Any PDT or ALG Guys Now Flying the E170 at MDA? Impressions?

[Heavy Set]

I remember reading a few months ago that some of the Piedmont and Alleghany pilots had bid the E170 at MidAtlantic after the mainline list had been exhausted. Just wondering if any of those guys had made the transition from Dash to E170? What do you think about the jump in technology - was it a big or difficult adjustment? Do you ever miss the Dash? I like the looks of the E170 - nice winglets!

 

[WSurf]

Yes, plenty of ALG and Piedmont guys have gone there! They said the training was intense however very laid back. This airplane is move advanced then the Airbus, so going from a Dash 8 to the EMB 170 might be a bit tuff considering all the Glass and other bells and whistles.
I am sure they might miss the Dash a bit, its a great airplane! However I am sure they like from the EMB 170 on those long routes, then 6-8 puddle jumping legs a day.

 

[On Your Six]

About how many PDT and ALG guys have gone over to MDA? How does it work with potentially more mainline guys joining MDA in the near future? Do the PDT/ALG guys start in the right seat or have some been able to bid the left seat?

If I were a Dash driver and had the chance, I would jump to the E170 quickly - it's a great airplane (from a pax standpoint). Plus, you might get expedited treatment at JetBlue down the line....

 

[WSurf]

A bunch of factors depend on wether you go there or not. Most of our Capts. at PDT won't go there for a right seat job. You would be taking atleast a 30k a year pay cut. Many can't afford that! However many of our junior Capts, and Fo's have gone there.

Even though I am in FO on the Dash 8, I would make more money here at PDT then flying the 170 (with our work rules and amount of flying we do). I just recieved a letter from the company that on my current pace I will time out by the end of the year (1000hrs)

Plus I live in base, and would like to hold off on the commuting as long as possible.

Most of this doesnt matter, MDA isn't getting any more aircraft for awhile and US Airways has less then a 50% chance of making it anyway.

But you are right, many of our people went to MDA to get exprience and go to JetBlue and fly the 190's for a company that has a bit of a future.

 

[trainer8]

Rumor has it that 150+ pilots have vacated Allegheny and about 20% of that number has left Piedmont.

Training at MDA is "Computer Based" followed up by "technical reviews." Ground school is 4 weeks (20 days) including Indoc and Systems. The CBT is well done (by CAE) and the tech reviews become redundant.

To my knowledge, only two pilots have come back for remedial training on the MCDU and that was because they didn't have V-Sim (or FTD) available for the first few 12-16 classes. Pass rate for Captain Types and FO initial checks has been 100%. Pretty good record for a bunch of former prop flyers.

Most guys came over because of carreer advancement (certainly not for the pay).

 

[Dashcaptain]

So far, so good. The transition was not bad at all. The atmosphere is so much different here. Most of the APL guys are great. I think they understand our situation. Those guys definitely got a bad deal as well. I came from ALG and it was a no-brainer. They kept telling us about a fleet reduction with no replacements. The lack of deliveries is disappointing, but we shall see what happens.

The "working agreement" is much worse than the deal at ALG. The benefits package is terrible compared to ALG. We new that when we came over, though, and have to live with it for now. Hopefully, if it survives, we can improve some of that down the road.

 

[stb]

This airplane is move advanced then the Airbus,

Thats funny.

It's so advanced, EMB forgot to put a storage area for pilots luggage.
Other areas for improvement, no Vnav, pilot seat and jumpseat comfort and that stupid yoke.

The best feature is the pilots can transfer environmental controls to the menopausing flight attendants for the cabin.

 

[shaq]

Thats funny.

It's so advanced, EMB forgot to put a storage area for pilots luggage.
Other areas for improvement, no Vnav, pilot seat and jumpseat comfort and that stupid yoke.

The best feature is the pilots can transfer environmental controls to the menopausing flight attendants for the cabin.

Having flown one of those "stupid yokes" before for over 2000 hrs. I can tell you for a fact that is by far the best way to fly, I miss having it. I have no idea what I sidestick is like though, never flown one...

 

[CitationLover]

i was j/s on an e-170 the other day and an ex-ALG was going through IOE. learned a lot about the FMS sitting there. he stated he was happy so far with his move from the dash.

whoever brought up the j/s being crammed in there, is absolutely true.

 

[trainer8]

Thats funny.

It's so advanced, EMB forgot to put a storage area for pilots luggage.
Other areas for improvement, no Vnav, pilot seat and jumpseat comfort and that stupid yoke.

The best feature is the pilots can transfer environmental controls to the menopausing flight attendants for the cabin.

Yeah, they did forget some stuff, but, in keeping with the context of the thread...

the transition for most or all has been good. From the perspective of a WO pilot, I can deal with some aircraft design faults mentioned above. After getting kicked repetatively by WO managements, this is a breath of fresh air. It may be a last gasp for U, but, at least we were able to get here and get qualified in this machine. Perspective will dictate opinion, I'm sure.

Dash flying was great, a superb aircraft. It was past time to move on.

 

[Heavy Set]

Yeah, they did forget some stuff, but, in keeping with the context of the thread...

the transition for most or all has been good. From the perspective of a WO pilot, I can deal with some aircraft design faults mentioned above. After getting kicked repetatively by WO managements, this is a breath of fresh air. It may be a last gasp for U, but, at least we were able to get here and get qualified in this machine. Perspective will dictate opinion, I'm sure.

Dash flying was great, a superb aircraft. It was past time to move on.

I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the transition. Looks like a great airplane to fly. Must seem like moving from the stone age to the digital age with the advanced automation. I am sure you appreciate it more given your Dash experience with little automation whatsover.