ADVICE!! Eagle vs. AWAC

[need2AV8]

I would like the unbiased opinions of any who feel they are quite familiar with Eagle and AWAC.

If you were fresh out of IOE with Eagle, and fortunate enough to be offered job at AWAC, what would you do - and WHY?

Pay for first 2 years (after Eagle's new pay effective Jan 05) is nearly same.

Although pay similar, one could make better use of that pay if based in Dallas (with Eagle) versus ORD or IAD (with AWAC).

Upgrade times at both are, easily, a decade.

Other considerations with regard to crew bases are really just a matter of personal preference.

Any insights other than those noted above are welcome and much appreciated.

 

[Mayday911]

I have worked at both companies and I prefer AWAC...that being said I came over to AWAC at a decent time. I am in the top 1/3 of F/Os at ORD and only about 60 numbers from an upgrade (who knows how long that will take). On third year pay I make $34.06 and in the last year I have been payed no less than 95 hours a month...sometimes as much as 117 hours. I do not regret for 1 minute leaving AMR.

 

[Vandelay]

I would look at the potential for growth though... yes, both company looks like it's around 5-6 year upgrade for newhires right now, but if a smaller company (awac) gets an additonal 20-30 airplanes, the upgrade time would shoot up dramatically, at a large carrier, 20-30 is very small growth. Awac being non-wholly-owned, they can also fly for other carriers (more potential for growth). That being said though, Eagle would be much more stable, who knows what will happen at United... you can always gamble with the flowback returning to mainline some day at Eagle which should decrease upgrade time.

In the end...I would go w/ Wiskey, you don't know when you will upgrade, minus well go w/ the better contract and quality of life.

 

[Heavy Set]

I know a few Eagle pilots on the ERJ fleet and they are happy with the equipment but not so happy with the super-long upgrade times and the animosity created by the negative flow-through situation. Given that upgrade times are similar (although I would think the Eagle might take longer with the flow-throughs), your choice might come down to location and aircraft type if you have a preference. What will you fly at Eagle?

 

[need2AV8]

Excellent info.

To answer the above question of equipment, the person is currently in the ERJ.

Vandelay, your comment about stability is of particular interest to me. I realize stability is a relative term in this industry. Realizing that AMR CEO Arpey has openly stated they are considering selling Eagle, and realizing AWAC gets all it's business from bankrupt United, I just don't have enough industry savvy to make an accurate comparison. If you would further explain your opinion of stability, I'm highly interested in hearing more.

 

[PacoPollo]

things will get UGLY at Eagle sometime next year....No more RJ's deliveries plus bunch of flowpukes taking away upgrades.

 

[Eagle-ista]

It ain't gonna be pretty...

It was stated earlier on this board that Eagle would be more stable. I disagree.
After 9/11, Eagle furloughed over 300 pilots while we (illegally) had flow-backs on the property. The flow back agreement specifically prohibited that.

Up-grades at Eagle are going to be few and far between starting in January. The people that got their 4th stripe in the last quarter of 2004 will be going back to props or the right seat very soon.

Take the alternative. You will be happier.

 

[WhiteCloud]

While things are changing at AWAC due to an increase in size and the instability of UAL they are still trying to maintain a personal interest in their employees. They are very conservative in their expansion which could translate to slower growth but also the ability to survive a UAL liquidation in some form. The also won't have "flowdowns" from AA. I'll be leaving AWAC shortly for a non-flying job but I consider them to be the best regional airline to work for from an employee/employer standpoint (not considering upgrade or base issues). At Eagle you will be a number on a list. At AWAC you'll still be a number on a list but they will try to get to know you and treat you like a valuable person.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

but they will try to get to know you and treat you like a valuable person.

I'll have what he's having.

 

[Rottweiller]

I'll have what he's having.

No they do, really (hic)

 

[BE99chick]

AWAC or Eagle?????

I've worked at both companies. Both have their strengths and their weaknesses. The previous posts have it correct...AWAC is tied to UAL...who knows what's going to happen there. Eagle is AMR...scary enough.

Here's what I've found....Eagle was a really fun place to work. I loved the people and seldom flew with a "bad" captain. A very close knit bunch. We all got along great and still keep in touch. We loved to party and loved to bitch about how miserable AMR was. No movement, displacements, reserve forever, no upgrade potential, poor pay, did I mention displacements???

When I left I told the Chief Pilot I LOVED working AT American Eagle, but I was leaving because I hated working FOR American Eagle.

AWAC has some of the nastiest, grouchiest people around. Why they are so nasty... I guess it's because of the DEN base closure, pay concessions, crappy and non-commutable schedules and just all-around crusty old guys tired of the daily grind. The 146 guys are old and tired and flat out mean. The senior CRJ DEN guys are pissed off because they have to commute. All around an ugly situation for an FO just trying to do his job.

People are also mad because they expected to be working for a Major at this point in their lives, and they know that's not going to happen. So the JetSki, SUV and nice house will have to get paid for with their $$hitty regional airline paycheck, and not a $300K Salary. Whoops...how are we going to pay for little johnny's college. That would piss me off too.

Eagle Captains, on the other hand, only half-assed expected a flow-thru to AA. They always had reality firmly planted in the back of their minds.

Here's the difference...at Eagle, there are many angry, angry people, but they don't take it out on each other. At AWAC, there are many, many angry people, but they are SOOOO mean to ops, FOs, rampers, their wives, you name it. Just a flat out nasty bunch of people.

Now, before you chastise me for my comments, this is ONLY my opinion.

This board is for OPINIONS.

Overall, I would say that Eagle is fun, and AWAC is a career. If you want to have fun...go to Eagle. If you want a serious career...go to AWAC and weather the UAL storm.

It's always a crap shoot in this business, but I am much better off here at AWAC...I'm just not having as much fun.

 

[DirkkDiggler]

If your captains are treating you poorly, why don't you stand up for yourself and tell them that you don't really care to hear their **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** about having to commute and such? Just because you're an F/O, you don't have to put up with that. You can also approach it in a somewhat nice way.

 

[WhiteCloud]

If your captains are treating you poorly, why don't you stand up for yourself and tell them that you don't really care to hear their **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** about having to commute and such? Just because you're an F/O, you don't have to put up with that. You can also approach it in a somewhat nice way.

You bet. We have to remember the FO's we are bitching to are putting up with the same crap for 1/3 to 1/2 the pay. Be "nice" about it until after probation is over then get in their face.

 

[DASHDRIVER]

First off, I absoutely agree with the two previous posts. We spend too much time out on the road to be dragged into a lousy mood by a pissy captain. say somthing, you don't have to be confrontational. I will bet 95% of the time they will lighten up. In regards to the attitude around here over all. I don't run into a majority of pissed off poeple. they just happen to be the loudest. And most of them are suffering from a terminal grass is greener disease. Yeah I know it sucks to get displaced. I was, 3 times in 13 months at my last job. Thats why I came to AWAC. I for one have been happy since.


Regards DD

 

[lionflyer]

Yes AWAC has some crusty bitter old pilots (mostly BAE146) but they are few and far between. I would say that 90% of the guys (and gals) are a pleasure to fly with and for the most part be an enjoyable experience. Take this advice from someone who's been an FO here longer than expected.