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Would this transition be wise

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PositionandHold

Truthiness
Joined
May 17, 2006
Posts
335
I've been sitting reserve at ASA on the ATR for several months. I'm averaging about 7-10 hours a month. That's one trip or a coupla naps.

The rest of the time I sit reserve all day never getting called in. If the last e-mail that BM sent out to everyone is true, I'll be on reserve for well over a year and will have made about 150-200 hours or so in that time.

I feel like I'm wasting away and am looking to transition to another carrier that knows how to staff properly. Or at least will fly me more than once a month. I'm here to build time and head out. Not sit around all day making 7 hours a month and continuing that trend for more than a year.

I've been looking at Republic. Anyone know how reserve times and crew utilization work there?

I think I'm really just talking and considering this out of frustration, and I may end up just sitting tight, but the fact that this will continue well into the summer is an issue for me.

Republic seems like they pay well and I've also looked at SKW. Sitting like this for another 6-10 months after being here for about that much time is looking less attractive by the day.

My other option is bid nap reserve and get another job. I might just do that.

By the way, I don't see how seniority in class by age is NOT age discrimination. I had much more flight hours than 90% the 300-500hr pilots in my class who never instructed. So the most experienced of us don't fly. Gay.

Done bitching now.
 
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If you stick it out to being a lineholder, you'll soon realize that having reserves not flying *IS* being staffed properly.
 
Look, I have seen this industry go up and down. Many people leave because they think the grass is greener. Only to find out its greener because a septic tank lies underneath.

Just chill, everyone starts out at the bottom.

With that attitude I don't think it would matter where you were at. YOU WOULD STILL FIND SOMETHING TO BITCH ABOUT.
 
Stop b**ching, you're getting paid to play Xbox and vent on FlightInfo.

Bid the 70 and as soon as someone junior to you gets moved from the 50 you'll be getting 70 pay... after you've been here a year.

Offer to pick up trips on your days off if you want to fly so bad.

You can keep hopping between regional carriers if you like but I think you'll find that you'll get nowhere fast.

You knew the rules about seniority in new hire classes when you applied, they haven't changed and you don't have any room to complain. If you want a different system apply to Delta, I'm sure that they need your vast CFI experience.

I'm done venting now. Wait it out, upgrades are coming and the more senior FOs on the ATR will move up so you won't have to sit reserve. You can then join the rest of us that would rather not fly so much.
 
RAH is pretty similar, at least for me. I was used 10 days last month, 2 of which was sitting rsv in another base which they didn't use me. I think I flew about 16 hours. I'd just wait it out
 
thats my point. there is no movement right now. They're not letting anyone off the airplane for several months now. they didn't give a reason. And yes we have been overstaffed. At one point we had 2 FOs per line on the ATR.

Look there are lots of things I can go on bitching about. Like how they stopped putting revisions in our mailbox one day and didn't tell anybody. Really a good idea in my opinion. I can look past all that crap because it really doesn't matter.

Sure I get paid to sit around/play xbox/whatever. But I'd rather get flown so I can spend less time sitting around in my studio in riverdale/college park ;)

I know it sucks being junior. I have no problem being on reserve. Just seems silly that we fly so damned little. 150 hours in one year is very little. And at this rate, that's what it's going to be.
 
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You can always leave if you hate it here that much. Don't you think others have gone through and experienced what you're whining about? Don't like seniority, guess what, it's the same at most if not all airlines.

My advice, drink more and stop your whining. :)

Hoser
 
If you want to leave, then leave. Just keep in mind that it may or may not be better at other places.

The economy is cooling off, airlines are cutting their schedules back, and before this is all over I'm sure we'll see some major changes. ASA, with our new contract and SkyWest, Inc. umbrella, is probably a pretty good place to be. There's a very real chance that you could leave ASA to go to another airline and sit on reserve just as much, or worse. All the growth at other airlines has been staffed already, most places are just hiring for attrition anymore.

If you really want to fly, work your connections and find a Part 91 job, and see about getting a leave of absence from ASA. If we're that overstaffed on the ATR they should have no problem approving it. Just keep in mind the company can cancel it with very little notice, so be prepared to either come back or leave it behind.
 
I'd recommend waiting it out. Jumping from job to job at a Regional is crazy in my opinion. You'll just end up somewhere else being on reserve and finding out that it wasn't a great move.

The ATR's are going away this year, so you'll have to get placed on one of the RJs at some point. You'll be flying upwards of 80-90 hours a month on reserve, allowing you to come back here and complain about working too much. ;)

Besides, you'll get to fly with me on the RJ probably at some point. :nuts:
 
I vote that you leave.
 
you should quit and go fly cargo. less bull sh ! t and you could fly more and make better pay.
 
In my opinion, no. Not a good idea.

When/if they go, who knows?
 
I was in your same position a year ago. I too was a higher time but young for the class and got awarded that ATR. I too just wanted to build time (for fractionals). Also I live out west and went there when LAX opened as a base. I decided to make the jump to Skywest and for me it worked. It may or may not (regardless of the carrier you choose) work out in the future. When i interviewd at ASA in late 06 they told us expect to upgrade in 5 years, now I hear it is more like 2.5. When I went to Skywest they were upgrading in less then 1.5 years. Now I would imagine 3+ years is more realistice unless we get somthing new. The point is you never know whats going to happen with any company. ASA had a great group of people and the ATR is fun, in hindsight I wish I had flown it a lot longer. Also keep in mind that company wide seniority matters the most in long run. ATRs wont be there forever and when you transition to the RJ you will have good seniority.
 
PositionandHold said:
I've been sitting reserve at ASA on the ATR for several months. I'm averaging about 7-10 hours a month. That's one trip or a coupla naps.

The rest of the time I sit reserve all day never getting called in. If the last e-mail that BM sent out to everyone is true, I'll be on reserve for well over a year and will have made about 150-200 hours or so in that time.

I feel like I'm wasting away and am looking to transition to another carrier that knows how to staff properly. Or at least will fly me more than once a month. I'm here to build time and head out. Not sit around all day making 7 hours a month and continuing that trend for more than a year.

I've been looking at Republic. Anyone know how reserve times and crew utilization work there?

I think I'm really just talking and considering this out of frustration, and I may end up just sitting tight, but the fact that this will continue well into the summer is an issue for me.

Republic seems like they pay well and I've also looked at SKW. Sitting like this for another 6-10 months after being here for about that much time is looking less attractive by the day.

My other option is bid nap reserve and get another job. I might just do that.

By the way, I don't see how seniority in class by age is NOT age discrimination. I had much more flight hours than 90% the 300-500hr pilots in my class who never instructed. So the most experienced of us don't fly. Gay.

Done bitching now.
Click to expand...

http://www.larrywinget.com/postcard/shutup2.html
 
PositionandHold said:
I feel like I'm wasting away and am looking to transition to another carrier that knows how to staff properly. Or at least will fly me more than once a month. I'm here to build time and head out. Not sit around all day making 7 hours a month and continuing that trend for more than a year.
Click to expand...

You must be the first airline pilot ever to complain he's not flying enough.:laugh: Any SIC time more than what it takes to upgrade is a waste of time anyway, so quit you bitching and get a hobby.

If you went to Republic it would likely be six months from now before you even step foot in an airplane, then reserve for at least a few months after that. In that time you will have at least a little time at ASA and you'll be on second year pay. Do yourself a favor and calculate how much you actually make per hour flown. You won't make any more money at the end of the month but you'll feel a little better sitting at home.
 
To me it seems there's plenty flying available. They just offered premium. I got off IOE last week and was given 80+hrs for March(with long HHH, MYR overnights too!). I know of one classmate who blocked 70+ in Feb including IOE, and another who was given 60+ for March. The lines keep increasing each month....
 
PositionandHold said:
I've been sitting reserve at ASA on the ATR for several months. I'm averaging about 7-10 hours a month. That's one trip or a coupla naps.

The rest of the time I sit reserve all day never getting called in. If the last e-mail that BM sent out to everyone is true, I'll be on reserve for well over a year and will have made about 150-200 hours or so in that time.

I feel like I'm wasting away and am looking to transition to another carrier that knows how to staff properly. Or at least will fly me more than once a month. I'm here to build time and head out. Not sit around all day making 7 hours a month and continuing that trend for more than a year.

I've been looking at Republic. Anyone know how reserve times and crew utilization work there?

I think I'm really just talking and considering this out of frustration, and I may end up just sitting tight, but the fact that this will continue well into the summer is an issue for me.

Republic seems like they pay well and I've also looked at SKW. Sitting like this for another 6-10 months after being here for about that much time is looking less attractive by the day.

My other option is bid nap reserve and get another job. I might just do that.

By the way, I don't see how seniority in class by age is NOT age discrimination. I had much more flight hours than 90% the 300-500hr pilots in my class who never instructed. So the most experienced of us don't fly. Gay.

Done bitching now.
Click to expand...

You're only getting paid 7 hours a month? You might want to file a grievance on that there.

As for leaving, consider that you'll just have to start over again. And with the economy going into recession, you may find yourself in the same position at the new company. The grass isn't always greener!

2nd job sounds like a great idea. Maybe go work at Home Depot or deliver pizzas with all that spare time?

Age discrimination in class? Most airlines have moved to using the last 4 digits of the social. why hasn't ASA? Surprised nobody has sued yet.
 
777forever said:
To me it seems there's plenty flying available. They just offered premium. I got off IOE last week and was given 80+hrs for March(with long HHH, MYR overnights too!). I know of one classmate who blocked 70+ in Feb including IOE, and another who was given 60+ for March. The lines keep increasing each month....
Click to expand...

They give newbies a green line right out of training. (second time I'm telling you this). It's to help you consolidate. THAT is why you are making 80 hours this month. Next month, you'll be flying one roundtrip every two and a half weeks.

And NO, premium pay JUST went out with the new contract. What you're talking about are the 5 days or so at the end of the month where they are offering 150% to pick up trips. That's for just a few days.

Standard premium pay is over.
 
I would say if you like living in ATL then sit it out. My first year was 11 months of reserve and less than 400 hours. I'd be a nice break to go back to that now.
 
PositionandHold said:
They give newbies a green line right out of training. (second time I'm telling you this). It's to help you consolidate. THAT is why you are making 80 hours this month. Next month, you'll be flying one roundtrip every two and a half weeks.

And NO, premium pay JUST went out with the new contract. What you're talking about are the 5 days or so at the end of the month where they are offering 150% to pick up trips. That's for just a few days.

Standard premium pay is over.
Click to expand...

Not quite. UNDERBLOCk went away when ASA inked the new contract. Premium (150% of of standard pay) is still in effect for junior mans and pickups like that.
 
PositionandHold said:
They give newbies a green line right out of training. (second time I'm telling you this). It's to help you consolidate. THAT is why you are making 80 hours this month. Next month, you'll be flying one roundtrip every two and a half weeks.

And NO, premium pay JUST went out with the new contract. What you're talking about are the 5 days or so at the end of the month where they are offering 150% to pick up trips. That's for just a few days.

Standard premium pay is over.
Click to expand...

hahaha no such thing.
 
Yeah man, I'd be depressed living in your area too. If you want to stick around College Park, go move over by Rugby Ave. At least you can get trashed at the Brake Pad and crawl home whenever you want.
 
Hey Pos'nhold:

Man, do NOT complain. Listen to everybody here and be lucky you have an airline job. And you better start liking it since almost everyone else is slowing or stopped hiring and age 65. My god man, who do you think you are. I'd take info from the G.O. with a grain of salt. As far as seniority, man LOTS of carriers go by age...always have and always will. Get used to it. AND being the youngest at a major/legacy, you WILL be hazed...a lot. If you don't like it...TOO BAD.

Just kick back and relax man. The ATR, when I was there, was the party barge. About every other trip one of the girls would show their ta tas. (i miss helen back's)

Enjoy your time there at ASA. The more time you have the more respect you'll have from you peers when you finally move up and out. NONE of us, and including my old fellow ASA captains, could stand these 300hr wonders with no crew/piloting maturity. Drove me nuts listening to some puke compaining about reserve or pay when he's been there for only 6 months. Brother, DON'T be that tool.

In the mean time, get yourself a porn decorating kit. There are 19 locations to store porn on the ATR. Have fun and time will roll on by.
 

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