A few USA3000 Questions...
01-30-2008, 06:10 PM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 13
A few USA3000 Questions...
Hi all,
Just trying to find some current information about "Getaway" - I've searched the forums and internet in general and haven't come up with much. I'll try to keep it brief! Thanks in advance, and, in no particular order, here we go:
1) I've heard "It's fantastic if you live in base" - that, for me, would be ORD. I've also heard that it's strictly seasonal flying. Does the flying completely shift in Winter vs. Summer? Are there bases that do, and bases that don't?
1a) On that same note, the website here says that USA3000 is hiring, though I can't really find evidence of anyone being hired in the last few months. Any word on plans, or if ORD will have an open spot or two in the future?
2) Wondering what a typical flight day would be - how much credit, types of trips, etc...
3) Are people generally happy? Do grievances get settled, do people even file grievances...
4) I've been able to look at the contract - and it seems pretty good. A lot of nice items in there that I wish I had at my current carrier. The whole wet/dry lease thing is a bit concerning though - I imagine that it wouldn't be in the contract unless this actually went on - do you guys wet/dry lease airplanes on a regular basis?
5) How are the fringe benefits (health care, 401k, etc.?)
Quality of life is worth a lot to me; if I never did another four day trip with 24 hours in Albany (just an example), I'd be just fine. From what I gather, USA3000 seems like a diamond in the rough.
Again, thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing from some U5'ers soon.
-ChiSoxFlyer
Just trying to find some current information about "Getaway" - I've searched the forums and internet in general and haven't come up with much. I'll try to keep it brief! Thanks in advance, and, in no particular order, here we go:
1) I've heard "It's fantastic if you live in base" - that, for me, would be ORD. I've also heard that it's strictly seasonal flying. Does the flying completely shift in Winter vs. Summer? Are there bases that do, and bases that don't?
1a) On that same note, the website here says that USA3000 is hiring, though I can't really find evidence of anyone being hired in the last few months. Any word on plans, or if ORD will have an open spot or two in the future?
2) Wondering what a typical flight day would be - how much credit, types of trips, etc...
3) Are people generally happy? Do grievances get settled, do people even file grievances...
4) I've been able to look at the contract - and it seems pretty good. A lot of nice items in there that I wish I had at my current carrier. The whole wet/dry lease thing is a bit concerning though - I imagine that it wouldn't be in the contract unless this actually went on - do you guys wet/dry lease airplanes on a regular basis?
5) How are the fringe benefits (health care, 401k, etc.?)
Quality of life is worth a lot to me; if I never did another four day trip with 24 hours in Albany (just an example), I'd be just fine. From what I gather, USA3000 seems like a diamond in the rough.
Again, thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing from some U5'ers soon.
-ChiSoxFlyer
02-01-2008, 09:29 AM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: In Class
Posts: 45
1) It is the best flying job you can have, if you live in base. I am in my own bed almost every night. In the last 2 months, only 1 night in a hotel and that was due to an abnormal event. There are no scheduled overnights.
1a) 30 were hired in October 2007. All are now on line. As far as openings go, that is anybody's guess, but we typically hire in the fall.
2) I am DTW based but I think ORD is similar. You will either fly an AM or PM trip for the day. Am trip show early, go to some resort destination (CUN, PUJ, AUA), back home mid afternoon. PM show mid afternoon and do a FL turn, home around 2300. You can fly as much or as little as you want. We have PBS so you build your own schedule. Min of 65 hours. During the winter there is always open time to pick up.
3) People are very happy, especially if you live in base. We are feed every flight. Warm meal outbound. Sandwich and fruit tray inbound. Grievances do get filed and go through the normal process. They go both ways.
4) We have 2 planes that typically go to Europe for the summer months. This is one of the down sides. When the 2 planes leave there is a new base bid. ORD and DTW will each lose a plane and everybody system wide has to re-bid. There is the potential of getting bumped to another base during the summer. We have been told over and over that there will be no furloughs this year. It has been several years since they have done a seasonal furlough. Even if there is a furlough, everybody will be back in about 5 months.
5) Pretty standard airline stuff. Travel bennies start 6 months your hired. We do get a good deal on Apple Vacation resort, so that is very nice.
As far as QOL goes, there is nothing better in the 121 world. As long as you live in base. People that commute seem to be pretty happy as well.
Hope this helps.
N2F
1a) 30 were hired in October 2007. All are now on line. As far as openings go, that is anybody's guess, but we typically hire in the fall.
2) I am DTW based but I think ORD is similar. You will either fly an AM or PM trip for the day. Am trip show early, go to some resort destination (CUN, PUJ, AUA), back home mid afternoon. PM show mid afternoon and do a FL turn, home around 2300. You can fly as much or as little as you want. We have PBS so you build your own schedule. Min of 65 hours. During the winter there is always open time to pick up.
3) People are very happy, especially if you live in base. We are feed every flight. Warm meal outbound. Sandwich and fruit tray inbound. Grievances do get filed and go through the normal process. They go both ways.
4) We have 2 planes that typically go to Europe for the summer months. This is one of the down sides. When the 2 planes leave there is a new base bid. ORD and DTW will each lose a plane and everybody system wide has to re-bid. There is the potential of getting bumped to another base during the summer. We have been told over and over that there will be no furloughs this year. It has been several years since they have done a seasonal furlough. Even if there is a furlough, everybody will be back in about 5 months.
5) Pretty standard airline stuff. Travel bennies start 6 months your hired. We do get a good deal on Apple Vacation resort, so that is very nice.
As far as QOL goes, there is nothing better in the 121 world. As long as you live in base. People that commute seem to be pretty happy as well.
Hope this helps.
N2F
02-02-2008, 10:57 AM
#5
Guppy Half-Wing FO
Joined APC: Oct 2007
Position: 737 Right Seat
Posts: 142
Thanks need2fly. Can you give details on DOMICILE selection? By Age or date of hire. I currently live outside Phili and am considering USA3K. Is any base junior?
Training in Miami? How long? Paid hotel? Home on weekends? (sorry spouse questions here!)
Training in Miami? How long? Paid hotel? Home on weekends? (sorry spouse questions here!)
02-02-2008, 12:10 PM
#6
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: In Class
Posts: 45
Domiciles are bid by seniority. Seniority is based on hire date. Your seniority in your class is based on age. Oldest is senior. DTW and CLE appear to be the junior bases now. Training could be in MIA, MSP or DEN. We trained in DEN. Training schedule is basically 5 on 2 off. You get your ID on the second day of class so you can jumpseat on your days off. I went home every weekend from DEN.
Training last about 5 - 6 weeks. 1 week indoc, 2 weeks systems, 10 FTD's, 7 sims, and a checkride. Mine went 6 weeks but I had 8 days off between FTD and sim. Hotel is paid for (single occupancy) and you collect perdiem. There is a training pay but I don't recall how much it was off the top of my head (it wasn't much), but you go to normal pay when you pass your checkride. Some carriers wait until IOE is complete.
Hope it helps,
N2F
Training last about 5 - 6 weeks. 1 week indoc, 2 weeks systems, 10 FTD's, 7 sims, and a checkride. Mine went 6 weeks but I had 8 days off between FTD and sim. Hotel is paid for (single occupancy) and you collect perdiem. There is a training pay but I don't recall how much it was off the top of my head (it wasn't much), but you go to normal pay when you pass your checkride. Some carriers wait until IOE is complete.
Hope it helps,
N2F
02-04-2008, 09:03 PM
#8
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 13
Thanks much - I really appreciate the input.
I'd be very curious as to how many people have to move bases when the flying shifts for the Summer/Winter months. Any idea on that? I guess that's the million dollar question, though, right?
And...don't know if you can answer this - but, are most of your senior guys from American or USAir? Do you guys foresee a lot of attrition from the top ranks or are the folks that are there staying for a while...
Just trying to figure out - if I was lucky enough to get hired with you guys if I'd be moving bases every 6 months.
Thanks again for the fantastic information,
-CSF
I'd be very curious as to how many people have to move bases when the flying shifts for the Summer/Winter months. Any idea on that? I guess that's the million dollar question, though, right?
And...don't know if you can answer this - but, are most of your senior guys from American or USAir? Do you guys foresee a lot of attrition from the top ranks or are the folks that are there staying for a while...
Just trying to figure out - if I was lucky enough to get hired with you guys if I'd be moving bases every 6 months.
Thanks again for the fantastic information,
-CSF
02-05-2008, 04:36 AM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: In Class
Posts: 45
The Summer/Winter shifts are the million dollar question. I have heard of guys switching just because they wanted to go to a different base for a while. Some guys will switch due to their commute. This is the first one of these that I will be going through. Bid is suppose to come out this month so I will know more when it is published.
Most if not all of the USAir guys and gals have either returned of resigned from USAir. I am not expecting any more to leave. We do still have somewhere between 8 - 12 American folks that I hear are planning on returning. The big question there is when? Some were going to go back this Spring until age 65 happened. Now no one is sure. I do think there will still be movement from the FO ranks. I think a fair amount of the FO's and even some Captains have there resumes out there looking around.
I have been hearing a rumor that we will be adding planes at the end of 2008 for next Winter's flying. The number being tossed around is 4 - 6. That would mean a good deal of hiring in September / October. But we all know how rumors work in this business.
Good luck,
N2F
Most if not all of the USAir guys and gals have either returned of resigned from USAir. I am not expecting any more to leave. We do still have somewhere between 8 - 12 American folks that I hear are planning on returning. The big question there is when? Some were going to go back this Spring until age 65 happened. Now no one is sure. I do think there will still be movement from the FO ranks. I think a fair amount of the FO's and even some Captains have there resumes out there looking around.
I have been hearing a rumor that we will be adding planes at the end of 2008 for next Winter's flying. The number being tossed around is 4 - 6. That would mean a good deal of hiring in September / October. But we all know how rumors work in this business.
Good luck,
N2F
02-05-2008, 09:34 AM
#10
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 13
Need2fly,
Thanks much - I'll be crossing my fingers for the Winter hiring for this year!
I'm pretty new to this particular message board, so I'll try to check back - you said the Summer bids come out next month? I'll try to ask on this same thread if I don't hear anything for a while.
Best regards,
-CSF
Thanks much - I'll be crossing my fingers for the Winter hiring for this year!
I'm pretty new to this particular message board, so I'll try to check back - you said the Summer bids come out next month? I'll try to ask on this same thread if I don't hear anything for a while.
Best regards,
-CSF
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