Fleron270

Right now, life on reserve for FOs isn't very good. They are being use everyday, junior manned often, etc. However, they are building time quickly and making pretty good money.

As soon as this first wave of new hires hits the line, I expect movement to start from the bottom up. With new bases, people moving around, and our current attrition, I don't think you will be on reserve for more than a few months.

sweetholyjesus

There will be a lot of movement with our largest east coast bases eventually closing down. I think ORD would go junior, as will ORF if they keep it, which I'm betting they will.

TheWeatherman

Thanks, I appreciate it. They are probably offering the most attractive pay package right now. I am leaning towards Skywest due to their large ORD presence and company stability, but it is hard to ignore these bonuses the other Regionals are starting to offer.

4600

If you're looking for stability, you should know that Air Wisconsin has been around since 1965. 2nd oldest Airline in the US to never have filed bankruptcy (Alaska is the oldest).

Fleron270

And if you're looking for a presence in ORD, it will be AWA's largest base.

TheWeatherman

So theoretically, if I am in a September class, I should be able to get ORD right out of it? Or is the ORD expansion going to take a year or two to ramp up?

Fleron270

I think you would theoretically be able to get it right away. We will be fully flying for United by February 2018.

Name User

No not really. That's like saying Eastern is still operating.

The Air Wisconsin started in the 60's was bought by United almost 30 years ago. The company shut down and pilots furloughed. Several years later in the 90's it was spun up again, and that is the Air Wisconsin of today.

I flew with some of those guys who were furloughed. One in particular I remember, he became a door to door vacuum salesman and blew through all his retirement trying to stay afloat.

Don't forget the huge upheaval in the early-2000's as AW shifted from Midwest to east coast bases. Stable?!? Hahaha no.

If you want stability go to an AA WO IMO. They have the money backing them as time moves on and pilot poaching continues. That being said I do think AWAC will be decently stable through 2022. They may even continue to grow as UAL pulls aircraft from these multi contract carriers like SkyWest and Republic to ensure their additional monies are going straight toward retaining pilots for their operation, not their competitors.

If you live in a future base (note, I don't think the memo actually said ORD or IAD base, just that their focus will be there maybe similar to a CLT, just something to consider) I think AWAC is a good gamble going forward.

Fleron270

IAD and ORD are already on the permanent bid for domiciles on Flica.

4600

This is a very confused statement. The company was never shut down.

Eastern is not operating. Air Wisconsin is. We have gone through ups and downs, but we've maintained an operation that has been continuously operated for 52 years. We've avoided bankruptcy and have always had a contract to fly aircraft.

We have pilots and other employees who have been on property for over 40 years. You need to check your facts.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Wisconsin (history)