Chautauqua or ASA

[Sphrynxlla]

Whos the stronger regional? Which company is doing better? Will US air going under end Chautauqua?.....or do they have their eggs in enough baskets to prevent this?

 

[boxjockey]

Yeah, their eggs are about to be in our basket!!!

flame, flame, flame, FLAME!!!

box

 

[mwmav8r01]

Chautauqua seems to be in great shape. I am in class right now I started the 13th of Sept. I am already 50 or so up the senority list and things have "slowed down" here. The 170 is going strong and the 145 program isnt stopping either.. If i had to do it over again I would goto Chautauqua in a heartbeat. The company is strong and doing all the right things!

Just my 2 cents,

Matt

 

[SkyBoy1981]

I can fully understand why some ASA and Comair folks have a dislike for Chautauqua. I think deep down even the guys with CHQ can understand why. Anyone who can't is pretty simple minded. That doesn't, however, give the right for flaming and unprofessionalism amongst the pilots since after all, we are all just trying to make a living. With that being said, they are both decent companies. At CHQ, you'll get a quicker upgrade....but I don't think much fighting is really going on or will go on to get CHQ pilots a better contract. At ASA, the upgrades are slower, but they have a strong group of pilots that are working together so that they can hopefully "raise the bar" and get the contract that they deserve. I personally think this is important in a time where regionals have become a mountain rather than a stepping stone in one's career.

 

[KingAirer]

I can fully understand why some ASA and Comair folks have a dislike for Chautauqua. I think deep down even the guys with CHQ can understand why. Anyone who can't is pretty simple minded. That doesn't, however, give the right for flaming and unprofessionalism amongst the pilots since after all, we are all just trying to make a living. With that being said, they are both decent companies. At CHQ, you'll get a quicker upgrade....but I don't think much fighting is really going on or will go on to get CHQ pilots a better contract. At ASA, the upgrades are slower, but they have a strong group of pilots that are working together so that they can hopefully "raise the bar" and get the contract that they deserve. I personally think this is important in a time where regionals have become a mountain rather than a stepping stone in one's career.

Whatever Dude.

 

[CF34-3B1]

I can fully understand why some ASA and Comair folks have a dislike for Chautauqua. I think deep down even the guys with CHQ can understand why. Anyone who can't is pretty simple minded. That doesn't, however, give the right for flaming and unprofessionalism amongst the pilots since after all, we are all just trying to make a living. With that being said, they are both decent companies. At CHQ, you'll get a quicker upgrade....but I don't think much fighting is really going on or will go on to get CHQ pilots a better contract. At ASA, the upgrades are slower, but they have a strong group of pilots that are working together so that they can hopefully "raise the bar" and get the contract that they deserve. I personally think this is important in a time where regionals have become a mountain rather than a stepping stone in one's career.

Bingo. That is EXACTLY the point.

The "do anything to get the growth so I can upgrade so I can get my 1000 so I can go to SWA yadda yadda yadda" mentality is not going to look like such a great idea to those guys after they've been at a regional for 5 to 10 years.

Anyone who thinks "A year or so to upgrade and another year or so to get my 1000PIC then I'll be out of there." is out of touch with reality.

 

[Sphrynxlla]

thanks for the replies....but do yall think that CHQ is connected to US Airs fate?

 

[CF34-3B1]

thanks for the replies....but do yall think that CHQ is connected to US Airs fate?

It may slow the growth and upgrades there, but it won't kill CHQ if (when?) Airways closes the doors, or just converts to an all EMB 170/190 operation flown by what used to be mainline pilots for Eagle pay.

 

[KingAirer]

Bingo. That is EXACTLY the point.

The "do anything to get the growth so I can upgrade so I can get my 1000 so I can go to SWA yadda yadda yadda" mentality is not going to look like such a great idea to those guys after they've been at a regional for 5 to 10 years.

Anyone who thinks "A year or so to upgrade and another year or so to get my 1000PIC then I'll be out of there." is out of touch with reality.

No you are out of reality to think that the majority of CHQ pilots think this way.

 

[CF34-3B1]

No you are out of reality to think that the majority of CHQ pilots think this way.

Then why else would they agree to fly a 70/90+ seat airplane for 50 seat pay?

The majority voted for the contract right? Every time I've asked a pilot from one of the airlines who agreed to do that, (not just CHQ) every single one has said "So we can get the growth."

Wait, I know:

"Like, Dude, when I wear my uniform to the mall, I can tell chicks I fly an EMB170, and then they'll dig me Dude. Hey, check me out in my uniform and RayBans Dude........"

 

[sweptback]

Then why else would they agree to fly a 70/90+ seat airplane for 50 seat pay?

It should also be noted that you will make more money at ASA. Our contract from 1998 has some of the best pay rates out there (especially on the FO side), unfortunately that isn't saying much. We have excellent insurance and travel benefits, and while reserve rules aren't great you shouldn't be on reserve too long.

Also, it boils down to where you want to live. CHQ, in my opinion, has too many bases. Going through a base closing (as we are here in DFW) is no fun at all, and I'd hate to set up shop in GSO or wherever the base of the month seems to be, only to see it be closed in a year. Something to think about. At ASA, you'll be in ATL... but that base will never close as long as the company is in business.

Honestly, if you interview with both and are in each pool, take the job that you get offered first. You'd be stupid not to. I have a few good friends at CHQ and they are having a good time there, and have few complaints.

 

[Seahawker01]

Just Remember

You To Can Fly 72 People Around In An 82,000lb Plane For The Amazing Sum Of $21.53/hr. Its F***ing Criminal!

 

[Sphrynxlla]

well i know that it is Shi tty pay.....i am a current FO for a company now and the pay is just ok...and i have an interview with CHQ coming up, and hopefully ASA i just want to know which company is safer.... and i do like the 170: )

 

[Seahawker01]

I wish you the best

Good luck with your interviews. Do both then just go with the one that feels right is all I can say. Nobody knows what’s going on in this industry. My pick would be ASA. Republic Holdings or whatever name they’re using now is a good company but what happens to the 145 guys when Airways tanks. I’m sure somebody will pick up the slack but id image there will be a few furloughs to go along with it. Keep in mind the 170s are being painted in Untied colors (personally i think Untied will make it) which has the same problems as US. The 170s are having lots of mx problems but that’s to be expected, it’s a new airplane and it seems like a lot of the bugs have been worked out. Don’t get me wrong I’m itching for a chance to fly one but what I am hearing is a 10-year Capt. will be a 57.00/hr that’s defiantly not going to do it for the pay they are offering. And by the way I know that’s just first year pay but It's just not worth 10 years of my life. Hopefully somebody’s got better news for me.

 

[BoilerUP]

I've never met a CHQ pilot who wasn't content, if not happy, with his or her QOL and position. I personally think this means more than a slightly higher W2, but thats just me.

Both are extremely good companies, but ASA is vulnerable to a DAL Ch. 11 filing and CHQ is very vulnerable to an Airways liquidation. CHQ has upgraded people in 17-20 months this summer, but a new hire now can probably expect 2-3 years or more to upgrade as the rapid growth slows. If Airways goes Ch. 7, my WAG would be the bottom 150-200 at CHQ would get furloughed for 3 months or so until the other codeshares picked up the former US flying.

ASA could potentially get an extremely good contract in the next year or less, or a bankrupcy filing by DAL could torpedo those plans. Interview with both, and go with the company that offers you the first class date. My best guess would be either one is a coin flip. Don't believe the propaganda that CHQ pilots want to fly the 170/190 for current pay rates; expect those to be signifigantly improved in the next contract (2007 or 2008). The CHQ contract is available on the Local 747 website, so review it and make your own decisions.

Best of luck in whatever path you choose; guess you'll know what the best route was for you when you turn 60, eh?

 

[73belair]

Look around. ASA has 25 airplanes coming next year. 7(?) ATRs going away. The rest of the leases are up in 2007 (I think) and they have no plans on having them past that. Upgrades are getting longer and longer, and will soon be in line with Comair. CHQ you might upgrade faster, but you might not. However check out airlinepilotpay.com and you'll see where it’s better to be sitting as an FO. Our contract may not move our pay much, but like said above. Our 1998 contract pays more than CHQ, and a lot of others, pay on their latest contract. There is need for improvement at ASA, but we are above a LOT of the regionals out there.

 

[Sphrynxlla]

thanks alot for all of the advice. I guess either of them are a gamble today. Kinda makes it tough to leave a current job you have that is fairely secure

 

[KingAirer]

Also, it boils down to where you want to live. CHQ, in my opinion, has too many bases

To the original poster. If you like what both companies have to offer, go with the one that give you a class date first.

 

[Axel]

And be prepared to take flak in either case because, regardless of which you choose, your job will not be up to someone else's standards.

 

[Sphrynxlla]

thats true... well i dont have an interview with ASA yet, but i think im extremely competitive for it. so i wouldnt be surprised to hear from them soon. i have around 1300 TT 9multi 350jet