ASA questions......

[Fighterdude]

Can any experienced ASA pilots answer some questions for me please.....

1. A New-Hire CRJ pilot based in DFW can expect to be on reserve for how long approximately?

2. How long is the upgrade to captain in the CRJ in DFW?

3. What is the current pay for a first year First Officer?

4. What is the typical uniform worn by the pilots? Do they wear leather jackets?

5. What is the overall morale and atmosphere of flying from Dallas-FT Worth?

Thank you very much in advance for your responses......

signed,
Future ASA Pilot

 

[RJFlyer]

1. A New-Hire CRJ pilot based in DFW can expect to be on reserve for how long approximately? Depends how many lines. They put 29 FO positions on the November prelims for DFW RJ FO. If we kept the same number of lines, you'd be on reserve quite a while. Up to now it's only been a couple months.

2. How long is the upgrade to captain in the CRJ in DFW? I don't have my seniority list handy, but the junior award on the Nov. prelims went to 1032 out of 1500 or so, I'm guessing about 2 to 2.5 years. Brasilia went to 1459, about 3 months.

3. What is the current pay for a first year First Officer? $19.02 on all aircraft.

4. What is the typical uniform worn by the pilots? Do they wear leather jackets? Yes, but it's not pay-deductible like the rest of the uniform (it's optional).

5. What is the overall morale and atmosphere of flying from Dallas-FT Worth? Much better than in ATL. The rampers, gate agents, ops, everyone is easier to deal with.

 

[MetroSheriff]

1. It varies greatly. Could be a month, could be a year. It depends when you come on line and how much hiring continues behind. Difficult to predict at best.

2. Current DFW CRJ CA is about a March 2000 hire. On the Nov prelims it was August 2000, but they may not hold up on the finals.

3. Current contract 1st year $19.12 2d year $33.81. Of course we are in contract negotiations right now so that will change.

4. Typical monkey suit. We are authorized to wear the leather jacket in lieu of the sport coat. It is optional and purchased at your expense.

5. Morale is good. Great bunch of people to work with. The operation runs pretty smooth, and even when it hits a snag everyone seems to try their best. The people I work with are the best part of the job. Really great pilot group. I think you would like it immensely.


Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Best of luck to you and hope to see you out on the line.

 

[sleepy]

Fighterdude,

You are obviously a Navy or Marine aviator. Are you really considering ASA for employment? Have things gotten that bad that you cannot get a job at ATA, SWA, JetBlue, AirTran, etc.?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then welcome to ASA. It is probably the best place to wait out these difficult times in the airline industry. I'm glad to see us attracting more experienced people.

You shold be able to hold E-120 Capt. in DFW within a few (maybe 6 months), that is if we continue to fly them.

The leather jacket from Perrone Aviation Apparel is around $350. It's a great jacket, and I highly recommend it.

 

[stb]

Yes, it's that bad....

ASA is one of the few commuter airlines that has numorous training bonuses compared to other commuters. I will obviously will not say them because ASA could change the policy.

This is not to start a flame but the majority of the major airlines have furloughed and continue to furlough while the commuter divisions grow and are hiring. I'm surprised the pay for training has not been implemented again for commuter pilots.

Southwest is now requiring a 737 type included in the application.
AirTran, ATA, JetBlue, Fed Ex, UPS and Southwest have 12,000 plus applications on file per airline. Thats as tall as a 4 drawer filing cabinet.

JetBlue's competitive hours are 8000 TT with 3000 hours PIC of jet over 20,000 lbs. Airbus time is a plus, AB type helps also. This is for the civilian pilots. Military pilot time is less. JetBlue wants an even mixture of civilian and military pilots.

There are about 2500 pilots that fit the competitive hours for JetBlue. Included in the 2500 are USAirways pilots that have been at USAir over 12 plus years.

 

[Fighterdude]

Thanks for everyone's inputs.....it is really appreciated and I look forward to flying the line with you guys and gals.....
fighterdude

 

[kntrdr]

Ok, I have a question. Actually all the same questions that FighterDude had except in regards to the ATL base.
Also, does anyone know if Perrone will redo the inside of the leather jacket? I have one from Continental Express and If I could use that it would be awesome. I think I had heard some guys talking about that.

 

[sleepy]

Re: Yes, it's that bad....

ASA is one of the few commuter airlines that has numorous training bonuses compared to other commuters. I will obviously will not say them because ASA could change the policy.

Yes stb, I know how bad it is, I was furloughed too. I am just surprised that a Navy/Marine Fighter Pilot can not get a job at a place like SWA or JetBlue. I would think that they would much rather hire a guy right out of the military rather that someone on furlough. Being furloughed seem to be the kiss of death for finding another airline job.

I am at ASA, but I am not aware of the training bonuses that you mentioned. I want my training bonus!

 

[stb]

Nobody is hiring besides..

Fed Ex and JetBlue.
ATA and AirTran are starting new classes in the upcoming months while Fed Ex has stopped for the holiday season.

A couple of bonuses, at most commuters, new hirers have to pay for their hotel. Some wont pay guarantee til after training is complete. Freedom Airlines is one.
The big one is keeping your number. Comair requests the signature on the bottom line.
There are a couple of other "bonuses" for the furloughed major pilot turned new hire at ASA.

 

[RubberDuck]

Leather Jacket

"The leather jacket from Perrone Aviation Apparel is around $350. It's a great jacket, and I highly recommend it."

Is that with an ASA employee discount?

See Ya in ATL

 

[RJFlyer]

Employee discount That's a good one!

 

[sleepy]

Re: Leather Jacket

"The leather jacket from Perrone Aviation Apparel is around $350. It's a great jacket, and I highly recommend it."

Is that with an ASA employee discount?

See Ya in ATL

I'll bet if you order it without telling them that you are ASA, you can get it for $250.

 

[sleepy]

Re: Nobody is hiring besides..

Fed Ex and JetBlue.
ATA and AirTran are starting new classes in the upcoming months while Fed Ex has stopped for the holiday season.

A couple of bonuses, at most commuters, new hirers have to pay for their hotel. Some wont pay guarantee til after training is complete. Freedom Airlines is one.
The big one is keeping your number. Comair requests the signature on the bottom line.
There are a couple of other "bonuses" for the furloughed major pilot turned new hire at ASA.

Ahhh...I see what you are talking about. Do we pay the 75 hour guarantee to new hires? When I came through you got minimum wage as a new hire plus per diem, which actually was higher pay than the 75 hour guarantee at $19.02 per hour (that is sad isn't it). But, if you take into account that they pay your travel and hotel, I guess ASA is better than most Express carriers out there.

 

[Fighterdude]

Hey Sleepy,
Why is a guy like yourself with over 5,500 hours not flying with SWA, JetBlue, Airtran, ATA?................you seem like you are experienced........

 

[katanabob]

Howdy. I have two questions myself for the ASA guys-

1. Is there any way I can obtain/borrow copies of the ground school materials prior to my classdate? I know it's jumping the gun a little bit, but I'd like to give myself as little a chance to fall behind as possible.

2. Does anyone know offhand when benefits start? (Medical/Dental, Travel, etc.)

Thanks.
-bob

 

[Klamath]

Bennies

You won't know what aircraft you are getting until day one of class. Time would be better spent studing FAR/AIM. In class, just get together with study partners at the Red Roof, you shouldn't have a problem with the aircraft. The first two-weeks of indoc cover company policy, you can study limitations etc. then.


Medical and Travel starts 30 days after hire date. Just an idea,... if you do need to go to the doctor after your 30 days. Do not go to a doctor that has seen you for the same thing in the last 180 days. The insurance company will not pay for an "existing condition".

 

[FL000]

kabob,

1. Everyone thinks they need this; no one really does. Don't worry about it. You'll have everything you need when you get here and plenty of time to soak it in. To have it in your possession without someone to explain it or put in into perspective for you might do more harm than good (primacy).

2. It's either travel--30 days, and Health/Dental--immediate, or vice versa. I can't remember, so hopefully someone else will chime in.

extras: try to get a room at the Red Roof with a "business" layout. It has a big corner desk which makes it easier to organize your materials while studying.

If you need to blow off some steam, go to Malone's or B-52s where your business is appreciated. Don't waste your time or money at THE other place, especially on a busy night.

 

[sleepy]

Hey Sleepy,
Why is a guy like yourself with over 5,500 hours not flying with SWA, JetBlue, Airtran, ATA?................you seem like you are experienced........

I flew heavy jets for a large national cargo carrier, and got a furlough. I ended up at ASA because I live in ATL. I have thought about leaving for AirTran and a few others, but in these uncertain economic times I am not in the gambling mode. ASA is a good place to wait-out the current situation, who knows, depending on our next contract it could become a pretty good career.

 

[exeagle]

Anyone know what slots have been given out in the past few classes? Thanks.

 

[shamrock]

2. It's either travel--30 days, and Health/Dental--immediate, or vice versa. I can't remember, so hopefully someone else will chime in.

[/B]

Non-rev travel is 30 days but you can jumpseat as soon as you get your ID. I didn't have to use my medical or dental in the first 30 days so I'm not sure on that.

 

[Medeco]

Slots given

Exeagle,

If your asking about aircraft assignments I was talking with some guys last night that have seen the awards.These ASA guys also are friends with 2 poolies in the Oct21 class.They found these new hires names listed and one was EMB120/Dallas and the other was ATR/Atlanta, they have the same experience currently so no real rime or reason we can figure out as to how they decide who goes in which plane, with the exception of age in your class.The ATR guy is older.

Also, people are saying that all future EMB120 assignments will be going to Dallas because the planes will be based there until it's phase-out by mid 2003.

All of this info is rumor so take it as you will.I would say anybody who says they know exact info must be hangin with Skip Barnett.

Medeco

 

[katanabob]

Thanks for the good info. See you next month.

 

[Beavis]

Oct 7 class was.....

5 Emb120
5 ATR
16 CRJ200
3 CRJ700

Good luck, so far ASA is great!