What would you do?
 

Here is the deal: Got offered two jobs..One with ASA and TSA. TSA has given me a class date in Jan. ASA says maybe Jan or maybe Feb but nothing is set in stone. TSA does not have a contract at all that would trap me there if i heard from ASA about a class date. I really want ASA but a few people are telling me do not pass up a for sure thing. Not complaining by any means just would like to hear what others out there would do.

job
 

Take the first job that has a firm class date. If ASA calls then "take off eh". All you do is improve your position and work for a more reputable company with a better union contract. Who knows when the call from ASA could come? In the mean time turbine time is going in your logbook.

cheers

Where do you want to be based? Do you want to commute. Those are things you have to consider as well. Not just who calls first. You'll make more money here at ASA, that's for sure. Maybe not the 1st year, but the 2nd year and there after, you'll be making alot more. Aside from all the contract problems here at ASA (and TSA has it's share of problems too), ASA is much better to work for.

If you currently have a job and are able to wait, I'd do the company that you really want to work for, ASA. Something to think about, but your work history is part of your background (just like your logbook) and will be scrutinized in the future. What if one day, you are in a UPS interview and are asked about your 6 weeks with TSA... "Why did you leave right after they spent all that training money on you? Would you do that to us also if FedEx called you and asked you to start 6 weeks after we trained you?" That's not a line of questioning that I'd want to open myself up to. Just something to think about. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I have a friend at ASA who is just now out of IOE. He was a Navy guy who got out of the Navy because ASA said they would take him (no date given). There he sat for over three years waiting and waiting for ASA to give him a date. He is lucky because it all finally worked out. I would NEVER quit a job for another with nothing firm in place....especially in aviation and ESPECIALLY for a company who is not too stable right now. Stay put, if you can, if ASA is where you want to be. Otherwise, take the TSA job and tough it out until the upgrade (which will likely be quicker anyway).

I would say the same go for the company with the quicker upgrade time. when you start logging turbine PIC you can start aiming for the higher companies. Unless ASA is where you want to spend your carrier.

First off, don't take career advice from someone who can't even spell "career" in the first place!

LOL. No kidding. Also, the fact that they recommend to go to the company with the lowest current upgrade time is a bit suspect too.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Go-Jets...

fosters

Ask yourself..."Is this job better then the one I'm currently at and will I gain more experience from it?" Yes, you definately will at TSA, but from what I've seen ASA is a lot better company. I am very suprised they are even having classes in January. We are still extrememly fat on reserve pilots and I would not be suprised if they cancelled the class and offered you a job at HoeJets (Thats what they've done to the past couple of classes).

I know how hard it is to stay as a CFI when you possibly have your first real job out there. But, I do have to say this...when ASA calls, get the hell out of TSA. The contract is coming up this summer and the pilot group is going to get screwed over big time with HoeJets.

I wouldn't base your decision either on which company has the fastest upgrade time. How can you tell what is going to happen 2,3,4 years from now, let alone one year? Go to a place where you think you will be the happiest and let the cards fall into place.

Pick Quality of Life
 

I know you young 'uns never think beyond upgrade time, but you want to consider quality of life in case you do get stuck somewhere. Like was previously mentioned, you don't know what's going to happen in six months (ask any Mesaba pilot) let alone 2-4 years from now.