ACA, should I go?

[N813CA]

I am trying to decide if I should stay at Piedmont and hope US Air survives or go to ACA. Does anyone have any info on ACA? Thanks

 

[ATRCA]

Not sure I would want to have Blue airplane right now. Tough decision though. What about something a bit furthur up the food chain like AirTran or something like that?

Good luck.

 

[chperplt]

I think the question is wheather or not Piedmont is going to stay or go. I don't think US Airways is going anywhere.

They may not be profitable for a while, but we've seen a large number of airlines survive quite well for years without being profitable.

If US Airways wants to get rid of props completely and not budge on the current WO/RJ issue, it might be a good idea to jump ship.

Good luck

 

[N813CA]

chperplt-

Thanks, Ya its a tough decision. Been here for 2 years have a house ect..... I guess I will probably just ride it out

 

[JTrain]

USAirways is a sinking ship.

It would suck to give you your PDT seniority to come to ACA, but thats making the most of a bad situation. Here at ACA, I've met several refugees from other regionals who are in training with us right now; CommutAir, Colgan, Great Lakes, Trans States, even Eagle.

At least at ACA, we're growing, aircraft are on order, upgrades are on the forseable future..... If Airways bites the dust, there is going to be one huge surplus of pilots. It would probably be in your best interest to come to ACA. Plus I'm sure we could use somebody with your 121 background.

JTrain

 

[chperplt]

USAirways is a sinking ship.

I find it quite humorous when people say that.

You're basing your statement on what? Are you saying that a company in financial trouble can't survive? What are your educated reasons for saying this?

Just because a company is losing money, has labor problems, has a multitude of other issues to deal with, in no way means the coroner is about to sign the death certificate. If you want to keep this is aviation, look at the history books and see how aviation evolved. Look at how many times Continental has filed bankruptcy and revived itself into a strong airline.

Let's look outside aviation in today's world. Worldcom is a much worse situation than US Airways. They have more employees and are in much more debt. They filed for bankruptcy protection but are still operating and aren't in any immediate danger of going out of business.

With reorganization US Airways will be a strong airline once again. As someone who non revs on US Airways, I can tell you that flights are pretty full most of the time. US Airways has a good foundation to build itself back up on.

ACA has built itself completely on the foundation of UAL and DAL. What do you think will happen to you when either of those two shift the majority of flying back to the mainline in a year or two? If anything ever happened to either of those two carriers, ACA would have some serious troubles.

 

[ATRCA]

ChperPlt:

You said:

"With reorganization US Airways will be a strong airline once again. "

When was US Airway EVER a strong airline?

I think there is a difference between Airways and Worldcom.

Worldcom has a product people want. A product that is not a commodity. Airways has a poor product that is not competative unless their costs are lower than the competition and therefore their product is cheaper. A cheaper product will not keep Airways in business much longer. Time will tell and this is by no means a slam on Airways employees.

One of my best freinds in on furlough from Airways and even he is thinkin about movine on. We'll see.

 

[Beavis]

Split ASAP.....you will NEVER upgrade at Piedmont, as the fleet will keep shrinking until you are gone....and then you'll wish you had left years before!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

It's a no-brainer, get the hell out of the USAir system as soon as possible!

ACA is a good airline. They were my first interview, and I would be flying with them now if they hired me.

Other options:
ATA
USA Jet Airlines
Kalitta
(the last 2 are cargo out of YIP-Detroit)

Cliff
GRB

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I forgot. TSA is interviewing starting in Nov. I was with them through my sim check (mine was 9.12) and I liked them.

Cliff
GRB

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I just read on another thread that Air WI is rumored to start hiring in Oct/Nov. AWAC is ALMOST as good as a major. Get out of the USAir system ASAP!

CLiff
GRB

 

[N813CA]

rumor has it that when US Air goes belly up that Piedmont has investors that are going to buy them and then make them a new airline on the east coast. What do you guys think of this idea?

 

[Beavis]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!

 

[c152]

It is a very hard call to give up senority. I am in a similar situation and if the call came from ACA I would jump ship for a couple of reasons.

1. I want to be on a property that has jets. PDT, PSA and ALG do not have them. We all know that jets are the future.

2. Do you trust our buddy, Dave (Seigel) to look out for us? I do not!!! Oh, but he did give us free term passes. I am just waiting to see what that will cost us?

3. Does the Mainline care if the Jets go to Mesa or PDT, PSA, ALG? I have heard Chautauqua is getting more 20 ERJ's by DEC. (Rumor I don't know) All they care is that they go to the cheapest operator? I think we all know who that will be!

4. What happens when the leases come up on the existing Dash 8’s?

5. What is the upgrade time at PDT, ALG, or PSA?

6. What is the upgrade time at ACA?

7. With almost every other regional flying Jet, are you going to be as competitive down the road? Jetblue is looking for Jet time now not turboprop? (It is a buyers market)

My 2 cents if I had the chance I WOULD. It sounds like you have made something happen. i.e. and interview with ACA. Why not capitalize on it? Nothing is for sure in this world but from where I am sitting ACA offers a better future than PDT, ALG or PSA.

 

[Anaconda]

AWAC is almost as good as a major?

In what respect?

Comair isn't? ASA isn't? ACA isn't?

 

[C-5 MEM]

I have been in class for 3 days now. Seeing whats projected here, I am glad I have a number now. The revised perjections are 250 the rest of the year. And next year 500-1000 thousand. There expected to have all jets by 2004.


Terry V.
ACA

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Anaconda:

I believe that ACA, ASA, Comair, and I would add SkyWest are very good regionals, with Air WI being head and shoulders above them due to their better pay, work rules, and their "B" plan retirement. I believe the relationship between management and their pilots is also better. Note: The only 2 airlines I've heard of in the last 2 years that didn't have a lot of bitching by pilots about their airline are Air WI and SWA. I have spent a lot of time the last 2 years researching all of them, and I believe that Air WI is the clear leader.

I realize that everyone has their own opinion. One "problem" with Air WI is that their only bases are ORD and DEN (Appleton, WI, is going away).

I had an interview with ACA and didn't make it (I was called back recently, but have a better job (for me) right now). I tried to get interviews with ASA and Comair, but didn't have recent flying experience, and couldn't get an interview.

I was hired by TSA, which I liked, but they are definitely a cut below ACA/ASA/Comair.

Good luck to you!

Cliff
GRB

 

[RichO]

I work with some Air Wis guys in the Reserves, and they seem to like the company. But, I would have to agree with Anaconda on that Comair seems to be along side them, not behind....(just from what I have heard, and seen)

Here's the comparison according to Air Inc (of course they could be full of crap)

First year pay (per month): 1,555/1,826 (depending on AC) AW; 1,680 Comair
Second year pay: 1781/2580 AW; 2,110/2,682/2,962 (EMB120/CRJ200/CRJ700) Comair
(long story, short, it looks like Comair has a little better pay overall even when you jump into Captain.....)

Guarantee pay: 75/65 AW (Line/Reserve); 75/75 Comair (line/reserve)

Per Diem: 1.35 AW; 1.60 Comair

Pay Bank: NO AW; Yes Comair

Deadhead Pay Credit: 1 for 2 AW; 1 for 1 Comair

Min days off: 12/11 AW (line/reserve); 11/11 Comair (line/Reserve)

Duty Rig: 1 for 2 AW; 1 for 2 Comair
Trip Rig: 1 for 3.5 AW; 1 for 3.75 Comair
Min Pay Credit: 2:30 AW; 4:20 Comair
Vacation days: 1st yr 7 days AW; 42 hrs comair
2-5 yr 14 days AW; 42 hrs Comair

Pay for trips while on vacation: Yes AW; No Comair

Overall, I would say you take the pros and cons of each company and you have two fairly equal companies as far as benefits.....


Keep in mind, this info is from a 3rd party source, and may not be completly correct ...if you have any changes please by all means correct me.....

 

[Anaconda]

good comparison richO...i just find it hard to stomach that AW is "head and shoulders" above comair. that's a pretty bold statement in my book, i just think it comes down more to individual preference.

do your stats for AW take into account their new contract, or are those pre-contract #'s?

 

[AWACoff]

Off the top of my head, some of those numbers are from the old contract. I would imagine Air Inc. is incorrect as usual. The current per diem is $1.50/hr. Guarantee is 75hrs no matter what (reserve, line holder, etc...not including training department). What year of Comair's contract are we talking about here? Current year or somewhere down the road? The key to our "rigs" is that we are always paid the "greater of". I find it hard to believe that Comair has a minimum pay credit of 4:20 when they only have a 75hr guarantee and 11 days off guaranteed. The math does not compute. RichO, what can I say, Air Inc is full of discrepancies. I wonder what Comair actually gets as I'm sure Air Inc. have wrong figures for them too.

 

[RichO]

Like I said, it's just some food for thought from a 3rd party source (which usually isn't completely correct)......my whole point, both companies seem to be pretty good and fairly equal........and I did invite those who actually have the contracts handy to make corrections in the information I posted.....

 

[Anaconda]

those numbers from air inc are correct for comair.

i had a feeling the numbers for air whisky might be old as i know they exceeded what we received on our new contract (in pay at least). in fact, if memory serves, AW's old starting CRJ pay was higher than our new, "industry standard" pay rate. 11 days is definitely not "industry standard".

OH is also paid "greater of" on a "lookback", which is a controversial (sp) subject for some. and yes, 4:20 min day is correct.

straight out of the book:


C. For each bid period, a pilot will be credited and paid, at the applicable rate of pay set
forth in paragraph A.1., above, the greater of the following:
1. Flight time, including any additional pay credits set forth in paragraph D., below
and displacement pay as set forth in paragraph E., below. Flight time will be
calculated by flight segment, using scheduled or actual block-to-block time,
whichever is greater.
2. One (1) minute of credit for each two (2) minutes of duty time calculated on a bid
period basis. Except as provided in paragraph E.2., below, this provision will not
apply to time spent in training.
3. One (1) minute of credit for each three and three-quarters (3¾) minutes of trip
time calculated on a bid period basis. Except as provided in paragraph E.2.,
below, this provision will not apply to time spent in training.
4. An average of four hours and twenty minutes (4:20) for each duty day calculated
on a bid period basis. Except as provided in paragraph E.2., below, this
provision will not apply to time spent in training.

 

[RichO]

wow, they keep track in minutes.......thanks Anaconda for some clarification on that......I had a feeling, my source was a little old......I'd be curious as so some AirWis info, if anyone can shed some light......

 

[rightrudder]

Here's some air wis numbers:

Pay: greater of: 1 hour of pay for 2 hours duty
1 hour of pay for 3.5 hours trip
min 3 hours per day
actual flight time
scheduled flt time
100% for deadhead or any cancellation
150% for extention or draft, flying on days off

75 hour per month guarantee

Rates: (as of Aug. 1, 2002)

FO: 1st year 21.75 hourly 328; 24/hr. CRJ or 146
2nd year 27.17/hr 328; 35.01 CRJ; 42.01 146

CA: 2nd year 45.29/328; 58.35CRJ
10 yr: 59.55/328; 76.74/CRJ; 92.09/146
max: 67.08/328; 91.97/CRJ; 120.59/146 2002 rates

Per Diem: 1.50 per hour domestic

vacation: 1 week per year first year, 2 weeks per year year 2-4; 3 weeks 5-9 years; 4 weeks 10-18 years; 5 weeks

sick leave: 3.5 hours/month (equiv. of 1 day of pay per month)

Time off: min 12 days per month


That's probably more info than anyone wants, so i'll quit now. Just some basic numbers.

RR

 

[DarnNearaJet]

ACA has built itself completely on the foundation of UAL and DAL. What do you think will happen to you when either of those two shift the majority of flying back to the mainline in a year or two? If anything ever happened to either of those two carriers, ACA would have some serious troubles.

A dose of reality, please. From a sheer probablity standpoint, I'd say USAirways will fold years before Delta or UAL.

It's a matter of hedging bets.

 

[Beavis]

Truchot,

Im senior to you at PDT and I am looking to bail too. There is no future at PDT. Upgrade will be 5+ years again, if ever! Our future holds returning of ac to lessors, mainline pilots stealing our jobs, and possible bankrupcy, sales, or liquidations!! AAAAHHH

GET OUT IF YOU CAN!

 

[FlyboyPhil]

Reality Check.... part 2

"what happens to ACA when UAL and Delta get strong again and take their flying back. "

Thats when you get a job at UAL or Delta... DUH!


Sorry... it seems so obvious to me.. had to be sarcastic about it..
Good luck all.. hoping to get a call from ACA soon...

 

[N813CA]

FlyboyPhil

DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

That is great for the guys in the top 1/3 but what about the last 500 pilots that are being hired right now to just cover the required flying. Also, does ACA have a flow up contract with them??? Please let me know if they do.


DUH

 

[BlueRidger]

Another dose of reality. ACA is not going away anytime soon no matter what changes with mainline flying.

Even If UAL and DAL took back all of the mainline flyng that was transferred to us in the last two years, most of our flying would still be intact as we have been flying those routes for so long. You just cannot economically run a 737 between BUF and IAD. Compund this by Southwest flying a 737 between BUF and BWI at far less cost. The a turboprop or an RJ is the only way to compete as well as draw that feed at a profit. Second the RJ is not going to dissapear. It will be used for much more than mainline replacement. AMR went to all RJ feed in ORD so UAL must do the same. The RJ actually is a really good tool to increase frequency. Increased frequency means more chances to catch the last minute business traveller whose meeting ran late and needs to catch the next flight. It is this kind of traveller who generates the most profit.

The RJ is also good at developing new long and thin routes or reesablishing ones that were abandoned a long time ago. Such as our service to MHT from IAD. Airports like MHT will continue to grow as companies like Southwest and Pan Am move into them and develop them into better recognized airports. Why not take advantage of this and add RJ service to these airports to benefit from the increased passengers generated at these airports. It is the best way to compete against the low fare carriers.

Hub bypass routes is another good use of the RJ. If you want to go from JAX to IAD you can go on DAL thru Atlanta or CVG but with more spokes from you hub you give passengers the optionm to bypass the hub and go straight to their destination. DAL even does this to themselves by flying an RJ from DFW to GSO instead of routing passengers thru ATL as they used to.

Even more importantly is the sad truth is that mainline is not going to take up all of its old flying. I really hope mainline does take back all its old flying and morebecause it means more and better job opportunities for us.

So the reality is that the RJ is WAY too useful to give up. Further RJ's are still too scarce for the mainline partners to give up any of its RJ possessing affiliates.

ACA has plenty of cash on hand, is profitable every quarter and even if there is no future growth our contracts guarentee a certain profit for at least the next 7 years from our mainline partners. Worse comes to worse, ACA has never been afraid to strike out on its own that is why ACA is ahead of the Game in the RJ race compared to most regionals. ACA is not going away anytime soon.

 

[20sx]

I see and hear where the scope has been lifted for RJ's at United Express carriers. Is this true? I thought the United pilots still had to vote on this. Could mean lots more RJ's at ACA and maybe explain all the hiring.

Thoughts, comments, questions???