$20 grand gets you an interview @ AWAC

[c152]

I have heard that AWAC is giving interviews to low time guys. The only deal is that these low time guys have to pay $20 grand and get a type rating in a CRJ-200!!!! I do not know to much about it. Perhaps there is someone out there doing this or knows more about it.

The license must look cool. I do not have an ATP, but I do have a commercial CRJ 200 type.

 

[lionflyer]

Where the hell did you hear that from? It's true that AWAC is interviewing some lower time guys. Mostly because, the company doesn't want people bailing out to Jetblue, Airtran etc in the middle of training (which has happened). The 20 grand thing is completely untrue. You 1500/500 to get hired at AWAC.

 

[sleepy]

America West? Why would you need a CR2 type to work there?

 

[T-Gates]

AWAC- Air Wisconsin Airlines Corp.

 

[avrodriver]

Wow........I love the telephone game.....it's always amazing how it comes out in the end. Here's the deal apparantly two of our low time part 91 newhires took a CRJ systems class prior to starting for AWAC, probably to ensure they'd make it through.......who knows......it was thier decision, thier money, and I'm sure it gave them an added boost of confidence going into class. No Type, no sim, just the systems. Either way total waste of money in my opinion, but for those that actually have money (obviously they hadn't came from previous airlines otherwise they'd been broke like the rest of us) I guess it seemed like a good idea. But it's stunts like these that make me wonder how soon it will be before you have to be typed to make $18,000 a year. My vote is that Mesa will probably be the first the require thier San Juan grads to buy the type to guarantee an interview..........who the he.ll knows, nothing shocks me anymore. =) Take care all. AD

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

What, why mesa? There are plenty of PFT places past and present that would step up and ask for a type. BUt I know its Mesa fault, screw you.

 

[bogberto]

I vote Mid Atlantic will be the first to do it...

 

[crashpad]

I hate to say it, but I believe Air Wisconsin will be the first for the following reason:
When a company is sinking, the first thing management does on the way down is throw out every line to secure more money for their pockets. Their mgnt. set a precidence in the industry with regards to concessionary contracts in terms of duration (8 yrs),
pay, and benefits. Their mgnt revealed to what extent an entire group could be manipulated.
Their precarious current status with UAL, for which it is soley reliant for overall success, has forced the bean counters to become creative without regard to pride, tradition, standards,etc.
They used the Mesa contract as an cornerstone for their own, so it will be predictable they'll use PFT or some such method to again cut costs. And the 1500/500 mins...those unfortunately are set by mgnt, not the general concensus.
I predicted their current situation three years ago and was told by the majority of their pilots that they were UAL's favorite, that they would get preferencial treatment....and they did...right up the a$$.

 

[LawReview]

Crashpad
How do you come up with such flawed information. If you think AirWis used mesa's pilot contract as their cornerstone. You might want to actually read it before you sound so ignorant. I'll grant you 8 years is a little ridiculous. But, other than that you are comparing the regional top from the bottom.

 

[crashpad]

Yep,I worded that poorly:

'Cornerstone' meaning the catalyst by which AW Mgnt launched their cost cutting campaign and displayed the Mesa contract in their first meeting with union reps. regarding an immediate need for a 'new contract'. I was'nt comparing the two contracts.

IMOH, 8 years is 'a lot' ridiculous. Combined with a shift in percentage of medical insurance premiums, and pay reduction...
that's setting a precedence. It's my opinion and prediction. It may be wrong and flawed, or you may be in denial about Air Wisconsins' present situation.

 

[mwmav8r01]

It is true i know of 2 guys that have an interview with AWAC that are getting their type now with under 900 TT

Matt

 

[Mongolikecandy]

If two guys with low time are wasting their money to get typed... more power to 'em, I guess. But don't be confused (C152), it is not an AWAC requirement.

 

[crashpad]

It is true i know of 2 guys that have an interview with AWAC that are getting their type now with under 900 TT

Matt

Just curious, do you know how this came about for them?
Is Air Wisconsin advertising this? Where do they do their training and who do they pay for it?

 

[mwmav8r01]

These guys went to CAE and got the typ eon their own to make them more marketable as they got their AWAC liked them, these guys were both CFIs at Regional Airline Academy. Guess it worked for them... Im happy for them!

Matt

 

[crashpad]

That's amazingly great for them! And what an interesting trend in hiring. Going from a post 9/11 'We're only accepting the best of the best with a LOR', to 900 flight instructors.

 

[crj579]

Now the "cornerstone" or "catalyst" contract will be Mid-Atlantic. Capped rates of $58,000 for the 70-seat!! Looks like they are now in the lead of the race to the bottom.

 

[Speedtree]

I wonder what Mesa's situation will look like if US Air goes belly up?

 

[bogberto]

If U closes its doors, JO will go to United and say "We have 60+ RJs ready for the paintshop." Which is not to say that we'll paint them, just that they could go to the paint shop.

United calls ACA, they get Indy up and running that much faster, Mesa (and everyone else) fills in the void.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

I think your right, all our planes in the U system would move over to UAL. I hate to say it, but we all might be better off.

 

[Rottweiller]

It is true i know of 2 guys that have an interview with AWAC that are getting their type now with under 900 TT

Matt

AWAC DO NOT type anyone straight of the bat. They talked about it 3 years ago to maybe keep costs down in the long term but after word got out senior guys said "No way - thats not right to type junior guys", the FAA also said "No Way!" so it got dropped.

Paying the cash to type yourself won't get you a guaranteed interview or job at AWAC.

 

[J32driver]

Wow... the amount of rumor and bullsh*t in this particular thread is amazing.

As for our contract, yes... Mesa's contract was referenced in the union meetings. If I remember right, our MEC offered to wipe his *ss with it if thats what the company offered us. Thats why we still have duty rigs, trip rigs, 100% cancellation pay, 100% deadhead pay, 150% pay for open time, block or better pay, and pay rates that are close to the top of the industry... AFTER our paycuts.

8 years... yeah it sucks. AWAC signed a 14 year contract with UAL, what do you think is going to change to get us more money anytime in the next 14 years?

As for the newhires... the way I heard it, the 2 low time typed individuals refered to were TEACHING in a CRJ sim for CAE.

Pay for training? Yeah... thats why the company gives you a hotel room, pays 24/7 per diem, and gives you a full pay check during training.


If you folks are looking for a company that is leading the race to the bottom.... F*CKING LOOK ELSEWHERE!!!!

 

[mwmav8r01]

Ok, well guys these people PAID for the type out of their own pocket... Totally seperate from AWAC ok guys?

Matt

 

[avrodriver]

Ridethelighting

Chill out dude. I wasn't Mesa Bashing, in fact compared to places like Gulfstream and 9E (i know if you have the right times you don't have to pay)...........I have repect for Mesa in that it isn't pay for training unless you want it that way and sign up for San Juan. I simply stated that I wouldn't be surprise if Mesa's San Juan camp doesn't start offering Type ratings in exchange for an interview. Why not??? San Juan is set up as a business, they want money...these people want the express road to an airline career. I apologize if I offened you. ("screw you".......man little touchy aren't we?????)

These two pilots that are typed or whatever are different then the two I mentioned above....the two I was talking about had 1400TT & 1200TT........yes both below mins, but both with very "high up " ref's)

As for AWAC being the first to start, I suppose anything is possible. Just for the record though, we're not a sinkingship, mgmt hasn't shown any signs of being desperate ( we pilots were the only ones that showed that), and considering all we hear from HR is that they are having a hard time finding pilots that fit thier mold I highly doubt throwing a training tab on top of that it going to make thier job easier. I believe 9E is still the only regional that requires you to pay for training even if you meet thier minimums.

 

[crashpad]

As for AWAC being the first to start, I suppose anything is possible. Just for the record though, we're not a sinkingship, mgmt hasn't shown any signs of being desperate ( we pilots were the only ones that showed that), and considering all we hear from HR is that they are having a hard time finding pilots that fit thier mold I highly doubt throwing a training tab on top of that it going to make thier job easier.

You're most certainly correct. It's wishful thinking, but I've always felt the best thing ZW could do is give UAL the finger and go independent. Remember 'North Central'? Now their pilots' all fly for Northwest and nothing changed in 30 years that prevented ZW from doing the same thing. Unfortunately, if Midwest Express goes sneakers-up, ZW won't be able to fill the void because of their contract with UAL. What's worst is its' dependence on UAL.
No flow thru pre 9/11, but priority to UAL pilots interview post 9/11.

 

[avrodriver]

I agree 100%........while UAL seems to be creeping thier way out of bankruptcy, they sure haven't been wowing anyone with thier plans for the future. I'm one of the ones hoping these next 20 airplanes when firmed up are painted in something other than UAL colors. As far as Wis ever going independant, from everything we've heard from mgmt over the last year regardless of the arrangment with UAL, they aren't interested. Than again, more things go on in Appleton than any of us will ever know. AD

 

[blade230]

Avrodriver,

Nobody has to pay for ANY training here at 9E. Including Gulfstream people. It has been this way for a while now.

 

[crashpad]

... from everything we've heard from mgmt over the last year regardless of the arrangment with UAL, they aren't interested. AD

I've always leaned to believeing the exact opposite of what they say since the last negotiated contract...well, I guess they have'nt said anything...maybe they could get Sam from The Apprentice to shake things up.

 

[avrodriver]

I would assume most of the new hires these days probably have the 1500/300 so maybe your not aware of the policy, but as far as I know it hasn't changed.

9E
"New-hires w/1,200 TT, 200 ME will be reimbursed tng cost over the first 30 mos of employment. The company pays 100% of tng cost for new-hires w/1,500 TT, 300 ME"


Either way 9E has a great pilot group, my comment is geared more towards a mgmt policy that is screwed up, much like our mgmt hiring guys below the minimums........if thats what they want to do, change the minimums and let everyone at least have the chance to toss in a resume without worrying about whether the fact that they are applying under mins might hurt them later. AD