Astar?

[FLYLOW22]

So what's the story with ASTAR?


What is it like to work there? I've seen the pay but what about the rest?

 

[FLYLOW22]

Sounds like a cool place.

 

[V2plus25]

1 week on / 1 week off.... that's all I know

 

[S2B]

From a new guy.

Been here at ASTAR about 6 mos. It is a great place to work. Lineholder schedule is 7on 7off. Reserve is 8on 6off. Hot reserve and X-line (buildup line) is 14 days off (28 day bid). 13 bid periods per year. I have held an X-line since I got off IOE. Pretty close to holding a hard line.

We have hired about 30 since December. Mostly to the 727 SO but a few have gone to DC8 SO. All new hires are assigned the SO seat. They may run a new hire class in Aug.

Upgrades: 10-11 yrs to CA. 6-8 years to FO. Pay is good after the first year. Health insurance is cheap and coverage is good. Lots of sick time. Really good 401k: 1-5yrs 9% company contribution, 5-10 yrs 12%, 10+ years 15%.

Our trip trade system is really good too. Pilots can trade really easily and crew scheduling is easy to work with too.

The company is moving all operations to ILN (Wilmington, OH) from CVG in September. DHL owns the airport and is centralizing operations there.

You can book a jumpseat online to and from work up to 30 days in advance. I think about 70-75% of the pilots commute so this is very important. Jumpseats are first-come, first-serve. We do have a commuter clause so if the plane breaks or flight cancels you don't get in trouble.

I love it here so far. Plan to stay. Hope this helps.

 

[Steve]

Been here at ASTAR about 6 mos. It is a great place to work. Lineholder schedule is 7on 7off. Reserve is 8on 6off. Hot reserve and X-line (buildup line) is 14 days off (28 day bid). 13 bid periods per year. I have held an X-line since I got off IOE. Pretty close to holding a hard line.

We have hired about 30 since December. Mostly to the 727 SO but a few have gone to DC8 SO. All new hires are assigned the SO seat. They may run a new hire class in Aug.

Upgrades: 10-11 yrs to CA. 6-8 years to FO. Pay is good after the first year. Health insurance is cheap and coverage is good. Lots of sick time. Really good 401k: 1-5yrs 9% company contribution, 5-10 yrs 12%, 10+ years 15%.

Our trip trade system is really good too. Pilots can trade really easily and crew scheduling is easy to work with too.

The company is moving all operations to ILN (Wilmington, OH) from CVG in September. DHL owns the airport and is centralizing operations there.

You can book a jumpseat online to and from work up to 30 days in advance. I think about 70-75% of the pilots commute so this is very important. Jumpseats are first-come, first-serve. We do have a commuter clause so if the plane breaks or flight cancels you don't get in trouble.

I love it here so far. Plan to stay. Hope this helps.

Do you happen to know what kind of backgrounds the 30 new hires had? Was it mostly regionals/military ? Any 135 or corp guys?

 

[Boeing747Driver]

Sounds like a cool place.

If you like being a FE for at least 5 years.

 

[hvydriver]

>If you like being a FE for at least 5 years.<


I'd say that's better than being furloughed, wouldn't you? Like S2B said, we've got a very good QOL here. Also one of the top four for pay in the industry in the US right now.

 

[backseater]

If you like being a FE for at least 5 years.

While it is a bit of a drag being in the backseat for that period of time, my retirement is still in place, I have a good quality of life with the ability to take 4-5 weeks off at a time and still make more than a right seater at United.

 

[UM#1]

One of the best perks is we don't have to get harrassed by TSA anymore....or disrespected by the pax who always joke about pilots and drinking and such...

 

[Boeing747Driver]

While it is a bit of a drag being in the backseat for that period of time, my retirement is still in place, I have a good quality of life with the ability to take 4-5 weeks off at a time and still make more than a right seater at United.

I never said it was a bad company. I just stated that you will be an FE for at least 5 years. I have a little knowledge of the company being I worked there DC-8 in a previous life.

 

[S2B]

Most of the other new-hires I have met came from all walks. Even mix of furloughs, regionals, corporate, and military. They don't seem to favor in one direction or another.

 

[FLYLOW22]

Thanks guys!

 

[rk772]

Is it possible to get an interview without a LOR or having your resume walked in?
I used to fly Metros to CVG under a DHL contract. I had the perfect opportunity to make contacts and I didn't take it. Young and dumb, I guess.