New AWA base (LAS)

[modecontrol]

Anyone know when America West is going to open their LAS base, if they have not already done so?

 

[TWA Dude]

It opened in February. Seventy Airbus crews. All trips beginning and ending after 10pm. Went very junior.

 

[Flechas]

Viva Las Vegas!!!!!!!!

 

[fellows]

Every trip out of LAS begins and ends after 10pm. What's the typical trip like out of LAS and how does it compare to PHX? Anybody.....

 

[MK82Man]

It is true that for Feb and March the lines all launched late (I didn’t really look back to see what the breakout was, but can’t recall a report before 2100), but the April pairings look somewhat better. There are about 90 different pairings in April – obviously some only occur once, and some repeat throughout the month; and it is all Airbus in Sin City. Of the two day pairings: 17 that report between 2100 and 2200 and 8 that report between 2200 and 2300. Of the three day pairings: 1 that reports between 1900 and 2000 and 11 that report between 2100 and 2200. There were no three day pairings that had reports after 2200. On the four day side of it: 4 that report between 1900 and 2000, 0 between 2000 and 2100, 36 that report between 2100 and 2200 and 13 that report between 2200 and 2300. The two day trips are usually just East Coast/Florida runs with about 12-14 hours of layover and then return the next night at about 2300. The three and four day trips generally have decreasing night flying and the schedule gets better (IE earlier into the day) every day. Just coming off a four day where the last day was arrive in DTW at 0030 and then layover for 18 hours with just one hop home to be in LAS at 2240. So yes it is late night flying but usually just one “all night redeye” on leg 1, and then it gets better as you go. The FARs help you if you launch at say 2330 and then turn the next day, as you will find 80% of the first legs flying time occurs on day two of your trip and then the company is limited by how much they can fly you on that day two (or at least schedule you for, which is really the same thing). Obviously with the 3 and 4 day pairings, you just get flushed into the America West system and go to about any one of our 90 some odd destinations. PHX had about 500 pairings for April and anything goes for PHX.

At AWA if you get the 37 or 57 you will be in PHX and with only the 75 crews in LAS, new Airbus dudes are going to PHX or a few to LAS to back fill guys who were involuntary displaced as we opened the domicile on 1 Feb. HP has said it wants to grow LAS and so look for new and better routes/pairings to come, but don’t think the all night will ever go away. The market exists for folks who want to party all day in Vegas and then fly/sleep overnight back to their home and work that next day. Of course the inbound legs into Vegas let the customer work all day and hop our jets to get to America’s “never closed” playground. Vegas works for me.

 

[Jetjockey]

Seems like it would be great for commuters. Any word on crashpads setting up?

 

[JetMonkey]

new Airbus dudes are going to PHX or a few to LAS to back fill guys who were involuntary displaced as we opened the domicile on 1 Feb.

This kinda chaps my hide, they ALL should be going to LAS to replace guys like me quicker. Schedulling called me the other day informing me that my return to PHX has now been pushed back another month because of staffing.

 

[ash5855]

This kinda chaps my hide, they ALL should be going to LAS to replace guys like me quicker. Schedulling called me the other day informing me that my return to PHX has now been pushed back another month because of staffing.

How many guys are still displaced in Las Vegas against their will?
What is the policy (procedure) for your return to PHX and replacement by junior guys?

I ask because I am actually a brand new airbus FO (in IOE) who is currently being told that I'm PHX based. If there are senior guys in vegas agianst their will than I should obviously be sent to Vegas.

I have asked many people in the training dept. and CP office about how this all works. Can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone.

 

[fellows]

MK82Man,

What are the average days off per month that flight crews are getting at AWA?

Thanks

 

[xanderman]

How many guys are still displaced in Las Vegas against their will?
What is the policy (procedure) for your return to PHX and replacement by junior guys?

I ask because I am actually a brand new airbus FO (in IOE) who is currently being told that I'm PHX based. If there are senior guys in vegas agianst their will than I should obviously be sent to Vegas.

I have asked many people in the training dept. and CP office about how this all works. Can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone.

Well...! In the next vacancy bid if you bid PHX first and then LAS you may find that people senior to you bid back(PHX) thereby forcing you to take your last choice(LAS). It is all based on seniority. Maybe not the answer you are looking for but that is how it should work. I bid approx. #40 in LAS and the jury is still out whether or not I decide to stay. As Mk82 said they are supposed to grow LAS and my hopes are that they give us some variety with our trips. Namely some not-so-late trips...
Good luck and we'll see ya 'round.
Andy