Serious Question about US Airways

[Sun Devil 2000]

I have noticed that over the past couple of months the company has posted openings for instructors in both PHX and CLT. Does anyone on the site have any kind of ACTUAL information about this position? I'm specifically interested in pay, schedule, and the ability to apply for a line pilot position later on in my career as an internal employee. Please do not flame or post anything but ACTUAL information. Any information about this position would be greatly appreciated.

Here is some background as to why I am interested in this position. I would ultimately like to get back to PHX. I have my application in for a pilot position but, I have no connections within the company and I don't see the them calling me out of the blue. Also, a slot within the "West" operation is not guaranteed and I figured this option would guarantee my being in PHX. I was thinking that I could get on with the company and see how things shake out with the East vs. West battle. I would be home in PHX with my wife, who is from PHX, and she would be thrilled to be home. She has a fantastic job opportunity in PHX and she's really sick of where we live now.

There are some other factors that I won't go into but, these are the most important ones. Like I said before any ACTUAL information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Sun Devil

 

[johnsonrod]

I have noticed that over the past couple of months the company has posted openings for instructors in both PHX and CLT. Does anyone on the site have any kind of ACTUAL information about this position? I'm specifically interested in pay, schedule, and the ability to apply for a line pilot position later on in my career as an internal employee. Please do not flame or post anything but ACTUAL information. Any information about this position would be greatly appreciated.

Here is some background as to why I am interested in this position. I would ultimately like to get back to PHX. I have my application in for a pilot position but, I have no connections within the company and I don't see the them calling me out of the blue. Also, a slot within the "West" operation is not guaranteed and I figured this option would guarantee my being in PHX. I was thinking that I could get on with the company and see how things shake out with the East vs. West battle. I would be home in PHX with my wife, who is from PHX, and she would be thrilled to be home. She has a fantastic job opportunity in PHX and she's really sick of where we live now.

There are some other factors that I won't go into but, these are the most important ones. Like I said before any ACTUAL information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Sun Devil

I wish you luck considering the confusing situation related to West vs. East assignments for newhires. I know current AWA pilots and many are actually looking to leave due to the uncertainty and negative working environment (in their opinion). USAirways/AWA wouldn't be my choice for future employment. If PHX is really where you want to go, consider Netjets (new TA includes PHX as a domicile) or XOJet (new PHX domicile). Alternatively, consider Delta and being based out of LA or SLC - easy commuting.

Good luck.

 

[ALGFLYR]

Not sure about the West, but on the East, Sim. instructors must be seniority list pilots. Not sure about the ground instructors, but I will try and look it up later 2nite...

 

[sean67]

Off the subject a bit. I just read that we will be starting Heathrow service in spring '08. In addition, they just ordered 7 more A330's to bring the total to 17 by 2011.Adding 3-4 new destinations per year.

 

[cactusboy53]

I don't know what the pay is, but we actually had an ad run in the Arizona Republic seeking PILOTS and FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS. When was the last time you saw that happen at a "major airline"??

The information is available via the US Airways web site. One of the posters was in part correct about AWA pilots leaving: There have been some, although pretty junior and young. Patience is a virtue seldom seen in men, and never in children and .....oh, never mind.

Life is good on the West. At least 21 days vacation when you start as a pilot. Much better wages than the East (a senior West Captain makes $19 more an hour PLUS an additional week's paid vacation!!). To say nothing about the better work rules.

I don't know when the pilot lists will eventually join, but US Airways is set up to weather the high oil prices for the time being.

The West instructors are now a part of the union with the East. Good wages I hear, and benefits.

Best of luck.

 

[Guppiedriver]

The West instructors are now a part of the union with the East. Good wages I hear, and benefits.

The west ground school instructors are, not the sim instructors.

 

[ALGFLYR]

.... Much better wages than the East (a senior West Captain makes $19 more an hour PLUS an additional week's paid vacation!!). To say nothing about the better work rules.

Actually, at the top of scale, it's $17, not 19, and of course that's only for the Airbus and 737. The East pays more on the 757 and of course the 767 and A330's.

 

[cactusboy53]

A thousand appologies, my friend. For a narrow body captain that still amounts to as much as $20,670.33 in wages, $2067.03 in 401K contributions, and schedule improvements.

I met a AAA A320 Captain that commutes home to SAN. When the list is implemented he will bid #3 in PHX. He will ALWAYS get Thanksgiving and Christmas off. He will never have to spend an extra dime in hotels except for AQP training, and he will have priceless hours of time with his family that would be lost otherwise.

Let's put this behind us and attack Parker while the economy is still functioning OK and we (LCC) are making money. If we continue to drag our feet, we will lose far more than we gain.

Have a SAFE and PLEASANT Thanksgiving Holiday!!

 

[cactusboy53]

A Thanksgiving Poem

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy,
Have never a lump!

May your yams be delicious,
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving Dinner,
Stay off of your thighs!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[reepicheep]

My advice to someone who wants to live in PHX or the west don't come here. Study the history of USAir and don't be fooled by the fact that (for now) HDQ is in PHX.

If you want to live in the northeast, different story.

 

[ultrarunner]

PHX instructor...

I figured this option would guarantee my being in PHX.

What makes you think that? I'm thinking pretty good odds the PHX school house could close up just as easy as it could stay open when all is said and done.

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

If you're looking for a flying job-- Allegiant just opened an operation at Williams Gateway in Southeast PHX. It'll bridge the gap until you find the right place.

 

[Soulfly]

Don't even attempt to argue with an East pilot. THey are always %100 right and still live in the past %100 of the time.

Yeah, PHX will be closing tommorow. We have competed with SWA since they landed in PHX, and done fairly well.

Oh yeah, the southwest is still the fastest growing region of the country. But nevermind that.

Lets see, SWA entered the NE corridor, and AAA was getting run down in very short order.

How many times was AAA in bankruptcy this decade?

How about AWA in the same period?

Facts, people facts ....... You see, this is why pilots will never get what they deserve from a contract ever again.

Because given an opportunity to fight each other, we line up so fast it's not even funny.

All the while manangement puts our money in their bank accounts. Brilliant strategy on their part....

 

[reepicheep]

The point being, this is at its' core a northeast airline that happens to lease some facilities in PHX right now. I would say that any positions west of the Appalachians are rather tenuous. It might work out out west, it might not. The coming recession will be interesting.

 

[JetMonkey]

PHX isn't going anywhere. LAS maybe, hopefully not.