American Eagle is hiring again

[JTrain]

WMUdruz-

Although I'm not with AE, if you'd bothered to read this thread you'd have learned that newhires are mostly getting sent to ATR SJU or ERJ (BOS/LGA). I suspect that *if* you were hired it would be sheer luck of the draw couple with a bit of what a/c assignments your class got which would determine what you'd be in.

What's the big deal about getting SJU though - it was my goal in 2000 to go to Eagle (thankfully ACA, which was supposed to be a practice interview turned into a job offer). It'll be an experience, a unique place to fly, party, have a good time. Enjoy what SJU has to offer, then transfer back stateside when the opportunity comes.

But don't base your decisions on "If hired, what are my chances of getting ORD." APPLY NOW - and IF HIRED (expect competition to be keen), worry about getting ORD.

Fly2002-

Apply, and if you're right on the fence for TT and ME time, update frequently. You are *never* going to get a job by not applying and the only thing applying will cost you is what, $.33 for a stamp. So apply!!! Worst they can say is no.


JT

p.s. if you'd spent the time you did posting questions to this board filling out your app, it would probably be in the mail.

 

[spitfire1940]

Long-term payoffs?

I have to agree with John Doe.

What kind of long-term payoffs are you guys looking for? I just don't understand what world some of you guys are living in to see "long-term benefits" to being an FO for Eagle.

Yeah, it's better than digging ditches or being a janitor, but there are better options in aviation (I hope) than anything Eagle has to offer.

I have their mins but won't send an application because it would be a waste of time--how do you support a family on that salary? Guess that's less competition for the eager beavers.

 

[Av8trxx]

Long-term pay offs????? Which ones are those?? Getting 121 time so you can go to a major? Sorry. None of those are hiring right now and probably won't for another 6-7 years. Ok, I'll go to Jetblue or Southwest you say? Well, you need 1000 pic turbine time to go there. Plan on getting that at Eagle? Wrong again, you'll be waiting 6 or so years for that one. Flow-through to American? Yeah right. People that are at Eagle right now are never going to flow-through, and the flow-through agreement expires in 2007, or near there. You will never get an AA senority number.

The only benefit at Eagle is to build some flight time........and you are much better off doing that at some other airline where you might have a snowball's chance getting a pic spot.

I didn't say long term at AE, but meant 'long term pay offs' in general, like at the end of ones career where they will retire. As in everyone has to suck it up and start at the bottom someplace to get to their dream job- so be it if that starting point is Beagle. Like I said, one must have extremely competative times to even get a 'thanks for your interest' reply these days. So while there are "better options in aviation than anything Eagle has to offer", getting one of those options may be difficult or next to impossible depending on the kind of resumes one is competing against. I passed the test at Skywest and was told they'd call me for an interview. I am still waiting. Their competative mins are twice what I have. Don't waste a stamp if you don't want to (to any airline), but we all gotta know that 'beggars can't be chosers' these days.

As far as getting my 121 time for the majors, if the majors aren't "hiring right now and probably won't for another 6-7 years", then what difference does it make that I won't upgrade for 5yrs at Beagle??? That gives me 1-2 yrs to build PIC time to get ready for the 'major' airlines recall. Plus if we hire 400-700 pilots next year, that time will drop a year or two. From what I have read here, the upgrade times at other regionals are starting to creep back up towards the 4-5 yr mark. If we do expand as predicted, then our should come down and be in that ballpark. We shall see....

Slow Through Agreement? And work for the Sky Nazis? Not interested. Besides, even if I upgraded next year, and wanted to flow, they aren't hiring so it's moot. AA probably won't hire again until loooong after the agreement expires.

Every pilot looking for a job knows to use the 'shotgun' approach. Apply everywhere and if you get more than one hit (offer) great! If you did so and only got an offer from AE, take the opportunity and make the best of it. It certainly can't hurt. If after 6 mos/yr it's so bad you can't stand it, or the money just isn't enough then apply elsewhere. Odds are your resume will look better with 121 time on it to the carrier you really wanted to work for that turned you down before.

 

[8HourPilot]

Hey JTrain,

I work for Ae, and various Check Airmen for Ae say the opposite of what your saying, settle down.

 

[mach zero]

Ok AV8TRXX here is the deal. Southwest is going to start hiring alot of pilots next year. Air Tran, Jet Blue, and ATA are also planning on hiring in '04. There are rumblings of hiring at Fedex and UPS next year also. While you are sitting at Eagle building worthless F/O time, somone who went to another regional and upgraded to RJ CA early on will be taking that job at the major while you are left flying as RJ F/O making 35-40k / yr. with no retirement. So then 6 years from now, you finally make CA at Eagle get that coveted 1000 hours and realize that Delta and United aren't all they were cracked up to be. You finally go to SWA or some other major but that pilot who took the quick regional upgrade and got in on the leading edge of the major hiring curve has 5 years on you. Meaning you commute to the junior base on reserve while they enjoy a nice line and are looking at a CA award.

 

[aewanabe]

OR, you can think of Beagle as another stepping stone. Back before 9/11, that was my plan; (thus the screen name). My 100 hours of multi wasn't really competitive for anywhere I wanted to be (AWAC, Mesaba, ASA etc.) but I was offered an interview with AE as a former AMR employee. Even then I knew I was looking at a 4-5 year upgrade, but I figured if I got hired I could milk it for the turbine and 121 experience, and then voila I'm actually competitive for Air Whiskey, Comair, etc. Just a thought.

 

[pipejockey]

Lets see now, everyone who shows interest in working for Eagle is met with nothing but criticizm. How can you be so dumb, we are told. Youll never get PIC time which is needed for a Major airline job we are told. Go somewhere you can upgrade to CA in a couple years. Well I agree, ME PIC time in a transport category aircraft is whats imporatant but I bet the first person on this thread that says they are going to Mesa for that quick growth and upgrade will be promptly attacked as well. Lets see, maybe Freedom or Republic, or the new Midway. You get my point, no matter where one chooses to go there will be those that will attack the decision.

And as far as the comments that people like me who will work for such an airline like Eagle are the reason the profession is the way it is....well thats just idiotic. We didnt even vote on those contracts...let alone vote yes. All I can say is that I will sign on with the first part 121 carrier that will have me. And If there is a vote on a contract while I'm there, I will vote no on any second rate contract! One of the reasons the Mesa pilots probably voted in favor of their current contract was the promise of growth and new jets and the all important oppurtunity to get that PIC time that you all are saying one should be doing everything in their power to get.

Its ashame, but the number of people who dream of being airline pilots will always far exceed the number of positions available. Everybody bitc*es and moans but when it comes time to vote on a contract more than 50% cave in and ratify it. Those voting yes may say, "I'm only going to be here another couple years so who cares that this contract isnt worth the toilet paper in my bathroom." If a contract is up for ratification and you feel it doesnt provide a pilot the pay and QOL and retirement you deserve...VOTE NO!!!

Good luck to the Mesaba pilots. Hopefully they can turn things around. Unfortunately if they strike for a fair contract and miraculously get one, their Avros are out the door in June I believe, and Mesaba will be downsized and many of their pilots will be out the door...sad but true, lets hope not. Raising the bar is going hurt many pilots but the benefits in the long run will be great. Most will not allow themselves to be personally hurt though, therein lies the problem.

 

[FO 4 Life]

Come on now Mach Zero (LT), being one of the last FOs you flew with I know what you're saying. However, Eagle and Pinnacle are really the only ones hiring now. Skywest has stopped, Comair slowed, I guess there is Chatakeaway. We are supposed to hire 4-500 a year for the next 2 years to staff the 90+ RJs we're getting. Talked to a buddy at Comair and they're upgrade is over 3.5 years and climbing. Maybe I'll at least get to upgrade this year and join you and your sim partner.

As far as less than 50% accepting recall, think about it. When these people got the ax, a lot of airlines were hiring. If I got hired somewhere and had been there a year or two and Eagle called me back with my 6 months or less of service there, where do you think I'd choose. Seniority, Seniority, Seniority!

 

[AAsRedHeadedbro]

My take...

I make about $75,000 to $80,000 a year having a great time doing what I love to do. I have no regrets. With my wife's salary, we live just fine on well over $120,000 a year. I don't think my financial situation is unusual at all considering that most housholds today are dual income. True, when I was an FO, our houshold income was closer to $60,000 a year (30K from me and 30K from her), but we still had a nice little home with a pool in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

I never got into this business in order to get rich. I got into it because I loved aviation. I STILL love aviation.

Eagle is not nearly as bad a place to work as some feel it is and neither is it heaven. I suppose a lot of it has to do with one's attitude.

I welcome any new pilots who decide to fly for Eagle.

 

[chuychanga]

Chuychanga

Here's what a lot of us are thinking:

My current job also has no long term benefits. No retirement, I'm maxed out on pay at 24K. Sure, I am getting PIC time, but it's in a piston twin. That piston twin is about 40 years old and it shows it's age not only on the outside, but in the cockpit as well. I fly this antique aircraft into the worst weather at night on a regular basis. No opportunity at all to transition into a turbine powered aircraft. On call a lot, and usually fly in the middle of the night.

I understand that Eagle is not a place to be for the long-term and I am looking for a better job with a reputable regional. But I'd rather continue that search as an Eagle FO than as a freightdog.

 

[vclean]

I worked for Eagle for a short time. I was furloughed in the last group in November '01. I was fortunate to get on with another airline and upgraded a few months ago. When there are few choices, take what you can (within reason). I can tell you the training is very good compared to other airlines. You are paid from day one, per diem while in training, paid housing. You will get your ID the first week so you can jumpseat on OTHER airlines (not AA/AE for the first 6 months). You will build 121 time, although PIC time is off in the distance. Not unlike other places, you will fly with fun capts. and d!cks. Be prepared to be mistreated by AMR, low morale and poor schedules. Use Eagle as they will use you. Get your experience while seeking employment elsewhere.

 

[AAsRedHeadedbro]

Excluding Comair, which has an awesome contract, and Skywest, which seems to be a very good company to work for, most of the big regionals seem to have pretty similar pay rates, work rules, upgrade times, and equipment.

My advice is take the job that best suits your needs and then stick with it until a job at one of your desired majors is offered.

Good luck to all.

 

[inthepool]

Vclean

are you sure you can't jumpseat on AA or AE in the first 6 months, or are you referring to pass priviledges? thanx

 

[vclean]

My mistake. Used to be you could not jumpseat on AA/AE for the first 6 months. Because of a grievance settlement, AE issued 'jumpseat cards' to allow us to jumpseat on AA/AE until we received our D2 (non-rev) cards (6 months). For the first couple months until the jumpseat cards were issued, I would jumpseat home on ATA since AA was off limits. Hopefully you will get a jumpseat card with your id. If you sit in the jumpseat, no cost, otherwise it's the same fee as when your travel privs start. D2 starts after 6 months. You pay a fee based on distance and class. ORD - DFW or ORD - BOS was ~$8.00 each way coach, ~$15.00 " " first class.

Welcome to the world of AMR

 

[WIDEBODY ATR]

Why do most of you jack-asses have to ruin it for people that might actually be excited to work here? Eagle is not any worse than any other regional. They ALL have the same issues. I think things are about to drastically turn around here (except for the incompetent management). These are the facts as we know them today: alledgedly 20% growth for '04, alledgedly the flow-backs are effectively done which means pretty good movement overall. I think it's not unthinkable that someone hired today will upgrade in two years, three max.I upgraded in 21 months and was hired in '97. When I was hired, upgrades were 61/2 - 7 years. We were told "you guys are lucky, I bet you'll be a captain in 5-6 years!" Like I said, 21 months later (the junior guy on my bid award was 14 months!) voila! We've turned the corner and entered a new era hopefully. Let these folks get excited about coming to fly for a very large airline on excellent equipment and with some of the greatest people in the business and let them decide for themselves. I would recommend Eagle to anybody as long as they understood the potential short term compromises (commuting to SJU,etc) they may have to make. You make the most of it and it can be quite rewarding.