Pilots Respond to NWA Recruitment Program

[SEVEN]

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070808/20070808005782.html?.v=1

 

[TriStar_drvr]

I never thought I'd see the day when an airline issues a press release touting the number of pilots who have applied for a job. I notice there is no mention that the number of applicants is significantly lower than when application windows were opened in the past...

 

[SkiFishFly]

Why would anyone apply to NWA right now? Aren't they going to send all the DC-9 flying to Compass?

 

[BOHICAgain]

so they are going to hire 250-350 within the next 12 months... how mnay dc 9 are going to be parked?? I know they have order 787 but have they any other orders for more a/c besides the 36 crj 9 going to XJ and the 36 e175 going to CP??.

 

[General Lee]

I recently talked to a NW DC9 Captain and he said they will be parking 40 DC9s soon, and probably 8 A319s this year, along with another 10 or so A319s next year. (the A319s were in a leasing company owned by Checchi and Wilson---two of the past leaders). He said they were currently about 500 pilots short, with the DC9s in service. I bet they won't furlough any, and could hire 100-150 with future airplanes coming. But that would be about it.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[capt. megadeth]

They failed to mention that probably 90% have 2000 hours TT and no PIC time.

 

[Diesel-9]

My scoop is 10-20 Dc-9's, most which have been in the phase out plan for years. Will be going slightly below the plan set years ago. The 10 or so A-319's for next year will be kept for the NBA charter contract NWA picked up again. Should be announced any time. Details are done and contracts being prepared. Hiring 250-350 next year or so. Would do more if capable. Next month is first 787 bid and new MSP A-330 base bid is out within 12 days. Retirements are growing and could see 200-300 in next year.

 

[DontFeedTheBear]

They failed to mention that probably 90% have 2000 hours TT and no PIC time.

It seems that DAL, CAL, and others are hiring plenty with no PIC time. Where does PIC make you a better pilot when you will be an FO for many years to come? For the record, I am PIC, and many of my FO's have gotten interviewed and hired. Great group of pilots. I had flown with many CA's that were in no way better than some experienced FO's. It seems that the Majors have realized the staffing issue at the regionals and are helping their own feed by not creating two training events by taking FO's. Less cancellations = better loads = more revenue = job security. Hmm! What an interesting equation...

 

[Reebo]

Where does PIC make you a better pilot when you will be an FO for many years to come? ..

Here's your chance to retract that statement :laugh:

 

[contrail67]

NWA cannot even get the compass pointer pointing the right direction on their aircraft, so I doubt if they have planned ahead for anything else. Just putting out fires right now.

 

[NoJoy]

PIC does make you a better pilot. The CA is the one who has to make the decisions with the support of the other crew members and then live by that decision on a daily bases. Being a good CA makes you appreciate what is was like when you were an FO. Therefore you will have a different perspective when you go from a CA position back to a FO position at the majors; I would think the new CA you will fly with will appreciate that.

 

[instructordude]

Why would anyone apply to NWA right now? Aren't they going to send all the DC-9 flying to Compass?

Decent pay, a lot of retirements and international routes, ie widebodies. Also Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis are pretty nice places to live.

 

[MINIME]

There's no substitute for experience and the "been there done that" deal. When decisions are being made, chances are that you've been in a similar situation. Thus, you can better assist the CA in resolving issues rather than just sitting there as dead weight.

 

[GuppyWN]

Dude. You are truly naive. Check back when you grow up and have done this for many years.

Gup

 

[xjhawk]

I have talked to a few people who have applied at NWA. A couple seem to think a good recomendation, a few hundered hours of "daddy paid for" right seat time in a piston twin logged as PIC (sole manipulator of the controls argument) and a pretty disposition (gender advantage) can get them at a major like NWA.

I personally was waiting for finishing my upgrade training. Those of you who have an ear to NWA, have them publish some standards for their logged time.

 

[PinnacleDude]

Decent pay, a lot of retirements and international routes, ie widebodies. Also Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis are pretty nice places to live.

Now that is one of the best jokes I have heard in a long time! How about this one: Northwest management really cares for its employees. I think I could have a lot of fun with this one, but have other stuff to do.

 

[70-SS]

The 10 or so A-319's for next year will be kept for the NBA charter contract NWA picked up again. Should be announced any time. Details are done and contracts being prepared.

What about Champion and the NBA? NWA isn't takin over that now are they?

 

[Grandpa +65]

I have talked to a pilot commuting from MSP, which did not apply to NWA due to low pay first few years in the DC-9 (starting at $29 hr.) That is a huge pay-cut for the first few years.

 

[Diesel-9]

I have already talked (PM'D)with 50+ on here after offering to give more accurate info than the typical response on here. Quals were very strong and SIGNIFICANTLY above minimums. Considering the military isn't releasing 1000's annually, should be a good pool of experience. P.S. Strong rumor the deal is done for NWA to re-acquire the NBA Charter. They were doing it for years and dropped it when the 727's left. Had a requirement for the aircraft to have its own air stairs. That requirement is gone now it seems. Lots of talk at Natco it will be announced anytime.

 

[CA Calypso]

Decent pay, a lot of retirements and international routes, ie widebodies. Also Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis are pretty nice places to live.

You need help dude... I don't even know where to begin on this one. This is almost as good as your post chastising very experienced pilots for reading on longhauls!

 

[Thedude]

What about Champion and the NBA? NWA isn't takin over that now are they?

Being that NWA has owned MG since about '99

 

[727C47]

last word we have is that nwa is taking it next season when the vip interiors are installed in the Airbi'. with Champion ,and NWA its just Peter paying Paul anyway.

 

[Fly4hire]

What about Champion and the NBA? NWA isn't takin over that now are they?

There was a thread here earlier saying Champion was closing the DTW base because they had lost the NBA charter.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

It Where does PIC make you a better pilot when you will be an FO for many years to come?

Liability insurance..... Low experience pilots cost extra money in delays, training, insurance, and a lot of other things. Regionals can absorb the costs because they are pay-to-play.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Liability insurance..... Low experience pilots cost extra money in delays, training, insurance, and a lot of other things. Regionals can absorb the costs because they are pay-to-play.

Yeah, just ask United how much it cost to train one particular new first officer back in '95 when it took SIX tries to pass her checkride. No turbine experience, no 135 or 121 experience. Never flew anything bigger than a light twin.

GP

 

[Mud Eagle]

Don't feed the instructordude trolls.

 

[i fly boxes]

Now that is one of the best jokes I have heard in a long time! How about this one: Northwest management really cares for its employees. I think I could have a lot of fun with this one, but have other stuff to do.

It absolutely cracks me up when I hear Pinnacle guys say, oh I am never going to go to Nwa, Management sucks, they pay is too low for me. All of you need to take a look in the mirror and look at the company you work for RIGHT NOW!.
You work for a company that has terrible management, worst fo pay in the world, and horrible scheduling rules and you took that job, whats the difference?

 

[capt. megadeth]

It seems that DAL, CAL, and others are hiring plenty with no PIC time. Where does PIC make you a better pilot when you will be an FO for many years to come?

That's because they can't get anything better! :laugh:





JUST KIDDING! I never said PIC makes you a better pilot. I was just being sarcastic. I do agree with the poster right below you though.

 

[Diesel-9]

Not many managements care for anything but themselves, although NWA was very active and supportive of the age 60 issue, and the frozen pension issue. The 2 recent T/A's also indicative of working things out and openly admitting to the WSJ and other sources that mistakes were made on their part.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

Decent pay, a lot of retirements and international routes, ie widebodies. Also Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis are pretty nice places to live.

That there is funny, I don't care who you are!

Decent pay?

Less than $100/hr for a 12 year 75 FO...

Have you ever lived in DTW, MSP, or MEM? Nice places to live compared to where?

How long do you think it will take for you to get from 9 FO to the "widebody"?

Finally, why would any NWA piliot (20% of applications) refer somebody except for furlough protection? QOL, work rules, company culture?