ASA or CHQ

[AlphaSierra01]

Okay, I would be interested in some input...I have job offers from both CHQ and ASA. ASA is attractive because I wouldn't have to commute. (I live in ATL and have a family) However, CHQ is pretty hard to turn down right now.
Any advice?

 

[i'mbatman]

Bear in mind I am a CHQ pilot......if your family is supportive of this and understand the financial situation I would stay with ASA. CHQ may have some planes coming there way but if hired today it would take a looooooong time to upgrade and get more money.....in the meantime you would be an FO, commuting and most of our bases do not have lots of commutable trips........I do not know much about ASA.....i know they are under negotiations, etc. However, you are looking at a long time to upgrade at either so go with the best QOL and that would involve living in base. Even reserve isnt bad if you live in base. Best of luck in your decision. BTW....i love CHQ and have since I got here but I have also lived in base since the beginning and am in the top 10% of FO's in the company

 

[Leroy Smith]

Today's big expansion may be followed by tomorrow'w furloughs.

Unless you think ASA is going down the tubes, staying near home sounds pretty good.

 

[airksk]

As an ASA pilot who doesn't know a whole lot about CHQ, in your situation I would go ASA just to be able to live in domicile. Commuting, IMHO, sucks. It can be done, and for the right job I would consider it, but I really think that CHQ and ASA are probably about the same once you start working there. Granted, we are going through some extended contract negotiations, but there are NO guarantees about any company. Quick upgrades turn to really long ones by the time you hear about them. ASA isn't the greatest place in the world, but we've got a good pilot group and lving in domicile is worth a lot.

 

[8HourPilot]

Go to ASA cause they have Rampers and Gate Agents.

 

[AdamKooper]

Go to ASA cause they have Rampers and Gate Agents.

Copy Dat!

 

[Mike man]

Uhhhh....what?

Don't commute--if you are married or have kids. Single--go with your gut.

 

[shamrock]

Go to ASA cause they have Rampers and Gate Agents.

Really? Where?

I've heard rumors about there being rampers in Atlanta but all I ever see are parolees hanging out by the baggage carts. I thought they were Wendy's employees on a break.

Oh, and to answer the original question, go to ASA unless you're trying to get time away from the family. ASA can suck at times but IMHO commuting when you have a family at home could be much worse.

 

[viper548]

commuting sucks. I'd go with ASA

 

[eight8kcabpilot]

CHQ may have some planes coming there way but if hired today it would take a looooooong time to upgrade and get more money

Hey Batman..how long would it take to upgrade at CHQ if hired? I thought you guys are still growing a lot.

 

[Smacktard]

Okay, I would be interested in some input...I have job offers from both CHQ and ASA. ASA is attractive because I wouldn't have to commute. (I live in ATL and have a family) However, CHQ is pretty hard to turn down right now.
Any advice?

Stay at home...whatever you do. After commuting for 6 months I vowed I would never commute again. You will ALWAYS have the stress of the commute. It is not negotiable. You will always have 2 legs at the beginning and end OF EVERY TRIP and you have to hope for an open seat home (spring break... forget it for about 4 weeks). It's great in the beginning but then it starts to eat at YOUR SOUL!

And, like someone else mentioned, today's hiring binge could be tomorrow's furloughing binge. I'll agree CHQ looks pretty appealing but living at home and having a decent quality of life rules ALL other factors. Also, our second year FO pay almost equals their highest FO (5 year) pay (within .40 cents or so). And contrary to what the vocal minority tell you in here, life at ASA is not that bad... yes, it could be better, and I will vote accordingly but you will not be displeased with your choice here.

 

[EMB Skillz]

Go with CHQ. Last I heard, ASA didn't get any of the COEX flying.

 

[Chicken Taco]

Hey Batman..how long would it take to upgrade at CHQ if hired? I thought you guys are still growing a lot.

I'm not Batman, but i'll bite. Current CHQ master list is approaching 1500. We staff right around 5 crews/plane. Junior CA is currnetly around 850, with 100 or so bypasses. That leaves about 750 FO's, so that would be about 150 planes for an upgrade of the bottom guy based ONLY on growth. In other words, a doubling of the fleet. This of course doesn't account for attrition, the odd circumstances that surround the 33 J4J planes, or a few other things, but it's a start. Realistically there will be some attrition and guys leaving for recall, but not that many short-term.

We have around 30 planes on firm order right now, anything more than that is just hope. There is the possibility of up to 69 with CAL, but NOTHING is definite there. RAH has around 75 more options on the E170 family, but those are not confirmed or assigned to a codeshare as of now.

The reality of life at a RAH carrier is a lot of outstation-type trips due to our large crew bases at MX facilities rather than hubs. If you live in base it's great, but otherwise it blows. The trips are NOT commutable (think 0600 starts and/or 0000 finishes) and many of the bases are cities with little if any direct service.

PM me if you want more insight, and good luck in your decision..

..CT

 

[AlphaSierra01]

Go with CHQ. Last I heard, ASA didn't get any of the COEX flying.

So....anyway, this could have easily turned into a BS thread, but thanks for all those who gave REAL insight. Both companies definately have their advantages/disadvantages. Having a choice is a good place to be in.

 

[asaflyer]

Don't ever commute if you can avoid it.

I can thank asa for letting me experience what commuting is like. I got sent to DFW on the e120 when they were shipping them over and had to commute between atl and dfw. I found out quickly that is isn't for someone who has a family (unless you don't like them, then it's cool). After I was able to get back to atl I vowed never to commute again, even if I had to move the family. I'm not at asa anymore (I crossed the street) but they were mostly good to me and I to them. I think you would like it there. Best of luck with whatever choice you make. Fly safe.

 

[msuspartans24]

Go with CHQ. Last I heard, ASA didn't get any of the COEX flying.

last I heard EMB Skillz likes it up the A$$

 

[Swaayze]

Stay at home with ASA.

 

[blueridge71]

ASA. I've commuted and lived in domicile and there is no good commute. This is especially true with load factors approaching 80%.

Also, ASA has the better contract (as bad as it is) and will likely see some improvements under the new one.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Commuting sucks balls. If you can't find commutable lines, your QOL will tank because you will inevitably give up some of your off days trying to get to/from work.

 

[www.]

Go with CHQ. Last I heard, ASA didn't get any of the COEX flying.

And it's loosing DAL flying too!

 

[FORESTGUMP]

If I were just coming in, I'd go with CHQ. But, it all depends on your motivation. Are you in for the quick upgrade or for the long haul?

 

[nev-air mind]

What is the biggest difference between ASA and CHQ in terms of work rules?

 

[8HourPilot]

Nap Lines are big at ASA, no CDO's at CHQ