TSA furlough... skywest, AWAC?

[waterski]

run And Dont Look Back..........................

 

[SkyNation]

I have worked for both, I say SkyWest, hand down. however, as was mentioned, if you're from the East coast, AWAC is what I'd recommend

 

[Titanium]

Pretty much same situation as yourself. I already made my decision and I'm currently waiting for my class date at AWAC (supposedly mid June). TSA second year pay sucks...I think only Pinnacle is lower. Current first year pay at AWAC is 23.81 going up to 24.17 on Oct 1 2006. Second year pay will be 35.38 also eff. Oct 1 so that's about what, almost $10 more than TSA not to mention AWAC's Duty/Trip rig and min 12 days off a month for everyone.

IMO, doesn't seem like much of a future at TSA. There's about 85 underneath me and with 4 crews per airplane and only 48 jets once the J41s are gone, seems like we are still ripe for more furloughs. It was an easy decision for me.

 

[STINKER]

Pretty much same situation as yourself. I already made my decision and I'm currently waiting for my class date at AWAC (supposedly mid June). TSA second year pay sucks...I think only Pinnacle is lower. Current first year pay at AWAC is 23.81 going up to 24.17 on Oct 1 2006. Second year pay will be 35.38 also eff. Oct 1 so that's about what, almost $10 more than TSA not to mention AWAC's Duty/Trip rig and min 12 days off a month for everyone.

IMO, doesn't seem like much of a future at TSA. There's about 85 underneath me and with 4 crews per airplane and only 48 jets once the J41s are gone, seems like we are still ripe for more furloughs. It was an easy decision for me.

Congrats T,
No call with the good news...? Party foul!!!

Cheers,
Stinker
Ex Waterskier Current Jetlinker

 

[louisbarrow]

Ex-TSAer

I jumped ship from TSA exactly six months ago to the day for XJT. Even with the uncertainty, the moving expenses, going back through training, sitting on reserve, and going from the #4 FO on the J41 to number 600 FO in Houston alone, I know I will NEVER regret my decision. NEVER! You cannot possibly know how much greener the grass is on this side of the street. I will be off reserve next month (only four months online), I pay $200 per month less in healthcare, which means I actually make more as a first year here than I did as a second year there, plus second year pay is a 150% pay raise to about $33. The equipment is better, the management is better, the per diem is better, I'll probably upgrade faster even with a two-year head start at TSA, the snacks are better, the pilots are happier (the ones that complain don't know any better), and XJT is hiring ~32 people a month until the end of the year. We get messages and emails from the DO and CEO telling us "good job guys" and "we need your help for _____" instead of MW's infamous, "Merry Christmas ... if you call in sick you're fired."
I'm not saying coming to XJT would work for everyone ... I'm from Texas and my wife got a pretty good job in Houston, so it made sense for me. But I always worked for terrible companies: Flight school, Part 135, and TSA. I can honestly tell you it is so much more rewarding and FUN to come to work for a place like XJT. You need to find that place for yourself, whether it be for a better regional, fractional, corporate, or TACO BELL.
Good luck...

Sorry to hear TSA is furloughing. Best wishes to all my friends over there.
Trey

 

[Turkey Shoot]

I'll have to second the thoughts for the future at TSA. Don't seem to be much there if you're junior. I'm gone too. Got a call with an offer and the next week, furloughs.

Good luck guys! I would love to fly on the wall in whore house (GJ crew room) when those GJ turds find out they are going on the same list since Hulas' American flying can't stand a TSA strike.

 

[Skippy]

TSA absolutely sucks. Why interview or remain employed at a company who wants to furlough when they really didnt need to. I flew with an FO who couldnt drop a trip because of "NO COVERAGE"? Well, that cant mean they are overstaffed, can it? I believe this furlough has to do with other things, most recently 2 elected union officials have gotten their jobs back, with a third awaiting his positive outcome as well. The company would rather place fear and uncertainty in it's own pilot group and not let the pilot group think the union is returning to "power" . Talk about self righteousness. Anyway, if you can get another interview, and even better, the job offer. You really have no choice but to leave. At the end of the furlough, you'd still have more seniority at your new airline then you would if you'd gone back to TSA. In fact, when they do call, lie to them and tell them you'll be back for class. When they are waiting for pilots who dont show, that's the ultimate FU&^ You to them.

Take the SIC rating and the proverbial 10K in training and RUN, there is no training contract!!!!

The grass is greener, from what i hear. AN almost 3 year FO put in his two weeks to go to NETJETS on FRIDAY, stating he would rather work for a company that is more in line with his goals. CLASSIC!!!! The hardest part is making the decision, not how much money or seniority you think you will be losing, becuase in the long run you'll be making more becuase you will upgrade quicker, but most importantly be happier.

SKIPPY

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Where do you think you'll be happier in 5-7 years? For pilots using a regional to gain experience for a better job a 5-7 year stay is typical. For some it can be longer since there are always more pilots than jobs. For some the regional turns into a career. If you're living where you want to live pulling in 80-100K it's not an easy decision to give up the security and decent paycheck for a commute and a chance of being furloughed..

 

[Jbitzer]

Tom I can't believe you started this thread.... Holcombe says you are unwelcome on the couch...

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I think that, basically, 100% of ex-TSA pilots who went to AWAC/Skywest would agree that they took a massive step up. It is NOT a lateral move. The one exception would be if you live in STL and want to stay there and not commute...then TSA looks better.

I've heard AWAC will be opening LAS as a base. Since they own part of USAir, and because of the merger, I'm sure AWAC won't be stuck in the NE for long.

I was furloughed from TSA and didn't go back. I think I made the right choice.

Cliff
YIP