Awa ?

[sadlmkr]

I was just wondering if interviews are ongoing and if so how long has it been taking to recieve an app, if selected, after resume was taken in? Any other advice would sure be appreciated. PM anytime, thanks...

 

[Cactus73]

I was just wondering if interviews are ongoing and if so how long has it been taking to recieve an app, if selected, after resume was taken in? Any other advice would sure be appreciated. PM anytime, thanks...

We are set to hire an additional 75 this year. That is right on target for the 200 they set out to hire in 2004. At the start of the year they were running 30+ people through each monthly class. This combined with the upgrades going through training was just too much for the school house to handle. This summer they have been running two classes a month of roughly ten people each. Dividing up the classes has helped speed the training process.

Next year we will get at least 22 new Airbus. 4-5 will arrive in January/February and the remainder will arrive throughout the year at a rate of about 1-2 month. These airplanes are part of the recently announced order.

They will be doing quite a bit of hiring to fill this order. Management has also stated they are are looking at the used aircraft market for addtional airplanes, and they may not be Airbus. They are not happy with the performance of the Airbus on the transcons and SJO flights. The biggest rumor around here has been the 757 rumor. I'll believe it when I see it.
What isn't rumor is that we recently started an ETOPS cert program for our 757's.

As for resume to application to interview. Who knows. For some it comes quickly and for others it is a long process. If you don't have a staff LOR, you are in for a very long wait.

I also understand that those who attended the June Air-Inc conference in PHX were invited to the training center for an open-house and got applications. Seems these conferences are a way around the LOR.

 

[toad572]

No app from June Air Inc.

I attended the June fair and went to the training center presentation. They were not giving out apps at the training ctr. They did tell everyone that turned in a resume that they would get an app. They also made it very clear that it could take some time to get it since everything in Pilot Recruitment is paper driven. I still haven't gotten the app and some others that I know of that were there still haven't gotten one either. I've heard it could take as much as 4 mos. after a job fair before you get the app. It sounds like if you have an internal reference that will bug HR for you, you may get the app quicker. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

[MK82Man]

Hang in there with America West

SADLKMR- I just posted my interview on http://www.aviationinterviews.com/ but they have yet to update it to the web site. Might be a couple of hours.



I interviewed last week and was offered October training. I've posted here before and told folks to seriously consider America West. Yes it is hard to get in. 8 months of work for me and they hired 3 of the 8 last week. Be prepared when you go and tell 'em how much you want to work for them. If you haven't seen this month's AIRINC magazine on HP, it has some good insight into what they are looking for. K&S sim prep is a must do in my mind – thank you Ralph Bledsoe. I just don’t know how you could pass the sim check without it. America West has great information on the company web site about where they are headed and accolades they have earned. New equipment, variety, decent money, and I think good leadership (heck they are making money with oil costs at this level). Plus Tammy, Tiffany, and Tracy -- all just swell gals. I've got two buds in training that started today and maybe we will here from them on training issues.



Catus73 – Thank you for your invaluable assistance. Your kind words and continual presence on the board help those making huge career changes. I look forward to seeing you in PHX. You are a credit to AWA and the profession.



flynAAvy - Same to you. Very level headed about AWA and I’m glad it is working for you. See you around.



Skippy767 – Don’t know about next year. Watch to see how the aircraft on order shake out (22 new A/C in 2005). Some talk that they might pickup more 757s and go to Puerto Rico or additional Latin America routes. The ETOPs thing is exciting. I hear the same rumors about getting some of ATAs stuff (jets/routes) as they face their cash crunch.



JetMonkey – everyone says the same thing. Best training department in the industry and they will just bend over backwards (STS) to make sure you make it through training. Those guys are a credit to the company.



HAL & steveg– save some floor space for me. As an AB wanna-be, I’ll need some kicking room as well. Seems to be the jet of choice with 50+ in the company and more on the way. Might be the quickest way off reserve.



An open thank you to everyone on the HANGAR for the range of opinions over the last 9 months – practice the golden rule. It is a long road but when you get offered a job as a major airline pilot it feels pretty darn good. Good luck to all. PS, have a Plan B in case Plan A craps out.

 

[sadlmkr]

Thanks alot guys, it's just more proof as to the kind of company and people they are and I hope to be part of. I do have an LOR in with my resume. You say the squeeky wheel theory, should he be trying to talk to the CP or do they get way too much of that and that might not be best.? again thanks....

 

[Cactus73]

Congrats MK82Man! Glad you got on. It's a tough process getting here, but well worth it.

Our training department is awesome. I can only speak for the 737, but they will do everything in their power to get you through as long as you come in with the right attitude. My systems instructor, Steve, was the best I've ever had. They don't want you to build the airplane, just understand how it works.

The Bus is definitely the fastest off reserve, but don't write off the 737 or 757. We don't do all those red-eyes!

Good luck!

 

[reepicheep]

FWIW, my experience so far is recommended by an America West captain in March, got the app in late July, mailed it in a month ago, hoping and waiting for the call, ready to start yesterday. Good luck to all.

 

[steveg]

MK82man,


Thanks for the accolades. Let me know when you get to PHX, I'll buy the first round. I know a former Cessna pilot that will buy the rest.

As far as getting on, the gouge that is out there is right on. They are tightening the process however, so prepare. Be yourself. Be yourself. Be yourself.

I've been through over a dozen airline ground schools, and this is by far the most fun I've ever had. If my classmates are any indication, AWA is hiring some great people. The Bus takes some getting use to, but the more I'm around it, the more excited I am about flying it. I'm extremely lazy (shut up Ken's) and this thing is right up my ally. I hate that it keeps calling me a retard right as I'm about to land though. Good luck.

 

[Orionpilot]

Awa

What a difference a year makes! Anyone who has been following this board for the last year knows how much HP bashing was going on back then (just do a search). Now it seems we can do no wrong. After being on the property for the past three months it seems like there are two companies, the one that existed before Doug Parker (late arrivals, poor service etc) and the present one under Doug's management - an attempt to turn things around.
I wish I could shed some light on the hiring criteria, but after recently talking to Tracy Takara, having a LOR from someone, preferably a Captain (and not on double secret probation like me) will definitely get your app noticed. I will say that being furloughed isn't a negative, my class consisted of 3 TWA/AA pilots and one of my crashpad roomates is a USAIR victim. They definitely are hiring across the spectrum.
The training really does seem to be first rate although this is my first civilian gig. The philosophy is "train to proficiency" and as long as you show up prepared for the sim and have a positive attitude, the instructors will bend over backwards to help you.
There are numerous rumors regarding future growth but until the planes are on the ramp, they are just rumors. It seems like we have all the ingredients in place to become a true premier low cost carrier...cash in the bank, over 92 destinations, the ability to turn a profit in a challenging environment, cheap upgrades to first class and most important of all - assigned seating!

Good luck to all,
Orionpilot

 

[flynAAvy]

Steve,

I don't think the Bus is saying "RETARD" in the flare... I think it's your instructor.

Ya know... we've all had a great time as the "Monkey" class (and probably the wildest class in the history of HP) but we really should probably study a bit for the oral on Friday. At the LIBRARY!!!!

WHOSFAVORITELIBRARIANISNAMEDMOLLY

 

[skippy767]

Skippy767 – Don’t know about next year. Watch to see how the aircraft on order shake out (22 new A/C in 2005). Some talk that they might pickup more 757s and go to Puerto Rico or additional Latin America routes. The ETOPs thing is exciting. I hear the same rumors about getting some of ATAs stuff (jets/routes) as they face their cash crunch.

Thanks MK you my friend are a gentleman and I look forward to one day seing you on property. Thanks for the info and keep in touch.

 

[captboy2001]

commute to phx from east coast

anyone tell me how hard the commute is to phx from east coast also what types of schedules does awa have ...thanks

 

[Cactus73]

anyone tell me how hard the commute is to phx from east coast also what types of schedules does awa have ...thanks

Depends on the city you commute from. If it is served by us your life will be a lot easier. All of our 319/320's and 757's have two cockpit jumpseats. Most of the 737's have two. You are also cabin jumpseat qualified during training, so that gives you three jumpseats on almost all flights.

Schedules vary by aircraft. Lots of four day trips. We bid using PBS, so the more senior you are the better your commute will be.

 

[Dart]

Hey guys! I am in the pool at ATA.....not looking to good! I just sent my resume to America west via airapps. I have no LOR's and just got an email from AMW telling me they will be in contact.. What does that mean? Any insight would be great. If you america west guys can PM with some info that would be awesome. Sounds like a great group of people and I would like to be a part! Thanks

 

[flyhard]

The ETOPs thing is exciting. I hear the same rumors about getting some of ATAs stuff (jets/routes) as they face their cash crunch.


thanks bro i appreciate your thoughtful words. hope maybe we can capitalize on your cash crunch someday. nice to see pilots backing pilots. but i guess that is the way it has always been in the airline industry. just remeber what goes around comes around.

 

[PositiveRate]

My experience so far has been similar to reepicheap and Skippy767. Had a senior Captain type walk my resume in with a LOR in March. Went in and personally talked to Tracy with another FO friend of mine in June. Eventually received an app and quick turned it back (walked it in with the same Captain).

It's been about 3 or 4 weeks since my app has been in. I'm guessing that it will be a couple months or more for an interview call. America West has always been my career goal...I'm trying not to get my hopes up or drive myself nuts because it's clear the bulk of hiring will be after the new year, but everyday i carry my cellphone around just in case. Don't want to miss that call!

Congrats on getting hired MK82man!

 

[elcid]

I attended the Jan AIRINC conference and received my app in late Jun. Waiting for the call now. They did emphasize that they have not gone electronic and that apps take a while as a result. Also said that knowing someone is pretty much essential to getting an app. However if you give them a resume at AIRINC they say they'll send you an app just the same as if you have someone walk it in.

 

[JetMonkey]

Gongrats MK82!! And thanks for the reply. You are gonna love it here, we're in our 3rd week of training and its been MORE gratifing than I imagined. Everyone here is top notch! a fantastic atmoshere. With this management the growth and expansion possibilities are amazing. Everyday I feel more and more greatfull to be here. To everyone else that looked down on HP- please, PLEASE don't. These are a fantastic bunch of folks over here busting thier butts doing the absolute best they can.....and guess what? it's working!!!!!!

Gongrats again MK,
See ya in PHX!!!

 

[PositiveRate]

Anybody else hear anything related to hiring? It's been pretty quiet lately.

 

[gear_guy]

This is my first shot at an airline so bear with me.

Do you have to live in PHX or LAS while on reserve?

Is it better to pack up the family and head out west?

How long can you expect to be on reserve?

What is the upgrade time?

How long is training?

Do I have a shot with just over 2500 TT, 1600 Jet, and 1600 PIC, no LOR?