ASA ATR leaving sooner

[BigShow]

I have heard from several mechanics that the ATRs will all be gone by October. There was rumor that another company offered good money to buy out the leases. Any word on this?

 

[Airboss]

Are these the same mechanics that say we are going to get acars in Feb???

 

[FDJ2]

When were they scheduled to go?

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Hey if it the outfit in Hawaii, I got first dibs on the deliveries!

 

[c208fr8dawg]

its prob. MAC or Empire.

 

[sleepy]

The Turkish Government is going to buy 10 ATR-72's for conversion into patrol aircraft.

 

[Sinca3]

No Growth

I don't know how "in the know" our mechanics are, especially after all the problems they cause on the ATR. I don't doubt one second that they want to see the ATR fleet go bye bye!
I have heard that we are changing 14 of our 25 crj 50's into 70's. These would be used to replace the ATR's. Rumors from some in managment (SB, MM) is that the ATR's are going to be on the chopping block from ASA's fleet plan.
So much for 25 "Growth" airplanes!!!

 

[movingviolation]

Speaking of ASA ATR's, what was the deal with the one in MGM lastnight, smoke in the cabin or somthing. I landed right before him lastnight, it was kinda odd having all the crash trucks out there for somebody else for a change.

 

[180ToTheMarker]

FWIW- I was told in recurrent a few weeks ago that the ATRs would go bye bye in October.

 

[BigShow]

If it is true, the RJ training department is gonna be busy (new hires, recurrent, ATR guys going over.)

 

[711-24-7]

well if the ATRs going away than why in 05-03 prelim that came out on January 27th 2005 only shows open slots in ATRs 2 for captain and 4 for FO's? None in CR7 ATL OR SLC. And, none in CRJ ATL only 6 prelim slots for ATR.

 

[asarjfo]

well if the ATRs going away than why in 05-03 prelim that came out on January 27th 2005 only shows open slots in ATRs 2 for captain and 4 for FO's? None in CR7 ATL OR SLC. And, none in CRJ ATL only 6 prelim slots for ATR.

1. Because it is only April and they are short.

2. They do not have a clue.

3. They enjoy upgrading junior people then displacing them to the right seat of the RJ.

 

[PILOT]

how senior is SLC. Thanks

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Bottom Capt is 480'ish.... bottom F/O...1251

 

[Boxer]

To add, # 1251 (most junior SLC FO) right at 3.5 years with the company. Most junior captain over 6 years.

 

[flutterby]

In regards to the ATR in MGM, the recirc fan faulted, seized up and smoked. No big deal...

 

[ASAFOE120]

Its amazing all the junk they send down to us from Virginia Ave. For the last 2 or 3 years we kept hearing them say "how great the ATR is", "they make us gobs and gobs of money", and "the ATR will be here till we find a replacement prop".

Then they feed us all this "zero net gain" contract crap so we (being ASA pilots) can keep ASA's costs competitive because as we all know " Growing the airline, which allows cost increases to be spread over additional seat miles, is essential to survival " http://www.asacontract.com/pa/Negotiation_Updates2.asp?ID=35

So let me get this straight.

1. The ATR makes us money. Apparently lots of money.

2. It is essential that ASA grow to survive.

3. We (the pilots of ASA) bear the sole responsibility of keeping our pay and benefits below average (presently, a level set in 1998) so that our ASA managers and fellow employees can continue to prosper.

Well duh, we have to fly at rates set back in 1998 to cover the costs of managements screw ups.

Yep, makes lots of sense to me. Dont grow the airline, get rid of a moneymaker, and shaft the pilots.

We dont have any control over the growth that comes our way. Thats why we better get the absolute best contract we can right now! And that includes FULL RETRO PAY for every stinkin day these negotiations have been drug out!!!

Dont get me wrong, ASA is a great place to fly. I wouldnt want to fly for any other regional right now. But I do feel mgmt takes all we do for granted and is behaving very inappropriately at the negotiating table.

Sorry about the rambling on here. Just had to vent after a long five leg day in ATL and my last trip out of Dallas

 

[FmrFreightDog]

Latest word from recurrent, from the RJ program manager...

1) In his estimation, 25 airplanes this year is a minimum.

2) Hiring is going from 20 a month to 50 a month in March (or April, I can't remember)

3) The immediate action reference cards will be in the airplanes by February or March. I know it doesn't have a thing to do with hiring, but nice nonetheless



My point is, if they're going to be hiring 50 a month then either the ATRs aren't going anywhere or they are going to be replaced with something on top of the 25 we're scheduled for.


I know, I'll believe it when I see it too, but B.S. is usually pretty reliable with his info.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

If it is true, the RJ training department is gonna be busy (new hires, recurrent, ATR guys going over.)

Can you say "weekend training events"?

 

[CF34-3B1]

Can you say "weekend training events"?

Didn't they just start doing weekend recurrent ground?

 

[asarjfo]

Didn't they just start doing weekend recurrent ground?

Sure did, I have it at the end of Feb.......Sat, Sun, Mon, and Tue.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Holy schmolly - anyone see the tons of open time and relief lines all blocked to nearly 100 hours? Where are all of ASA's pilots?

Having flown the ATR and the RJ, there is no way you can convince me that flying a CRJ200 with 40 seats in it to AGS, CHA, MCN, FAY, VLD, CSG, AVP, GSP, HSV, DHN, MOB or any of these short routes makes money with passengers flying on $49 fares each way. Sure back in the day when a last minute ticket on ASA was $1,000 - but those days are over.

~~~^~~~

 

[711-24-7]

[QUOTE=FmrFreightDog]Latest word from recurrent, from the RJ program manager...
  
My point is, if they're going to be hiring 50 a month then either the ATRs aren't going anywhere or they are going to be replaced with something on top of the 25 we're scheduled for.

Dont forget that there are people on top leaving for Airtran and Southwest and Jetblue so that opens up slots to hire 50 pilots a month.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Didn't they just start doing weekend recurrent ground?

I didn't realize that recurrent ground is already on weekends. I think that the Sim schedules may also go to weekends.

Also heard that some ATR Capts were pulled out of Capt Leadership Training to go back out and fly an ATR trip. These were guys that were getting ready to transition into the RJ. Although they will probably make their Ground School dates, I am sure it was a surprise to be pulled out of class and told to go cover a trip.

 

[dojetdriver]

Guys, I hate to digress from the thread, but a couple questions.

Is the flying on the ATR bad? not actually flying the plane but since it's scheduled to leave are the sechedules sucky, low block, inefficient, ect?

Is the ATR a junior airlplane?

 

[blueridge71]

I have a 2-7-05 new hire class date and was told that we will be bidding for CRJ and ATR slots.

How are the schedules? Is much time spent on reserve in the ATR relative to the CRJ?

 

[711-24-7]

IF you get ATR you will be on reserve forever. Lets just say until they go away. I know it because I am one of the last guy on ATR. I have been on it for about 7 months now and getting use to the reserve life.

 

[asaflyer]

From what I heard from Mike (head scheduler), he said that Delta wants the ATR's on the short flights. Since it is hard to build 6-8hr days into short hops, most of the ATR flying is done with two days and four days. So the days of 3 on 4 off are coming to an end. Which will probably mean the senior guys on the ATR will come on over to the CR2 even though it's the same pay. That is unless they can hold the CR7. He didn't say anything (not that he would have) about the ATR's going away. I guess we'll see.

 

[cforst513]

it was kinda odd having all the crash trucks out there for somebody else for a change.

heh heh good times

 

[av8tor4239]

I love flying the ATR for ASA... I was the last youngest in my new hire class to get the ATR (still had brazillias). That means I was THE last guy on the FO list for the ATR.. I was hired in nov 02.. that was the last class of ATR for 1 year 3 months.. So i was on reserve on that thing for every.., Actually I still am.. RES 40somthing in Jan.. Got a line for Feb though...

All lines for feb are 80+ hours block.... 14-10 days off. Only 1 or 2 lines have 14, 13 days off though. There are only about 6-8 nap lines.

Here is example of my line for Feb:

Day line followed by 2 days back to back ( so 5 on)
Then 5 off

Day line folled by 2 days back to back
then 2 days off

2 two days
Then 2 days off,

Then 5 on again

11 total days off, blocked to 80.2 hrs and credited to 82.4 hours