Air Wisconsin should be a last resort for someone looking to get into the airlines. The one and only exception I can come up with is if you live in Norfolk or maybe NY and don't want to move. If you live in Philly or DC go to Republic or Piedmont. If you commute don't even think about it. No flow, no future (as of right now) and airplanes that are destined for the desert. Enjoy the iPads though, it only took 2 1/2 years after the testing phase started to make a decision.

 

Even if you live in ORF you have to remember the extension with American is up Feb 2018. If they sign with Delta or got back to United then that base would probably close. They will need to lock in a another long term deal with American or the other 2 and have some stability before you take a chance on just living in one of their bases.

 

Pitchtrim will chime in with.

 

That guy looks like most air wis captains actually!

Its a great time to be a air Wisconsin pilot... Well no its not its pretty middle of the road.

 

Republic lol? Been out of the industry long have you?

 

Well that's what Piedmont Captains looked like also. Thankfully the flow has moved them out. Most of our guys under 55 have taken it which has actually allowed for movement.
I'm sure Piedmont/AWAC are more alike then you think. Many of our guys were late 40s, early 50s. Some didn't have a 4 year degree, and it's a fact that you can get too much experience that the Majors won't look at you anymore. Late 40s early 50s 14,000TT 9,000PIC and you could find yourself not getting a call. Many of our guys who had 4 year degrees, spotless record had that window closed on them and at the same time they began to get the golden handcuffs and comfortable with QOL, Vacation and that's really hard to give up and sit reserve at a major.
However it wasn't just the flow, but the new rates at American that they figured into them flowing because 8 years to recover pay now it can be done in 4 years. 3rd year at American and they'll be at 136.00 an hour which isn't bad for doing half the work.
Plus look..... the good thing is these guys in there 50s flowing will retire way before many of us and that will be an added advantage.

Most of your junior Captains will get the calls from the Majors and those with 15 plus years not so much.

 

All that being said I will say there's a negative to this also. While movement is great there will be big problem down the road. I can see it happening right now at Piedmont and I'm totally sure it's happening big time at PSA.

1st you'll be not only losing experienced Captains but also some really good Instructors. I gained a world of experience and information from Captains that had been at Piedmont for 15 years and longer. I mean incredible knowledge from thier experience flying the plane for so long. Mx,Wx, dealing with ramp, the company, contract, legality issues all that was easier when having an experience captain.
Basically back in the day it was easy for a company to hire a 300-500 hour pilot to fly for the regionals as long as he's paired up with someone with really good experience and common sense. Lack of knowledge and experience in the right seat gets cancelled out by the experience in the Left.
Now what we will be seeing is many of our first year FO's coming into upgrade having either a hard time with upgrade or if they do get done now run the risk of getting through but then getting to the line and flying with a guy in the Right Seat that has no experience. Green on Green.
When I upgraded it was really nice and comfortable to know that I had a FO next to me that had 2-4 years experience when flying into DCA, LGA and EWR.
AWAC's negatives could eventually be it's positives. The regionals are heading to a major Grey area.

 

I agree with billyho about something?

Unbelievable.

But yes, the accountants that run the airlines can't put a dollar value on experience so they don't value it at all.

This mentality is going to bite someone someday, and maybe more sooner than later.

 

8 1/2 years at AWAC, you??? Perhaps you have been too busy counting MEL's on your current AWAC plane to see the TA that just passed at Republic. Beats the POS TA AWAC just rejected, hence the reason I said Republic. Enjoy the ipad, its all you're going to get.