Northwest Airlink vs ASA vs ComAir

[Higgins]

I'm new to Northwest Airlink, and I have a couple of interviews coming up; one with ASA and one with ComAir. I don't think I'm planning on retiring with a regional so upgrade time is important to me. With Northwest I'll be based in Detroit or Minneapolis. I have a house in Atlanta. Northwest Airlink doesn't have a base in Atlanta, so the commute will probably be poor, BUT, the upgrade time is close to 2 years at Northwest Airlink.

Although the pay isn't the best at Northwest Airlink, the pilots are pretty happy with the environment their working in. Northwest Airlink flies only new CRJ's. They start out with about 10 days off a month, but progress toward more days off is good.

Since I have these interviews coming up, I'd like to be able to make a decision about whether I should even go to the interview, or at least be more informed at the interviews.

What do you guys think about ASA vs ComAir vs Northwest Airlink? Which airline would you go with? Why? What have you heard that you like or maybe don't like about each airline? Is there any inside information from each airline that would be useful in making a decision between these airlines?

I sure appreciate any information you have on these airlines. I know it's a good dilemna to be in, but I still need to make the right choice.

Thanks!!

 

[HAZ-MAT]

Stay where you are. I'm no expert, but you're upgrade will be a lot quicker at 9E than the other two you mentioned. Your 121 and most 121 carriers all have Recip Jumpseat.. so between NWA and Delta, you shouldnt have a problem commuting to Atl.

 

[T-Gates]

Beware!! The ATL-DTW/MSP/MEM commute is tough!

There are large amounts of super-senior ex-Republic/Southern FA's and Pilots that do that commute. Not very easy to do on 10 days off.

From ATL-MEM you have DL (1 J/S) NW (They take 2 offline) and AirTran.

From ATL-DTW you have DL (1 J/S) and NW.

To MSP you have DL, AirTran, and NW.

There is stiff competition for all those seats.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I don't think I'm planning on retiring with a regional so upgrade time is important to me.

Yeah I think we all said that at one time or another.... then next thing you know, a decade later you're back in the right seat at a regional thinking, "I sure hope this place stays in business so I can retire from here"

The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry.

 

[chperplt]

That way you will be positioned well with turbine PIC instead of just upgrading like you would at some regionals.

Could we have a PFT to english translation please???

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Translation

heh... sure thing.

I'd go to the one with the quickest upgrade, the majors will turn around and will resume hiring in a few years i hope. That way you will be positioned well with turbine PIC instead of just upgrading like you would at some regionals.

I'd pay $10,000 for the privilege of avoiding any semblance of real-world experience and jumping right into the cockpit of a turbine-powered airliner where I can have a reasonable expectation of meeting chicks by wearing my uniform to the grocery store. If I get an early enough start and build some turbine time I might be able to get hired by someplace like Mesa or Chautauqua and -- why heck, i'll even work for free if it means I can get some PIC time so when the majors start hiring I can get my dad to buy me a 737 type-rating and jump ahead of those morons who went and got themselves FURLOUGHED rather than hanging on to those cherry jobs! I dont know what those guys problems are anyway.

 

[Higgins]

Well, I'm hearing a valid concern that actually threads through just about every discussion on this site--specifically revolving around the volatility of our industry, BUT, with all of the uncertainty in mind...

WHICH OF THE THREE AIRLINES WOULD YOU FLY FOR:

NORTHWEST AIRLINK, ASA OR COMAIR?

Thanks!


BTW: Tab, although it sounds naive, I too believe the majors are going to turn around. Most of the comments made lately are products of the last 3 years of turmoil we've been going through. We can't minimize the impact that 9/11 had on us, AND, we can't forget the invaluble service we provide to the nation. Things will probably be different, but they'll still be good. The majors are facing a major attrition rate in the next 3-5 years as all the Vietnam pilots retire. As an example, about 30% of Delta's pilot force is over the age of 55. That's tremendous, and I don't think that ratio is unique to Delta. It really helps to have a positive attitude about things, and not lose sight of the fact that we are, in fact, a nation at war. Okaly, Dokaly!?

Please answer the question above...Northwest, ASA or Comair?

 

[upndsky]

I think the biggest factor to consider here is age and how much time you can afford to gamble hoping that hiring at the majors will pick up.

Let me give you my example. I learned to fly in the late '80s with the idea of going to the airlines. Then Eastern and Pan Am went belly up and there went the industry. I ended up in another aviation-related profession but did little flying. Then in the late '99, when everyone was hiring like crazy, my wife and I agreed I should quit my job, go back to instructing and get on with a regional and then a major. Financially, it was a step back but what we thought would be a temporary sacrifice. Then the economy tanked and 9/11 happened.

I'll be 35 years old this year. According to our original plan, I should have been a captain at a regional somewhere by now, making 60K a year and building that precious PIC for a shot at a major. Instead, I'm flying freight in old planes and living paycheck to paycheck while our lives are on hold.

I've decided that I don't want to fly for the majors anymore, exceptions being UPS and FedEx, and only because they are financially stable companies. I'm also realistic enough that my chances of flying for them are very slim. Next week, I'm interviewing at Comair. If I'm lucky enough to get the job, I plan to retire from there. Why? Because this industry is cyclical as heck and I don't want to put my family through another downturn again. I believe that a place like Comair will give me the job security I want plus a respectable salary, which to me is more important than flying a big plane and making outrageous money. I have a friend who flies for US Airways who is 48 years old. He has 20+ years with the company but lost his pension, took a 50% paycut and is worried that he won't have a job this summer. My wife has already sacrificed enough to support my career (she's a great woman) and I don't want to put her through that again.

If I was 10 years younger and did not have as many obligations (ie. a family), I'd go to someplace like Pinnacle for the PIC time. If it worked out, great. If not, I would still have time to find a place to settle down. I'm already at the stage, so I'd go with the place from which you can retire.

Only you can make that decision. But look at the history of the industry. Just as sure as things will pick up, they'll crash again. And where will you be when the bottom falls out? Food for thought.

 

[shamrock]

WHICH OF THE THREE AIRLINES WOULD YOU FLY FOR:

NORTHWEST AIRLINK, ASA OR COMAIR?

I know this is a broken record but the answer is: whichever one hires/hired me. I don't mean to sound like a smart ass but I don't think anyone here has flown for all 3 of these airlines and there are very few (if any) that have flown for 2 out of the 3. All you're going to get are subjective opinions, which could help your decision, but can't make it for you.

I work at ASA but would have gladly gone to Comair if the opportunity had presented itself first. I don't know much about Airlink. How long have you been there? How important is being based in ATL? DFW is the junior base right now at ASA. With the ATR, 50 and 70 seaters in ATL, you might not have that much trouble getting there eventually, but it could take a while. QOL at ASA can be rough sometimes and as of right now you're looking at a long upgrade. I would guess that Comair is a similar story. Every airline has its positives and negatives and i don't think you're making too much progress going from an Airlink RJ to a DCI RJ. If you're that interested in ASA or Comair, the at least go interview and get hired first.

My $.02, stay at Airlink. Since you are already there and flying a CRJ, you are that much closer to upgrade or at least a better QOL. If you are dead set on ATL, then come on down to ASA.

 

[steveg]

Good reply,

I'm also in my 30's. Had my whole life mapped out and things were going great 2-3 years ago. I was flying Int. on widebodies for the largest airline in the world making 110+. I planned a long time ago for fuloughs and such, have a great wife, found another flying job right away, and yet I'm burning through savings and am shocked, wondering WTF happened! I'm hoping to get an interview with a 3rd Major, and thinking it will be my last job (you'd think I'd learn).

So why'd I post? This is a great site for info. about interview processes, pay scales, QOL questions, etc... If you are looking for carreer advice, everyone here thinks they are an expert, and everyone here is wrong. You have to do what is right for you PERIOD. Someone else's cup of tea may taste like vinegar to you! If you are happy, stay. If you aren't, go. Simple as that. Don't listen to anyone else. By nature, we all think we have the crystal ball. By reality, we are shooting craps in the dark. I don't know anymore about tomorrow than you or Herb Kelleher. Good luck!

 

[General Lee]

Steve,

Without saying who you are trying to get on with now---can you give us a hint? Aircraft types, bases, etc...???


Good luck!


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[DTWFO]

Amazing

It never ceases to amaze me that anyone can turn ANY thread into a PFT argument. The PFT whiners are at it again!

 

[captainv]

>I don't think I'm planning on retiring with a regional so upgrade >time is important to me.

i think a lot of us would like to go to a regional, upgrade in two years, get our 1000 hours PIC and see what's out there. but more than half my class at Comair were either military pilots who'd expected to go straight to the majors or pilots at the majors who never thought they'd be flying for a regional again. things don't always go the way we want them to, so consider the fact you might be stuck at a regional for much longer than you think. even if things go well and you upgrade on schedule, who says anyone will be hiring? maybe the growth peters out and you're a junior captain stuck on reserve...

my best advice is to go with your gut. that's your best chance at being happy with your decision. when i was looking, someone told me to "trust my instincts, because no matter which airline you choose, at some point you'll be horribly, horribly wrong."

see what you think after the interviews, hopefully they'll give you an idea of the corporate culture and how you'll like it there.

pinnacle obviously looks better to you with the upgrade times. but you're stuck commuting and the contract isn't great. check into the FO payscale just in case you get stuck there...

ASA obviously has a huge presence in ATL, although i imagine DFW is the junior base, and we're all pulling for them to negotiate the best contract in the biz. rumors flying that they're getting most of the new RJs. but enought to upgrade? Plus, General Lee will walk in your resume at Big D when the time comes...

Comair currently has the best contract and QOL. only 8 new a/c unless we get the DoJets or something, so definitely not a quick upgrade. rumors flying that we'll get an ATL base this summer (junior base, for sure), but we got teased with DFW for years. and no help at Big D from General Lee ...

 

[steveg]

General,

Whoever will hire me, but my best shot I think is AWA. Got friends there, and not enough PIC to go anywhere else. I'm tired of looking around, and tired of trying to fill boxes on the app. I want to park it for awhile, and I feel pretty good about AWA. We'll see......

 

[Heavy Set]

Good luck Steve - AWA is a good outfit getting better all the time - it would be nice to fly one of their Airbuses out of sunny PHX. Whisky Driver seems to love it.


Higgins,

As far as regionals are concerned, I'd stay with NW Airlink (I presume Pinnacle) and go for the quick upgrade (in a year or two I hope). Go for the PIC time and jump off to SWA or AirTran (given that you have a house in ATL) after getting your 1-2K PIC time in the CRJ (easier said than done but hiring may increase big time in the next 5-8 years). Focus on PIC jet time - that is what you will need... Good luck.

 

[RimRaider]

Dude why are you so afraid to say you work for PINNACLE!

With Northwest I'll be based in Detroit or Minneapolis. I have a
house in Atlanta. Northwest Airlink doesn't have a base in Atlanta

Northwest??? What's up with that??? Trying to shine a turd??

They only fly new jets! dude the deliveries eventually stop, and some of 9E's planes already have paint coming off and residue streaks. IF flying a brand new shinny jet matters to you, go for it.

The ONLY thing Pinnacle has going is a quick upgrade and that won't last forever!

Comair tops Pinnacle in everyway except upgrade time, but if no majors are going to be hiring WTF! Your going to need alot of PIC time before you are marketable these days at places like SWA, Aitran, JB, ATA, FedEx or UPS.

YOU NEED TO GET YOUR PRIORITES STRAIGHT!

 

[Freight Dog]

None of us will ever know if we had made the right decision until we hit 60.

It's just too bad we can't beat the clock.

 

[CatfishVT9]

Frieghtdog, that is probably the wisest one liner I've read here. Well said.

I've just retired from the Navy and I wonder if, I mean, I think I made the right call. But no one has hired me yet.............

Catfish

 

[LearLove]

None of us will ever know if we had made the right decision until we hit 60.

It's just too bad we can't beat the clock.

Amen to that.

 

[Long Time Gone]

I'd go to the one with the quickest upgrade, the majors will turn around and will resume hiring in a few years i hope. That way you will be positioned well with turbine PIC instead of just upgrading like you would at some regionals.

Oh yeh.......there's all of that long term airline experience talking again. We know you've been around for quite a while.

Just make sure that you whine to a moderator about this, too. If you're a good boy, maybe someone will get you some cheese.

LTG

 

[g159av8tor]

I'd go to the one with the quickest upgrade, the majors will turn around and will resume hiring in a few years i hope. That way you will be positioned well with turbine PIC instead of just upgrading like you would at some regionals.

Dude, go away!!!

At the least, listen and think before you speak, write, or act.

Tabby, if the above is what you honestly think, you are as ignorant as you are naive. Didn't you pay attention in AS-101? Read up on the history and future of the RJ and also on the history and future of the LCC. Find some divergent opinions?

Then, compare and contrast the airline industry today and 10 years ago and tell us where the airline industry will be in a decade. My best guess is only marginally better informed than your best guess provided you did your homework assignment. I'll let you know in 8 months when I finish my GRP on this topic

"Liv'n the dream (ha!)" is much more than the quickest upgrade. If you want sage advice, there are numerous valid posts on this board concerning this quandary. Where's my Airbus?

Tailwinds...

 

[g159av8tor]

Re: Translation

heh... sure thing.

[
I'd pay $10,000 for the privilege of avoiding any semblance of real-world experience and jumping right into the cockpit of a turbine-powered airliner where I can have a reasonable expectation of meeting chicks by wearing my uniform to the grocery store.

ACA company policy unfortunately forbids wearing of the uniform outside of work.

On the other hand, they said nothing about the hat.

(chicks dig the hat)

Where's my Airbus?

Tailwinds...

 

[sf3boy]

Northwest Airlink flies more planes than CRJ's. I know trying to explain to people in MEM that bit of information is as useful as bashing your head into the wall. Go to a Delta carrier. You'll make more money and you might even have a chance to sit in the left seat someday.

 

[dondk]

The ONLY thing Pinnacle has going is a quick upgrade and that won't last forever!

This is the truest statement of all... The current upgrade time is 2 1/2 years and that may go down slighlty in the upcoming months then climb again by the fall.... Unless NWA has plans for more CRJ's at 9E we WILL top out in less then a year for upgrades. By the time the last jet is on the property my guess we will be better than 3 years for upgrade unless some serious hiring starts in the next 12 months...

Although the pay isn't the best at Northwest Airlink, the pilots are pretty happy with the environment their working in.

You have not been here too long based on that statement.. or you have drank way too much from the company kool aid....

I would say the morale while not at it's lowest, it running close to it... The company has very little interest in keeping pilots happy.

 

[Rook]

Amen to that dondk...

Rook(pouring Captain Morgan's in the company Kool-Aid)

600'AGL Autopilot on.
'WHEW!'

 

[T-Gates]

You have not been here too long based on that statement.. or you have drank way too much from the company kool aid....

I would say the morale while not at it's lowest, it running close to it... The company has very little interest in keeping pilots happy.

Amen Dude......

 

[Sppedmode]

Although I work at Pinnacle and commute from the west coast to DTW/MSP, I would tell you to work where you live. If you get the job at Comair/ASA I would take it. The upgrade time is currently coming down at Pinnacle, but the guys who get hired now probably won't see the left seat for 3 years unless we get another batch of CRJ's from NW (Mesaba will probably get the next order of CRJ's).
Seriously, if you have to sit reserve, you sit reserve at home, not a crashpad or hotel. 2-3 yr pay is like $35 an hour at Comair, Pinnacle is $23 at 2yr and $29 at 3yr. Plus, Pinnacle is still a mom-n-pop airline who just happend to get new CRJ's. Our work rules still suck, planning and scheduling are impossible to work with, and the commutes are getting harder to catch every month. It still looks like anyone getting hired today at a regional will be there for at least 5 years...so do you really want to commute to DTW or MSP for 5 years, when you could have been at home with your friends/family more often?

5 years ago, one of my instuctors told to me work where I live, I'm still kicking myself every day for not taking his advice...