Comair/ASA crews in SLC

[JBcrjca]

Both airlines have started service into SLC recently, and it's rather odd but cool to see new company logos on jets parked on the E concourse. I'm just curious to see how the Comair/ASA guys like flying out west so far, and how have they been treated by the ground and flight crews. The SkyWest rampers seemed really excited about the ASA CR7 that was parked there briefly the other night. I've rarely seen such a crowd gather around an airplane. I must admit I thought it was cool too...what impressed me most was the two lav carts hooked up at the same time. I didn't know the 700 had two crappers!!!

I talked to the FO, a really nice guy, and gave him my best 'welcome to SLC' speech. It was his first time into SLC, and he had only two complaints: 1) It was already dark, so he wasn't able to see the really good stuff like snow covered mountains, etc. 2) He had to spell C-A-N-D-L-E-R to every controller along the way. Other than that, he seemed pretty stoked to try something new.

Any other opinions?

 

[Palerider957]

I haven't been out to SLC yet, but I can't wait until I get that trip. We've have a lot of growth and all the new destinations are exciting.

As a CR7 dude, I didn't know the 700 went to SLC! I was told it was going to be primarily a 200 gig. Right now the trips are mostly Dallas crews, as an Atlanta guy I'll have to wait for a good trip out west.

I'm glad you like the 700, it's an awesome aircraft. I'm also looking forward to working with Skywest guys, I've heard it's a class operation.

See ya in SLC.

 

[asarjfo]

How could you not know the 700 was not going to SLC?!?! It has been talked about to death, and I think the V1's and Flica have even mentioned it.......you awake man?

On another note.....I know the 700 looks cool, but when you have a whole bunch of ASA/Comair paint jobs taking up ramp space in SLC you may change your tune. I pushed out of ATL last week on Ramp 3 and there were 6 Comair birds and only 5 ASA rjs. Then I read in addition to losing PIT, BWI, DET, HSV-DCA, to Comair....they will start flying all three ATL-DSM flights as of May 1st. Just hard to stomach when you are stuck at the bottom after 2 1/2 years with no sign of upgrade in sight.

Now your situation is different, as DCI sees fit to spread your flying around. I also realize that ASA just had a huge expansion in DFW, but I don't live in Texas.....so boo hoo for me.

Gee I feel better
Feeling a bit cynical today

 

[rjcap]

How could you not know the 700 was not going to SLC?!?! It has been talked about to death, and I think the V1's and Flica have even mentioned it.......you awake man?

I'm on the 700 and i also was under the impression that the bulk of the DFW expansion was for the 200's.

to Comair....they will start flying all three ATL-DSM flights as of May 1st.

They can gladly have DSM and while we're at it, you can give everything in the southeast to CHQ, Comair and Skywest. All I care about is expansion out West. The Southeast part of the country is worthless flying !

 

[rjcap]

I left out ATL.

Anybody can have the entire operation out of ATL. This place is an absolute dump compared to the operations of Comair and Skywest.

 

[fanman]

"Just hard to stomach when you are stuck at the bottom after 2 1/2 years with no sign of upgrade in sight." Boo Hoo!!! Gee, I really feel sorry for you....I don't know if you have noticed recently, but the industry is in the crapper! I find it amusing when people think that it is natrual for seat and career progression to move consistantly in their favor to infinity. Like the early '90's, no, WORSE! The music has stopped, and the party is over! Just be glad you have a 121 job with a schedule, and you are not back at the local FBO dealing with the sludge, and sh*theads of the aviation world that will never progress anywhere!

 

[rjcap]

fanman,

The music has stopped, and the party is over!

We never had a party at the Regional level so go scr-w yourself.

 

[fanman]

"We never had a party at the Regional level" ....Been there, got the t shirt....So save your rude comments, and enjoy your retirement jet.

 

[rjcap]

and enjoy your retirement jet.

I believe the appropriate term is " furlough jet."

That is exactly what all the furloughed mainline pilots will end up flying for the rest of their careers.

 

[fanman]

Yes, you are absolutley right, as soon as we get the 70 seat jets on our property from your roster!

 

[Palerider957]

fanman:

Is that what you really want? Do you know the kinds of schedules we fly and the pay we work for?

My last trip had 5 legs the first day (7.4 hrs block), REDUCED REST, then 5 legs the next day (6.4 block).....all this for a pittance.

I would think you mainline guys would make more on unemployment, then flying an RJ.

The regionals are hard work with little glamour or appreciation. I'm happy to be working, but I think a mainline guy would be MISERABLE here....IMHO.

 

[fanman]

Yes, I do know what the schedules are like, and I fought with about 1500 others to make contractual improvements in the industry, only to be trashed by the POS Mesa agreement. I can tell you they are definitely better than working for a Part 135 charter firm while on furlough. I know the first year pay sucks, but second or third year pay is at least livable in some parts of the country.
I think most people dont get the point that I am trying to make, this industry was not going to expand forever! People who are relatively low time, and think they are going to progress overnight, have got it wrong.

 

[bailout]

Speaking of Comair in ATL, fresh out of recurrent, (ASA) the new 'rumor' is that we will be hiring by June, mostly for DFW, and we are losing 10 more lines in ATL to Comair.

 

[asarjfo]

"Just hard to stomach when you are stuck at the bottom after 2 1/2 years with no sign of upgrade in sight." Boo Hoo!!! Gee, I really feel sorry for you....I don't know if you have noticed recently, but the industry is in the crapper! I find it amusing when people think that it is natrual for seat and career progression to move consistantly in their favor to infinity. Like the early '90's, no, WORSE! The music has stopped, and the party is over! Just be glad you have a 121 job with a schedule, and you are not back at the local FBO dealing with the sludge, and sh*theads of the aviation world that will never progress anywhere!

Yea, that is some outstanding rationale.....I should just be happy with my situation because somebody else has it worse than me! That is a great outlook to have....I am sure you will go far in life.

I will just continue kissing the ground everytime I get off a flight because I have a job.......while we are at....I say we just tell management we don't need a raise. Afterall, look at the state of the industry!!!

Get a clue

 

[PROFLYER]

While I certainly hope that the June hiring rumor is true, I highly doubt it. We will probably start training the DFW EMB pilots begining in May or June. This will probably take most of the summer to complete (About 120 pilots, training around 40 pilots per month). I couldn't imagine seeing a new hire class until September, but then again you just never know. I'm sure we'll see some classes this fall, but that's just speculation. Time will tell! Good luck to all those waiting!

 

[General Lee]

I know our furloughs can't wait to fly all of the 70 seaters, and eventual 90 seaters. I can't wait to see them out in SLC or ATL next to my 757.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[USAirways1149]

General Clown

General Lee said,

I know our furloughs can't wait to fly all of the 70 seaters, and eventual 90 seaters. I can't wait to see them out in SLC or ATL next to my 757.

Why is it that every time you post you have to come off sounding like such a wholier-than-thou jerk?

What did these guys ever do to you???

"my 757"?? What a clown.

 

[trip]

What a sad state of the industry when mainline Delta guys are looking forward to flying RJ's ! Do I really want to do this for the next 25 years? I have a sinking feeling about this career, where are the good jobs these days?

 

[jetflyer]

General Lee definitely comes across as a jerk.
General,
relax go drink a beer and get laid. Get off the computer and find something to do but talk about work all the time.......
especially the same thing 62 times a day...da-mn comair

 

[DrunkIrishman]

Hey General Lee,

Isn't there a clause in the DAL PWA that talks about all flying of a specific type aircraft on DAL property has to be flown by DAL pilots? The 70 seat is the same type as the 50 so either DCI pilots would be on your list, or you'd have to hire over 3000 pilots more at DAL. However, I'm all for it since I'd rather be flying with you at DAL instead of beside you at ASA.

 

[Jeepman]

To all the ASA guys,

Welcome to SLC. I am sorry to say, but the controllers aren't nearly as good as DFW, but the scenery I think you will find is much better. I have to admit I am jealous that you guys brought the 70 seater to SLC before we did, but neverthless Welcome! you guys have treated us good in DFW & I am more than happy to return the favor!


General Lee,

I wouldn't expect Delta mainline guys to get 70 & 90 seat RJ's. I just don't think the mainline pilots would accept the payscales that we are at. I just hope that our payscales don't suffer any more than they already have. There our rumors that our management is in talks with SAPA to have the same payscales for the 70 & 90 seat RJ's. I might go with the same payscale for the 70, but I think I wouldn't take the same pay for the 90. I hope that theindustry doesn't get as burned as fast as Sherman went through Georgia

 

[Heavy Set]

General Lee - Sarcastic but entertaining

Jeepman,

I am hearing that the economics are being negotiated and that DALPA is seriously interested in the 70 & 90 seaters. Just look at the Eagle situation - the 70 seaters are favored for the furloughees. Expect a similar situation at Delta. I would bet that most furloughees would prefer flying a 70 seater as Captain (even as an FO if pressed) to mortgage lending!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I would.... Especially since Comair won't accomodate them. I have spoken with many Delta furloughees and they are dying to get back in the cockpit - most would easily fly 50-seater CRJs if given the option. Wouldn't you want to fly again if you were furloughed and not flying for the last 6-9 months?

For all of those who are upset at General Lee - it is obvious that his statement was FLAME BAIT. Looks like you guys fell into it. Yeah, he is very sarcastic, but he is loyal to his furloughees and he is entertaining.... Just take whatever he says with a grain of salt.

 

[CF34-3B1]

I know our furloughs can't wait to fly all of the 70 seaters, and eventual 90 seaters. I can't wait to see them out in SLC or ATL next to my 757.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Nope, no operational intergration there, huh?

 

[General Lee]

I love all of you---especially Heavy Set.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[JBcrjca]

Gentlemen-

I made the original post basically to welcome the new crews to SLC and ask how they like it so far. As usual for these bulletin boards, it has degenerated into a pis$ing contest and a 'turf war'. Well, as sad as it may be...with DL cutting back as they are, there is plenty of flying to go around to the DC carriers. And then of course there can't ever be a DC thread without General Lee throwing in his sarcastic $.02. Can't we all just get along?

For the gentleman that commented about still being an FO after 2.5 years, welcome to a repeat of the early 1990s. I don't think you'll find much sympathy here, since many of us have been there before. I was hired in the mid-90s, and I sat right seat for four years before being able to upgrade. Even then I still loved going to work and I took pride in my job. At some carriers it took even longer. As FurloughedAgain said so eloquently in another thread, it's all about the unrealistic expectations of a different generation of pilots.

Let the beatings continue

 

[asarjfo]

Gentlemen-

I made the original post basically to welcome the new crews to SLC and ask how they like it so far. As usual for these bulletin boards, it has degenerated into a pis$ing contest and a 'turf war'. Well, as sad as it may be...with DL cutting back as they are, there is plenty of flying to go around to the DC carriers. And then of course there can't ever be a DC thread without General Lee throwing in his sarcastic $.02. Can't we all just get along?

For the gentleman that commented about still being an FO after 2.5 years, welcome to a repeat of the early 1990s. I don't think you'll find much sympathy here, since many of us have been there before. I was hired in the mid-90s, and I sat right seat for four years before being able to upgrade. Even then I still loved going to work and I took pride in my job. At some carriers it took even longer. As FurloughedAgain said so eloquently in another thread, it's all about the unrealistic expectations of a different generation of pilots.

Let the beatings continue

WHEN DID I EVER SAY I DID NOT LIKE GOING TO WORK?!?!?

I appologize if I offended everyone because I simply stated that I would like to upgrade! I know things were tough before and it looks like times may be tougher now, but don't lecture me on how I should just sit back and thank the aviation GODS I have a job.

Of course I am glad to be at a company that pays decent while getting to fly good equipment. Do I have to be happy about being stuck in the right seat.......HELL NO...and just because you did it "back in the 90's" does not give you the right to put me down for wanting the left seat.

Good day!

 

[JBcrjca]

asarjfo -

Relax, you don't have to be so defensive. I never said that you don't like going to work...I merely pointed out that I DID. I didn't lecture you on anything, I didn't put you down for anything. I was just trying to offer a different perspective, but you clearly took it the wrong way. Peace

And with that being said, I'm done with this thread

 

[asarjfo]

me too

 

[General Sherman]

Yeah, get back under the porch with the rest of the pups. You ain't ready to run with the big dogs yet.

 

[sleepy]

Yeah, get back under the porch with the rest of the pups. You ain't ready to run with the big dogs yet.

Have you met our friend General Lee?