ATA vs AWA

[Moggs]

I have been fortunate enough to be hired by both ATA and AWA. I have done alot of home work on both companies and I have found several positive and negative aspects for these airlines when assessing my personal desires. I was hoping I could get some additional input from everyone out there who reads these posts and are more familiar with the companies than I might be right now. I know what they fly, where they fly, and the domiciles (the basics). I am interested in your opinions on life style, pay, benefits, scheduling policies with working with AF Reserve personnel, commuting, etc. I intend to live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and will commute out of DFW. Thanks in advance for you help!

Moggs

 

[Heavy Set]

What aircraft types offered at both?

Has AWA offered you a particular aircraft type - do you know whether you will be flying Boeing vs. Airbus?

What about at ATA - do you know the aircraft offered - 737-800, 757 or L1011?

Just curious. Congrats!

 

[altimaklr]

I'd go with America West.. After their contract is worked out, things should return to normal. HP is a more established, known airline. Also, commuting to PHX should be easier then MDW.

 

[dispatchguy]

When I dispatched at American Eagle, I commuted between DFW/MDW all the time on ATA - and the crews were always great, so DFWMDW is an easy commute.

DALMDW is a bit harder to do, but it can be done ;-)

And congrats by the way...

 

[Flying Freddie]

Which one? Jeeze, AWA has been teetering on the brink for years. ATA has big money problems. After GULF-BUSH II, where will they be headed? Tough choice. Good Luck. If I had to make a choice, I would be wrong. Keep sending out Resume's.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

I've been hired by ATA also. But I don't know anything about AWA. ATA is trying to grow out of the downturn. I wonder if the Chicago market will cooperate.

Did you look at the bid packs? The worst schedule I saw at ATA was 12 days off with some having 14 or 15 days off for the 737 and 757. The L-1011 has a 2 hr and a 12 hr reserve. I wish I knew more about the L-1011 lifestyle.

Have they offered you a class date yet at ATA? Which airframe?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I just talked to an AWA employee. They told me that Mgmt had told the employees that they had $270m cash total (including the $ from the gov't). They are trying to get positive cash flow. If they fail, they can last as long as the $270 holds out. It they burn through it, they're Chapter 7 (liquidation).

She told me that the Columbus hub is being closed, which will save them about $25m/yr.

I also talked to a pilot. He said flying for AWA sucked. He said the only good thing was he was getting paid to fly now.

Another pilot I talked to wished he'd stayed where he was, and he'd be an AA guy with a lot of seniority now. He left his airline to go to AWA, and didn't like it very much.

Every ATA employee I've talked to has loved flying for ATA.

Cliff
GRB

 

[cactuspilot]

ATA....Nuff Said

 

[General Lee]

I think ATA has a better chance of surviving all of this conflict, especially since they are flying a lot of $$$ CRAF flying. Their fleet is relatively new (except for the L1011's). Both AWA and ATA compete head on with Southwest---in PHX and MDW, and that could limit their growth a bit. Phoenix is nicer than Chicago. My pick in the end would be ATA, and bid the 757 base in LAX or SFO if you want to live on the West Coast.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[750driver]

I also talked to a pilot. He said flying for AWA sucked. He said the only good thing was he was getting paid to fly now.

Another pilot I talked to wished he'd stayed where he was, and he'd be an AA guy with a lot of seniority now. He left his airline to go to AWA, and didn't like it very much.

Every ATA employee I've talked to has loved flying for ATA.

Cliff
GRB

My personal opinion, after having worked for AWA for 2 years ... go with ATA. I have a friend that flies as a Captain on the B757 out of MDW and he loves it.

I'm not going to say anything bad about AWA on a public forum, but if you have questions, IM me.