kevin_p

As I mentioned on another thread, I will be starting class May 19th on the US side. I'm grateful to finally have a class and get a seniority number, but all the research and preparation I had done was geared toward the assumption I would get the AA side simply based on the hiring numbers and a bit of optimism considering I live in Dallas.

I know things are changing rapidly as the merger progresses, but can anyone who has been hired recently on the US side fill me in on the parts that are still different between the two operations? Are the benefits different or integrated already? Will I be a lower priority than AA employees when commuting on AA aircraft? Have all the JCBA changes been incorporated where the work rules are the same now? Will seniority be based on class date or training completion date as with AA?

I'm sure I'll have plenty of other questions as I go, but if anyone is willing to share their experience with me over the phone sometime, please pm me. It would be nice to speak to someone who has gone through all this recently.

DarinFred

I don't think you're going to get a solid answer on your questions, simply because no one has seen both side of the fence. There is a lot of confusion on non-revving, especially among the gate agents...

I can say that the US jumpseat system is vastly superior to the AA side. You can call 7 days prior and reserve the jumpseat. You'll mostly likely be on the 190 out of Philly, so you shouldn't have a problem getting from DFW to PHL on US metal.

The US reserve system is also better in my opinion. Welcome aboard. I've had an outstanding time here so far!

viper548

On the E-190 you'll hold a line very quickly. There are lots of differences still between the two companies. Benefits appear to be the same. You will be below AA pilots on AA aircraft but you can reserve the Jumpseat on LUS aircraft, which is a much better deal. Reserve seems to be a slightly better deal at LUS. I hear a lot of complaining about not being able to switch schedules on the LAA side. I'm a line holder and got a line working weekends. I was able to trade all of my trips this month to get weekends off. Movement at LUS is much better over the next few years. A new hire should be able to hold A-320 CA in 6-7 years based on retirements. Of course that goes out the window with the seniority integration. E-190 Captain is available at 1 year. It sucks you'll have to commute for a few years but things are pretty good for a new hire on the LUS side.

Name User

It certain sucks you'll have to commute. It's stupid for the company to put someone who lives in our major domicile into the other side. Potentially you could have two people commuting vs. none if they swapped guys. SMH.

The one nice thing is tons of mainline between the two city pairs and on the US side you can reserve the jumpseat. Reserve should go quick and having a line makes first year bearable. Not nearly as bearable as driving to work, but bearable.

Tough it out and by 2017 we should be bidding into the other domiciles. You're looking at +/- 18 months on the line to get back home.

Hueypilot

If you're a PHL 190 guy commuting out of DFW, it shouldn't be a problem at all...commuting sucks, but at least you'll have the better experience. There's plenty of mainline LUS flights to PHL from DFW and you can reserve the JS. And as others have said, movement on the 190 is pretty quick, so you'll be holding LC pretty soon and have a line within months of finishing OE.

Once we get an ISL and have all that IT stuff worked out (FOS, etc), then you'll be able to bid back to DFW...I think there will be a lot of movement pretty much everywhere once we're all on one list. DL and UA have fewer retirements than we do and I know guys who are holding a line out of ATL on the MD88 and 717 (and on the 737/320 out of EWR/IAH at UA) within a few months of finishing training.

Right now, with all the changes going on trying to "right size" the airline, along with three separate pilot lists, some places are seeing movement (PHL) while others are not (i.e., CLT). Just bear with all the turmoil for another 18-24 months (at most, hopefully) and things will get much better for you. If you're from DFW or nearby, you'll have decent QOL in the coming years.

Slye

A rarely discussed fact as well is that there's a monetary difference between AA and US too. You'll make more as a US new hire for two reasons. On the US side you'll start 2nd year pay one year from your DOH, at AA 2nd year pay starts ~14 months after DOH. US new hires also get a 16% company contribution for retirement from day one while AA new hires have to wait until one year on property before they get it. That's not an insignificant amount of money. I'm not sure why the disparity exists but it's there and it's something to keep in mind.

viper548

American also does some weird thing with seniority. When you show up, your seniority is oldest to youngest in class. You bid for equipment and training dates and your new seniority number is based on your training end date. So, suppose you are senior in your class and want DFW but the DFW slot has the latest training date. You'd have to take a loss of seniority to get based there.
LUS just does oldest to youngest. The later training start dates usually go senior because you're getting paid time off while you wait between indoc and systems.

kevin_p

Good info from everyone...I didn't realize the retirement contributions and anniversary dates were done differently between the two sides. Thanks!

DCA A321 FO

WOW, I didn't know that. I always thought AA was da best.

Bringupthebird

Unless you bid up and get seat locked.