TSA furlough... skywest, AWAC?

[thowe21]

As a TSA FO, whats the best regional to go to now?? TSA is furloughing just curious on everyones thoughts. Although I am not currently furloughed, I have been at TSA just under a year with 1200 hrs and 400 jet time. Does anyone think a lateral move should be in consideration. Regardless of bases I am interested in opinions on how the company treats you the best with, pay, QOL, and upgrade times. What are the chances of a new hire getting the 120, or CRJ at skywest. I don't care which one I get just wondering. Thanks

My thoughts are AWAC and Skywest as the best regionals out there right now.... I don't want to be a 5 year FO at a shrinking company with bottom of the industry pay rates.

 

[rtmcfi]

Where do you want to live? East coast, go to AWAC. West coast, head to SkyWest. Since you have jet time, I imagine SkyWest would put you in the jet. Pay and QOL are pretty similar. Commuting for AWAC sucks. The schedules are really tough unless you live in base. Even then they are not the greatest....

Bottom line - They are more alike than different.

 

[thowe21]

one more question how long could i expect rev at either company

 

[wnl]

tool get off

 

[rjacobs]

As one TSA pilot to a fellow TSA pilot. I would not worry about getting furloughed if youve been here a year. I only have 15 people under me now and I am getting a bit flustered, but I am sticking with what they are saying about a short term furlough and not looking for anything else. Stay the course and wait till you actually get furloughed and sit on unemployement for a few weeks while you get send out application.

 

[thowe21]

its not that i am worried about getting furloughed. In fact i also find it hard to belive that i would be (with the high attrition rate around here). I am just woundering if the move would be smart based on the future outlook of each company. haven't applyed yet just want some info.

 

[BoilerUP]

Start sending out resumes NOW even if you are remotely interested in jumping ship. You can always decline an interiview and/or job, but you gotta get that call first, and it can take a while sometimes...

 

[rjacobs]

I know our second year pay isnt as high as some other carriers, but do you want to throw away a year of seniority to go work for some body else. Also I think we get paid more than Skywest first year dont we? Probably AWAC as well. Also second year pay would be more for sure than first year pay. I just think making a parallel move is not a good thing. Thats just my opinion though.

 

[Smarta$$]

I know our second year pay isnt as high as some other carriers, but do you want to throw away a year of seniority to go work for some body else. Also I think we get paid more than Skywest first year dont we? Probably AWAC as well. Also second year pay would be more for sure than first year pay. I just think making a parallel move is not a good thing. Thats just my opinion though.

I think you are totally incorrect. Unfortunately, our 2nd year FO pay is only 1 to 3 dollars an hour more and most company's first year pay. At the same time, most other regionals year 2 pay is more than our third year pay.

Even more important, It does you know good to have one year of senority here. You would be giving up nothing by leaving. What matters in this industry is not years with a company, rather it is the number of people below you on the list.

Fact. 20 people below you are now furloughed and problably will not return. Fact. They were told that they aren't coming back until sept-nov, which means you will have the same ********************ty senority for the next 6 mos plus the time it takes to retrain them or new hires to get on line.

So you will just sit near the bottom of the senoirity list the the next 5-9 months for a piece of ******************** company.

It will only get worse with contract negotiations and the gayjet low life f@ckers that cannot get a job anywhere else. (by the way have you seen some of those guys? Talk about the bottom of the barrel. Seriously I recommend getting the hell out of that sinking ship.

The next 5-9 months would be better spent at a well respected company that is aggresively hiring new pilots of which there are many. Many companies are saying they will hire as many as 400 new pilots in the comming year. That is alot of people below you. And remember it makes no difference how long you are with a company, only how many people are beneath you o the list.

That is the only true senoirity. Get out, especially if you commute to that ******************** hole company.

 

[thowe21]

smart
what do you think about the delta chapter 11 issue at skywest. most tend to think it will end the same ways as the united issue, but that is deffinitly a consideration. If delta has the same basic out come as united everthing should turn out just fine at skywest. on the senority issue senority doesnt mean much here. I more worried that tsa could drastically shrink in the next 5-7 years and then that puts me on the street with 5-7 lost years. still battling the latteral move idea very hard.

one thing is for sure i need to apply. if i get offered the interview then i need to take it and if i get offered the job thats when i need to make up my mind.

 

[waterski]

run And Dont Look Back..........................

 

[SkyNation]

I have worked for both, I say SkyWest, hand down. however, as was mentioned, if you're from the East coast, AWAC is what I'd recommend

 

[Titanium]

Pretty much same situation as yourself. I already made my decision and I'm currently waiting for my class date at AWAC (supposedly mid June). TSA second year pay sucks...I think only Pinnacle is lower. Current first year pay at AWAC is 23.81 going up to 24.17 on Oct 1 2006. Second year pay will be 35.38 also eff. Oct 1 so that's about what, almost $10 more than TSA not to mention AWAC's Duty/Trip rig and min 12 days off a month for everyone.

IMO, doesn't seem like much of a future at TSA. There's about 85 underneath me and with 4 crews per airplane and only 48 jets once the J41s are gone, seems like we are still ripe for more furloughs. It was an easy decision for me.

 

[STINKER]

Pretty much same situation as yourself. I already made my decision and I'm currently waiting for my class date at AWAC (supposedly mid June). TSA second year pay sucks...I think only Pinnacle is lower. Current first year pay at AWAC is 23.81 going up to 24.17 on Oct 1 2006. Second year pay will be 35.38 also eff. Oct 1 so that's about what, almost $10 more than TSA not to mention AWAC's Duty/Trip rig and min 12 days off a month for everyone.

IMO, doesn't seem like much of a future at TSA. There's about 85 underneath me and with 4 crews per airplane and only 48 jets once the J41s are gone, seems like we are still ripe for more furloughs. It was an easy decision for me.

Congrats T,
No call with the good news...? Party foul!!!

Cheers,
Stinker
Ex Waterskier Current Jetlinker

 

[louisbarrow]

Ex-TSAer

I jumped ship from TSA exactly six months ago to the day for XJT. Even with the uncertainty, the moving expenses, going back through training, sitting on reserve, and going from the #4 FO on the J41 to number 600 FO in Houston alone, I know I will NEVER regret my decision. NEVER! You cannot possibly know how much greener the grass is on this side of the street. I will be off reserve next month (only four months online), I pay $200 per month less in healthcare, which means I actually make more as a first year here than I did as a second year there, plus second year pay is a 150% pay raise to about $33. The equipment is better, the management is better, the per diem is better, I'll probably upgrade faster even with a two-year head start at TSA, the snacks are better, the pilots are happier (the ones that complain don't know any better), and XJT is hiring ~32 people a month until the end of the year. We get messages and emails from the DO and CEO telling us "good job guys" and "we need your help for _____" instead of MW's infamous, "Merry Christmas ... if you call in sick you're fired."
I'm not saying coming to XJT would work for everyone ... I'm from Texas and my wife got a pretty good job in Houston, so it made sense for me. But I always worked for terrible companies: Flight school, Part 135, and TSA. I can honestly tell you it is so much more rewarding and FUN to come to work for a place like XJT. You need to find that place for yourself, whether it be for a better regional, fractional, corporate, or TACO BELL.
Good luck...

Sorry to hear TSA is furloughing. Best wishes to all my friends over there.
Trey

 

[Turkey Shoot]

I'll have to second the thoughts for the future at TSA. Don't seem to be much there if you're junior. I'm gone too. Got a call with an offer and the next week, furloughs.

Good luck guys! I would love to fly on the wall in whore house (GJ crew room) when those GJ turds find out they are going on the same list since Hulas' American flying can't stand a TSA strike.

 

[Skippy]

TSA absolutely sucks. Why interview or remain employed at a company who wants to furlough when they really didnt need to. I flew with an FO who couldnt drop a trip because of "NO COVERAGE"? Well, that cant mean they are overstaffed, can it? I believe this furlough has to do with other things, most recently 2 elected union officials have gotten their jobs back, with a third awaiting his positive outcome as well. The company would rather place fear and uncertainty in it's own pilot group and not let the pilot group think the union is returning to "power" . Talk about self righteousness. Anyway, if you can get another interview, and even better, the job offer. You really have no choice but to leave. At the end of the furlough, you'd still have more seniority at your new airline then you would if you'd gone back to TSA. In fact, when they do call, lie to them and tell them you'll be back for class. When they are waiting for pilots who dont show, that's the ultimate FU&^ You to them.

Take the SIC rating and the proverbial 10K in training and RUN, there is no training contract!!!!

The grass is greener, from what i hear. AN almost 3 year FO put in his two weeks to go to NETJETS on FRIDAY, stating he would rather work for a company that is more in line with his goals. CLASSIC!!!! The hardest part is making the decision, not how much money or seniority you think you will be losing, becuase in the long run you'll be making more becuase you will upgrade quicker, but most importantly be happier.

SKIPPY

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Where do you think you'll be happier in 5-7 years? For pilots using a regional to gain experience for a better job a 5-7 year stay is typical. For some it can be longer since there are always more pilots than jobs. For some the regional turns into a career. If you're living where you want to live pulling in 80-100K it's not an easy decision to give up the security and decent paycheck for a commute and a chance of being furloughed..

 

[Jbitzer]

Tom I can't believe you started this thread.... Holcombe says you are unwelcome on the couch...

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I think that, basically, 100% of ex-TSA pilots who went to AWAC/Skywest would agree that they took a massive step up. It is NOT a lateral move. The one exception would be if you live in STL and want to stay there and not commute...then TSA looks better.

I've heard AWAC will be opening LAS as a base. Since they own part of USAir, and because of the merger, I'm sure AWAC won't be stuck in the NE for long.

I was furloughed from TSA and didn't go back. I think I made the right choice.

Cliff
YIP