hiring at AWAC

[n757st]

If you live in LGA, RDU, PHL, DCA, or ORF... not a bad place to be for a bit. Upgrade is not too long (~3 years average), and contract is decent. That said, if you are not willing to live in base, you will likely not enjoy yourself too much here, the schedules are not built for commuters. Also, this is not a career company anymore, it is a stepping stone, just a stepping stone with a decent contract that will likely give you a better quality of life and a bigger paycheck then other stepping stones such as colgan, commutair or trans states.

 

[MusicMan]

Well said.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

AWAC is a pretty solid place if you have to work at a regional.

How do you define "solid"? In my time at AWAC, we have lost 17 aircraft. I know that was all based on losing the United flying but it is still a huge loss of flying. AWAC bid on something like 250 new airplanes worth of flying through multiple RFPs and was not awarded one new airframe. We lost the Midwest contract in our own backyard even with the business incentives for being a WI based company. Not having the ability to grow in this industry doesn't bode well for stability.

What happens when the Airways contract is up for bid again? Think we have a shot? 70 (69) fifty-seat RJs are going to be pretty hard to place anywhere and the three amigos, despite their $450 million windfall from Airways stock sales, aren't going to settle for a three percent profit margin.

But that is just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. (coming from someone who lives in base)

 

[1973Arrow]

If AWAC sucks so bad, why don't you leave for Skywest or Chitqaua (or however it's spelled)?
If the company handed you a bag of $20s there are many of ya'll that would complain that it wasn't a bag of $100s. It has it's issues, but it's not nearly as bad as some of the others.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

If AWAC sucks so bad, why don't you leave for Skywest or Chitqaua (or however it's spelled)?
If the company handed you a bag of $20s there are many of ya'll that would complain that it wasn't a bag of $100s. It has it's issues, but it's not nearly as bad as some of the others.

I am working on it. Let you know in a couple weeks.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

PS-
When I leave Wisconsin, it won't be for another regional.

 

[Hobit]

If you go AWAC, Get ORF as a base! The best Manager in the system bar none. Show up on time, do your job, tell the truth and he'll back you up. I've seen it multiple times in the last 2+ years.

This company has a personality just like every other business.

If you live in base it's not a bad place.

Get used to everyone telling you how bad it is now compared to what it used to be.

I like it but I also am disappointed that I won't be retiring from here like I thought the day I was hired.

 

[Wacko]

If you get hired here just come in knowing that they don't care if you live or die! Just don't call in sick to die or you get put in the "reliability" program!
Good people (pilots) management sucks.

 

[IADBLRJ41]

PS-
When I leave Wisconsin, it won't be for another regional.

Same here. Cannot wait till that date is up. Life at AWAC has sucked since we closed DEN and ORD.

 

[CaptainChris77]

I would not work at AWAC. Management is awful. Schedules suck. We are a dying bird. Skywest, CHQ are much better places to work at!


Use to be a good place to be. There are better options now.

Then why don't you pack up your $hit and leave.

 

[BoilerUP]

Then why don't you pack up your $hit and leave.

That's a "Compete To Win!" statement if I've ever heard one...

 

[CaptainChris77]

That's a "Compete To Win!" statement if I've ever heard one...

Nobody competes to win... we all go to work, do our jobs, and collect our paychecks. If you have any pride in yourself, you do your job well. If mgmt. can win additional flying---great, but all I can do on a day to day basis is my job, and to the best of my ability.

If they were that concerned with economic efficiency, and saving fuel... we'd taxi with one engine like every other RJ operator. We'd have leather seats, etc. The other day I flew a plane with 6 MEL's on it (FMS, 3 PAX seats, APU, and some other misc. stuff). Four out of five legs we had 50+ people booked in the back. We had to boot 3 of them on every one of those flights. That's 12 people who didn't make it to their destination on-time and in some cases on the same day!

 

[Mongolikecandy]

Then why don't you pack up your $hit and leave.

Comments like this are so obnoxious.. for a couple reasons. First and foremost, it's not that simple. This isn't like some other industries where you can just up and quit and expect to get another job with similar pay right away. Going from being a captain to a first officer again takes some financial planning and of course you want to make darn sure you are going to a place that is going to be a good fit.
Secondly, comments like this suggest that while we are seeking new employment, we don't care about our jobs, pax or company. We (well most of us anyway) still show up everyday, try to get flights out on time while still providing a good experience for everyone.
So comments like that are annoying and nonsensical. Fly safe-
Mongo

PS- are your initials CP? Just curious.

 

[IADBLRJ41]

Agreed. I am trying to leave but with the job market slowing down I have to be somewhat careful with my next step. Easier said than done.

The AWAC pilot group has made this whole period of displacements, concessions, and UsAirways so much more tolerable. Most everyone I fly with is a great person with a goal of becoming a better pilot. It is a fun gig when the door is shut and we are off and flying. The pilots and FA's of AWAC make the trips as good as they can be.

My complaints are towards the future of this place. We have not done anything positive since 2004. Stepping stone or not we have some employee's that have been here for 30+ yrs and I would not feel too great about my future at AWAC.

No place is perfect that is for sure. AWAC used to be so much better. Greed is what has turned this place south! If you like the east coast, delays, and like a company with no future this is the place to be.

 

[IADBLRJ41]

Then why don't you pack up your $hit and leave.

I am trying!