ASA Pool

[bustedstuff]

Anybody else swimming?

 

[asarjfo]

From what I hear the pool is empty, and they are having a hard time finding people to fill the new hire classes.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

From what I hear the pool is empty, and they are having a hard time finding people to fill the new hire classes.

What?? Before I got my current job a few years ago, I can remember people swimming for a couple of years. Why do you think ASA's having a hard time finding pilots to fill the classes?

 

[Ted Striker]

deleted

 

[bustedstuff]

Thanks. Just trying to figure out when I could expect a call. Hopefully soon!

From what I hear the pool is empty, and they are having a hard time finding people to fill the new hire classes.

 

[~~~^~~~]

RJ Training Dept was told 40 pilots a month coming through training.

However, the December bid only had 5 openings, all on the ATR.

 

[FL990]

What?? Before I got my current job a few years ago, I can remember people swimming for a couple of years. Why do you think ASA's having a hard time finding pilots to fill the classes?

Because management huffs gas fumes, our contract won't be solved until the next decade and upgrade is going to take an eternity. Other than that it's great though!!

Don't you know...this is what people say when they are pi$$ed at the company..."no one wants to come to ASA, this place $uck$ ...they can't even fill the classes"....oh wait, then you have the people who live on the other side of the fence..."I have a friend who's been in the pool since the 3rd grade...still waitin' for the call...ASA was our dream job "

And then there are those who live in reality who sit somewhere in the middle and search for the TRUTH. And I believe the truth is (this came from Bryan Wilson) they will have another class of 16 in december '04, and then 20 per month starting Jan '05 all the way through Dec '05. As for the pool, my understanding is they still have some waiting for a class and they are also still conducting interviews, and those getting placed in the pool come from a variety of backgrounds...(flight instructors to furloughed majors).......HI, I'm earth, have we met!

 

[shamrock]

Because management huffs gas fumes, our contract won't be solved until the next decade and upgrade is going to take an eternity. Other than that it's great though!!

Seems like an accurate observation though, whatever his motivations.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I believe they can't find enough qualified people to fill the interview slots. The classes are happening, and from what I understand, a new hire jet class was recently given 2 weeks off while the training department tried to catch up.

I guess too many folks in training right now, and not enough sim and computers available for ground school.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

I wouldn't work here either.

 

[PalmettoPilot]

Dec 6 Class

I'm in the 12/6 class, I've heard there is a 12/26 class as well and they began filling that about a month ago. There was also a class that started 11/8, it was full.

 

[bustedstuff]

Thanks guys for the info, and FL990 for the down to earth perspective.

 

[FL990]

Seems like an accurate observation though, whatever his motivations.

If four years is the definition of eternity, then yes, i guess that is an accurate observation...

Look, let me preface this by saying that in the entire industry right now, there is a large amount of uncertainty...but, if you look at our current growth rate and stretch that out and compare it to our current attrition rate(ASA), upgrade will go from 4 or 4 1/2 years to about 3 or so. Thats at 20 pilots a month coupled with our current attrition rate which I was recently told is anywhere from 10 to 15 per month. Once again, this is assuming a constant rate of hiring over those 3 or so years which i don't think will happen...but to say an eternity....come on!! Thats one of the things the "negatives" say...you know, those whiners who always see the grass on the other side and just know its green'r...what happens when you get over there and realize its astro-turf..

For anyone looking at ASA...don't come in and think that it is paradise...its not, but it is a good job...a fun job, and a good company, with some faults (some of which are the whiners that make it frustrating to work here). Come in with a possitive realistic attitude and you will enjoy the good and not be surprised at the bad, and remember that no matter how bad the group of whiners tells you it is when you get here, it could be much much much worse. When compared to all the other regionals out there, it is toward the top and will stay there.

 

[shamrock]

You base your estimate that upgrade will go to 3 years on an attrition rate of 10-15 per month (how long will that last?) and 20 new hires per month, a number that you admit is unlikely to continue. Is that realistic?

Listen, I try not to comment for the most part because I do realize that all in all, ASA is not a bad place to be. I also was a B!tch when I was at my old job, which in hindsight wan't too bad, so I don't want to go there again. It's just that every time I get to my "happy place" at ASA, management (or scheduling) does some creative interpreting that affects me personally, and my attitude comes out.

Just as some people are unneccesarily harsh when it comes to matters ASA, others can come across as overly optimistic in their assessment of things around here. The people who live for ASA can be just as "frustrating" as the hardcore whiners, neither of which are much fun on a 4 day, or even a nap for that matter.

You're happy at ASA, I'm content at ASA. Truce?

 

[FL990]

You base your estimate that upgrade will go to 3 years on an attrition rate of 10-15 per month (how long will that last?) and 20 new hires per month, a number that you admit is unlikely to continue. Is that realistic?

Listen, I try not to comment for the most part because I do realize that all in all, ASA is not a bad place to be. I also was a B!tch when I was at my old job, which in hindsight wan't too bad, so I don't want to go there again. It's just that every time I get to my "happy place" at ASA, management (or scheduling) does some creative interpreting that affects me personally, and my attitude comes out.

Just as some people are unneccesarily harsh when it comes to matters ASA, others can come across as overly optimistic in their assessment of things around here. The people who live for ASA can be just as "frustrating" as the hardcore whiners, neither of which are much fun on a 4 day, or even a nap for that matter.

You're happy at ASA, I'm content at ASA. Truce?

lol...(hear the clapping in the background)

OK, did you read my post earlier in this section about the 3 types of pilots? Cause I'm not sure you did...its the one I posted before the one you replied to...I am not one of those lala land people...I know what you are saying...and all I am saying is that I am tired of people whining constantly and yet having no VIABLE solutions to the problems...(aka, revenge and spite toward the company is not a viable solution to the problems we face at ASA) These people think that managment sits around all day, not trying to better the company, but trying to come up with new ways to screw the pilots and piss them off.....they believe that the company exists to serve them and make there lives better...the truth...the company exists to provide a service to there customers in exchange for a price which the company in turn uses to pay expenses, some of which are its employees....IN OTHER WORDS...the pilots are one of just many labor groups at the company....The freakin world does not revolve around us.

If you or I are unhappy with certain things, we come together and try to fix them...but keep in mind, we can't keep comparing ourselves to the BEST the industry has to offer...we need to compare ourselves to the average regional airline and realize that we are already above that so anything above and beyond is not something that the company owes us but is a gift that the give us...a reward so to speak. Yes i know Comair's contract is better, but for every comair, there are two other regionals who make less and or have worse labor rules (CHQ, MESA, EAGLE...etc)

In short, we should strive and hope for the best, but not complain every time we see someone else who has it a little better...at least thats how i live my life, because if you don't you will never ever be happy, because you will always be looking and envying the guy who's got it better....and no matter how good it gets, that guy will always exist.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

That is what this place is. Average. So quit sending me those stupid little ID cards that say this is the best regional airline. I might start believing it and want some more gifts!

 

[generaltso]

the truth...the company exists to provide a service to there customers in exchange for a price which the company in turn uses to pay expenses, some of which are its employees

Actually, the company exists to make money for it's shareholders.

 

[sweptback]

Actually, the company exists to make money for it's shareholders.

ASA hasn't had any shareholders for 5 years.

 

[FL990]

ok,

I can see that i have drawn attention to myself..lol.

Alright, first, yes i know that the purpose of the corporation is to "maximize the wealth of the shareholders." The point that i was trying to make before was simply that the purpose isn't to have the best, highest paid, happiest pilot group in the industry...we are just one of many pieces of the puzzle.

Now for the other reply...
Oakum, i am not saying this place is average. I am saying that it is above average for a regional airline. The only place that has it better across the board in terms of there contract is Comair. Yes there are pieces of this contract and pieces of that contract and that one too and this otherone that, if put together, are superior to ours, but we have it pretty stinkin good for a regional. And I am NOT trying to convince the world that ASA is heaven. As i have said, its not perfect. I know there are times when the company purposefully violates the contract because its cheaper to do so and face the grievance than it is to comply. BUT THE SOLUTION IS NOT WHINING. We act...systematically increasing the cost of greivances on the company coupled with not grieving something every time they just piss you off would help solve this problem.

Heck, people whine when there is no violation at all. If they get extended, short called, cancelled, everything...they whine just to hear themselve complain. These are all part of the job we signed up for and all i am saying is don't complain when the company is simply asking you to do your job. If they violate the contract, go after them...grieve it, don't let it go...but don't frikin whine and bring everyone around you down with you..think positive dude, and you will be much happier...cool

And no hard feelings...I'm not the bad guy, trust me.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I might start believing it and want some more gifts!

Speaking of, it's almost time for Christmas Cookies.