To all of the AWAC pilots, what are the pros and cons of your airline?

 

The pay is good...MX is awesome...ACARS rocks my face.

Arbitration...over contract...and were extremely expensive to operate making RFPs tough to get.

I love it here!!

 

Pro: Our concessionary CBA is in the top two for regionals (with XJT) in terms of compensation and work rules, with the latter better than many legacies. Great pilot group with a strong union, good maintenance, 8 years remaining on the contract with US Airways. Attrition is high and upgrades are running just over 3 years, likely to drop. Possibility of pilots getting Contract 2001 and/or $$$ back due to concessionary grievance win, depending on who has to have elective surgery before the "final, final" remedy meeting this month. Training is excellent, but you've got to do the hard work yourself.

Con: Company lied to the pilot group in 2003 regarding concessions to maintain UAL flying, forever destroying trust between the pilot group and management. Current domiciles are expensive and PHL sucks operationally. Schedules are garbage for most anybody commuting west of Chicago. Company dropped the ball on pilot hiring and line pilots are paying the price the last couple months. Couldn't win an RFP in the last year and a half to save our life, even in our own backyard with every possible advantage a company could have. Did I mention we fly for US Airways?

Overall, AWAC is still a good place to work even though its not the same company or operation it used to be even 3-4 years ago. I really enjoy working here...but I live in domicile and knew exactly what I was getting myself into. You might upgrade a little faster somewhere else, but you'll work more to make less money at most of those other places.

 

Thanks for the detailed overview. One question..RFP is short for???

 

RFP=request for proposal

basically the big guys throw the bait and the little guys fight like piranhas for it.

 

Just like NASA. Lowest bidder wins.

 

its that crazy thing we call capitalism

 

In my opinion only, I honestly think AWAC's time has come and gone. Just like there was a time for Braniff and Eastern, AWAC's niche market has been replaced with newer, less expensive RJ's and it's once lucrative contract with United replaced with a contract that, while it makes them money, probably won't get renewed with US Airways. Management was caught with their pants down and companies like SkyWest and Republic have surpassed them in efficiently, cost structure, and quality.

I personally wouldn't come to AWAC until some "good news" is released, such as them winning a large RFP for additional flying.

One thing they have going for them is that their staffing problem isn't really a problem when you compare it to other airlines. It's a good spot to be in to tell a company "well, you can award XYZ airlines the contract, but they won't be able to staff it". Hopefully management can leverage their ability to attract pilots with additional RFP's in the future.

 

AirWhisky may have a higher cost structure, but I think you guys have a very quality operation. You have good, professional crews, and are always a pleasure to ride on. And most of your woes are those created by USAirways itself.

 

We have a very smart ownership. They WILL grow the company if THEY want to. That being said, I think they do want to grow the company. They have always tended to do things differently than other carriers. Lots of the "AWAC is a lost cause" attitude comes from not getting the Midwest flying. Even though it would have been nice for us to be in our own backyard, personally I think they pulled their bid as soon as the Air Tran acquisition was announced. To must risk on their end to grow your company by 40%, just to lose it all with a take over. Things will change, it just takes time. Like someone else has said, we are in a good situation to take on more flying, as our staffing is not as low as the other "big" players.