Goodbye ASA!!!

[spudskier]

Well worded, well thought out post!!! Good luck, enjoy the new job..

Only one disagreement... Moe's is horrid. Stood in line and watched the guy behind the counter dump not one, but two FULL soup ladles worth of that melted cheese-food product over nachos for the guy in front of me, then add some sort of ground meat, about 3 tablespoons of sour cream, and then a few chives (the one redeeming ingredient) uke:


P.S. best part is the guy looked like a plump Kenny G and was carrying a dog that couldn't have weighed more than 5lbs :cartman:

 

[PCL_128]

Only one disagreement... Moe's is horrid.

Blasphemy!

Hey, it's better than eating Popeye's three times a day.

 

[spudskier]

Blasphemy!

Hey, it's better than eating Popeye's three times a day.

Yaaa.... not much better. I'm partial to standing in line for eternity at ABC or heading over to Quiznos or even Nathan's Famous... mmmmmmm

 

[asapilot]

You don't quite strike me as a FAA sort of guy. Congrats on the move!

Thanks, that's a compliment! I'm hoping to change the "fed" image. Most of the guys in that office are pretty laid back and they really want to change the image of the FAA.

Any idea if they are hiring here in the ATL?

I'm sure they are; they've got a lot of people eligible for retirement. I see J.P. posted a link.

How long after you completed the FAA application did it take you to hear from them?

It was very short. I kinda knew some people that knew some people...

Enjoy working with the others out there from ASA who went to the dark side. TB is one of them, I believe.

Yep, TB started it all for us. Now there's PR and RM as well.

What, roughly, will be your starting pay there? Did you get credit for your ASA experience?

They top out at $73K/yr. Seems kind of low to me.

It wasn't so much "credit" as it was "preference" for ASA experience. Since we share fleet commonality with Skywest, they were very interested in people with EMB-120 and CRJ type ratings. Pay depends on your locality. In SLC, starting is about 63K. The 73k top isn't correct though. Second year will be about 75k and over 80K by year 4.

I still think you made the flaps stick at 0 so you could save the world with your no flap landing, all because your new girlfriend was on the flight!

You've got to admit that if you're going to have declare an emergency, doing it when your new girlfriend's non-reving to the overnight in Ft. Walton Beach is about the perfect time for it. You're the one who moved the flap lever, so I blame you. Too bad she turned out to be crazy...

This is good, we need people fighting for pilots on the dark side

That's the idea. I hope some of the culture will trickle over to the other offices. The SLC guys really seem to "be there to help" though, as cliche as it sounds.

I stand by my Moe's statement, probably because the people that work there are typically a more lively bunch than the Wendy's or ABC workers. At least if you catch them early they are.

The only downside to the FAA is now I've got to go buy myself a bunch of ties...

 

[Jmoney]

Good Luck!

It'll be nice having someone like you over there to keep them weenies in line. You are way the hell smarter than any fed I have ever come across......

ASA is losing a good guy-too bad. I totally agree with your perspective on this place, we do have all the components of a great airline, but can't seem to find anyone to put it l together-somehow the 'tards keep rising to the top.

A.A. you are a good dude, and we will miss you-don't blame you a bit, but I think I'll stick it out a while and see how things turn out.....

BTW-if I'm ever in DFW again, I will steer clear of that damn wooden coaster at their six flags! That sumbitch 'bout rattled my liver out!
-Keep rockin!

 

[SpanishCRJ]

I see the tool box just got larger!Just kidding! Congrats on getting paroled from prison. I really enjoyed flying with you in the Burger King Brasilia and the Jet. I learned all of the things not to do in a plane.
I think you should ad to the list. #1 Not having to fly when there are clouds out! Couldn't resist! Really though, congrats again and do me a favor and don't start flashing the badge and breaking chops at LAX with the Foreign Carriers ok. All the best! JC 11-06 paroled!

 

[asapilot]

It'll be nice having someone like you over there to keep them weenies in line. You are way the hell smarter than any fed I have ever come across......

BTW-if I'm ever in DFW again, I will steer clear of that damn wooden coaster at their six flags! That sumbitch 'bout rattled my liver out!
-Keep rockin!

Shh...don't mention being smart in public. I like to set the bar low so there's no expectations

Ahh..the Texas Giant. Yeah, I thought for sure I was going to the hospital with an aortic tear after riding that thing!

I really enjoyed flying with you in the Burger King Brasilia and the Jet. I learned all of the things not to do in a plane.
I think you should ad to the list. #1 Not having to fly when there are clouds out! Couldn't resist! Really though, congrats again and do me a favor and don't start flashing the badge and breaking chops at LAX with the Foreign Carriers ok.

I should have gotten an automatic CFI renewal for having to fly with you. I am the Yoda to your Luke Skywalker. You know the clouds and I have an agreement. I can assure you that when I'm on the LAX ramp, you'll be the first person I come looking for. The word about you may not have traveled all the way to Hong King yet, but I'll be sure to let them know.

 

[flyjen30]

The Fuzz

See ya A.A.!! I'll miss you and your spikey hair. Good luck and have fun with T.B., R.M. and A.R. I've been looking into the same thing in SF. Need my type first - in upgrade now. Might give you a call sometime.
Adios Amigo,
J.B.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

Thanks, that's a compliment! I'm hoping to change the "fed" image. Most of the guys in that office are pretty laid back and they really want to change the image of the FAA.




I'm sure they are; they've got a lot of people eligible for retirement. I see J.P. posted a link.

It was very short. I kinda knew some people that knew some people...


Yep, TB started it all for us. Now there's PR and RM as well.

It wasn't so much "credit" as it was "preference" for ASA experience. Since we share fleet commonality with Skywest, they were very interested in people with EMB-120 and CRJ type ratings. Pay depends on your locality. In SLC, starting is about 63K. The 73k top isn't correct though. Second year will be about 75k and over 80K by year 4.

You've got to admit that if you're going to have declare an emergency, doing it when your new girlfriend's non-reving to the overnight in Ft. Walton Beach is about the perfect time for it. You're the one who moved the flap lever, so I blame you. Too bad she turned out to be crazy...

That's the idea. I hope some of the culture will trickle over to the other offices. The SLC guys really seem to "be there to help" though, as cliche as it sounds.

I stand by my Moe's statement, probably because the people that work there are typically a more lively bunch than the Wendy's or ABC workers. At least if you catch them early they are.

The only downside to the FAA is now I've got to go buy myself a bunch of ties...

Congrats on the new job... The crazy chick from Ft. Walton Beach didn't happen to be DD did she?

 

[asapilot]

See ya A.A.!! I'll miss you and your spikey hair. Good luck and have fun with T.B., R.M. and A.R. I've been looking into the same thing in SF. Need my type first - in upgrade now. Might give you a call sometime.
Adios Amigo,
J.B.

I might have spikey hair, but at least I don't wear a backpack! When I think of you, I think of landing in DSM with poor braking action and someone not arming the thrust reversers. Good luck in upgrade. You can give me a call anytime!

The crazy chick from Ft. Walton Beach didn't happen to be DD did she?

No no, she was a non-ASA girl. I do work outside the company sometimes!

 

[cptdon]

I told them adios in March after 7 years. Getting antsy now and am looking for flying jobs.

 

[asapilot]

Stickers

If any of you DFW/SLC/LAX people(you ATL people can get in on this too I guess ) want one of my ASA stickers I had made just before we left LAX, send me a PM and I'll send you one. I've still got a few left.

 

[On Your Six]

If any of you DFW/SLC/LAX people(you ATL people can get in on this too I guess ) want one of my ASA stickers I had made just before we left LAX, send me a PM and I'll send you one. I've still got a few left.

What types of airplanes would you fly for the FAA? I know they operate King Airs, Lear 60s and some Challengers. Sounds like your CRJ experience could come in handy.

 

[www.]

What types of airplanes would you fly for the FAA? I know they operate King Airs, Lear 60s and some Challengers. Sounds like your CRJ experience could come in handy.

He'll be flying the well known "P51" along with a beautiful cloth seat that will be optioned with...rollers, armrests and with a slight recline. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! The FAA coffee mug and the world famous "I'm the FAA and were here to help you" name tag.

In all fun this guy was a great DFW, SLC and LAX pilot. He was part of the "True ASA family".

 

[USCtrojan]

Well guys, it's been real but I'm out of here after today. I've been here for nearly 9 years and after doing the DFW-SLC-ATL-LAX-ATL shuffle, I've had all the ASA I can stand and then some. For those keeping score at home, my seniority # is 379, so congratulations to everyone below me.

Some sick part of me wanted to stay and see how the contract played out, but I"m over it now. I grew up in Southern California so the 6-month tease in LAX before being forced back to ATL was the final straw. If I never set foot in ATL again I'll be a happy man(though I did enjoy the sweet tea).

ASA has got some fantastic people and I've learned much in the time I've been here. The level of experience in our pilot group is outstanding and we've got a top-notch training department to back it up. And this is the real tragedy of ASA: Between our pilot group, our equipment, our route structure, and our financial strength, this company has got the largest unrealized potential in the industry. All those tools and not a single joker in the G.O. can figure out how to use them. It's a shame for both our employees and our customers.

So, with that, I leave you the top ten things I think I know about ASA:

1) ASA will hire anyone, especially now.

2) Anyone who doesn't think R.C. in the CP office is a good guy either a) is a screw-up, b) has no sense of humor, or c) hasn't ever really talked to him.

3) Moe's is the best thing to happen to Concourse C in a long time.

4) No matter how bad you treat them, people will fly anywhere, anytime.

5) 30 hours in Montreal is a good thing

6) S.H. is not always the enemy. I was as skeptical as anyone, but in dealing with him personally and directly, I've found that if you're right, he will get your back and he will fix it.

7) J.B. can complain all he wants about ALPA and how it's wronged us all and in many ways he's right, but until he actually offers a solution, a real answer for what we should agree on, how it helps us, and how we can move forward to get what we deserve, he's just noise and a distraction to the people who believe that they are worth more than just "living to fight another day"

8) If you're overnighting in Alabama or Mississippi, there's a good chance you'll be mugged, stabbed, or shot at or, barring that, get food poisoning from one of the several hundred Waffle Houses(they use the same utensils for everything they cook people!)

9) If everyone stopped using their cellphones for just one day, our operation would come to a grinding halt before lunch time.

10) Scheduling and Dispatch both appear to operate with only an abacus, a dartboard, and a single phone line. Also, Payroll doesn't do math. The get it wrong with disturbing regularity.


Good luck to everyone at ASA. We deserve much, much better and I can only hope that it will improve. Thank you all for all the wild and crazy times!

Andrew


PS- USC Trojans suck

Awww, AA, did you and CK get together and come up with that?!?!? The Mormon Mafia.... (BYU and your little banana slugs or whatever you call UCSB suck!!! ;-)(Don't violate me later for that comment). I'm sorry you're going bud, but totally understand. The FAA got a good dude. Hopefully I'll get to see you around the Ranch (meaning SLC) once in awhile. Hey, kick our old POI AT in the balls for me if you run into him at the Feds for me will ya? Take care and gimme a ring. Lemme know how many Skywest guys you violate if they vote the Union down.....(Just kidding!!) Gimme a ring when you get settled into SLC.

Trojan

Hey Bacardi, both you can ki$$ my @ss for the Trojan comments =P.

 

[scarlet]

AA was great to fly with you as well, we all still miss Dallas... Take care and good luck... CONGRATS !!

SB

 

[asapilot]

He'll be flying the well known "P51" along with a beautiful cloth seat that will be optioned with...rollers, armrests and with a slight recline. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! The FAA coffee mug and the world famous "I'm the FAA and were here to help you" name tag.

In all fun this guy was a great DFW, SLC and LAX pilot. He was part of the "True ASA family".

Don't forget the retractable keyboard tray and the mood lighting. I'm currently in talks with several designers to come up with a design theme for my cubicle. Something casual yet sophisticated.

Awww, AA, did you and CK get together and come up with that?!?!? The Mormon Mafia.... (BYU and your little banana slugs or whatever you call UCSB suck!!! ;-)(Don't violate me later for that comment). I'm sorry you're going bud, but totally understand. The FAA got a good dude. Hopefully I'll get to see you around the Ranch (meaning SLC) once in awhile. Hey, kick our old POI AT in the balls for me if you run into him at the Feds for me will ya? Take care and gimme a ring. Lemme know how many Skywest guys you violate if they vote the Union down.....(Just kidding!!) Gimme a ring when you get settled into SLC.

How many times do we have to go over this, it's the Gauchos! The Banana Slugs are those potheads up in Santa Cruz. Besides, USC might win in Football and sometimes basketball, but UCSB has had the NCAA championship Surfing, Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, and Volleyball teams. Suck it Trojans!

Trust me, if I ever see AT at any FAA function, I'll be steering clear. Talk to you up in SLC!

 

[fullforward]

Adios amigo! Had fun flying with you in SLC and LAX, good luck with the FAA.

Adam

 

[USCtrojan]

Don't forget the retractable keyboard tray and the mood lighting. I'm currently in talks with several designers to come up with a design theme for my cubicle. Something casual yet sophisticated.



How many times do we have to go over this, it's the Gauchos! The Banana Slugs are those potheads up in Santa Cruz. Besides, USC might win in Football and sometimes basketball, but UCSB has had the NCAA championship Surfing, Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, and Volleyball teams. Suck it Trojans!

Trust me, if I ever see AT at any FAA function, I'll be steering clear. Talk to you up in SLC!

Gauchos Smouchos. Freebasing, and binge drinking don't count either you little tree hugger! You forgot, USC winning in.....Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis, Track and Field, baseball (it's been awhile) and some others I can't think of right now =P. Ultimate Frisbee, sheesh. Howz the FAA gonna be proud of that?

Good luck in SLC. It sucks watching all the good guys go, but I that's the way it works! Come ride my jumpseat sometime and "help me out". Just don't violate me!

Trojan

 

[wickedpilot]

Well guys, it's been real but I'm out of here after today. I've been here for nearly 9 years and ...

It's seems like a lot of the guys leaving have said simliar things about the good crews here at ASA, quality training etc. etc. From my current experience I would agree.

However, when it's time to say my goodbyes, I hope it's not followed by the statement "I've been here for nearly 9 years and after..."

I agree with 90% of your list of "what you think you know about ASA" and for those reasons and others I plan to get outta this place ASAP.

Best of luck on the other side of the fence. Time to go shopping for some ties.