I just curious about their operation and how they were to work for. Any info would be appreciated, what are their junior bases? Are most of the trips out and backs? I know they have just recalled everyone and have heard they furlough often, is this true?

 

I see their A320s in Mexico alot; I think half their operation is charter, half scheduled. Their monthly pay is on APC. Not sure about upgrade or anything.

 

Thanks for the update. Yeah, was just curious about life over there. Schedules, morale, treatment, etc.

 

One word of caution Jim, in case you're superstitious. USA 3000 is the 3rd or 4th airline that has offered service from St. Petersburg to Newark and other parts of the northeast in the last 4-5 years. Everyone before them has gone under, last of which was Southeast. I did see that they're owned by Apple Vacations, though, so if that's the same company that owns the Ipod? maybe this time will be different. Good luck.

 

Apple Vacations is NOT Apple Macintosh, creator of I-pods.

 

I used to do their ramp work. Never in my life have I seen an aircraft with tiny pieces of potato chips EVERYWHERE! Word of advice to USA3000: Stick to peanuts. For some reason children seem to think chips = confetti.

 

Had a USA3000 CA jumpseat on our bird asked him if he liked his job and in his own words “PAYS THE BILLS and THAT’S IT.”

 

Remember, everthing is realtive. I got a good friend there. He's senior enough to be past the "temporary worker" stage. It is what it is. Some see it as nothing but a training ground for JetBlue, Frontier, ect. When he got hired, they told him up front that he might get furloughed in the slow season. They did however give him a flow blown PIC type on the airbus. Pretty cool if you ask me.

He requests min flying sometimes and it's better than a part time job. He works about 10-12 a month (on min flying) and is home everynight.

Oh yeah, he said the "talent" there is not too shabby either.

 

As much as I appreciate the info that has been posted in the last year, wondering if anybody can offer up anything more current? Heard many of the furloughed guys that had been working there are leaving to go back to their original carriers? How do the bases rank seniority-wise? I'm interested in the ORD base. What are the schedules like? I've read they are day-trips. What is the company culture like? Any USA3000 guys that can chime in would be great. Thanks in advance for your input....

 

I've been there 4 1/2 years and I think about leaving a lot, but then it would be like having a real job. USA 3000 isn't the most glamorous job in the world, but I would say it's one of the best jobs in the world if you live in base. I have already made $50K so far this year, and I have only spent one night away from home when they sent me to DTW to cover a trip. 90% of our guys are great to fly with, we are fed well on every leg, and always out and backs (I think there are some layovers in other bases, mostly on weekends).

Management sucks, but that isn't different than anywhere else. We have a decent contract. 65 hours a bid period, and we have 13 bid periods. You can work 90+ hours in a bid period with reserves and trips. Open time is cool because there are open reserve days you can stick in your schedule for a quick 4 hours of pay, and 99% of the time you are not used.

Our Apple Flights almost always full, and our scheduled Florida stuff is doing pretty well too. Apple needs us to get their people down to the hotels they are building. I don't see us ever going out of business. Apple has been around for 30+ years.

I don't have any apps out right now, and I really don't think I will. The only way I'll make more money is flying frieght, and I'm not good at flying at night. We are having a lot of attrition right now, so it might be a good time to get in. If anyone wants to know more, feel free to email me at [email protected].