Awac

[cosmotheassman]

How are things at AWAC right now? I see they've interviewed a few lately. Does the potential for growth look good? what kind of benefits do you get with United?? What are the junior bases.? Just curious...

 

[rightrudder]

How are things at AWAC right now? I see they've interviewed a few lately. Does the potential for growth look good? what kind of benefits do you get with United?? What are the junior bases.? Just curious...

Things not looking real good lately...our bid to retain our flying was higher than other bids and our management thinks there's a good chance we will lose the UAL flying. Hiring for attrition right now because we don't have enough pilots to make things go smoothly.

I don't know if the owners have something else up their sleeve, but I am expecting/preparing for the worst. Applying for the home equity line of credit now while I still have a job and checking out my state's unemployment benefits.

 

[WhiteCloud]

AWAC is a good company and they treat their people very well compared to most other regional airlines. As previously mentioned the future of AWAC is not able to be determined until something happens with the UAL contract. Even then UAL's survival is not a very good bet at this point. AWAC's survival hinges on how effectively they can exit the UAL flying and transition to other flying regardless of UAL's future. In the short term AWAC needs to hang in there somehow and then diversify in the long term.

 

[Guitar Guy]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you brothers and sisters at AWAC. I know it must a very difficult time right now. I hope that if UAL doesn't award the flying to your company that your management is able to arrange for something else.

 

[Steveair]

Heard a rumor that NWA might be trying to buy Whiskey? Anyone have news on that?

 

[Crossky]

Things not looking real good lately...our bid to retain our flying was higher than other bids and our management thinks there's a good chance we will lose the UAL flying. Hiring for attrition right now because we don't have enough pilots to make things go smoothly.

Right rudder, you don't mind if I respectfully dispute your claims? Well I really don't care much if you do anyway.

I've never heard, seen, or felt language in the realm of 'management thinks there's a good chance we will lose the UAL flying'. You're reading too much into the sad, tragic, and unfortunate passing of of VP of Ops Doug Horn.

Yes, we are hiring for attrition, but since when did we not have enough pilots to make things go smoothly? We've been fat on ORD FO's ever since I've been there (1.5 yrs) and I can't ever remember being extended or jr. manned (2.5 yrs.) or seeing it done to a CA. Maybe things have been different (a little) at the jr bases (ATL and IAD) but not from what I've heard.

Anyway thanks for holding your head up high right rudder. It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

 

[WhiteCloud]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you brothers and sisters at AWAC. I know it must a very difficult time right now. I hope that if UAL doesn't award the flying to your company that your management is able to arrange for something else.

Thanks for the comment. The only reason to continue with UAL is short term survival. Personally, I would welcome a situation that cut all ties with UAL if it were possible without hurting the company and individuals that work here.

 

[rightrudder]

Right rudder, you don't mind if I respectfully dispute your claims? Well I really don't care much if you do anyway.

I've never heard, seen, or felt language in the realm of 'management thinks there's a good chance we will lose the UAL flying'. You're reading too much into the sad, tragic, and unfortunate passing of of VP of Ops Doug Horn.

Yes, we are hiring for attrition, but since when did we not have enough pilots to make things go smoothly? We've been fat on ORD FO's ever since I've been there (1.5 yrs) and I can't ever remember being extended or jr. manned (2.5 yrs.) or seeing it done to a CA. Maybe things have been different (a little) at the jr bases (ATL and IAD) but not from what I've heard.

Anyway thanks for holding your head up high right rudder. It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

I am not reacting to announcements Doug Horn's untimely death. Have you listened to the MEC update from the 18th or read the email text of the update? If not, check your email or call the hotline. In it, our union reps state that management says things don't look real good. MEC is in A town right now for a two day emergency meeting with management. Up until this point, I have been optimistic that things will work out. They very well still may, but the fact is we are on shaky ground and I am not going to sugar coat it. I am being realistic about the situation, sorry if that upsets you.

Fact is, we do not have enough captains, people are getting junior manned left and right. I am based at ORD and get at least one call every week trying to junior man me. Captain upgrades come from the FO ranks, and need to be replaced. I don't know how fat we are on FO's, but I sure am hearing a lot of b!tching about lack of days off for the Feb bid, that tells me that we may be thinner on that side as well.

 

[Buschpilot]

My best wishes go out to all the people involved - at Whiskey or anywhere else that is/has gone through the same.

One of my first resumes went to AWAC, because they had a greatreputation and treated their people well. I remember doing studies onAir Wisconson in college on their hometown style and attitude - anattitude that we learned was inspirational and a model for airlines.People first, money will follow.

 

[rtmcfi]

I am as hopefull as the next guy that we still have our flying. Morale is not so hot right now. I really hope we get through this, and return to what we used to be. That said, as far as staffing goes, IAD is fat on FO's, and thin on Captains. Just thought I would pitch in my 2 cents worth. I have faith in the 3 amigos!

 

[skeeter666]

It used to be a great place to work at one time. Great bunch of people to fly with(most). When they closed Denver (CRJ) base, and a bunch of us had to commute to IAD from the west coast....it went downhill...quick. The service was pretty bad too...but I hear it is improving. Good luck willy pilots!

 

[Rottweiller]

We've been fat on ORD FO's ever since I've been there (1.5 yrs) and I can't ever remember being extended or jr. manned (2.5 yrs.) or seeing it done to a CA.

Not for a Captain!! That would be nice!! I get a call almost every week from them trying to JM me as they "don't have any RSV Captains left". It's cheaper to pay FO's than upgrade and pay Captains - every cent counts at the moment.

 

[Twotter76]

Our crew planning dept says that ORD is right where it needs to be (yet they still JM captains every week) and IAD is supposedly understaffed on captains. Last newhire class was just awarded ATW FO res.

 

[Crossky]

rightrudder and rottweiller, well sorry guys, I've got vacation this month and haven't been around much, every pilot has a ready excuse for a bad landing ya know? Didn't know the JMing and extending was happening like that for CA's.

I did actually read the MEC email but I'll check it again, I don't remember it sounding good. Morale is low but I'm trying to remain optimistic, our crewroom is acidic, negativity spreads much easier that optimism you know. The couches are full at ORD and the Feb schedules are the worst for commuters I've ever seen. The I'm a relatively high FO so I was able to bid a good line so to speak, and I'm ready to upgrade, so I'm on your side to stop the abuse.

From an anti-union song by the Aussie band The Living End:
"We'll roll on with our heads held high
our conscience in the gutter
our dreams up in the sky"

 

[crashpad]

... our union reps state that management says things don't look real good. MEC is in A town right now for a two day emergency meeting with management.

That's because people at the top of your union are taking manila envelopes filled with cash from management.

Wow, amazing how it's so clear to everyone except those getting the ol' bula-bula. Is that another concessionary 'rush vote' I smell around the corner.
Maybe management is now recovering from the shock of how easily the pilot group was spooked and see the time is right to hit the well again.

Air Wisconsin is not in danger of closing it's doors. It never was! So what if ZW loses UAL. GOOD! They'll find another airline to feed off before the UAL contract even ends. This business is not about UAL & ZW, or ZW vs. other lower bidding competition. This is about men at the top who are literally stuffing their pockets at the professional pilots' expense...and why should'nt they? You let them, Cheese Farts!

 

[Crossky]

The I'm a relatively high FO so I was able to bid a good line so to speak, and I'm ready to upgrade, so I'm on your side to stop the abuse.

From an anti-union song by the Aussie band The Living End:
"We'll roll on with our heads held high
our conscience in the gutter
our dreams up in the sky"

Oops, coffee hadn't kicked in yet. I meant I've got pretty good seniority as an FO and it's a pro-union song.

 

[rightrudder]

. .

 

[Crossky]

That's because people at the top of your union are taking manila envelopes filled with cash from management.

This is about men at the top who are literally stuffing their pockets at the professional pilots' expense...and why should'nt they? You let them, Cheese Farts!

You wait until we get involved in this thread to flame bait you loser. There's a small chance that ATW domicile and MEC might have a union conspiracy of some sort but there are no rumors and no facts to support your totally unfounded accusation, STEP DOWN!

If you're going to resort to name calling like that, where did you fly the CRJ, MESA, you PFTing loser? And how exactly did we 'let them' do that? Our management hasn't whispered one word about more concessions to us, and most all of us would "rather suck the infected pus out of a dead pig's a$$ than work for less" in the words of a recently resigned AWAC FO.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Air Wisconsin is not in danger of closing it's doors. It never was! So what if ZW loses UAL. GOOD! They'll find another airline to feed off before the UAL contract even ends. This business is not about UAL & ZW, or ZW vs. other lower bidding competition. This is about men at the top who are literally stuffing their pockets at the professional pilots' expense...and why should'nt they? You let them, Cheese Farts!

Ouch.....actually AWAC has one of the best contracts out there.....that's why we're a target. Before posting at least know what you're talking about.

 

[movingviolation]

Now Im 200% more interested in this, I just got a call for a class today. Anybody know when your supose to know somthing? From what they told us at the interview, United keeps pushing the date back that they will accept offers untill. Do you know how long the current contract is good untill (or would it be terminated right away if UAL so desires due to their bankrupcy).

thanks

 

[WhiteCloud]

Now Im 200% more interested in this, I just got a call for a class today. Anybody know when your supose to know somthing? From what they told us at the interview, United keeps pushing the date back that they will accept offers untill. Do you know how long the current contract is good untill (or would it be terminated right away if UAL so desires due to their bankrupcy).

thanks

Those are all questions we would like to have answered also. AWAC is not in a good position right now. I wouldn't leave a job that you like or flys turbine equipment unless you know you can go back to it. If you don't have airline or turbine experience and don't have anything else lined up why not jump in and learn something. It could work out OK we just don't know at this point.

 

[movingviolation]

Well, I figure it beats bouncing around in a 310 full of freight at night. I'm anxious to see what happens, I really want to work here, I'd hate to see the chance evaporate before my eyes after I get this close.

They are saying the Feb. 7th class is full, and I will more than likely be in one in late Feb. or early March. Hopefully it all works out, I can't see them running classes like this if they thought it was going to fall appart.

 

[PILOT]

I think that you are making the right move. Even if UAL (the black widow of aviation) gets rid of us it wll probably take at least 9 months to a year. I doubt that you would get furloughed as people will be jumping off this ship like it is the titanic. Getting a 121 program under your belt will make you more marketable.

 

[Guitar Guy]

Hopefully it all works out, I can't see them running classes like this if they thought it was going to fall appart.

Be careful of that line of reasoning. I sure hope that AWAC stays in business but don't equate classes with staying in business.

I bet that there are a few people around this board who can regale you with stories of companies hiring right up to the very end.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Be careful of that line of reasoning. I sure hope that AWAC stays in business but don't equate classes with staying in business.

I bet that there are a few people around this board who can regale you with stories of companies hiring right up to the very end.

Excellent point. One difference with AWAC is that they will tell you the truth about the situation. They do not callously hire just to let you go if they don't need you. It sounds like the turbine experience and 121 time, even if it's only a little, would be helpful to your resume. Give it a shot and good luck.