Astar Cargo Help PLEASE!!!!!

[xkuzme1]

I have an interview this coming Tuesday. I have some big decisions to make and I am looking to educate myself further.

Q) How long on the panel? I know there are a bunch of ROPES that cant upgrade. How does/will that effect the upgrades to the FO slots?

Q) Basic company outlook? Privately held, it is hard to learn about some of the dynamics of the company when they do not answer to stockholders.

Q) Is the training done via AQP or is it traditional?

Q) How do you feel about job security?

Q) How is commuting? MCI info would be great?

Q) Crash pads needed?

Q) How are the insurance benefits.

They are hiring for an APR 4 class. My second son is supposed to be born on March 27th. I am a little stressed out right now.

Any other information that you think would be good to know and help me make my decision is much appreciated.

Thanks Everyone!

Xkuzme

 

[hvydriver]

I'm going to defer to our "younger" pilots for most of your questions. This is a good company, with a great bunch of pilots, and we are supposed to be refleeting soon, and increase the current fleet size by 10 a/c. To buy off on this as an absolute would violate my rule about aircraft purchases: Never believe it unless you're in the seat and hear V1. If they do not do it, then you're going to be an FE for a minimum of 10 years.

Having said that, there are no furlough provisions for 2 years from this month, (the DOS of our new CBA)and a clause stating Astar will not be drawn down below our current fleet size (43) unless DHL goes below that number of a/c utilized in the US. Pay first year will be less than what you make as a Capt. flying that electric jet, maybe longer. If you come into it with your eyes open, and keep your feelers out for anything better that might come along, then it could be an ok deal for you. Just don't get sucked into the good work schedules and let a few years slide by as an FE if we don't refleet. That could be fatal to your career.

 

[xkuzme1]

...

Thank you very much. I appreciate the info.

X

 

[Airbus300]

How many did they say they were hiring? No one really knows the answers to most of those questions. A crashpad is probably needed for a while. Insurance is ok. Hvydriver pretty much summed it up. Some Ropes will be upgrading...How many..I am not sure? Guess would be 20 to 30.. I am sure some will settle for the F/O seat. Others Captain.. We will see.

 

[trijetter]

If you enjoy flying an airplane, being an engineer for 9-13 years will torpedo your career, no one wants to interview you. ASTAR Is a good company but we are an ACMI carrier and have no core product, our current ACMI with DHL runs to 2019 after that who knows. Good guys to work, great time off, not flying an airplane for 10 years, Priceless!

 

[AV8OR]

Q) How long on the panel? I know there are a bunch of ROPES that cant upgrade. How does/will that effect the upgrades to the FO slots?

Like anything else, it's dynamic. The guys at the top waiting for a right seat are 9.5-10 years. If I upgrade in the next 2 years, I'd be in my 9th year. We have some ropes that are getting ready to punch out. Many plan on waiting for left seat and bypassing right seat.

Q) Basic company outlook? Privately held, it is hard to learn about some of the dynamics of the company when they do not answer to stockholders.

Depends on who you talk to. Read the Yahoo Finance message boards on ABX, and you read of our impending demise due to our inefficient aircraft, requirement for catering on certain flights, and lack of innovation in the "express" industry by not having "C" container loading systems. That being said, all indicators are that DP is very appreciative of John Dasburg and his influence, financially, politically, etc. He has made a LOT of money here. He and his investors, paid $57mill for the company three years ago, and last year sold 49% of it back to DHL for $120Mill. Hans Hickler, CEO DHL US, is on the board. DHL has screwed the pooch in a lot of ways over the last few years. We have advised them against some moves they've done anyway, but at the end of the day, we know that they are the customer and we do what they want very well....so they're happy with us.

Q) Is the training done via AQP or is it traditional?

AQP

Q) How do you feel about job security?

Other than UPS and FedEx, about as good as it gets, but YMMV. "Security" is a myth.

Q) How is commuting? MCI info would be great?

Again, bout as good as it gets. Seat protected on both AStar and ABX aircraft, i.e. flight doesn't make it in on a DHL aircraft you are on, or CASS fails, or whatever, regarding you not making it in on DHL aircraft, no explanation in the model airplane museum (CP's office). Also, we are CASS, it costs $50 for a two year parking pass at CVG and many of us keep cars there and commute in and out of CVG and drive to ILN. Also, company just started complimentary 7 day a week, multiple time a day van service between CVG and ILN. I have commuted for 8 years and think it's a breeze.


I left corporate avaiation, (for the most part) 8 years ago for DHL. I miss, modern equipment, company expense accounts, some sweet layovers, probably more days off, a higher paycheck than what I make now, (assuming I wouldn't be in the middle of a flight dept. closing), and flying with my favorite captain....or just flying.

I like, the possibilities here. I enjoy the lack of political BS that goeson in most corporate depts. Flying in classics is kinda cool. Really enjoyed the intnl. ops when we did more of it. Once you get tot the right seat, pay is about as good as it gets now. 401K company contributions are "insane" compared to what other industries or airlines have. Bennies are good. Vacation and time off, incredible, (this year, three times a year by combining vacation with creative bidding, I'll have three, month long vacations. Year ten that goes to 4.)

Bottom line, as a S/O, it's a good job, but pay sucks when compared to other "positions" in the aviation industry. Once you hit the right seat, you'd be hard pressed to make that kind of money, with those kind of bennies, and that amount of time off.

Good luck and congrats on the new addition.

 

[xkuzme1]

...

Wow, thanks for the help. That gives me a lot more to think about.

X

 

[Tweaker]

_____I just got a call this AM for an interview next mon, tue or wed. Class would be April 7th, not 4th as stated by someone earlier.
_
_____I have not been paying attention to ASTAR recently, due to the negotiating chaos. I would love to leave the Part 121 Passenger business behind, since it is so unstable. I need to find out more about ASTAR and quick.
_
_____I have a job offer at US Airways, but no class date, yet. I don't know what to do, but would love the option and anyone's friendly advice.

 

[ABXbooger]

AV8or, I think that is a pretty irresponsible post. I guess you buy into what is being said on Yahoo, huh?

Seriously for all interested I would try and wait to make a decision until the verdict is handed down from DHL this May. Things could be getting VERY ugly in the US for DHL.

 

[hvydriver]

Seriously for all interested I would try and wait to make a decision until the verdict is handed down from DHL this May. Things could be getting VERY ugly in the US for DHL.

The only way it will get ugly for Astar is if DHL draws down the entire US air network below our current fleet level. (43 jets) The hiring for now is to bring the SO numbers up to where they need to be.

 

[ABXbooger]

A couple of questions:

How can you dictate to DHL what and who flys for them? I know, your owned 49% by DHL, I wonder what UPS and Fedex will say about your ability to dictate to them about your staffing levels ( i.e. ownership and control).

Also, given a straight re-fleet (43 for 43) how many people does that put on the street? (3 man planes for 2 man).

Also, what happens if DHL shuts down Astar? Was the 110+ million overpriced buy a payout? What happens if Astar buys another company?

And I would venture a guess that Dasburgs influence at DHL has run it's course. Zumwinkel and Das were close, Frank "the razor" is not chummy with anyone and cares about the bottom line, not who has potential political influence. That influence has not done very well for DHL, has it? Das has made a LOT of money here, DHL HAS NOT.

As the old Knight Templar said in Indiana Jones..."Choose wisely, my friend...".

 

[AV8OR]

"As the old Knight Templar said in Indiana Jones..."Choose wisely, my friend..."."

Hey Boog...that I agree with. I could have punted this job no less than three times for higher pay, in the last three years, one flying a G550 and Citation X. Chose not to for a variety of reasons. I can still leave and get a pretty good gig flying REALLY nice equip, but am going to watch it play out. The man, wanted an opionion from an AStar pilot. I gave him ONE. I don't have a crystal ball into the future. I might be king of the world or dead by this afternoon, (more likely dead), but here's what I know as of the last 30 min...

A. I have a conract and I like t.
B. If they pull up the posts on AStar, I have a good contingency.
C. I stay current.
D. My check got direct deposited as usual.....today.
E. We are hiring for some reason, I do not know why.
F. AStar Air Cargo doesn't do one dang thing that DHL doesn't sign off on.
G. DHL has had multiple opportunities to park us over the years, with and without JD, but for some reason hasn't.
F. When somebody asks my opinion, I'm gonna give it the way I see it and I really don't give a tinker's d**n whether you like it or not.
G. It would have only been irresponsible if I told him things I knew weren't true or tried to manipulate him into coming here. I did neither, and ultimately don't really care who comes to work here.
H. After recommending a friend for a job here, him interviewing and subsequently being offerred a position, he was offered what I thought was a potentially better position at the guard full time. I encouraged him to take it, although it probably soured some of my influence for LOR's in the future.
I. I pointed him to the ABXA Yahoo board if he'd like a 180 degree opposite opinion. Cause he'll get quite an education on the attitude towards us from the other side of the field.
J. If they pull up the posts at AStar today, it won't be any different than any other aviation job. Here today, gone tomorrow.
K. Don't you have a contract you need to be working on, picketing for, or maybe 15 or so pilots undermining your efforts in Osaka you could be speaking with? Dude, when we thought we were gonna furlough, we raised thousands of dollars as a pilot group to help our brothers and sisters out. Didn't yall just pick up more open time? You wanna call ME irresponsible? Please.

\

 

[AV8OR]

Oh yeah, one other thing exkuzme, in the name of responsibility, you don't want to come to work at AStar......we're not CATII.

Good luck.

 

[Johnlp3]

Resist the temptation. You will be an FE for a very, very long time. Let's clear up some myths. This is not meant to be cynical, just the reality of ASTAR. So make an informed decision.

Myth #1: ASTAR is getting 10 more aircraft
We currently have 43 aircraft, the company only counted 37 for the growth provision in the contract. So 37+10=47. We are only "guaranteed" a net gain of 4 aircraft in 4 years. If they don't meet the "growth" provisions we are rewarded with a bonus check (which is much cheaper than buying new aircraft).

Myth #2: ASTAR is refleeting
This is based on the "guarantee" that half of all new aircraft purchased will be 2 pilot a/c. This is supposed to start in 09. Anyone who has been here can tell you if they say it will happen in 1 year, it takes at least 3 (or never)! Like moving the simulators, CAT-II, electronic flight bags, new cities, hiring, etc.

Myth #3 The upgrade now is 9 years, but it will take me less time because of growth and attrition!
Nope. Right now the junior FO has a seniority number of about 400/500 some simple math will tell you that for growth you need at least 11 more aircraft to get to the right seat. There will be some attrition, but not much, since very few people leave and age 65 will lock things up for a while. Also, the current upgrades were before the age 65 rule went into effect. So most upgrades now will go to the age 60-65 crowd (about 20 people). If we do get 2 pilot aircraft this still applies, and by then there will be no furlough protection either. Or the company could just pay us the "bonus" for not meeting the growth aircraft deadlines.

Myth #4 ASTAR has a 7on/7off schedule
Yes and no. Hard lines are based on a 28 day bid with minimum days off of 14. The schedules are built so that days on are in blocks of 6 or more. If you are senior enough to be able to "pick your matrix" you can theoretically have a 7/7 schedule. If you are not senior enough you can get stuck with 14 days or more on because of how the bids line up! There is no provision for guaranteed days off after a rotation, so if you get a line with the last 7 on, and the next bid get the first 7 on you are hosed.

If you hold a reserve line it is 8/6, and if you hold an X line who knows. Trijetter can tell you, as a junior guy you can get stuck with 16-21 days on occasionally with these types of lines.

While I personally don't regret coming here, I can tell you it is a risk. I was betting on growth and the "potential" this place has. So far we have only gone backwards (less aircraft, pilots, and lines). There is still alot of "potential", but I don't expect us to grow to the 54 aircraft it would take to upgrade anytime soon.

 

[ABXbooger]

The fact that you represent the OPINIONS on the Yahoo board as fact is the irresponsible part. The true fact is that is an anonymous board with half the posters there representing an Astar point of view, or at least DHL, as you guys will still not believe you aren't DHL.

When we furloughed, we actually raised enough money to cover every pilot furloughed for a full 6 months of pay.

And you brag about only doing what DHL tells you to do. Your CEO just made a 600% profit, off your backs, and WILL NOT put a penny into his own company unless it comes from DHL, yet you are happy with your new contract with all these new "guarantees".

Do a search about the last time Astar hired and what happened.

I stand by my first statement: wait until DHL makes it's moves in May.

I wouldn't go to ABX right now either to be fair.

 

[rotor&wing]

The Yahoo board is a joke. I would venture to say the majority of the posters aren't pilots, and probably don't work for either company. It's a troll paradise.

As far as CEO's and what they make, that's called "business". Ol' Joe Hete has made a small fortune off the pilot's backs and continues to do so. Hete and Dasburg are pretty much the same except for one thing, Dasburg has managed to keep the Germans on his side while Hete continues to alienate them.

But I do agree, May will be interesting.

 

[shooter]

There is not one serious discussion on the Yahoo board. It is all hot air speculation and what seems to be a severe hatred of ABX by Astar. But like I first said, there is nothing of any merit there so that may be just hot air as well.

My advice xkus would be to take as much advice from the Yahoo board on your career as you would take medical advice from the kid at Taco Bell. In my opinion you are asking questions at the right place here on FI, just avoid that bit about Yahoo.

 

[rotor&wing]

as you would take medical advice from the kid at Taco Bell.

What?? I got a First Class Medical and a couple of burritos from that kid!

 

[shooter]

What?? I got a First Class Medical and a couple of burritos from that kid!

He asked the guy in front of me if he could check for a hernia; I was gone before I heard the answer. That wasn't you was it?

 

[ABXbooger]

wouldn't that be a "uno classico"