AWA Pay Rates?

[Sammy@US]

Anyone knowledgeable about AWA? I would like to know about their pay rates, fleet size, # of pilots, will they make you resign from previous airline if furloughed, etc.

I've got an application from them last week.

Thanks.

 

[cactus]

Pay?- 15 yr. captain = $124.07/hr, 5 yr. F/O = $72.30/hr

Fleet size?- 145 aircraft.

Pilots?- 1700+

Resign from previous airline?- yes.

 

[Sammy@US]

Thanks for the reply Cactus,

How about a 1st year F/O pay, any pension benefits, and 401k?
What kind of reserve system do you have?

Thanks again!

 

[cactus]

First yr. F/O pay = $34.23/hr. (about $35k first year).

No pension!

401k = 50% up to 6% of salary (worst in industry).

Reserve = 4 shifts (A, B,C,D).
A = 0400 - 1600
B = 0830 - 2030
C = 1530 - 0330
D = 2100 - ? (not sure).
All 1 hour call out. Yes you heard me right, only 1 hour call out(again, the worst in the industry).
All shifts are bid based on seniority.

Keep in mind that we are negotiating a new contract and things could change. From what I have heard about the new TA I wouldn't expect much improvement.

Good Luck

 

[Sammy@US]

Cactus,

US Airway's 401k had no matching for the 14 years I was there, so 50% is not too bad.

Do guys on reserve get called out by seniority, reverse seniority, volunteering, or lowest time?

I really appreciate you taking time to answer my questions.

Thanks!

 

[jon coqtoestone]

Irregular operations uses a sophisticated crew assignment system, which varies with the phase of the moon.

Usually, your reserve shift is assigned by seniority bid, but is adjusted depending on how many days you're good for versus another pilot.

As far as trip assignments are concerned, the decision on who gets the call is based on "first in-first out," but again varies depending on how many days available a reserve is.

So, if it comes down to two guys on the same reserve shift, with the same number of days available, having gotten back in on the same day, they are equal, and scheduling spins the "Wheel of Fish" to see who goes out -- seniority ain't got nothin' to do with it.

At least that's how it's been this week. Your mileage may vary. Cheers!

 

[temcgrew]

Cactus compared to my company (part 135 on-demand).

1. On call 24 hours per day 1.5 hour notice for 12 days straight then off 2 maybe 3 before the pager comes back on.

2. 401k no matching unless you are with the company for 3 years or more. and then only 3% to 4% is possible.

3. 5 year captain pay around $65,000 per year.

4. No scheduel at all, Just call in every day between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm to see If you are on a trip the next day. (I just got home from a 3 day trip with that type of notice.)

In all, It just doesn't sound bad at all to me!!!

Were do I sign?!!!!!!!

 

[jon coqtoestone]

Greetings, UEJ; top of the afternoon to ya! Although it's really easy to infer that we're sniveling, ungrateful slobs out here in the desert, it's merely the result of beating our heads against the wall dealing with a management "team" heck-bent on destroying the scheduled airline profession.

Yes, our nearly-8-year-old contract gives us a far better standard of living than some counterparts in the industry. It's all how you compare it -- compared to a non-sched operator, a flight school, a "regional" (whatever that means anymore), I guess I must confess we do have it sweet! But, for a scheduled major airline doing a few billion dollars in business, it's a sham. But I am grateful to have a job -- just not sure for how long.

On another note: PHX-MEM nonstop in an RJ. Southwest folks, rejoice! We're doing our best to alienate our last loyal pax and send them your way!

Ain't nothin' regional about a "regional jet." (Ahhh, deep breathing exercises now -- in ... out ... in ... out ...)

 

[jetdriven]

worse yet the Freedom Air scabs are starting nonstop between PHX and BNA!

what 3 hours?

PM me for a list of these fine folks.

 

[temcgrew]

jon coqtoestone: thanks for the reply, I meant not to discredit your complaints. trust me, I understand. When I started flying ondemand, I was thrilled, now I have some complaints myself. I just want the opportunity NOW to complain tomorrow about working for any major airline!!

I just sent in an app. Like I said...SIGN ME UP!!

 

[jon coqtoestone]

UEJ, cool! Best of luck to you. The environment is quite harsh right now, but still a great group of folks to share the friendly confines of the "flight deck" with.

Jetdriven, I must've been under my rock -- PHX-BNA? Hadn't heard that one yet, but it's just a matter of time I suppose. Now, how tough will it be for these BNA pax to choose their carrier? Hmmm . . . a proven airframe (737) operated by a proven airline (SW) or a new dinky airframe with growing pains (CRJ-700) operated by a questionable airline (Free-dumb) -- now that's a tough one. Chalk another one up for genius, Cactus style!

Cheers, hugs and kisses, ya'all!

 

[zymotic]

Only problem with that thought is the passenger thinks they are buying a ticket on HP. I dare say most don't have a clue what the type of aircraft is.

 

[jon coqtoestone]

zymotic, you're absolutely right! And it isn't until the unfortunate happens that the mainline goes public to "distinguish" itself from the feeder (ie USAir's distancing from Air Midwest/Mesa following the CLT crash).

Hmmmph . . .

 

[KDA or DEATH]

AWA

Here is a summary of TWO of my good buddies careers at AWA:

Both hired in and wound up on a 2-3 year pay freeze during bankruptcy...$26,000/yr. for their first three years

Several years on reserve before holding lines.

After their contract, they got nice raises...oh, but then they had to put in 87 hours a month in a 28 day bid period!

Minimum days off as required by contract?... NONE. They get 24 in 7 per F.A.R...4 days a MONTH (most airlines average 12 days.)

Most flying for many of your first years will be on reserve, usually redeyes.

Both buddies waited 8-9 years for Captain. YAY! Back to reserve for a few MORE years.

Well, you get the picture...So did my one pal...He quit after 13 years as a SENIOR Captain to go to Jet Blue.

Hmmmmmmmm......That says it ALL, doesn't it?

Oh, but the good news is they just got a tentative agreement which will give them an 11% pay raise ...OVER THREE YEARS!... And STILL make them the LOWEST PAID MAJOR.

AWA?....An ice pick heated over a gas flame til' glowing and then slowly inserted into your eye or other small orifices of your choice might be a better alternative.

But, thats just my personal opinion...


YKW

 

[temcgrew]

well, that was a good way to end this thread!!
does anyone have any comments on this?

pay freezes?

ten years to upgrade?

eternal reserve that seems like ondemand charter? no days off?

whats up? since no one has said anything for days about this am I to assume that it is true?

 

[jon coqtoestone]

KDA's assessment is not very far off.

I started commenting on each of his points, then realized it sounded a little too much like whining.

So, until management completes one of their two plans (hand all ops over to Freedumb or just declare bankruptcy and float on that golden 'chute), it's still the best part-time job I've ever had.

Cheers!