Reserve at ATA

[MesaScott]

What type of reserve system does ATA use? Is it a two hour call-out...or do they have a longer call-out? Also what does a typical schedule look like for a junior pilot on reserve?

Thanks to anyone that has some insight.

 

[TriStar_drvr]

ATA currently uses two levels of reserve. Reserve "A" is a two hour call-out, while Reserve "B" is a twelve hour call-out. A reserve line is initially built with twelve days off and the remaing 18 or 19 days as reserve B. However, the company can "upgrade" the reserve B days to reserve A virtually at will, so you can expect to be at your base, or at least two hours from it, most of the time you're on reserve. The days off come in one, two, or three blocks during the month, with a minimum of three days per block. So you could have three blocks consisting of 3, 4, and 5 days off or one block of 12 days off or something in between.

If you are on one of the airplanes that operate scheduled service (i.e. the 737 and 757 in MDW and IND) you'll get a nine hour "rest period" during each of your reserve days. This is assigned at the whim of the schedulers, thus your rest period could be three in the afternoon to midnight. If you're fortunate to fly the TriStar, you'll be on call 24 hours a day, as all the L1011 flying is "supplemental", and not subject to FAA scheduleld service rest requirements.

This month I have had 13 out of a possible 19 days of reserve B upgraded to reserve A. However, I have only been called out to fly one four day trip, making this the best part-time job I've ever had. Unfortunately, ATA pays me like it's a part-time job.

Hope this wasn't too confusing. Of course all of this may change in the next contract. Bottom line, is that if you commute to sit reserve, it'll s*ck. I did that for a while. Now I live within two hours of my base and my quality of life is good. Now did I mention the shortcomings of my paycheck?

Congrats on the interview. Get the job and you can experience all of this fun for yourself.

Good luck,
Brad

 

[TriStar_drvr]

I was a little off on the makeup of the blocks of off days. From our contract:

a single block of 12 days off, or

10 and 2

9 and 3

8 and 4

7 and 5

6 and 6

5 and 4 and 3

Clear as mud, right?

Good luck again,
Brad

 

[MesaScott]

Brad,

Thanks for the reply. How many PFE's are still furloughed and of those, how many of them have the squares filled to come back to a pilot position?

Also, what kind of seat locks are in place? Can a new hire fly the 737 for a while and then jump over to the L-1011 or 757?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Pickle]

MesaScott:
Currently there is a one year seat lock for new hires, no matter what equipment they are on. After your one year is up, you can go to whatever plane/base you can hold. There is some talk that some of the new hires will be going to the L-10, in addition to the 737-800 (Bullwinkle jet). In these new hire classes, there will be some recalled PFEs who have the FO requirements, but my totally uneducated guess is that when all is said and done, probably no more than 50 PFEs will go and get the time and certificates to upgrade.

 

[Race Pilot]

Seniority in new hire class???

How does ATA determine seniority in a new hire class? Does it go by age, social, or some other method? Thanks.

 

[TriStar_drvr]

Age. Sometimes it pays to be a little "senior."

 

[MesaScott]

Pickle,

Does ATA pick up the tab for the hotel while you are in training? I thought that a few years back , they did not...but I was hoping that had changed. Also...what do you get paid while in training?

Scott

 

[TriStar_drvr]

The company does pay for hotel rooms while in training. Pay while in training is the same as it is after training; seventy-five hour guarantee at first year rate, which is about $32 an hour. Hopefully that will be substantially more soon.

Good luck,
Brad

 

[MesaScott]

Brad or Pickle,

What are the details on the training contract? I've heard its 2 years....but how much is it?

 

[ATA75Pilot]

The training contract is $24K for 24 months. It decreases by $1K per month starting at the completion of IOE. If you skip town before the 24 months is over, ATA will sell the "debt" to a collection agency. Then they start hammering you for the funds and can hit your credit rating for delinquent (sp?) payment. I had two friends in my class leave after only a year here and they used a lawyer to bargain the debt down to a lower figure (which I don't know).

-ed

 

[MesaScott]

How many pilots are there on the seniority list?

 

[ATA75Pilot]

Just under 1000.

 

[MesaScott]

Ed, Brad & Pickle,

Thank you very much for all the info. I appreciate you guys taking the time. 10 days and counting...I can't wait.

 

[MesaScott]

Hello again,

I guess the interview went OK on Wednesday because I start L-1011 class on July 8. I gotta go to work now, but I'll try to recap the interview when i get home Sunday!

Scott

 

[reepicheep]

I asked this question a few weeks ago and never got an answer so I'll try again. You guys who are getting ATA interviews; were you in a pool after applying some time ago, do you have a connection, did you just walk in the door; how did you get an interview when no openings are posted on the website? Fwiw, I sent them my resume a while back; maybe I'll send another.

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[ATA75Pilot]

Congrats on the job offer Scott.

Welcome to ATA and the "Tri-Pig"(L1011)...sorry...just a little humor from us "Light Twin" (757) drivers.

With your C-141 experience you should be pretty familiar already with the places you will be going on the L10.

It's a good time to get on with ATA. You are going to see a major shift upwards in compensation and other contractual issues. As of today we only have a few major sections left to close this contract (retirement, retroactivity).

Welcome aboard....always nice to see another seniority below you

 

[reepicheep]

One more question...is Dave Lindskoog still the chief pilot?

 

[TriStar_drvr]

Yes, Dave Lindskoog is still the Chief Pilot.

Congrats Scott! Ignore the disparaging remarks by ATA75Pilot. The TriStar is the queen of the fleet. Anybody can fly one of those light twin electric jets. Glad to hear they're having more classes on the L1011. Puts people junior to me on the airplane, and perhaps signals that it won't be retired so quickly.

Anyway, congrats again and have fun in Atlanta.

Brad

 

[njcapt]

I sent in a resume in February of 2001 and got an application package about a month later. Sent it in April 2001. I had a friend add a recommendation letter and check in with the hiring department every few months. No interviewing or hiring from 6/01 to 5/02. Got a new app in the mail in March of 2002 - told to update my job info and flight times. Got called for an interview on May 23rd.

Keep sending resumes, they screen off of them and send out apps to people that interest them.

I asked this question a few weeks ago and never got an answer so I'll try again. You guys who are getting ATA interviews; were you in a pool after applying some time ago, do you have a connection, did you just walk in the door; how did you get an interview when no openings are posted on the website? Fwiw, I sent them my resume a while back; maybe I'll send another.

Any info would be appreciated.