ASA - Bottom Line - Would you work there...

[JDREsquire1224]

I recently got a call from ASA requesting a brief background check & information, and after the 5 minutes of talking to the person in pilot recruiting, they said they would send me an application.
the BOTTOM LINE to the question: Would you want to work there?

I am currently a CFi with just over 1,000 hours and am really getting ready to move onto the next step in my career. HOWEVER, I am not willing to accept any position with any company.

If someone could give me a brief background of what is currently happening and what might happen with the airline in the future, I would appreciate it.

PS - I know I SHOULD know these things if I applied to an airline, but in all honesty I was not expecting a call this soon and by this particular airline.

Thanks for the help and info. Good luck to all in the future.

Some other questions I wouldn't mind some help on include:

Fact or fiction: Most new hires are sent to ATL.

Is upgrade time really as bad as 4-6 years?

When I stop sitting reserve, is it an easy commute? Yes, there are many flight a day to ATL from where I reside.

 

[viper548]

ASA is a good company, among the best that you're qualified to work at. Take it if they offer it too you. Upgrade times change, what's 4 years now might be 2 years tomorrow. I wouldn't turn down ASA because you think you might get on with another regional with better upgrade times.

 

[KO King]

Exactly! Take the job that you get offered. Dont listen to these dorks who are bitter and all they do is talk $hit. If you get an offer by a RESPECTED company like ASA....take it!!!!

 

[JDREsquire1224]

Yes, exactly. Thanks each for the reply and words of encouragement. And in all honesty, am I going to let a few replies on a message board determine, what I do with my career? Hardly. I am definitely going to take the interview, but I just was hoping to get some firm insight and any clarity to some of the stupid internet rumors flying around. I am also well aware of upgrade times changing, and I think it is probably one of the most overrated aspects in determining where I, or anyone else, who apply.

Here is another question, if it came down to Pinnacle and ASA, what path might be better in terms of quality of company and lifestyle? I've heard ASA likes to jerk pilots around, esp. young ones, but what regional doesn't like to get the most from what they have? I might have a really good opportunity at Pinnacle as well, and I don't want to pass it up for an ASA job.

Thanks.

 

[~~~^~~~]

If Continental Express, Skywest, Chautaqua, or American Eagle are available, take those jobs before ASA. Our future is terribly uncertain at the moment. Not only do we have all the contract negotiation issues, but Delta is back in the "go / no go" decision stage.

Unless some sort of deal can be worked to spin off ASA and Comair, I have very little doubt that Delta will declare bankruptcy before October. Delta's bankruptcy will have similar disruptive effects on their wholly owned subsidiaries that US Air's bankruptcy had on theirs.

There are very dark storm clouds on the near horizon. Whether or not you chose to launch into that weather depends a lot on your tolerance for turbulence and risk.

If you take ASA for what it is, you could be happy here. And what it is - RJ Training, 121 flying, zero quality of life and $19,000 a year. You could use it as a springboard to something better.

Unfortunately it probably is not the best place for PIC time because many of the Captains are sticking around. Many, if not most, upgraded in less than a year and are making $70K a year now. They have a decent schedule and are not motivated to move. The reason for this clump of Captains is the hiring that went nuts in 1999 and 2000. The RJ expansion is over and if the ATR's go away our net fleet growth will be neglible. I'm thinking upgrade times will go over 6 years unless more of the 1999 and 2000 hires start moving on.

But, as you know this industry can change on a dime. We might get DOJets ( just crazy talk, not even a rumor ) and then upgrade times would go down to probably 6 months.

Rolling the dice at a Regional with a strong partner is probably a better bet....

 

[~~~^~~~]

Pinnacle, or ASA? Tough choice. Northwest is in the same boat as Delta. Throw something good in there like Horizon and make this an easier decision.

 

[Rogue5]

But, as you know this industry can change on a dime.

The distilled truth via flightinfo.com.

Best of luck with your career decision.

"Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride..."

 

[atrdriver]

bly is not the best place for PIC time because many of the Captains are sticking around. Many, if not most, upgraded in less than a year and are making $70K a year now. They have a decent schedule and are not motivated to move. The reason for this clump of Captains is the hiring that went nuts in 1999 and 2000. The RJ expansion is over and if the ATR's go away our net fleet growth will be neglible. I'm thinking upgrade times will go over 6 years unless more of the 1999 and 2000 hires start moving on.

Rolling the dice at a Regional with a strong partner is probably a better bet....

Don't forget that we are losing a ton of guys to AirTran, CAL, and JB. We lost 70 pilots last month. As far as finding a regional with a healthy parent good luck. Like you said, this industry can and will change in a heartbeat.

Take whatever job you are offered. You can always go someplace else if you don't like the choice you made.

 

[puddlejumper101]

6 years to upgrade??? dude you and i must not work in the same ASA...new hires are holding 3 on 4 off and still in probation. I say 3 year upgrade...hell it took 4 years for me 9/11 and all...and the ATR seems to be way junior. Based on just upgrade time...American Eagle is way worse. Honestly...i think most regionals are the same except for Mesa. is there really a difference besides location? Contracts change...work rules change...in the end, i think its all the same.

 

[General Lee]

If Continental Express, Skywest, Chautaqua, or American Eagle are available, take those jobs before ASA. Our future is terribly uncertain at the moment. Not only do we have all the contract negotiation issues, but Delta is back in the "go / no go" decision stage.

Unless some sort of deal can be worked to spin off ASA and Comair, I have very little doubt that Delta will declare bankruptcy before October. Delta's bankruptcy will have similar disruptive effects on their wholly owned subsidiaries that US Air's bankruptcy had on theirs.

There are very dark storm clouds on the near horizon. Whether or not you chose to launch into that weather depends a lot on your tolerance for turbulence and risk.

If you take ASA for what it is, you could be happy here. And what it is - RJ Training, 121 flying, zero quality of life and $19,000 a year. You could use it as a springboard to something better.

Unfortunately it probably is not the best place for PIC time because many of the Captains are sticking around. Many, if not most, upgraded in less than a year and are making $70K a year now. They have a decent schedule and are not motivated to move. The reason for this clump of Captains is the hiring that went nuts in 1999 and 2000. The RJ expansion is over and if the ATR's go away our net fleet growth will be neglible. I'm thinking upgrade times will go over 6 years unless more of the 1999 and 2000 hires start moving on.

But, as you know this industry can change on a dime. We might get DOJets ( just crazy talk, not even a rumor ) and then upgrade times would go down to probably 6 months.

Rolling the dice at a Regional with a strong partner is probably a better bet....

I agree with Fins about one thing, take COEX (Expressjet) if offered first. As far as everything else he said, I see the same old theme each time---DELTA is doomed and ASA is going down with it. Well, I think there could be some restructuring in the future, but a friendly GA judge (just like USAir got in DC who proclaimed in the beginning of their Chap 11 proceedings "I will not let USAir liquidate") will do wonders for the big D. There will probably be a sale of ASA and Comair, but the only thing that might change is the person who signs the pay check. Delta has changed a lot of things to get it's balance sheet in "order"----but, we are a year too late in doing so. Recent fare increases will help with Q3 oil orices, which should go down after the Summer driving season ends. I think DL will survive this in the end in some form or another (maybe a merger with NW), and ASA will also (maybe after being sold to SkyWest).

As far as NW goes, they do have labor problems, and the management may just want a judge to decide or impose contracts. That may not go over well, but it may be the way to right size NW for a possible merger with DL. The fleets are different, but the oldest equipment at both are going away, and the routes and hubs fit perfectly because most are not on top of each other. (CVG and MEM would go bye bye, though---since too close to DTW and ATL) They fly a lot to the Pacific, and we fly a lot to Europe and South America. I also predict United and CAL merging and Bethune taking hold again. (He has offered already to buy into the new United with an investment group) It will be interesting to watch.

So, go to ASA if Expressjet doesn't call. And FINS, please apply to CAL.(you will lose interest in the RJDC fast)


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[SouthTex]

I am going to toss this one out. Even with 9/11 ASA never let anyone go. I just don't see it going away. Money for DL, good rep with the pilot group (most DAL pilots don't care-bigger fish to fry)... at this point NW pilot group has more to lose, yet again I am just a dumb line pilot.

 

[smellthejeta]

I am going to toss this one out. Even with 9/11 ASA never let anyone go. I just don't see it going away. Money for DL, good rep with the pilot group (most DAL pilots don't care-bigger fish to fry)... at this point NW pilot group has more to lose, yet again I am just a dumb line pilot.

Hold up here... ACA didn't furlough after 9/11, and look what happened to them now. I just wrote that to say it isn't a valid point when describing a carrier's prospects. Yes, I know they were not wholly owned and that UA filed BK to get them in the situation that they are in now. All that needs to happen for ASA to be in the same boat is to be spun off and DL BK filing.

 

[~~~^~~~]

6 years to upgrade??? dude you and i must not work in the same ASA...new hires are holding 3 on 4 off and still in probation. I say 3 year upgrade...hell it took 4 years for me 9/11 and all...and the ATR seems to be way junior.

ASA was about mid way through the "largest RJ order in history," Comair went on strike, and Delta restructured with a very RJ oriented management team during your time at ASA.

If an airline has 5 airplanes and gets another 5, it has doubled in size and everyone becomes a Captain. If an airline has 160 airplanes and gets another 5, it really doesn't mean much to the new hires.

We do not know how many people will leave ASA. The number will probably accelerate. But, there are quite a few pilots ( current seniority 800'ish ) that seem to be pretty comfortable. Most of the folks leaving the airline have been First Officers, which speaks volumes about how they see quality of life and upgrade times.

As for schedules, it is true that new hire FO's could probably hold a decent CDO line, or 4 on, 3 off over the weekends after 6 months to a year. The FO side of the list has been moving along at a good clip. I am guessing many FO's did not feel it was worth the move from Dallas to Atlanta.

And Atlanta is the junior base. It is taking about 6 months to hold the SLC FO bid.

~~~^~~~

 

[~~~^~~~]

Well, I think there could be some restructuring in the future.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Really? You think?

Northwest and Delta? Whoo Hoo what a labor love fest that would be. I would pay my own way to attend that Executive Board Meeting. Flightinfo had better get a faster server. Just remember, if you strap together two one legged men, the result is rarely a track star.

Right now, Delta does not have the cash to make through the third and fourth quarters. Skywest and others may have sniffed at ASA and decided it was not palatable. Investors are so busy remodeling houses that finding silly folks that would put money into a private, or public, equity offering for ASA, or Comair will be difficult - unless Delta does something to make them "sexy." The RJ order was sexy and got ASA's President all kind of accolades for running the best regional back in the day.

Delta needs to sell ASA and Comair to raise winter survival cash. Some sort of equity offer would probably work. Parts of the investment community are awash with cash ( hence the below real market mortage rates ).

 

[Palerider957]

I am going to toss this one out. Even with 9/11 ASA never let anyone go. I just don't see it going away. Money for DL, good rep with the pilot group (most DAL pilots don't care-bigger fish to fry)... at this point NW pilot group has more to lose, yet again I am just a dumb line pilot.

The ONLY reason ASA didn't furlough after 9/11 was for economic reasons. It costs the company more to do a short-term fulough (with all the retraining) then to keep the bottom people on property (Drew admitted this). If there had been an economic advantage to dumping the bottom X% of pilots, then you had better believe ASA would have furloughed.

Also, there is no way DAL will continue in it's present form. Mainline will continue to contract, and more and more flying will be farmed out to contract carriers (at .10 cents on the dollar). I think DAL will survive, but it will be MUCH smaller, with only the largest planes doing trans-con, and international flights. Everything else will be contract and ASA/CMR (who may again become contract carriers with a sale.)

From a business perspective, this is probably a good thing.

 

[79%N1]

6 years to upgrade??? dude you and i must not work in the same ASA...new hires are holding 3 on 4 off and still in probation. I say 3 year upgrade...hell it took 4 years for me 9/11 and all...and the ATR seems to be way junior. Based on just upgrade time...American Eagle is way worse. Honestly...i think most regionals are the same except for Mesa. is there really a difference besides location? Contracts change...work rules change...in the end, i think its all the same.

Dude, you and I must work for a different ASA.......I have been here 3 years, I cannot even hold a line on the 70, and there are 240 FO's senior to me to upgrade. Thats about 50 more aircraft ASA needs to add until all those FOs upgrade, minus those that pass upgrade or leave, of course. Anyway, upgrade is over 5 years at ASA, based on the numbers I see.

Also, I'm calling B.S on 70 pilots quit last month. I moved up 55 numbers from Jan-Julys seniority ---- and that was when everyone was going around saying 20+ pilots were leaving every month. If so, I should have moved up over 100.

 

[Sinca3]

Most of the pilots leaving ASA are relatively junior FO's. They see greener grass on the other side! I moved up 40#'s in 7 months.
As for upgrade it is just under 4.5 years.....that's a fact! Look at the class dates and awards............

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

Dude, you and I must work for a different ASA.......I have been here 3 years, I cannot even hold a line on the 70, and there are 240 FO's senior to me to upgrade. Thats about 50 more aircraft ASA needs to add until all those FOs upgrade, minus those that pass upgrade or leave, of course. Anyway, upgrade is over 5 years at ASA, based on the numbers I see.

Dude, you are on the 70... that's why. He's talking about the 50 seater. Bottom line at ASA the 50 seater guys are generally happy (except for senior capt's who are never happy). The ATR and CR7 guys are always complaining and rightfully so. Crappy schedules on both, and the 70 is way senior (people thinking a few bucks an hour more per hour is worth the crappy lines and sitting reserve for years.. go right ahead!)

It's true, probation pilots are holding 3 on 4 off. Barely, but it's happening.

 

[Bluto]

JDREsquire, for your sake, I'm really hoping those aren't your real initials. If they are it'll probably take the fine people at ASA about 5 seconds to figure out who you are: the CFI with your initials and 1005 hours. Is that post the first impression you want the interviewers to have of you? It wasn't too bad, but neither was it the boot-licking, sycophantic, "I'd like to work at ASA for the rest of my career, sir.", kind of kiss-up drivel interviewers are used to.

Maybe I'm being a little paranoid, but I wouldn't want the interviewers thinking about:

I've heard ASA likes to jerk pilots around, esp. young ones, but what regional doesn't like to get the most from what they have? I might have a really good opportunity at Pinnacle as well, and I don't want to pass it up for an ASA job.

when they ask you, "So, why would you like to fly for ASA?"

Unless you want every post you make available to any interviewer you will face, I recommend changing your screenname. Interviewers often frequent these boards and many consider it a fun challenge to figure out who is asking the questions. Welcome to flightinfo.

 

[79%N1]

Most of the pilots leaving ASA are relatively junior FO's. They see greener grass on the other side! I moved up 40#'s in 7 months.
As for upgrade it is just under 4.5 years.....that's a fact! Look at the class dates and awards............

Yea, Sinca, I dont dispute that.....BUT, those are the people hired in early 2001, hence 4.5 years. People hired in late 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05 I'm afraid will wait MUCH longer than that! Like I said, I've been here 3, and I'm NO WHERE CLOSE. That too could change, but who knows. It could go longer even.