AWA to hire 80+ more

[joevollers]

I was hoping that this thread would again turn to TWA/AA which seems to me to be totally irrelevant..

 

[Cactus73]

Found out some info from the Union side.

There will be a need for pilots come February 06. There will be a vacancy bid with 30-50 ( think this was the number mentioned) vacancies once the upgrades and 737 displacements are processed.

AWA ALPA is discussing the situtation with management and AAA.

Not likely to see off the street hiring - especially since the PID will probably be set by ALPA national sometime before this need arises.

 

[HAL]

You have to remember that the airlines will run on two separate certificates for up to two years after the merger happens. AWA can't just dip into the USA furloughee pool and bring the guys over - it's still two separate airlines. If they did, they would have to be treated just like any new-hire and start at the bottom.

Now imagine the difficulties if AWA did bring in some USA furloughees. Where would they sit on the final list? Ahead of USA guys more senior to them that decided not to come over to AWA? ALPA wouldn't like it if they jumped over guys on their own list. That was OK before the merger announcement, since we were just another airline, but now that the two are merging how does it work? Do they get put back on furlough once the lists merge? If they are put back, who replaces them?

And remember, since the two airlines are operating as separate airlines for a couple of years, AWA has to deal with retirements, LOA's , medical leaves etc until the lists do merge and the USA guys are available to fill those spots. What should they do until then? Just work us harder without hiring anyone? That's not practical either.

Such question are what make for loooong nights in the negotiating room.

HAL

 

[Cactus73]

You have to remember that the airlines will run on two separate certificates for up to two years after the merger happens. AWA can't just dip into the USA furloughee pool and bring the guys over - it's still two separate airlines. If they did, they would have to be treated just like any new-hire and start at the bottom.

Now imagine the difficulties if AWA did bring in some USA furloughees. Where would they sit on the final list? Ahead of USA guys more senior to them that decided not to come over to AWA? ALPA wouldn't like it if they jumped over guys on their own list. That was OK before the merger announcement, since we were just another airline, but now that the two are merging how does it work? Do they get put back on furlough once the lists merge? If they are put back, who replaces them?

And remember, since the two airlines are operating as separate airlines for a couple of years, AWA has to deal with retirements, LOA's , medical leaves etc until the lists do merge and the USA guys are available to fill those spots. What should they do until then? Just work us harder without hiring anyone? That's not practical either.

Such question are what make for loooong nights in the negotiating room.

HAL

I didn't say it was going to be easy. It is actually going to be quite the mess for a long time.

Even though we are separate airlines running on separate certificates for 2-3 years, the seniority list integration will be well under way. Once the PID is set and the snapshot taken, bringing on new hires will only muddy the waters even more than they already are. Remember that the 150 day clock could start ticking as early as September/October!

Once the PID is set, those are the certified seniority lists that both merger committees and an arbitrator have to work with.

It really isn't that complicated to bring AAA furloughees over to the AWA side and train them as new hires. When they come on they could sign an agreement from ALPA and the Company stating that the PID was already set and their seniority integration will take place based on the PID lists. They can then choose to take the job or not. It beats the street.

I just want us to take care those on both lists before going to the street.

I stand by my statement that hiring off the street is completely unacceptable. Apparently some in the Union agree.

 

[Hpilot]

Short pilots?

Maybe it's just normal staffing issues, but last month I noticed there were several days where we ran out of reserves. I well exceeded the 77 hour reserve minimun. Don't get me wrong I like the flying as opposed to sitting around, but running out of reserves doesn't seem good.

 

[Fly-n-hi]

We are definately short on pilots right now.

I've pretty much given up on the pilot to pilot trade board and swaping with open time (737). I get denied every time due to staffing shortages...or negative staffing...whatever they call it.

 

[brewerdog]

any idea how many are swimming in the pool so far?

I really like the idea of hiring off the street (that's where I am) but don't want to jump too fast

 

[wingit]

When did you interview? I'm in the pool as well. I interviewed in February and understand there are about 60 pilots swimming right now. The only thing I've heard from AWA is that they plan to hire from the pool in the fall sometime. We'll see what happens.

 

[Captain Overs]

When did you interview? I'm in the pool as well. I interviewed in February and understand there are about 60 pilots swimming right now. The only thing I've heard from AWA is that they plan to hire from the pool in the fall sometime. We'll see what happens.

I wouldn't be it too much of a hurry to leave any job to go sit on the bottom of an AWA list. Regardless of what is said, cutbacks have to happen once the merger goes through.

 

[Formula1]

I am in the pool as well- interviewed in march. Getting closer to the bottom of the list at my present employer- looks like the furloughs are going to stop after August (hopefully).

Trying to decide if I want to be at the bottom of ATA's list waiting to see if we ever recover fully and if SWA is going to keep us as a codeshare partner. Or do I want to be at the bottom of AWA's list dealing with all of the seniority integration issues and possibillity of getting furloughed after the merger is completed.

 

[Tomct]

Formula 1: Hope that things work out for you which ever way you go! I'm sorry for all of the furloughed guys/gals! Fly Safe!

 

[StopNTSing]

I am in the pool as well- interviewed in march. Getting closer to the bottom of the list at my present employer- looks like the furloughs are going to stop after August (hopefully).

Trying to decide if I want to be at the bottom of ATA's list waiting to see if we ever recover fully and if SWA is going to keep us as a codeshare partner. Or do I want to be at the bottom of AWA's list dealing with all of the seniority integration issues and possibillity of getting furloughed after the merger is completed.

F1:

If it were me, I'd stay at ATA. This code-share is working out better than anyone expected, and SWA is moving quickly to expand it. I believe ATA is realigning to become the defacto international operation for SWA (something I'm less than thrilled about, but we'll save that for another time), and that could mean growth for ATA pilots.


P.S. No more F1 for me until I see Bernie & Max's heads on a platter!

 

[Formula1]

P.S. No more F1 for me until I see Bernie & Max's heads on a platter!

Yes, my interest in Formula 1 has declined since the whole Indy fiasco- I am switching to MotoGP now- watched Hayden win his first MotoGP race yesterday at Laguna- it was an awesome race getting to see an American win a race at home here in the USA. And Collin Edwards finished 3rd (also an American).

 

[Guppiedriver]

Even better, Edwards finished second. Rossi was third.

 

[PositiveRate]

"I wouldn't be it too much of a hurry to leave any job to go sit on the bottom of an AWA list. Regardless of what is said, cutbacks have to happen once the merger goes through."

Captain O,

What facts do you base this argument on? Please, spell it out.


To the poolie vs. furlough argument...I know it's a heated debate and I empathize with both sides, but I don't see the company bringing furloughed pilots in to fill those vacancies...I was told the classes would be filled with those currently in the pool.

 

[Formula1]

Even better, Edwards finished second. Rossi was third.

Guppiedriver,

You are correct sir, my dislexia is kicking in again.

 

[Captain Overs]

"I wouldn't be it too much of a hurry to leave any job to go sit on the bottom of an AWA list. Regardless of what is said, cutbacks have to happen once the merger goes through."

Captain O,

What facts do you base this argument on? Please, spell it out.


To the poolie vs. furlough argument...I know it's a heated debate and I empathize with both sides, but I don't see the company bringing furloughed pilots in to fill those vacancies...I was told the classes would be filled with those currently in the pool.

Dude do you even have any clue about the airline history? Oh, wait. You're probably a "low time wonder" hired by AWA with little or no PIC time. So you wouldn't be old enough to be a student of airline mergers and history.

I'm sorry I don't mean to belittle. It's a known fact that the Airways cost structure is way above where it should be. I believe it's somewhere around 11 cents a mile. AWA is great at around 7 or 8. Is that correct? So with needing to bring down the Airways cost and get rid of overlap of the two airlines then where is that going to come from? Also with Oil continuing to inch ever so higher that adds tremendous costs. I know you will be operated as seperate companies for awhile. So where are these cuts going to come from? Please inform me, and don't give me the "ALPA says.....". ALPA doesn't care about your jobs. I work for an ALPA carrier and all they really do for us is lobby Washington. That is how they protect our jobs.

Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox, but please educate me on how being on the bottom of the AWA list at this point in time is better than being somewhere else, even a stable regional.

 

[PositiveRate]

"I'm sorry I don't mean to belittle."
Yes you do.

"So where are these cuts going to come from? Please inform me..."

Many cuts have already been announced. The big savings include bringing previously outsourced work in-house...namely IT services and others. Less management, cheaper facilities in PHX, less redundancy in various corporate departments are just a few of the cost savings measures. I think we're around 7 cents bytheway.

Only time will tell if the bottom of the AWA list is a good place or not...

 

[Captain Overs]

"I'm sorry I don't mean to belittle."
Yes you do.

"So where are these cuts going to come from? Please inform me..."

Many cuts have already been announced. The big savings include bringing previously outsourced work in-house...namely IT services and others. Less management, cheaper facilities in PHX, less redundancy in various corporate departments are just a few of the cost savings measures. I think we're around 7 cents bytheway.

Only time will tell if the bottom of the AWA list is a good place or not...

You're right, with your continued ignorance I do mean to belittle. I'm sure those cuts you mentioned will really help. You probably think a bandaid will fix a flesh wound. Your logic sounds like management trying to become profitable by slashing employee wages. We saw how that worked. I think you may be in for a rude awakening. I'd send your resumes back out to all the regionals.

 

["Luke"]

Back in 2000 I met an Air Tran pilot who was happy to be working there and he attributed getting hired to the fact that he didn't have a degree; therefore Air Tran was more confident that he would not flow through to a major airline. He was the fisrt to admit that they were underpaid and the future of the airline was uncertain, but if he is still there now he would be a senior captain, and it looks like they are doing pretty good. I also have some friends at Southwest, who in the past, have stated that they wish they felt they should be compensated for their work the same as the majors (this was also back in 2000), and they also wished they could fly some other aircraft other than the 737 (just for a change) and do some international flying.



My point is, applying for a carrier during their rough times may not be such a bad decision. Much like the stock market, you want to get in when they are down (or early), hope they peak when you’re on board, and get out (retire) before they start back down. Most everything happens in cycles, so how long can a carrier stay on top, and who is heading to the top? It's a gamble.



Some of the posts on this board are from pilots who are worried for their job and fear they may not be represented in a fair fashion during the AWA / US merger. That's understandable, and I'm not sure how the cards will fall on that. There is one thing that I whole heartily agree on though, and that is that every US Air pilot that thought enough about AWA to submit, and keep current an application, should be offered a position (or at least an interview) with AWA.