Decision time...ACA or ASA...Help!

[PilotMonkey]

Well, I have found myself in a precarious situation.

1st...I am in the pilot pool at ACA and expect a class date in the first half of January.

2nd...I have an interview scheduled with ASA on October 16th, if hired, I was told to expect a class date in the latter half of November.

3rd...I was furloughed from American Eagle in October of 2001, I was just informed that I am eight numbers away from recall and could expect a recall letter in about two weeks.

 

[bbitner]

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM??????????????????????????????????????????.....................................

 

[wackford]

I have to say it’s nice to have choices. Where do you live? That may have some influence on your decision.

Do one of those companies give you the opportunity to live where you are based?

 

[flywithruss]

You've got some time before you need to make a decision. Go to the interview and see if ASA offers, then go from there.

As far as Eagle, all reports are that all recalls are going to SJU. There also seem to be persistent rumors that a sale of Executive is in the offing. So, if you get recalled, you're likely to be in SJU for quite some time. Is this for you? If not, I'd cross off option three. If so, keep Eagle in the pile.

I'll second the previous comment ... can you live in domicile with one of these companies? Consider those QOL-type issues in making the decision.

Good luck ...

R

 

[jetexas]

Go to ACA or ASA. You can make captain there.

 

[Flash 7]

Eagle is now recalling to SAAB 340 in DFW. 20 to be exact.

However, I would go with ASA or ACA

 

[flyinhard]

I am not going to lie, I don't feel bad for you. Just kidding, you have a problem that 90% of the people in here wish they had. Congrats and good luck.

 

[PilotMonkey]

I am currently living in Dallas, so if I was able to be based here with ASA it would be the least expensive, that would be good! But I am not overly concerned with that, I am willing to move to any base in which I am assigned, with either airline. No wife or kids affords me this option. I know that going back to eagle is my least likely choice. I am basically trying to decide between ASA and ACA. What I would like to avoid is choosing a company to go with and then watching the other company flourish while I sit stagnant. I am in the process of gathering as much info as possible on both companies, I believe the best source of info will come from the people who work for or have experience with these companies. I have done a search on this sight and any additional insights on which company is better and why would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

 

[jetexas]

ACA is not a "wholly owned", so you'll be less susceptible to a 'whipsaw'.
I have friends at both ACA and ASA and they have nothing but good things to say about either. My friend made CRJ captain at ACA in just over 3 years. He was a student pilot while I was a CFII. Good for him, Ouch for me for coming to Eagle. I'm looking at 4 years here now and, unless I want to go to the rock for eons, I'll remain an FO for several more years.
Flip a coin. IN my opinion ACA and ASA are both good places to be. ACA might stand to grow more than ASA over time if Delta puts the sqeeze on ASA's flying. Who knows!
Good luck! I might see you at one of those companies soon!

 

[DoinTime]

ACA is not a "wholly owned", so you'll be less susceptible to a 'whipsaw'.

Tell that to Mesaba guys. They aren't only being whipsawed against Pinnacle they are being whipsawed against their own company.

 

[g159av8tor]

In an industry where most of your big career decisions are based on rumors and luck, go with your gut feeling. At some point, either decision you make will be and or seem to be the wrong one. Get it?

Tailwinds...

 

[wackford]

PilotMonkey,

I think it wouldn’t be a bad decision to abandon the “time you put in” at Eagle to go to another regional. Jetexas has some insight for you on that.

I was offered classes by ASA and ACA and I chose ACA for the following reasons:

-I live 30 min from IAD
-My ARNG unit is a 2 hour drive
-Class started 3 months earlier (most important factor for me)
-CRJ 200 class (nothing against props but I already have 1000 pic turbo prop)
-Could live at home during training
-Reserve is short at ACA presently

I may have gotten a jet at ASA but I felt I would probably get a prop. That was a minor consideration though. I weighed all the factors and made my choice.

ASA training is easier on your wallet. ACA only pays $200 a week during training and doesn’t provide a hotel.

They are both great companies and I was pleased to be able to choose from them.

Good luck.

 

[jetexas]

Definitely go with your gut. Don't believe the rumors. Most, if not all, of the good rumors about Eagle turned out to be sorely off target.
Try to get a copy of ASA's and ACA's contract somehow and see what they have. Read it cover to cover!! I sure wish I had done that about Eagle before I came here!

 

[sabreliner]

Whatever you do...DONT GO TO EAGLE!!!!

I can't stress that enough. Even before 9-11 I was telling people that.

I was there for 14 months and made that terrible lateral move to ASA. Well, I am 150 numbers from 70-seat captain, and I have been a Brasilia captain since 8-01.

DO NOT GO TO THE EGL!!!

ACA vs. ASA.......pick the one that has the domicile where you want to live. I think they are equally good.

I cant say much about ACA, but we are hiring strong here at ASA..


Good luck...


SFR, not saberliner...

 

[jetexas]

Anybody know how long reserve is at DFW for ASA? Are you still giving up routes at DFW to Skywest? thx

 

[sabreliner]

ASA did not 'give up routes' to Skywest. ASA did not have the airplanes to fly the routes that mainline wanted covered. That being said...we are also being told that as more -70's come on line, that will free up -50's for expansion in DFW. Primarily North and West AND to take advantage of AMR Scope at Eagle. Word from the 8th floor is that 13 more -70's by Feb 2003.

Last month - 20 CRJ Captain Slots
20 E-120 Captain slots
New Hires in the CRJ 50 and 70!

I can think of much worse places to be..... Good Luck with either ACA or ASA.

TAH

 

[Patriot328]

Tell that to Mesaba guys. They aren't only being whipsawed against Pinnacle they are being whipsawed against their own company.

What happened at Mesaba can't happen at ACA. If our company buys another airline (or starts another, say ACJet), the pilots are put on our seniority list. ACAI can't own a plane and fly it without it be flown with ACA pilots.

 

[rjcap]

All boils down to wholly owned or not wholly owned !!!

Do you really think Delta is going to grow ACA at the expense of ASA ???????

Other then that, go with your gut feeling.

 

[Patriot328]

All boils down to wholly owned or not wholly owned !!!

Do you really think Delta is going to grow ACA at the expense of ASA ???????

Other then that, go with your gut feeling.

You really believe that? Man you need to wake up and smell the scope. That would be like saying "Do you really think Delta is going to grow ASA/Comair at the expense of Delta??????" (I am referring to when they were not wholly-owned). Or how about, "Do you really think Delta is going to grow by codesharing internationally at the expense of Delta?????" Hell yeah they will!

If they can make more money by doing so, you're daym right they will. DAL only purpose in life is to make money for its shareholders. They will go whichever way can make them the most money.

If ASA, Comair, Skywest, ACA, and CHQ all did the same job at the same performance, but ACA and CHQ saved them 10-15% on cost, I can guaruntee they will be doing some expanding.

I obviously pulled those #s out of my a$$ and this doesn't take into consideration the actual performance of the airline (I don't think ACA is doing as well as Skywest ), but you get the idea.

If you want to protect your jobs I would make it your number one priority to scope out any non-DAL owned flying, dump or buy skywest, ACA, CHQ, and any international flying.

How hard could that be?

 

[CaptMorgan]

Forget about the Eagle...I am leaving Eagle after 3 years to go to Air Wisconsin and commute. I think that says alot.

The Capt.

 

[jetexas]

Capt Morgan

Good luck over there at Air Whiskey. I hear great things about that place....duty rigs, high morale, good management, etc etc

I think Eagle is a dead fish. It's a shame because this place could be a wonderful company.

 

[WMU_Drew]

Shove It In Your...

PilotMonkey

Shove it. Give us a freking break here...you had your chance, you chose poorly (Eagle) quit whining about all your choices.

 

[rjcap]

Patriot,

If ASA, Comair, Skywest, ACA, and CHQ all did the same job at the same performance, but ACA and CHQ saved them 10-15% on cost, I can guaruntee they will be doing some expanding.

Within approximately 1 year one of the following will begin to be phased out of the Delta Connection operation.

ACA,

Skywest

Eagle (out of LAX).


Wait and see.

 

[Colonel Cairo]

A little off the subject but...

...I was wondering if any ACA guys (or girls) can chime in on the (relative) quality of crew scheduling there. I'm beginning to think that there's only one brain available to the scheduling dept at ASA and all the schedulers have to share it. There seem to be a few decent people there but I've been left scratching my head quite a few times lately with the stuff they've been trying to pull. Dodging calls from scheduling on my days off gets kind of old (gotta love caller ID!) and I'm just wondering if it's the same at ACA.

 

[shamrock]

Within approximately 1 year one of the following will begin to be phased out of the Delta Connection operation.

ACA,

Skywest

Eagle (out of LAX).

Can I vote for ACA? If you can't tell by my Avtar I certainly wouldn't be opposed to a BOS base for ASA. I don't know about ACA being phased out of DCI but how about we trade BOS for our ATL Brasilia routes?

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[MetroSheriff]

Re: Shove It In Your...

PilotMonkey

Shove it. Give us a freking break here...you had your chance, you chose poorly (Eagle) quit whining about all your choices.

It doesn't sound like whining to me. It sounds like an intelligent guy trying to gather as much info/input as he can regarding an important career decision. One that will substantially affect his quality of life for the next several years, perhaps the rest of his career.

It is painfully obvious that you have nothing constructive to offer. I guess you just wanted to let us all know how jealous you are of someone who has put in the time and effort to succeed in very trying times.

When you grow up, perhaps with a little effort you will find yourself in a position to be making such important decisions.

If not, on the off chance you do get invited to an interview, give me a call, it would be a hoot to watch.

 

[PilotMonkey]

 

[DarnNearaJet]

The schedules at ACA, at least on the DL Connxn side, suck. Most lines at LGA were 11-13 days off with low block. They say things will get better at CVG.

Trying to get trips dropped is a real pain in the gonads.

I'm not sure if it's any better at ASA.

The failure rate in the CRJ program is slowly improving, they say.

Pay and work rules are excellent for a regional (sorry -- express carrier.)

If it comes down to a choice between ASA and ACA, you may find the only real difference is the middle initial. Choose based on your commute.

 

[FlyingSig]

Sox Rule!

All I have to say to that is 1918!

 

[Patriot328]

Re: A little off the subject but...

...I was wondering if any ACA guys (or girls) can chime in on the (relative) quality of crew scheduling there. I'm beginning to think that there's only one brain available to the scheduling dept at ASA and all the schedulers have to share it. There seem to be a few decent people there but I've been left scratching my head quite a few times lately with the stuff they've been trying to pull. Dodging calls from scheduling on my days off gets kind of old (gotta love caller ID!) and I'm just wondering if it's the same at ACA.

Schedulers have been hit or miss. At times I have been granted some requests that I would think impossible, other times they are so screwed up I wonder how on earth we're still operating.

Like someone said, only difference in ASA and ACA is probably the middle initial..