NWA's accepting Pilot Apps...

[AA717driver]

Neither do TWA or Braniff.

TWA still has STL. We do allow a highly select group of Natives in, too... TC

 

[Draginass]

Remember, flying for an airline is no longer a "career." It's a JOB. A job that can and will go away at the drop of a hat or the next bonus payment to the execs.

Plan accordingly. You owe the same loyalty to the corporation that the execs show . . . like NONE. It's ALL about money. Don't forget that and start believing the business school sincerity smokescreen and slick talking bosses.

 

[thor2j]

If you are an FO on the B747-400, B757 and A330 you get a full type rating. I assume the B787 will also be a full type. The DC9 and A320 FOs get an SIC type rating.

On the long range aircraft you actually get a "cruise captain" type rating. It isn't the same as a full regular old type rating. It acrually states cruise captain.

 

[filejw]

Ref type ratings.On the international A/C new awards get a full type. Folks on the A/C when the change was made just got a SIC rating. We don't have a "cruise capt" rating.

 

[jws717]

Which bases are junior, are the lines commutable out of DTW? Does NW have long call reserve? Thanks to anyone.

 

[Paul R. Smith]

Anybody know if they are still gonna do the psych eval and the medical screen? J/c.

 

[NuGuy]

Which bases are junior, are the lines commutable out of DTW? Does NW have long call reserve? Thanks to anyone.

Heyas,

Plan on MSP, which is the junior base now, or DTW. MEM is doable for reserve after a few months, but it is unstable at the bottom.

Commuting on the narrowbody is VERY tough these days due to the high value lines. Plan on 86-90 hrs/mo and working 16-18 days (yes, thats a block).

The position system IS a bit different than everywhere else. There are actually two bid positions for each seat, block and reserve. So if you are awarded, say DC9 DTW FO Block, you know with certainty you will have a line. The drawback is you can't "bid reserve" for a month to try it out...you actually have to bid the reserve position. Position bidding is done every month, and is four months in advance. You can "temp up" from reserve or to another base if something becomes available, and a temp base is a good dead for commuters (positive space to work and free hotel).

There are no "build up" lines. You are either are block or reserve. You can adjust somewhat after bidding and during the month with open flying, which is worked manually every night at midnight, and is seniority based. There is no trip drop mechanism.

There is a long call reserve, but is worthless if you plan to commute. Plan on being in base or on a trip every reserve day.

Commutes within the midwest out of DTW, MEM or MSP are relatively painless. The large population centers in the NE (say South to DC) are also hassle free due to the low numbers of commuters and relatively greater level of on-line service.

Anything to the West and South, including LAX, SFO, SEA, DEN, DFW, PHX, ATL and ANYWHERE in Florida is very, very tough due to low levels of service and/or high numbers of commuters. This is relieved somewhat by the 10 day advance JS booking (first come, first served, non-seniority based), but you have to be very quick on the trigger.

Hope this helps,
Nu

 

[thor2j]

Ref type ratings.On the international A/C new awards get a full type. Folks on the A/C when the change was made just got a SIC rating. We don't have a "cruise capt" rating.

You would know more then me since I assume you work there, but a couple of months ago I talked to one of your 330 fo's and he told me he had "cruise captain" of his type. He told me the only real difference was that he did not have to do a take off and landing from the left seat.

 

[PUCK]

Thanks Nuguy,

Best info yet.

jer

 

[Hawker dude]

NWA must be a great place to go......

Check out MSP star and tribune article on sunday, onlyl recieved 250 aps. on the 1st day the window was open.

could be the pay sucks, no retirement, dc9's are over 40 years old. looking good

 

[NuGuy]

could be the pay sucks, no retirement, dc9's are over 40 years old. looking good

Well, I think if the pay/retirement equation was ok, the DC-9s really wouldn't be a problem. I mean, how old are the 727's at UPS or FDX?

If the pay was right, I think most professionals would fly a 172 around the pattern all day, excepting those who have a bad case of SJS.

Nu

 

[Occam's Razor]

Know this:

1. YourPilotFriend is a bozo who knows nothing about the workings of the hiring process. He camps out at NATCO, the petri dish of rumors and other distracting toxins. Trust his "facts" at your peril.

2. Since two of the three people interviewing you for the job will be Active ALPA members, his claim of a "pro company" requirement (or "anti-union" bias) is complete and utter hooey. [I'll probably be conducting interviews again, and his non-union butt will not. 'Nuff said.]

3. The only reason you should consider applying at NWA is if you consider it better than your alternative(s). If you don't, it'd be a waste of your time. (If you disagree with either of those, you've got bigger issues in your world)

4. Anybody who believes they can predict where the industry, or any segment of the industry, will be in 5-, 10-, or 20-years is a moron. [Fair warning: If I ask you the "Where do you see the industry in 10-years?", I'll be trying to see if you're a moron.]

5. If your tummy gets squishy when things don't go exactly the way you really, really, REALLY expected them to go...race yourself to the nearest windowless cubicle and get to work on those QBR-10 reports. (They're due on Thrusdays!)

 

[Flyingdutchman]

How long for a new hire before you can hold 330 F/O ?

What is the deal (flowthru) with Mesaba?

 

[NuGuy]

Know this:

Heyas,

You can trust Occam. He knows what he's talking about.

Whether or not you decide to apply at NWA, or what you think about the airline itself, the interview process was one of the most reasonable and professional I'd experienced.

The HR person was BELOVED by all who met her. Not something you can say about a lot of places. No waiting games. After phase 2, they let you know right on the spot. They treated you like a professional.

Compared to the UAL process at the time (1997), it was like night and day. The UAL process was like a an episode of "Punked".

Nu

 

[Cobraair75drvr]

Yo Occam,

Where you been dawg? Hangin at Nutco watching the Tim's and the Moron running around trying to distance themselves from the staffing issue

 

[XJohXJ]

Hey Occam,

Good to see you joining the thread.

Thanks to all who gave good informative responses.

 

[Fly4hire]

On the long range aircraft you actually get a "cruise captain" type rating. It isn't the same as a full regular old type rating. It acrually states cruise captain.

Wrong. All newely qualified F/O's get a FULL type. Existing F/O's not going through an initial get a cruise type during CQ.

 

[Fly4hire]

Know this:

2. Since two of the three people interviewing you for the job will be Active ALPA members, his claim of a "pro company" requirement (or "anti-union" bias) is complete and utter hooey. [I'll probably be conducting interviews again, and his non-union butt will not. 'Nuff said.]

Please ask them after eyeballing them from head to to with the gunny look which woman's department they bought their suit at :cartman:

 

[Occam's Razor]

Yo Occam,

Where you been dawg? Hangin at Nutco watching the Tim's and the Moron running around trying to distance themselves from the staffing issue

We'll have a new Chief Pilot by the end of the week. I'll miss those insightful videos....NOT!

My guess is the Fleet Captain for the A320 will move up to Pete's office. He's a good guy, and will do well.

If I was a Spirit pilot, I'd be on the lookout for a a tailhook and a spiffy polo shirt! (Inside joke)

The Tim's have their hands full. The paper trail from ALPA that predicted the staffing woes will probably result in one of the Tim's seeking "leaving to pursue other opportunities".

(sigh)

 

[Occam's Razor]

Whether or not you decide to apply at NWA, or what you think about the airline itself, the interview process was one of the most reasonable and professional I'd experienced.

The HR person was BELOVED by all who met her. Not something you can say about a lot of places. No waiting games. After phase 2, they let you know right on the spot. They treated you like a professional.

Agree! Other than the goofy formulas the HR group used to rank pilots, Marie, Marlene, and Karen ran a very good process. When we'd make the "up or down" call after the interview, they'd always defer to the line dawg if the reasoning was sound (eg: "He laughed at the right times and didn't give us the canned answer. I could fly a trip with him without wanting to strangle him with the mic cord.")

Sadly, all 3 of them are gone. The gal who appears to be the next manager is very nice, and actually likes pilots!