ASA poolie question

[USC***]

I'm in the ASA pool and recently sent in another packet to update my information with them. They told me classes will likely start in March or April.

I am anxious to begin class with ASA, but if I leave my current company before April 1, I will lose out on about $2000 in my 401(k) which has not been vested over to me yet. If necessary I am willing to leave in March for a class(and lose the money), but my question is would it be ok to ask ASA if I could start class after April 1 if they tried to put me in an earlier class. Two Grand is not enough money to blow a chance at a good regional, but on the other hand, that $2K compounded over the next 35 years until I retire will add up to a larger sum. Is it ok to ask when the time comes, or should I not worrry about it?

 

[TWA 2 ASA FO]

USC,

Take the 1st class they offer you. I would bet if you asked 100 airline pilots if $2,000 was worth 20 seniority numbers, 100 out of 100 would say yes. The 1 class of seniority can make a differance between a line and reserve. That doesn't sound like much, but if you fly more as a line holder you can more than make up for the $2,000 in the 1st year alone.

Seniority plays a huge part in every day life as an airline pilot. In fact, here at ASA the only thing that comes to mind that is not affected by seniority is who is called out on reserve. Also, seniority is the only thing that is "cast in stone". If someone is senior to you at an airline, they will ALWAYS be senior to you. There is no way to change seniority in the future.

 

[601Pilot]

If you don't mind losing about 20 to 40 numbers
in seniority, then I would ask. I put off class
for about 4 months when I was initially hired,
so I know it has been done.

Good luck!

 

[USC***]

I probably will take the first class they offer, but if I decide to wait, would they understand or would they say "forget this guy" and drop me from future consideration? I know there are thousands of others out there who want to work for ASA, so I don't want to shoot myself in the foot.

 

[USC***]

Thanks 601,

You posted right before I did, but answered my question.
I appreciate the help as always.

 

[sleepy]

The seniority is important. You should also consider that we have some petty people in our management. If you were to turn down a class, you may not get another chance.

A few seniority numbers could mean the difference between holding a line or spending years stuck in our wonderful reserve system.

Good luck!

 

[maxcackel]

I would ask 601pilot how long ago he was hired. Times are not the same I would take what ever they offered. There are people in the pool who were told there would be another class after the jan 2003 and guess what, there still has not been one since. Just my opinion.

 

[exeagle]

I would take it for sure. No one knows, yet ,how many classes there will be, and they can always cancel them at any time.

My 2cent

 

[Cash]

ditto sleepy,max, exeagle,etc....

politics is a dangerous game in this enviornment;
look forward to being integrated to fly with you.