Next Class Date(s) at ASA

[Comin-In-Hot]

I was recently offered a job at ASA, and now I am patiently waiting for them to give me a class date. Anyone out there have an answer? Also any info on the chances of getting SLC as a domicile?

 

[Stifler's Mom]

You will most likely get based in ATL on either the ATR or the CRJ.

SLC is a CR7 (70 seater) base and it appears to be rather senior. Now if you get initially sent to the CRJ (50 seater), and put in for the CR7, you will be able to put in for SLC. In the mean time, if you are based on the CR7 out of ATL, you will do some flying through SLC.

Hope that made sense.

 

[Comin-In-Hot]

Anyone know how big SLC is right now (# of planes, destinations, etc..) and how much growth is planned there? The ASA website seems to be lacking in current information. I mean they still show Dallas as a hub, amongst many other errors. I appreciate all the info folks!

 

[WWEfan]

ASA lacks a lot of things (competetent management, a pilot contract, morale, etc.). I'm not sure why you want to come here.

 

[FmrFreightDog]

ASA lacks a lot of things (competetent management, a pilot contract, morale, etc.). I'm not sure why you want to come here.

Excellent strategy. Scare off all the potential new hires and add to the problems we already have. Doofus.

 

[Comin-In-Hot]

I've read enough of the posts on this site over the past few months, and if there is one thing I have learned, you have to take the good with the bad. It is a little disconcerting that most of what the good pilots of this industry have to say about it is negative. But for whatever it is worth, I chose ASA because of its consistent growth over the years, and they are one of the few regionals that put you up, and pay you salary during training. I am going into this with the attitude that it will at least be an interesting experiment and experience.

 

[rjcap]

I agree with Doofus. If you hire on now you are walking into a hornets nest. Keep your expectations low and you will be alright.

I wouldn't hold your breath for SLC. It may start to go junior on the CPT side but there are plenty of FO's that will jump at the chance to get out West.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Why do you think it would go jr for the captains?

 

[sweptback]

Lately it's been going junior on the FO side...

 

[7KCAB]

Had one in my class (Jan 05) already be awarded the 700 in SLC and two others in ATL, all just one month out of finishing IOE on the 200. Just depends on what they need. If you bid for it, be careful - you'll more than likely be on reserve much longer so be prepared for that since it's a more senior airplane. Almost all (99%) of the new hires are initially assigned the 200 (currently all 200's are ATL based) which means you get off the bottom of the list faster which means very little time spent on reserve. I had one month of reserve out of training and am now on my second relief line. The 700 sounds like a great airplane and it's a few $'s more pay after year 1, but personally I'd rather have the schedule.

Hope this helps.

 

[Old Crow]

ASA is really a good place to be regardless of all the negative attitudes. However, Just as previously stated, we as pilots have the expectations and see the potential that ASA has that is continually overlooked. That makes it hard to continue to be professional when the vision from the top lacks to see the real visioin from the front line.

Good luck, hope to see you online.

 

[Plug]

I was recently offered a job at ASA, and now I am patiently waiting for them to give me a class date. Anyone out there have an answer? Also any info on the chances of getting SLC as a domicile?

Welcome, as someone who speaks to just about every new hire class, and no I am not management I'm with the good guys, you have a lot to look forward to. Some good and some not so good. What makes ASA fun is the people we work with on the line, from our fellow pilots to our FA's, even some rampers are pretty cool. Yeah it sucks not to have a contract and many of us, myself included, are ready for a new one and get down on the company from time to time. If it comes down to the "nut cutt'in" and management still isn't playing ball and we strike then I have no problem walking away from it until it is settled, most of us are already saving up for it. This is something you should be aware of. A common question from a new hire is "what happens to the pilots on probation if we go on strike?" Probationary pilots have historically been fired during a strike, some managements have even tried to bully some in to crossing the picket line, just remember that in the state of Georgia unemployment pays more than ASA 1st year FO pay. Also, should a strike result in a ratified agreement, most have language for coming back to work which includes bringing back all probationary pilots with longevity and seniority, its all part of the game and we won't forget about you. Just to put your mind at ease on that subject!

Now to the straight poop. We are running 2 classes a month with anywhere from 11-15 per class. We were doing 1 class of 25 a month but the junior folks in those classes would often have a long break between Basic Indoc. and systems, so they have broken it up to make the training "footprint" shorter to get you out on line quicker. From what I hear we quite often have a no-show or two per class so if you let recruiting know that you can be here in a day you might get a call sooner.

Most classes are CR2 (CRJ-200, might as well get you used to ASA lingo) which are all based in ATL, though we do a ton of flying out of CVG, and some in TPA. In fact just about every trip, other than day lines and naps, take you in to CVG at some point. No SLC flying on the CR2 at this point, but then again at this time last year in my PIC class I was told by senior management that there is not going to be a western hub anytime soon, well 3 months later....and you know the rest.

To help put some things in perspective, the most junior pilot in the last class on 5/16/2005 was number 1744. The most recent bid that had CR7 (CRJ700, just in case) slots on it in either base went in the mid to upper 1600's for FO's, for CA's the most junior was the mid 500's, or about 7 years seniority. We are unsure as to how many more CR7's we are going to get so SLC's growth may stall out for a while but one never knows. Think hard before you fill out your bid sheet and if there is any doubt in your mind about a seat or domicile, don't put it down because when you get it, your stuck with it.

Sorry for the long windedness, but I hope this answered atleast some of you questions and I'll see you in class sometime in the near future.

Cheers

 

[Silent Partner]

From what I've seen and know from talking to a few instructors we are having two classes a month of 16. I think (NOT FACT) but June is filled and they are hiring to put people in July. I do know that in the previous classes (and mine) there have been at least one or two no shows. So people waiting for a class are getting calls to come in early if able.

PM me if you have any questions (about training) I maybe able to answer.

 

[Comin-In-Hot]

Plug,

Thanks for taking your time to prepare a most informative response. I've spoken with a number of people in the industry, and they all assure me that ASA is one of the better places to be in the regional world. If someone does not show for their class, and they give me a call, I 'll be johnny-on-the-spot. That seniority number is all important.

Also, thanks for the information on the strike potential. The rules and protocol that surround the union side of the job is a bit of a mystery to me. I am expecting a very steep learning curve in those regards. I am hopeful that a solution will present itself before there is a train wreck.

One other area I have been thinking about is crashpad availability in ATL. I imagine there is ample choices. Any info would help from y'all.

Thanks, and safe skies

 

[PDTGIMP]

Alot of ASA guys are on there first airline. They don't know how good ASA is compared to alot of other airlines.

I'm on number three, beleived PDT and UAIR were on the way out, and, frankly, was sick of PDT managment. Everyone said how crazy I was to go to another regional 1 1/2 years ago, as they left for ATA, now furloughed, or AirTran and jetBlue.

EVERY airline has problems: jetBlue has low pay on the E-190 and JFK base, AirTran is starting to have some pilot labor issues and my buddies at both companies complain as much as regional guys!

ASA has problems, yes. BUT, they are pale in comparision to what myself and alot of other 121 guys at ASA have seen.

I've had a great contract at PDT, then watched it destroyed, run over and intentionally violated. Chapter 11 is a great excuse. Been through a concessionary contract that had retroactive back pay that was payroll deducted back to managment. What did that get us...they went bankrupt again.

I'm in it for Quality of Life, and it is much better here than at my two other carriers. I could leave for a low cost carrier but it ain't that bad here, pay is low here year one, but it isn't stellar anywhere else. Plus, we currently have good travel privileges, and we are actually growing, so your number moves up, as opposed to down toward a furlough at carriers like ATA, Flyi, and AMR.

As a captain at ASA it will take you four years to get back to the same pay at AirTran...still with no defined pension plan, weak travel bennies, and they too are currently unprofitable.

Lastly, in regards to Junior Manning, all these people that walk through the crewroom in ATL complaining that they are working on a day off, unless they were contacted at duty out the day before, which is a different story, they answered there phone. Like the guy on vacation in Guam or the bahamas or wherever, it's his own fault. People are so shocked that they would call them on a day off....UNTHINKABLE! Folks, it's a game...it is played EVERYWHERE. If you don't want to work don't answer a number you don't know, even if it's a call from a weird Seattle area code. Let them leave a message and if it's someone else call them back! Don't give them your home phone number if you don't have caller ID. Don't ever answer the phone in the HOtel. The game is fun for us when they call on a day off and say: "YO, we be needin' yu to be callin us in regards to your upcoming trip, call us back when you get this. Call two: I axed yu to be callin us back here in the ATL, where you at? I just smile and drink a BEvERage.

Point is, this job is not that bad IF you know your contract. Study it like you would for your checkride, obviously after you pass your checkride. You most likely will not be abused, OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT, if you know your rights. And if you are, grieve it and in ten years you'll get something back. Actually, yes, I do know the contract is violated everyday, but where isn't it? I KNOW from experience they don't violate it as much here as they do at other carriers.

WE NEED A NEW CONTRACT TO MAKE OUR QOL BETTER.

If you're starting here, remember to do your own research, realize that alot of the gloomers don't understand the current agreement, and have no concept of the industry. I will back that statement up with what I heard a captain say about a year ago: "I'm not voting for anything that doesn't include a pension plan." Yea, 'cause those are doing so well, we should satisfy him and strike unless we get one.

I'm pro-union, pro-new contract, especially for QOL issues, i.e. reserve and scheduling, I will continue to picket for our pilot group, as I beleive Skippy is stalling, and I will strike if I have to...but alot of this doom and gloom stuff should be taken as relative to the rest of the industry.

 

[rausda27]

I was called yesterday to start class on Monday. Anyone else starting this day?

 

[BAT31]

PDTGIMP-

Excellent, excellent post! This should be required reading for all pilots coming to ASA ........ AND those who work there already.

My hats off to ya-

DG

 

[Plug]

Alot of ASA guys are on there first airline. They don't know how good ASA is compared to alot of other airlines.

I'm on number three, beleived PDT and UAIR were on the way out, and, frankly, was sick of PDT managment. Everyone said how crazy I was to go to another regional 1 1/2 years ago, as they left for ATA, now furloughed, or AirTran and jetBlue.

EVERY airline has problems: jetBlue has low pay on the E-190 and JFK base, AirTran is starting to have some pilot labor issues and my buddies at both companies complain as much as regional guys!

ASA has problems, yes. BUT, they are pale in comparision to what myself and alot of other 121 guys at ASA have seen.

I've had a great contract at PDT, then watched it destroyed, run over and intentionally violated. Chapter 11 is a great excuse. Been through a concessionary contract that had retroactive back pay that was payroll deducted back to managment. What did that get us...they went bankrupt again.

I'm in it for Quality of Life, and it is much better here than at my two other carriers. I could leave for a low cost carrier but it ain't that bad here, pay is low here year one, but it isn't stellar anywhere else. Plus, we currently have good travel privileges, and we are actually growing, so your number moves up, as opposed to down toward a furlough at carriers like ATA, Flyi, and AMR.

As a captain at ASA it will take you four years to get back to the same pay at AirTran...still with no defined pension plan, weak travel bennies, and they too are currently unprofitable.

Lastly, in regards to Junior Manning, all these people that walk through the crewroom in ATL complaining that they are working on a day off, unless they were contacted at duty out the day before, which is a different story, they answered there phone. Like the guy on vacation in Guam or the bahamas or wherever, it's his own fault. People are so shocked that they would call them on a day off....UNTHINKABLE! Folks, it's a game...it is played EVERYWHERE. If you don't want to work don't answer a number you don't know, even if it's a call from a weird Seattle area code. Let them leave a message and if it's someone else call them back! Don't give them your home phone number if you don't have caller ID. Don't ever answer the phone in the HOtel. The game is fun for us when they call on a day off and say: "YO, we be needin' yu to be callin us in regards to your upcoming trip, call us back when you get this. Call two: I axed yu to be callin us back here in the ATL, where you at? I just smile and drink a BEvERage.

Point is, this job is not that bad IF you know your contract. Study it like you would for your checkride, obviously after you pass your checkride. You most likely will not be abused, OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT, if you know your rights. And if you are, grieve it and in ten years you'll get something back. Actually, yes, I do know the contract is violated everyday, but where isn't it? I KNOW from experience they don't violate it as much here as they do at other carriers.

WE NEED A NEW CONTRACT TO MAKE OUR QOL BETTER.

If you're starting here, remember to do your own research, realize that alot of the gloomers don't understand the current agreement, and have no concept of the industry. I will back that statement up with what I heard a captain say about a year ago: "I'm not voting for anything that doesn't include a pension plan." Yea, 'cause those are doing so well, we should satisfy him and strike unless we get one.

I'm pro-union, pro-new contract, especially for QOL issues, i.e. reserve and scheduling, I will continue to picket for our pilot group, as I beleive Skippy is stalling, and I will strike if I have to...but alot of this doom and gloom stuff should be taken as relative to the rest of the industry.

This is an excellent post. We live in an anti-labor environment where concessionary deals are the way of the industry. We aren't shooting for the moon, however, there needs to be some definite improvement in QOL. Good post PDT!

With regards to crash pads, there are several folks with info on the crew room cork boards with regards to places to live. There is something for every budget. See ya soon.

Cheers

 

[-9Capt]

As a captain at ASA it will take you four years to get back to the same pay at AirTran...still with no defined pension plan, weak travel bennies, and they too are currently unprofitable.

.

True, only if you bypass upgrade.

 

[Hobit]

rausda,

when did you interview?

 

[fsworld]

I interviewed towards the end of April and got a call last week with my training date. I start June 20th.