Right now AWA is not hiring. They were going like crazy from about Nov. 2002 until last month. They were doing interviews every Tues. and Thurs. I know one guy who got hired a month or so ago who got a call from hiring telling him that he most likely wouldn't see a class until 2004. The word is that training is shut off until then. But as in all business decisions, this could change at any minute. The Chief Pilot will tell you "If you don't like the way things are around here, just wait 15 minutes"
The gulf war had a bit to do with it. They have cut back flying since the loads have dropped. With the new Government aid package, an end to the war and even a small upturn in the economy, things could resume. And if United dies, (which I doubt)we won't be the only ones hiring.
As for getting an app, the first classes last Dec. were people who were hired a while ago and have been swimming in the pool. In January they had their first true "New Hire" class. It was full of people with "pull" and a few National guys with recomemdations. After that they looked at people with recomemdations. without one you really have to have some time. AWA really got burned in the past from people who got hired and then took off after training to go somewhere else. Someone with a rec. is more likely to stay (I won't recomend someone unless they give me their word that they are going to stay) as are relatives of AWA pilots. I had an app in from the '99 window but I know that some of the people hired recently were recent apps. They may not be accepting new apps. at the moment but I would keep updating as the gates could open again if the flying picks up for any reason. I know they were short on Airbus F/Os before the flying cutback.