in my career, I am quite sure of where I am and where I will be in the near future.

Can you say the same?

 

[zman]

There's nothing funny about it at all. I just wish someone would have warned me.

No looking over the shoulder... more like looking at a trainwreck continue to evolve and thanking God that I'm not on it, attached to it or in any way affiliated with it any longer.

I can't describe the relief. If the rate of recall (0.002% accepting) wasn't enough of a signal to future US wannabees, I don't know what else will be.

For the 1st time in my career, I am quite sure of where I am and where I will be in the near future.

Can you say the same?

Oh shutup why dont you go just kill yourself your so depressing. Try working at todays current regionals where a good ass raping is something that we put up with everyday. US airways is like GOD compared to these places.

 

[vetrider]

Well good for you fly low. Remember, another mans trash is another mans treasure. Not that US is trash, but the principle stands.

If a guy wants to come here, let him do so unmolested, so to speak.

 

[Boeing747Driver]

Thanks man! I think I may have even had some earlier today....

Cool. Hope you get the call.

 

[Scope out RJ's]

That shoulda been the fall back after Nic said, "Absolutely no DOH, bring me a follow-up plan"



USAir: 1985 = Furloughed
AWA: 2004 = Employed

Makes perfect sense to me....and the rest of the world. But by all means, don't let me try to stop you from kicking and screaming.

get2flyin= retarded!
But don't let facts get in the way of you westholes and your (lack of) thinking!

Let me see. My company brought hundreds of retiring pilots and attrition, and you think you're enitled to it?
Dream on moron!

 

[waveflyer]

The data show that PHX has significantly more O & D traffic than PHL but the yields are much higher in PHL. The problem historically for AAA has been you have an entire legacy carrier basically dedicated to a shrinking number of these high-yield markets in one small corner of the USA. You have such high costs that you can't compete anywhere else. Including, now, perhaps PHX. AWA always had costs very near SWA but AWA is history and you're left with an airline where your costs are 30-40% higher than SWA. Historically that has meant only one thing.

And, I would take no comfort from the fact that HDQ and senior management happen to be from the west side. The west side is headed for deep trouble.

What i think is terrible is that as pilots we are stuck having to look at stats like these and attempt a guess at what carrier will have the best go 30+ years from now...

SUPPORT A NATIONAL LIST

 

[FLYLOW22]

You are so stupid, I dont care if they bend me over and rape me till I go blind or what airplane I fly as long as its not at my current regional I work at!!!

Awesome!! Now THAT'S the attitude that will bring back the good old days!

 

[FLYLOW22]

Well good for you fly low. Remember, another mans trash is another mans treasure. Not that US is trash, but the principle stands.

If a guy wants to come here, let him do so unmolested, so to speak.

I guess I never wanted to work at a Major because it "sucked less" than the place I was at prior. I wanted to work there becasue it was a great place on it's own.

That's the shift in mentality that has occured.

The expansion of crap jobs that occured due to the advent of the RJ and the subsequent influx of crap pay with pilots who were willing to accept that pay have decapitated the industry.

The "Majors" will be next... hell, it's happening.

 

[Guppiedriver]

There's nothing funny about it at all. I just wish someone would have warned me.

No looking over the shoulder... more like looking at a trainwreck continue to evolve and thanking God that I'm not on it, attached to it or in any way affiliated with it any longer.

I can't describe the relief. If the rate of recall (0.002% accepting) wasn't enough of a signal to future US wannabees, I don't know what else will be.

For the 1st time in my career, I am quite sure of where I am and where I will be in the near future.

Can you say the same?

You needed a warning about US Airways in 1999?

Be honest, you keep looking over here to reaffirm your decision to wave your recall. As long as east and west are fighting, your as giddy as a little school girl.

I have a similar situation, I'm married to this place. The difference is, I'm comfortable with it and I'm not second guessing myself.

 

[zman]

I guess I never wanted to work at a Major because it "sucked less" than the place I was at prior. I wanted to work there becasue it was a great place on it's own.

That's the shift in mentality that has occured.

The expansion of crap jobs that occured due to the advent of the RJ and the subsequent influx of crap pay with pilots who were willing to accept that pay have decapitated the industry.

The "Majors" will be next... hell, it's happening.

I like how all you old mainline guys bitch about the RJ's when it was you guys who began with the relaxed your scope clauses and allowed them on property! Also yes times have changed and much more then you ever have known what its like to be at a regional today. If USAirways called me, I would be gone in a heartbeat, cause an the end it beats the job at I am at now!

 

[FLYLOW22]

I like how all you old mainline guys bitch about the RJ's when it was you guys who began with the relaxed your scope clauses and allowed them on property! Also yes times have changed and much more then you ever have known what its like to be at a regional today. If USAirways called me, I would be gone in a heartbeat, cause an the end it beats the job at I am at now!

As a matter of factly, US Airways was the last mainline airline to relax the scope language and it was part of the early restructuring following 9/11. I was long gone.

You can't tell me that you wouldn't prefer those RJ flights to be flown by a 737 or an EMB190.

I have nothing against RJ pilots. I think the RJ is a tool that has successfully been used to divide pilots groups on a mainline-regional level (US vs. US Exp)and a regional-regional level (Mesa vs. all of em).

The thing I can't seem to understand is why we (as a "profession") continue to allow the abuse.

I won't ever look to ALPA for any positive guidance.