I thought AWA was doing good!!!

[jon coqtoestone]

They cannot afford to pay crews to sit in hotels for extended hours on the east coast . . .

Except for the actual hotel room rate, it costs the company $2/hr./pilot to "utilize" them this way. Every 24+ hour layover I've had since Contract '04 went into effect has the "working" days blocked high enough to negate any and all trip rigs, resulting in my "earning" my $2/hr. to sit in a hotel. (At least I'm getting per diem and I don't have to pay for the room . . .)

Cheers!

 

[Resume Writer]

Except for the actual hotel room rate, it costs the company $2/hr./pilot to "utilize" them this way. Every 24+ hour layover I've had since Contract '04 went into effect has the "working" days blocked high enough to negate any and all trip rigs, resulting in my "earning" my $2/hr. to sit in a hotel. (At least I'm getting per diem and I don't have to pay for the room . . .)

Cheers!

What I meant by "afford to pay" was in crew utilization and availability. I can remember many times entire flights being cancelled because there were not enough crews to cover open time or irregular operations because people were sitting around in hotel rooms. They were having to junior assign people and pay them extra to fly trips.

In addition, there was a compounded problem at one time because of them not planning effectively the number of crews needed for each aircraft. They had some people sitting around waiting for SIM time in the Airbus because, at that time, (not sure about now) there was no Airbus SIM at the company. I worked in scheduling at one time and saw all of this first hand.

There have been many people that have gone through the "head of scheduling" position, and, at my last knowledge, (2.5 years ago) they still had did not have it right.

It also speaks to the hiring of pilots. They should have a hiring pool like many other airlines. Then they are not behind the eight-ball when they realize there are not enough crews. Typical hiring process from start to finish can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks, as many of you know. Forecasting of manpower has never been a strong suit at AWA.

It takes time though to correct problems, and I think they are moving in the right direction. At least Parker has the guts to say money would be lost. He was also honest with us about the position we were in after 9/11.

Compare that with prior management, that swore up until 6 pm on the day bankruptcy was filed that "we have no intention of filing for bankruptcy." In addition, they had a "thumbs up" rally with the employees one day prior to bankruptcy. Many of my friends believed the double-speak and bought thousands of dollars in stock, only to be wiped out the next day.

Just my observations....
Kathy

 

[jon coqtoestone]

True enough! Simply amazing . . .

 

[Wiskey Driver]

True enough! Simply amazing . . .

JC, where you been man, I thought you fell off the planet???

WD.

 

[JetMonkey]

They had some people sitting around waiting for SIM time in the Airbus because, at that time, (not sure about now) there was no Airbus SIM at the company.

There's 3 Airbus sims now.

Forecasting of manpower has never been a strong suit at AWA.

I haven't seen one that is, my last employer was short staffed, and don't even get me started about Continental. Getting them to recall a pilot is like pulling teeth!

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Hopefully no furloughs, but it just seems like they are a year behind ATA. I will keep my fingers crossed for my friends there.

Didn't ATA cite overpriced aircraft leases as a factor? I think AWA has a better handle on that end of the business. I think their costs across the board are lower and they have a much different business model than ATA.

Also sometime next year WN's and anyone else's fuel hedges expire. As the fuel price playing field becomes somewhat level WN will raise fares. Unlike other carriers I think WN managment is smart enough to not sell widgets for less than manufacturing costs for an indefinite timeframe.

I think HP is well positioned and should do fine. One thing I am curious about is whether or not the Airbus delivery schedule will be scaled back or postponed. Ultimately this industry will be a lot different by 2006 or 2007. I think Parker and friends will get past this bump in the road just fine.

 

[jon coqtoestone]

JC, where you been man, I thought you fell off the planet???

WD.

Haven't fallen off the planet completely, only partially! Actually, just been hibernating/lurking. I've never been one to wave pompoms and whatnot, but reading your less-than-thoroughly-pessimistic posts on the great Cactus in the desert, you're great for my morale! Since you're on the dark side (I assume), our paths may not cross anytime soon, but when they do, I'm buying at Key Largo!

Cheers, my friend!

 

[UAL'01]

Also sometime next year WN's and anyone else's fuel hedges expire. As the fuel price playing field becomes somewhat level WN will raise fares..

As far as I heard WN is hedged until 2008 (at least partially), so I would not bet on WN doing anything to their pricing. Fuel will only be a problem for the rest of us...

 

[ultrarunner]

Hire till you furlough...furlough till you hire...

neither is indicitive of how a company is really doing

 

[Cactus73]

Cactus,

It's 22 planes through 2006, 12 new planes next year.

Huh???

You are correct. I don't know why I keep thinking they're all coming next year but they are through 2006.

We did change the delivery schedule a little bit too. We were supposed to get 5 leased Airbus' in January and now this has been changed to 4.

The delivery schedule for the rest of the year has not been changed and I doubt it will be as this was already a change from a previous order. We also received the funding to purchase these planes last summer so our current results should have little impact on the new Buses.

I watched the 3rd Q townhall and Kirby stated that our 1999 Mesa contract requires us to take 15 CRJ-900's next year too. He claimed that we don't want them but we have to take them. The 3-5% growth reported for next year in the media is for mainline only and doesn't include these 900's.

 

[HAL]

We did change the delivery schedule a little bit too. We were supposed to get 5 leased Airbus' in January and now this has been changed to 4.

Personally, I think this may just be due to staffing levels. Right now we just barely have enough Airbus F/O's on reserve. Dump another five planes into the mix and we'd be short staffed just like earlier this year. Four seems a little more realistic for the people coming out of initial class in the next couple of months.

HAL

 

[JetMonkey]

Personally, I think this may just be due to staffing levels. Right now we just barely have enough Airbus F/O's on reserve. Dump another five planes into the mix and we'd be short staffed just like earlier this year. Four seems a little more realistic for the people coming out of initial class in the next couple of months.

HAL

"Hello, schedulling? yeah uhh, I'm your new bitch."

 

[HAL]

"Hello, schedulling? yeah uhh, I'm your new bitch."

Yah shure, ya betcha!

Lets see, in the last couple weeks I've had 12 days of reserve, and flown on 10 of them. Welcome to the great life of reserve JetMonkey! See ya in LAS.

HAL

 

[steveg]

Hal,


Was that you I saw bending over in front of crew scheduling yesterday? Come on man, at least make them beg. Party at my place over Thanksgiving if any of us are around. Carbheat is determined to kill me on a bike, and I can't keep Captain busy enough. Give me a call when you're around. What are you gonna do in Vegas? I'm picturing lot's of velvet, and a crying picture of Elvis (I have one if you need to borrow).

ps. Any other FNG's email me, and if I have a bash over Turkey day, you're invited.

 

[reepicheep]

Someone mentioned a hiring pool, well I was hired this week but not given a class date and was told I was in a pool and would start "sometime next year". Was told growth plans were scaled back and they are assessing their needs. I also wonder if the possible ATA deal is a factor. It's great to be on board and I'm very happy but at the same time I confess a little red light went on in the back of my head; should I be worried?