What does it take to get on with ASA???

[wms]

What does it take to get on with ASA???

A lobotomy. I left a part 135 operator where I was on call 24/7 and had no life thinking I'd have it better here. After 4 years things here are still worse than what I left. I've been on reserve three out of four years and am back on reserve again. Only now am I making the same money that I left. And the quality of life and attitude of mgmt is not what was promised and it's not gonna get better.

 

[DrunkIrishman]

Skyboy-

Why would ASA frown on PFT? They used to do it themselves! That'd kinda be hippocritical, which airlines NEVER are. ;-)

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Well, I doubt that the airline management would frown on it at all. The Captains participating in the interview may not be too thrilled with it, and I'm sure that they have a certain amount of influence on the outcome of the interview process.

 

[gear_guy]

You know, If it smells like sh it, it probably is sh it.
If a 1000hr pilot is flying a 727, and wants to leave.....He is probably
living on bought time. 250hrs of bought time.
Any reasonable pilot that worked hard to get the job would know how
difficult it is to get and never in a million years want to leave. Expecially if this
pilot only has 1000 hrs.
Smells like sh it.........PFT Sh it.....

Unreal! Are you slow? Once again, listen carefully....Do you have any proof?
If not shush....I got my first type at 800 hours and I left when I got 1200 hours. I have never pft'D. It is not unheard of to leave for QOL.

Also it strikes me as funny to hear people who took a job making 19/hr talking about others bringing the industry down. If the guy got a job flying a 727 with 1000 hours he is doing alot more to help the industry than those taking that slave wage job.

PS- Do you have a gold seal ATP? Never heard of that one...

 

[boomlrd]

Jealous??

As some of you have stated, I must be a PFT if I have a job on a 727 with only 1000 hrs, well it gets better than that, I started here with only 550 hrs, how bout' dem' apples?? It is very true its all about who you know, and money. I found a government grant program called WIA, that pays for all type of training for people, from welding to type ratings, it was FREE, so I used it!!!! Why not??! I used my skills as a good detective to find a way around being a CFI and living off 15 bucks an hr scounging for students - sorry not my gig! You guys that have 2,500-4000 hrs and are still F/O's can have it, I hope that by getting in my time at an early stage I won't be asking your help to get on with ASA, but maybe Southwest instead. I have nothing against going the CFI route, I think thats great, but I did about 40hrs as a CFI and hated it. So I found a way around it, yes I had to network, and yes I had to sell myself to them. But apparrently from all the PM's I have been getting, alot of you would like the same opportunity. Funny how that works. By the way, while I was in the WIA office here, I found something very interesting, other pilots getting type ratings as well!!! For Free!! I believe that 2 of them were getting thier WIA/PFT (whatever you want to call it) money so they could get a 737 type for Southwest! How terrible!! For those of you that hate us who won't live on food stamps and won't learn everything we need to learn by being a good CFI, get over it, cuz alot more of us will pass you by as well!! Lets be honest, I have only been a pilot for a short time, but I spent six years in the AirForce flying on a KC-135R, so I got a clue, and alot of help from some of those guys, flying ain't rocket science, its gotten easier over the years, airlines don't need guys with big time degrees and tons of CFI time. They need robots that are willing to be there on time and do the job safely. Oh yea and don't forget, a positive attitude. I got into this career because I love to fly, not because I wanted to punish myself as a CFI for the next few years. I can plainly see that some of you hate your life, so move on. For the rest of us who are positive, and resourceful, we want to enjoy are career and for the most part I do. I only asked about ASA and Comair because I had heard such good things. I am not one of these guys that sends my resume' out weekly to every concievable place and hopes for a bite. I have some self worth and want to go and create my own path at the places that I would like to work, hence the reason why I only ask about those two airlines. By the way, for those of you that think that I "bought" 250 hrs, I am a full time guaranteed employee, not contract and I make 47.50 per hr with a 60hr guarantee and 30bucks a day per diem domestic, 50 international. 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, and after hearing all of the bitching and moaning on here, I guess that ain't too bad. I just wanted to get myself into something with mainline connections to broaden the resume' and to get those kickass travel priveledges and to come home more often. Like I said in an earlier post, to each his own! PEACE!!

P.S. Thanks to all of you that gave some well thought out input and the ones who PM'd me about working here!

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I don't understand

Boomlrd,

Sounds like you started off an an intern at one of the supplimentals like Express One or Kitty Hawk, etc. and then after a while doing that, slid into maybe the back seat of the 727. You probably flew cessna's or something on the side to build your total time and quickly upgraded to FO on the 727. It only makes sense to me that you were laid off after 911 or something like that and used the WIA to get a 727 type because you realized you couldn't get another airline job with your hours. So the airline you're at now probably hired you into the right seat of the 727 because of your engineer time and your type rating, and you probably signed a "training contract" so if you leave, say before 6 years or so, you'll have to pay the airline back the prorated amount. By the way, can you even get a type rating or an ATP with only 1000 hours?
Anyway, it takes a certain type of person to fly supplimental night freight, and you do have to put up with some BS that pax carriers don't deal with, but still I can't figure why you would want to leave your airline and go to work for the regionals? Not to slam the regionals, but where can you have a "week on/week off" schedule where you can actually plan activities, or even vacations, on your off days. And I"m sure, unless youre flying for CAT, that you make pretty good money, alot more than a newhire FO at the regionals. **I know there may be some exceptions, but generally speaking**, supplimental captains can make alot more than regional captains, especially if you work a little overtime. Anyway, I'm not upset or anything, i just don't understand why you want to leave your 727 job, that's all. Anyway, good luck. Sol

 

[FlyChicaga]

You can get a type without an ATP. Very possible.

B727... I'm jealous! That's a beautiful airplane. Too bad there aren't many left.

 

[boomlrd]

sure can

Yes, you can get a type without an ATP, u could even get a type with just a private like John Travolta!

 

[ILStoMinimums]

You can get a type without an ATP. Very possible.

B727... I'm jealous! That's a beautiful airplane. Too bad there aren't many left.

I was thinking the same thing. Don't remember of seeinf anything that stated you need your ATP to get typed.

 

[BoilerUP]

Not so according to multiple sources in training. They can't get enough apps from qualified pilots. They recently interviewed someone with 300/12 (not an intern). No joke. Also, I'd say 20 per month for 15 months is more than "not many."

Can anybody else verify this? Where the falk would they find somebody with that time, DCA? Was it a woman?

Expressjet's 600/100 is super low, but TSA & PDT have taken pilots recently in the 500/50 ballpark from certain college programs. I can't see why ASA wouldn't be able to find better qualified pilots...

 

[sweptback]

Can anybody else verify this? Where the falk would they find somebody with that time, DCA? Was it a woman?

Expressjet's 600/100 is super low, but TSA & PDT have taken pilots recently in the 500/50 ballpark from certain college programs. I can't see why ASA wouldn't be able to find better qualified pilots...

I don't know, but I'd assume it's either a FSI or DCI "grad". But I thought that at DCI to get the interview you had to instruct there first?

Either way, it's a pretty tough interview. I heard at one point for every 4 that went in the sim, only 1 was invited back for the next day. With odds like that, no wonder they're exhausting their resume pool. I have no qualms against hiring competent people, so that's great that they're being picky.

 

[BRA]

"You guys that have 2,500-4000 hrs and are still F/O's can have it, I hope that by getting in my time at an early stage I won't be asking your help to get on with ASA, but maybe Southwest instead"

If you go to ASA or comair...won't you still end up a 2500-4000 FO? Isn't the upgrade at these 2 places in the 4 year range if hired today?

 

[SkyBoy1981]

If you go to ASA or comair...won't you still end up a 2500-4000 FO? Isn't the upgrade at these 2 places in the 4 year range if hired today?

....Yup.

 

[DBCOOPER]

This seafeye guy is obviously a disgruntled pilot who thinks that the only way to do it is the way HE did it. I'll bet he is an absolute blast to sit next to in the cockpit!

It sounds to me like you did some very good research, and you landed yourself some good experience for the airline industry. I was once a CFI, it was ok. It's the road that many take. Problem is, if someone else lucks out and finds another or more adventageous route, there will always be a 'seafeye' out there crying foul.

I am right seat in a 737-700 these days. Looking back on my flying past, I can tell you that my flying career REALLY started after flight instructing when I was hired at the regionals. Sitting right seat in a 172 telling someone how to turn left and talk on the radio does not prepare you for that great airline job....plain and simple. What you are doing will. Good luck with your decision.

P.S.- I'm jealous of your 727, it's a plane i've always wanted to fly, but most likely never will.

 

[asarjfo]

A lobotomy. I left a part 135 operator where I was on call 24/7 and had no life thinking I'd have it better here. After 4 years things here are still worse than what I left. I've been on reserve three out of four years and am back on reserve again. Only now am I making the same money that I left. And the quality of life and attitude of mgmt is not what was promised and it's not gonna get better.

I am gonna have to call B.S. on this one. Things may not be great at ASA right now, but it is not that bad. I have been here just under 4 years. I spent one year on reserve and have held a line ever since. If you have been here as long as you say, then you are on reserve by choice.

Things could be better, but they could be a whole lot worse. We are all just trying to be patient and let our negotiators grind it out with management.