AWA opens LAS Domicile

[CACTUS A-320]

Just announced that 75 captains and 75 F/O's will be based in LAS, I believe as soon as December. I am assuming these are all for the Airbus, but I have not yet seen that in writing. I think this is a small start to the domicile, and it will grow with at least two fleet types.

 

[Orionpilot]

Awa

Any speculation from long term Cacti as to whether LAS will go senior or junior?Rumor has it that there a few pilots who reside in LAS from the last time we had a domocile there and for the tax advantages.
Orionpilot

 

[Tomct]

Hey guys, this is off the subject, but i just got a call for an interview. I am very nervous about leaving my present job of 6 years, to start all over. What is your take on your company? Is it going to continue to go Strong or Falter? Looking for some insight!! And yes, I know you have to do it sometime, but I am trying to plan it to the best of my ability?

 

[JetMonkey]

I just left my cushy job after 4 1/2 years. Jet Capt, line holder, 15 days off a month, about 1800 pilots below me. And you know what? I haven't looked back...you'll love it here.

 

[MK82Man]

Cactus -- here is the print from today's HP Today

October 6 , 2004

NEW DOMICILE ON THE HORIZON
America West is scheduled to open a LAS Airbus Pilot domicile in early 2005. Opening a second pilot domicile provides the company with some cost savings and operational improvement based on the growth of LAS. Roughly 15 percent of our Airbus pilots will be transferred to the new domicile.

Tomct -- I'm headed to training in two weeks, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm real excited. If they have 757s in my class I'm waffling on bidding that vice AB. Nice thing about AWA is that you can go 37, 57, or AB. AB is quicker off reserve but with all the talk about growth in 57 community, that sounds good too. The one thing I can tell you is that to a man/woman, the HP folks that post on this board are quality dudes/dudettes. I don't think I've seen a "slanderous" comment from any of them. Everyone seems to like it a lot. I'd encourage you to give 'em your best effort. Asking someone to predict HPs future is tough, the industry is on the cusp of fundamental change -- nobody knows what 2005 holds. Jet Blue, SW, and AWA have the three lowest CASM of anyone ... my gut feel is that they will make it. Get the annual report and see how much $$ they have in the bank. You will be very surprised.

 

[Resume Writer]

Have they said whether they are going to build lines there or make it a reserve base? I know the FA's were pretty much extra's when the base was there before. Do not remember how the pilots were set up.

As far as the person who is unsure of leaving his current job of 6 years, I think it is a good move. The best time to get hired at an airline historically seems to have been in the middle of a decade. I think AWA will make it. Doug Parker has done a great job since 9/11. He basically walked in 10 days before 9/11 as CEO, (although he had been at the airline) and kept the airline afloat.

At the time of 9/11, we only had about $30 million in the bank, and were burning through $1 million a day. He and the employees turned it around. He had a huge mess to clean up from Bill Franke, and from what I have seen, he is making great strides.

The pilots at AWA are treated pretty well. The guys and gals that fly the airplanes are great, as are the rest of the frontline people. I can only think of about 5 pilots that I hated to fly with there and they have pretty much retired.

I would take the job if it is offered to you. I think you will be very happy!

Kathy

 

[CACTUS A-320]

60 lines will be built initially (flying transferred from PHX). A lot of night flying.

 

[General Lee]

MK82,


If you choose the 757, you will LOVE it. I don't know much about the bus, and I don't know anything about your reserve over there, but you will love the 757.



Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[HAL]

From the info from company and union:

It is a permanent domicile, with lineholders and reserve.

Airbus only to start.

75 FO's and 76 capt's to start, with 10 "rovers" each. The rovers are people who could be assigned either PHX or LAS on a monthly basis to cover need.

All people bidding into LAS must be current and qualified on the equipment, by LOA with the company, to reduce initial startup costs. All additional growth will be filled by standard company-wide vacancy bid.

A set of "proposed" sample pairings show that most of the trips would start out on eastbound red-eyes - so yes - most flying would be night flying.


It is a promising place to be. For those starting class soon, I'd be prepared to have the choice (like I did) of Airbus, or Airbus. They haven't hired into the 757 in the last few months, and only a small handful into the 737. With the new Airbus's coming soon that is where the growth is. If we do get the 757's from ATA as the rumors have said, the pilots from ATA will probably come along with the planes and we won't have a large hole to fill there. The growth is still with the Airbus for now.

See you around the school yard!

HAL

 

[xrated]

Hey HAL,

Have you I.O.E.'d yet?

 

[CaptSeth]

the pilots from ATA will probably come along with the planes and we won't have a large hole to fill there.

See you around the school yard!

HAL

Super! Can't wait to bid LAS. I'll just bring all of my seniority on over, and have a good 'ole time!

....or perhaps I'm being a bit premature.

 

[HAL]

Hey HAL,

Have you I.O.E.'d yet?

Yep, currently sitting in the hotel in Boston. Did a four-day trip last week, and should finish up IOE this evening going back to PHX. It's been fun, the check airmen have been great - and the plane flies much better than the sim!

Super! Can't wait to bid LAS. I'll just bring all of my seniority on over, and have a good 'ole time!

....or perhaps I'm being a bit premature.

Hmmm... is that the sound of a stapler I hear....

Actually we all just hope the best for each of you at ATA, and if you do end up here it should be fair for everyone involved. Good luck!
HAL

 

[Cactus73]

It is a promising place to be. For those starting class soon, I'd be prepared to have the choice (like I did) of Airbus, or Airbus. They haven't hired into the 757 in the last few months, and only a small handful into the 737.
HAL

There were 5 737 and 1 757 in the last class. I think we are going to need some more 737 FO's in the near future as we are getting a little short on the reserve staffing. We have a lot of 737 FO's going to Airbus FO and even a few going to Airbus CA. Most have training dates this Fall.

There may be a choice of Airbus or 737.

 

[HAL]

There were 5 737 and 1 757 in the last class. I think we are going to need some more 737 FO's in the near future as we are getting a little short on the reserve staffing. We have a lot of 737 FO's going to Airbus FO and even a few going to Airbus CA. Most have training dates this Fall.

There may be a choice of Airbus or 737.

That is quite possible. What I posted came from what I heard from people in the training department the last couple months. They aren't planning on hardly any new-hire 737 people. The one 757 guy however was an internal hire; he had been a 757 ground school instructor for quite a while and finally got hired as a line pilot.

HAL

 

[Tomct]

The Call

Hey thanks for all of the support. I worked the ramp there for three years and I know what you mean about cleaning up after Franke. I will hopefully be in touch with the right people on Monday. Thanks again,

I hope it is the 757 Baby!!!!

 

[JetMonkey]

There's six 737's new hires in my class and are in the middle of training right now, they should be all done by the end of the month and out on the line in Nov. So, hang in there all you 737 reserves....they're comming!

 

[flynAAvy]

Hey Carb Heat... have you started IOE yet? I'm finishing up on Tuesday. The first two trips were awesome.

I'll piggy-back on what HAL was sayin'... great Check Airmen, great company and an absolutely great time. It's funny... everyone I talk to who's been around for a while says that HP has always been a good company to work for (nice folks, fun, laid back , etc.). They also say that the current managment is actually trying to run it like an airline (unlike Franke, who raped the company for his own benefit). I'm pretty much an idiot but it seems like the overall equation looks pretty promising. Just my .02.

Anyhoo... on my last trip, the CA's cell was ringing off the hook (after the BIG meeting on Monday). Seems like a bunch (20+) of 757's are on the horizon (LAX/PHX - HNL?)... Maybe that will make the Bus a little less top heavy. I'm just praying I don't get sent to LAS!

Good luck to ya'll.

 

[xrated]

Nope, just sittin around waiting for the word. Got a loft scheduled on the 17th so if I don't bounce, that will be the deal. It will have been a month at that point. Kind of anxious to get out there.

 

[miles otoole]

Hey guys, this is off the subject, but i just got a call for an interview. I am very nervous about leaving my present job of 6 years, to start all over. What is your take on your company? Is it going to continue to go Strong or Falter? Looking for some insight!! And yes, I know you have to do it sometime, but I am trying to plan it to the best of my ability?

WN just hired a HP Captain. Go figger.

 

[steveg]

Hmmmmmmmm.......


HAL in Boston, rumors of someone playing the piano naked. Coincedence?