Air Wisconsin

[Rottweiller]

WD,
I am currently working to get an interview with Air Wisconsin, Do you know how long the wait would be to get a ground school date after a successful interview? Being on furlough, the funds are running out fast.
Also are most new hires going to the 328 or the CRJ?
Thanks for the previous info.

Stormer

A recent company newsletter gave aircraft deliveries and class dates. It is planned to have the 38 RJ's (26 now) on line by Feb '03. As for classes, they are showing at least 1 initial groundschool class for both the RJ and 328 every month. It is therefore fair to say that each class will be a mix of RJ and 328 with possibly the odd 146 thrown in for good measure. The only advantage of the 328 is that upgrades could be under a year although you will be DEN based. RJ's are ORD & DEN, 146 is ATW & DEN.

 

[Stormer]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[deceptibum]

I have heard that you can't bid captain on another aircraft you are currently flying at Air Wisconsin. For example, a 328 FO can't bid an RJ capt vacany and a RJ FO can't bid 328 capt. Anyone know any info about this??

 

[Wiskey Driver]

This is a misconception, we have a letter of agreement in our contract that covers the declining fleet. The 328 is on it's way out so what they are doing is not allowing a rj fo who may be senior to take a 328 capt slot thus a junior 328 fo can take the slot not vice versa. That shoud about as clear as mud...

WD

 

[deceptibum]

thanks for clearing that up. Any word on when the last 328 leaves DEN?

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Those a/c are on a long term lease so there is really no telling however I do know that the company would get rid of all of them at once if they could or work out a deal with another manufactuer to get Jets for taking these off their hands.

WD.

 

[deceptibum]

thanks for the info whiskey driver. I have send my resume there and know one pilot that was in my new hire class at eagle and quit right after IOE. Problem is trying to get in touch with him. If you or anybody else knows how to get in touch with Shane Ouellette, please drop me a PM. Thanks

 

[ksu_aviator]

Sonic....great news to hear an XJ guy getting out. Its been hell here lately. Now, could you do me a favor and take the voluntary furlough? It would save one FO from getting furloughed for a month. I know him, he's a great guy and he has a wife and kid to support. BTW, its not me, its a class mate.

 

[sonic340]

ksu,
a classmate of mine starts groundschool at skywest this month and put in his notice with the chief pilot in msp, and supposedly he was the 5th f/o just on the msp side to give notice this week. i'll be going in to do the same in a few days and i'll try to find out the scoop, meaning if enough people leave will they still have to furlough. from talking with some other f/o's there are quite a number who are actively seeking other means of employment, which would definately help the cause around mesaba for the guys who want to stick it out.

 

[Rottweiller]

Those a/c are on a long term lease so there is really no telling however I do know that the company would get rid of all of them at once if they could or work out a deal with another manufactuer to get Jets for taking these off their hands.

WD.

We will see the 10 remaining 328's on the property until at least '04. As WD said these ones have longer leases on them. This is also because UAL plan to have all the prop's out of the express system hopefully around the end of '04. They are out of ORD and by all acounts DEN and IAD are slated next starting late next year. It all boils down to getting jet equipment deliveries to replace the props.

 

[TheFlyGuy]

Lowest times?

Hi WD! I'm the spouse of an AWAC employee of five years; but have lower times. What's the lowest times someone can be hired with there? I agree that AWAC is a great place to work and possibly retire. Did they increase their mins from 1500 and 500 to 2500? Does 135 experience and a four-year degree count anywhere? Thanks for the insight!

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Well Flyguy,

It seems as though you are in a pretty descent position, provided that you have the mins. The times remain the same however you must respect the type of flight time that they are getting these days. With the industry in such turmoil the type of times that were being tossed around were in the neighborhood of 3000tt and up. I would If I were you throw my line into the water and see if I can't get a bite...

WD.

 

[TheFlyGuy]

Thanks WD!

Thanks for the advice! I heard a rumor that AWAC is sort of behind the hiring curve for about 100 pilots (pilots they needed yesterday, I guess). Have you heard anything about that? If so, do you think they will consider someone with over two years 135 experience, a bachelors degree, over 300 hours of ME, but less than the total minimums (even for the 328)? I'm interested to hear your view on this. Thanks again!

 

[Wiskey Driver]

I know that we need a load of pilots but I have been off since July due to a surgery. I am a bit out of the loop as to the day to day operations but I would not be surprised. Kristy has been thrown into the lions den with only a knife to do battle so she may be overwhelmed. I hope to be back next week at which point I would be in a little better position. As for your times, your ME time is certainly too low but I think that you said that your wife works here so that may be a big help. Like i said before try and see what you can come up with.

WD.

 

[ksu_aviator]

Sonic,

It has to be voluntary furlough not attrition. The company is counting on attrition, but voluntary furloughs prevent those of us on the bottom from loosing our jobs. But, I think the dead line has passed for taking a voluntary furlough.

 

[CaptMorgan]

I sent a resume at the end of August to Air Wisconsin with 2900 tt, 1900 turbine and 1100 jet, and I don't know anyone at Air Wisconsin. I have an interview date at the end of September, and was told by Kristi that I was interviewing for the 10/14 class date. That seems pretty tight....does anyone know what the time frame is for a call if you get the job?

 

[lionflyer]

You should get a letter within a week after your interview. There's a good letter and there's a bad letter.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Things have certainly changed a great deal since I was hired. I took them over three weeks to get back to me after my interview. Kristy is a lady who is on the ball with this stuff. I did an LOR for a friend of mine who interviewed yesterday and was called this morning with the job offer. If you feel that you need more time after your interview provided that you are selected it could be as soon as the next day. I wish you well and I hope that you get the job. Just remember to be yourself...

WD.

 

[beats working]

commuter policy?

Does AWAC have a commuter clause in the contract (i.e. if you are listed on 2 verifiable flights and check in at the airport, but can't get in due to loads/weather, etc, then you are not a "no-show") ?

 

[Wiskey Driver]

We do not have one, it was talked about during contract time but fell by the way side in favor of more important things.

WD.