Is ASA Any Good??

[Spinplate]

Whats the scoop on getting SLC after training? And how is it there? Please only reply if you work for ASA!! Thanks!

 

[Spinplate]

No replies yet huh? Damn! They must need ppl then

 

[BoilerUP]

Do yourself a favor.

Quit starting threads asking about how "good" airlines are and do a SEARCH. There is plenty of information on this board about XJT, ASA, Comair, CHQ, Colgan, Commutair, Mesa, PSA, Trans States, Eagle, and every other regional airline that is hiring out there right now.

 

[pa31350pilot]

Well, I only have an opinion as of now.....I was recently hired and offered the August 8th class.....but I would say that they are a great company so far! From the very beginning of sending in my resume, they were very promt and professional. And the interview was a great experience as well. Some of the factors that really appeal to me, is the fact that you get your full pay during training...there is no "training pay" at some reduced rate. They also give you a hotel room, which is single occupancy....you don't have to share with anyone. Plus, all of your benefits, including travel, start after 30 days. This was told to me by a captain in the training department, so that is the source of my information. Also, every pilot / crewmember I've talked to really seem to be happy for the most part. I'm excited to experience them firsthand, and I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the ASA crew.

 

[Grassstrippilot]

Hired 03/05. Held a relief line (build up line) right off the bat = no reserve. I was just awarded SLC on the 700. I'll be on reserve out there, but I'll be sitting reserve at home and not at a crashpad.

 

[180ToTheMarker]

The pilot group is great. The mgmt group just gets recycled from the same trash can every few months.

For all you ASA new hires....KNOW THY CONTRACT....lest the company violate it repeatedly.

 

[Palerider957]

Overall SLC is very senior, with a few junior people on the very bottom. If you go there, don't expect to upgrade for many, many years.

In a nutshell: Our contract, management, scheduling--SUCK. Our equipment and training is excellent, the pilot group is first rate.

Maint. has been slipping quite a bit lately, all for the almighty completion and on-time #'s.

ASA has tremendous potential, but our management is almost completely without talent, or courage. We are beholden to DAL, which is scary as they are more concerned with gay pride and diversity, then in saving the company.

Our future? Totally unknown.

 

[dime line]

NO!!!!

Its a regional

 

[scarlet]

RUN---upgrade takes 5-6 years

MANgmt. SUCKS,SCH SUCKS, the company does not know the FARs--like they say flight attendants are not crew members by def. of the FARs---that was a response by a manager from the airline..they think we are supplemental operations...they don't know what FAR they fit under..???? CRAZY

why they got back to the other guy so quickly is no one is applying..when you can go to Expressjet and up grade in a year to two and flying good euip. GO THERE...

 

[Sinca3]

Palerider,
I Couldn't have said it better!!

 

[scarlet]

dime line--not sure what you fly--

lets see we are bigger than airtran...
bigger than jetblue.....

We fly to Mexico, Canada, from coast to coast in the USA....

ummhhh and now we are considered a major due to the revenue by the DOT....ummhhh

There are no regionals anymore DIP---either national or major...

 

[Spinplate]

Do yourself a favor.

Quit starting threads asking about how "good" airlines are and do a SEARCH. There is plenty of information on this board about XJT, ASA, Comair, CHQ, Colgan, Commutair, Mesa, PSA, Trans States, Eagle, and every other regional airline that is hiring out there right now.

Your part of the problem you negative bastard! Post your own crap and dont worry about my thread!! Unless you actually want to help. I think taking people opinions into consideration is alot better than reading some fake BS on the web!

 

[BoilerUP]

NO, I am not part of the problem. I do want to help, which is why I directed you to the search function. You say you value people's opinions and take them into consideration, but you don't do a search when there are MANY threads about ASA that have been posted on this board in the last 60 days.

Recent newhires say ASA is very professional and the training and equipment is top-notch. Veterans complain about the scheduling, contract and inept management. Some people are jaded, while others are looking through rose-colored lenses. It is YOUR responsibility to seperate the chafe from the wheat and figure out what the average opinion is.

The people I know at ASA work there because they are from ATL and have a good quality of life. They might not be the best paid, and they might not upgrade in 18 months, but they are very content with their situation. I've met a few people with the good fortune to move on from ASA to bigger things recently, and I have not heard many negative things about it, other than the slow upgrade time in recent years.

I honestly do wish you luck in your job search.

 

[Spinplate]

Ok! Thank you! Ive got multiple interviews lined up over the next couple of weeks and Im just sorting out everything from bases,aircraft,pay, upgrade, etc. I know not everyone is happy at ANY airline and that is why Im getting different opinions. Pinnacle is my first interview and Mesa 2nd. Everyone says Mesa sucks, but I want the potential of the PHX base where I live so I can have an OK QOL. May get east coast or DEN for a while but its ok if I know I might be able to come back to PHX. Thanks for your comments!! Pinnacle is ok too cause I have a pad in MEM and Ive been told MEM is an easy base to snag. Who knows!??? If I was single this would be so much easier!!!!!!! DAMN!

 

[Flechas]

Out of those 3 I'd go to ASA first, just because it's a more mature company, then Pinnacle, and I wouldn't even go to MESA.

We have people from Mesa jumping ship to work for us (and I'm sure to work for other companies as well)

 

[Spinplate]

Does anyone know where I can find a route map for Pinnacle and ASA. I dont wants Deltas route map, just ASA. Thanks!

 

[Grassstrippilot]

There should be a link on Delt's site for ASA. It's something like www.delta.asa.com. Just look around and you'll find it. I think there is a route map on there.

Having been at another airline for 5 years and now at ASA, I feel I can give a pretty good opinion based on my experience with training, without it being tainted by koolaid or with rose colored glasses.

Training was well organized and laid back. Not difficult as long as you put forth some effort. The contract is lacking, but you have to keep in mind that it is an old contract. Pay is still on par or above current industry pay rates. Work rules and scheduling needs to be reworked, and I think those issues will eventually be addressed. Travel benefits are the best in the industry. The people have been great as well.

No place is a utopia. Take every thing into account, what is important to you i.e. quality of life, where you want to live, time to upgrade, type of flying, etc., then make a decision. Just be informed so you aren't surpised by crappy domicile, pay, per diem or work rules, etc.

And after you have done all that, remember that it can all change overnight.

Good luck.

 

[atrdriver]

In a nutshell: Our contract, management, scheduling--SUCK. Our equipment and training is excellent, the pilot group is first rate.

I wouldn't say that our contract sucks, it is actually pretty good overall. The problem is that management violates it all the time. I would agree with the other two though.

 

[sweptback]

ASA route map... http://www.in10sity.net/flashdb/

 

[Spinplate]

Thx guys!! Good info so far!! How about SLC as a base? Does everyone get ATL at first?

 

[73belair]

If you get SLC in your first few years you will be on reserve for quite a while (as things sit now). Saying that you will HATE commuting on reserve at ASA. You only get 10 days off a month on only 4 of those are something that the company can't move. This company has NOTHING that helps the commuter. They don't like them.
In ATL you will hold a line much faster and it might even be easier to commute that way. Either way it will suuck to commute to PHX.

 

[saviboy]

Hi

Some poeple say that the ASA contract sucks. I checked on airplinepilotpay.com and the first year pay rate is a little lower than most airlines but the second year looks very good. So what things are wrong in the contract?
2) is the most junior base atlanta?
3) where is SLC?

 

[puddlejumper101]

at this level...IMHO pick the airline that suits your needs best. Pinnacle, Expressjet, ASA, Comair, Skywest, Chihuahua, and Mesa (ok,maybe not Mesa) are all cut out of the same cookie cutter. Things to love and hate about all of them. Upgrade at ASA is 4 years and shrinking...where do you guys get the info that its 4 years and growing? I upgraded in 4 years 9/11 and all...and the way we are loosing pilots...i think it will be a 3 year upgrade soon. Scheduling sucks...but isn't that the problem everywhere? I just flew with an FO that was at Mesa and he had some horror stories that made ASA seem like a walk in the park. Flew with another guy who flew for Colgan...and once again (even though it sucks) it was not as bad as what those guys go through. Pick your poison i guess...love what you do and work to live not live to work. I can also tell you mood changes here all the time...if we ever get a contract, i bet a lot of bitching will end...until the next contract. Does ASA have problems? yes, probably the same problems all the others face at some point or another. SLC is probably the place to be...reserve you don't fly...far from the GO...kind of like what DFW was.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

3) where is SLC?

HA HA HA... it's in Utah.

If the company treated the crews with respect and quit violating the contract this place would run so much better. Management has taken an adversarial role and has decided that the bottom line is all that matters, without realizing that treating employees with respect would come back to them ten fold in terms of productivity.

 

[dime line]

scarlet


Out of all that you wrote.........hows your pay?

 

[Grassstrippilot]

As of now, yes. But I will only be ATL based for 3 months, then out to SLC. There is more movement in ATL and you'll hold a line sooner there. In SLC you'll be on reserve once you do get it. How long you sit on reserve obviously hinges on how much/fast they expand in SLC.

 

[Comin-In-Hot]

Any ideas or rumors out there about when a new contract might be coming forth at ASA? Also, how long has the current contract been in effect? I've seen all the threads on what the pilot group would like to have implemented in the new contract, and I hope it happens. I start class on July 25th, and just wondering as a new hire would all the potential changes to the contract, if they happen, apply to my lowly-a$$ seniority? Do new contracts typically exclude new-hires from a certain DOH in regards to some of the new benefits/policies? My better senses tell me that the pilot group would not agree to a contract unless all involved got to have their cake and eat it too. Or should I not worry about any of this because a new contract will not happen until heck freezes over?

 

[rumrnr78]

Spinplate- We have a pretty good group here! I am flying with a crew that makes my job cake! Actually enjoy coming to work!
Our contract is old and is being negotiated (still not that bad). But, we are a growing company and will get an industry leading contract. I will not sign anything less and everyone I have talked to thinks the same!
Our travel benes are awesome! Probably the best in the industry.
So, now would be a good time to get in! Best guess is first quarter of next year for a settled contract. fLY SAFE

 

[legalalien]

No idea when the new contract will come. It looks like another year the way things are going at the moment. The current contract was signed 9/15/1998 and became amendable on 9/15/2002.

I don't think anyone at ASA would vote for a contract that didn't include all pilots on the senioirty list. I know I wouldn't.

 

[ohplease!]

Any ideas or rumors out there about when a new contract might be coming forth at ASA? Also, how long has the current contract been in effect? I've seen all the threads on what the pilot group would like to have implemented in the new contract, and I hope it happens. I start class on July 25th, and just wondering as a new hire would all the potential changes to the contract, if they happen, apply to my lowly-a$$ seniority? Do new contracts typically exclude new-hires from a certain DOH in regards to some of the new benefits/policies? My better senses tell me that the pilot group would not agree to a contract unless all involved got to have their cake and eat it too. Or should I not worry about any of this because a new contract will not happen until heck freezes over?

you'll get all the cake we get...bring a fork.....welcome aboard.