ASA Screening Call

[Hoodabundy]

Just got a phone call from pilot recruiting at ASA, and they want to do a phone screening. Any idea what they ask?? If hired are classes going in to the CRJ200 / 700 or both?

 

[Willy21]

Congrats on the call. They will ask some basic questions but what they are really after is info to start the background check. They want to know if you have any DUIs, accidents or incidents, those type of questions. They will also verify your mailing info and send you a mountian of paperwork to fill out and return.

As for what aircraft they will be putting the newhires in, your guess is as good as mine. The only thing you probably won't be in is the ATR. Those will all be gone in another 18 months. Best of luck and remember this thing can and will change at any time.

 

[Texx]

Just got a phone call from pilot recruiting at ASA, and they want to do a phone screening. Any idea what they ask?? If hired are classes going in to the CRJ200 / 700 or both?

Just take the damn call already! You can worry about screening your calls once you get the job. Then you'll be screening them from crew sch.

 

[Mysteryofflight]

Just got the call myself the other day. No news about what a/c they are hiring into, However they did mention classes would begin late Feb to early Mar. Hope they like our stuff right Hoodabundy? Then we can give the old finger to Red-Tail.

 

[ASApuppy]

It's hard to say what aircraft you'll get. The ATR is possible as senior FO's bid off of it. I'd think hard about bidding the 700. As a new hire you are committing yourself you many years of reserve. The pay is the same for the first year. After that the difference is only a couple hundred bucks a month. You can make that up swaping trips and having more control of your schedule. Yes, the 700 is a nicer airplane, but holding a line is worth more. When SLC opened, reserve for FO's went past 4 years. It's better now, and new hires are getting SLC, but they will be on reserve until the end of time. Think of this, most lineholders in SLC could be a CA in ATL. Point is, bid the ATR or 200 and enjoy your QOL. When the pay difference comes, then decide if you want it.

 

[AMCKLC]

Bid the ATR, then bid the 700. They will bypass you, and give you 700 pay. As said before, there is no diff the first year but 2nd year is almost $4. It is the best QOL for 700 pay at ASA. And yes the ATR lines suck but reserve suck worse.

 

[blueridge71]

I would not bet on the ATR being gone in 18 months. BL said in the crew room that Skywest would like to hang on to them because they are very efficient and paid for. In fact, I've even heard rumors of getting a new turboprop (such as one of the new Dash 8s), especially if fuel prices stay high.

Having said that, RUN FAR AWAY FROM ASA. We are on the verge of a strike and the work rules suck. Pay is okay if you can survive the first year at $19,000. There are much better places to work if you can find another job. If you can't and if you like an unfriendly work environment, then come on over!

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but it's better to find out what you are getting into before you go. I can give you specifics on the workrules if you want.

 

[ohplease!]

I would not bet on the ATR being gone in 18 months. BL said in the crew room that Skywest would like to hang on to them because they are very efficient and paid for. In fact, I've even heard rumors of getting a new turboprop (such as one of the new Dash 8s), especially if fuel prices stay high.

Having said that, RUN FAR AWAY FROM ASA. We are on the verge of a strike and the work rules suck. Pay is okay if you can survive the first year at $19,000. There are much better places to work if you can find another job. If you can't and if you like an unfriendly work environment, then come on over!

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but it's better to find out what you are getting into before you go. I can give you specifics on the workrules if you want.

Dude, put down the crack pipe. You really think we're going on strike?hahahalololololhahaha. Da-mn you're naive Company koolaide? nope. Its union crack for you my friend. That stuffs gonna really damage your mind. May have already done it.

Dash 8's...been a rumor for years. Since I was on the ATR. Believe it when you see the awards.

1st year pay sucks almost everywhere. Work rules are about the same too. A little better some places, a little worse others.

 

[blueridge71]

I said that we are on the verge of a strike. I definitely believe that we'll vote for one. Beyond that, it is up to the company and whether they want us to work or picket.

I pass along the Dash 8 rumor because I was told that by an IP recently. I'm skeptical of all rumors too.

I'm comparing the work rules to my old company. They suck.

 

[ohplease!]

I'm comparing the work rules to my old company. They suck.

Then, why the hell are you here?!?!?

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Uhhh...because he was kicked on the street maybe? Read his profile.

 

[ohplease!]

Uhhh...because he was kicked on the street maybe? Read his profile.

duh...I want to see him say it.

 

[Texx]

duh...I want to see him say it.

The mouth is at it, again.

To bad he won't talk this way around the crew lounge.

 

[ohplease!]

The mouth is at it, again.

To bad he won't talk this way around the crew lounge.

and you would do what?

 

[601Pilot]

Dude, put down the crack pipe. You really think we're going on strike?hahahalololololhahaha. Da-mn you're naive Company koolaide? nope. Its union crack for you my friend. That stuffs gonna really damage your mind. May have already done it.

Dash 8's...been a rumor for years. Since I was on the ATR. Believe it when you see the awards.

1st year pay sucks almost everywhere. Work rules are about the same too. A little better some places, a little worse others.

D@mn right I think we are going to strike! If our MEC would stop dragging
their feet and put this thing to a vote, we could get things moving. The
least they could do is draw a line in the sand with a deadline for all the
sections to be TA'd. If they don't hit that deadline, then the fun begins.
There are a lot of gray area in the RLA, and we should be pushing the edge.

From your previous comments, I know you are a company man and do
everything "by the book". Everytime I see someone doing single-engine
taxiing around here, I almost throw up. It just means I have to burn more
gas to make up for it!

Oh well, if DAL dies, then all of this arguing is for nothing anyway.

 

["GO AROUND"]

What's this I heard the other day that Brian is now saying that he wants the contract done NOW! WTF Over! When they want it it's ok? But the way they want it. Screw em!

It's scary how fast I went from wanting to stick it out at ASA to wanting to get the F out.

 

[Ganja60Heavy]

The new Kool-Aid from BL is "share the profits" with employees. Yeah right!

I'd rather have my Comair Christmas ham....at least I can sell it on eBay!

 

[blesko]

i got the call first part of october and interviewed on the 26th of october and am still in the pool. Encourging news about classes the end of february..anyone else heard that?

 

[HoserASA]

The new Kool-Aid from BL is "share the profits" with employees. Yeah right!

Do you who like 'performance-based' pay really want your income depended upon ramp and gate performance?

I don't think so.

We still have to wait to park now although the ramp operation is better than in the past. And nothing will change from the gate operation because of their low pay and being undermanned. Just pay us a fair wage and stick the performance crap where the sun doesn't shine! I'd rather have a salary I can count on and NOT depended upon other employee group's performance.

Hoser

 

[Texx]

and you would do what?

I don't have to do anything. Your words speak volumes about yourself.

 

[Texx]

The new Kool-Aid from BL is "share the profits" with employees. Yeah right!

Do you who like 'performance-based' pay really want your income depended upon ramp and gate performance?

I don't think so.

We still have to wait to park now although the ramp operation is better than in the past. And nothing will change from the gate operation because of their low pay and being undermanned. Just pay us a fair wage and stick the performance crap where the sun doesn't shine! I'd rather have a salary I can count on and NOT depended upon other employee group's performance.

Hoser

Are you going to be in YUL this month so I can give you a broken aircraft?

 

[HoserASA]

No! I'm hanging out in the other Canadian city, furthest west. lol

Hoser

ps Tex eh?

 

[Texx]

No! I'm hanging out in the other Canadian city, furthest west. lol

Hoser

ps Tex eh?

Do you still live in Blue Ridge?

 

[HoserASA]

No, moved again! Every 3-4 years, must have been the military that made me like this! Plus, the law, and ASA Scheduling Police, can't find me!

 

[Texx]

No, moved again! Every 3-4 years, must have been the military that made me like this! Plus, the law, and ASA Scheduling Police, can't find me!

Merry Xmas. See ya next year!

 

[HoserASA]

Merry Christmas to you too!

Hoser

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Do you who like 'performance-based' pay really want your income depended upon ramp and gate performance?
Hoser

Actually, the GO decided not to base our pay on ramp and gate performance. Starting in January our pay will be based on AirServ's Wheelchair performance.

 

[Crash Pad]

Just make performance based on what the can says. I'll hold up my end to make sure we get a fat bonus.

 

[shamrock]

Starting in January our pay will be based on AirServ's Wheelchair performance.

So I'm guessing we'll be seeing a truck load of payroll audit notices in our mailboxes.

"An audit of your December pay was conducted and a we have concluded you were overpaid by 100 hours. An adjustment of 37.5 hours will be made for the January 31 pay period and we expect to receive the balance owed the Company within 10 days of January 31. If we do not recieve the outstanding balance by that time the collection process will commence, and no, we don't care that you were on Military Leave, nor do we care that you notified us of the error and have already offered to pay it back. Unlike you, we have no integrity and won't hesitate to haul your ass to court to get our money."

 

[blueridge71]

Then, why the hell are you here?!?!?

Because I was furloughed and now I can't afford to leave. After spending a year working for peanuts, I've exhausted my bank account and credit. I actually took a pay cut from what I was making on unemployment.

I'm happy for the guy to have an interview, but I think that some straight talk is needed. If I had known the whole situation at ASA, I probably would have held out for ExpressJet or Air Wisconsin. From what I've heard from the people that I know there, those are much better contracts and much better corporate cultures.

As to the strike, as I said, I believe that there will be a strong showing in favor of a strike. The reality of a strike depends on the National Mediation Board and whether the management decides to give us a fair contract at the last minute.

I would not want to be a new hire in the middle of a strike and I think that prospective new hires need to know about that. Of course, the whole issue may be settled by the time he gets a class date. The new ASA Delta contract specifies that we will be one of the cheapest DCI companies in five years and I think that he deserves to know that as well, especially since other DCI companies include Mesa and Chataco.

In the meantime, a sampling of what we have:
-10 days off
-6 days off can be moved by the company at will with little or no advance notice
-15 hour reserve days
-virtually no chance of getting released early on your last of reserve
-no long call reserve
-no seniority based reserve (but you can bribe scheduling with a pizza if you can afford it)
-rampant junior manning
-no moving of your reserve days
-you can be released back to reserve after a reserve assignment but released from the airport
-no commuter clause
-occurrence system in which you can get a letter or be dismissed for being sick too much
-no bidding for sim slots - they are assigned, so even if you are senior in your class, you may get the worst slot
-an unfriendly work environment - a chief pilot reportedly told a pilot to wash his clothes in the hotel sink after his bag was lost

But to present a balanced picture, we do get:
-cancellation pay (unless you are on reserve)
-above guarantee pay for underblock
-day off if scheduling fails to notify you of a canceled trip
-good training department
-interesting flying from the Caribbean to California and from Mexico to Canada

I know close to half a dozen new hires who quit within their first couple of months because the working conditions were so bad. It really is in the companies best interest to improve work rules and morale. These guys probably cost $30K each to train and left after a couple of months with no training contract.

A contract is a matter of perspective. If you've never had a good one, then maybe it doesn't look so bad to you. If you have had a good one, it's hard to go back.

Congratulations on the phone interview. Good luck. I wish you well. Look at the whole picture before you commit to going anywhere. Look at some of the other threads about ASA to help you decide.