Originally Posted by
dosbo
I was there pre 9/11 with the 328's and Bae-146's when only 10 CRJs were on property. Watched a continual erosion of the airline as we were continuously whipsawed against other regionals willing to do it cheaper. 328's went away, concessionary contract, loss of UAL flying, watched 146's parked and moved all domiciles east, good commutable schedules eroded to noncommutable schedules (some two to three day back to backs that just plain sucked), erosion of medical benefits, and over all QOL went down the tubes. All that is left is a fleet of 70 seat CRJ-200's that are too expensive, yet still pay more than most other 70 seat jobs out there. At least until 2015. I left at the first opportunity after the USAir change over, It was no longer a place that had career potential as it was when I was hired. AWAC went from one of the few regionals with career potential to actually retire from to an agressive cost cutter competing with all the other cheap regionals.
That enough back up for you?
Quite frankly, no. If you were still here, I'd say that you know exactly what you're talking about and know exactly where we are here. Things have changed significantly over the past 5 years here. AWAC is very much an airline people retire from, just look at the DOH for many of the people working here. Go ask any pilot here right now if they would leave to another regional right this moment to if given the chance. Can't guarantee anything, but I'm sure that most of them would tell you they'd stay. It's not our pay that is high for CRJ-200's, it's more like their pitiful pay flying anything bigger.
All regionals have gone down in QOL in the last decade, but very few, if any, have the type of contract (which in itself, outside of pay/hr, hits just as nice as some majors), pay, and QOL like AWAC flight crew do.