Republic, ASA, or AWAC?
 

I have 1400+TT with just barely 125ME (1000+ dual given, 100+ instrument), and will be applying to the regionals shortly. Most of my hours are 5 years old. About 50-75 hours are past 90 days. I have pilot friends at Republic and ASA who will be hand walking resumes in, so I am hoping this will help. Having friends @ an airline wasn't my sole reason for choosing these, as I work with HR at least once a week @ Pinnacle & Mesaba, and am not interested in applying there.

So, my first question is: How hard of time will these airlines give me for having the majority of my time 5 years old? Considering that ASA is @ 500/50 (or lower), I am hoping that they will be happy with a pilot who has a bit more time than the minimum. The short reason why I got out of flying was 9/11 (Flight instructor inside the Washington ADIZ), and how it cut my very meager pay in half overnight. I have been flying a ton of Seminole hours (at least it costs a ton), as well as some C-172 time.

My second question is: Which airline would you pick of these three? These seemed to be the three best for me. I excluded West Coast based carriers, as I don't want to live out West. I also excluded American Eagle for their domiciles. I know that there is at least one person out there who does not like each of these airlines. What I am looking for is constructive opinions and advice. I know that ASA is getting closer to a new agreement, so obviously a bit depends on that. Looking for advice like how commutable lines are, how overnights are (too short or too long), how HR and staff is to deal with (overall, every company has a few jerks), how training department is, and how interview demeanor is (this can tell a lot about the company)

As for the interview, I am fairly confident. I have been studying a ton. Should have my ATP written completed prior to interviewing. The gouges have been a great help too.

Thanks for the help.

I personally think they are all fine choices.

As to your other question. I got out of flying 13 years ago... with 2700+ hours nearly all turbine and ME. MIL and 121 background. I had gotten current, IPC etc... in a Seneca. I applied to nearly everyone, and RAH called me for and interview ( start class next week ), Pinnacle called me for an interview ( scheduled but cancelled after the RAH offer ) and ASA called but wouldnt give me an interview unless I got some glass time in a g1000 aircraft because of their sim eval in the -700...... I did actually fly about 8 hours in a 172 G1000 but never called ASA back because of the RAH offer. So yes I suspect some will call, but not all.

Good luck.

Very surprised to hear that ASA was the one who gave you the brush off. I am aware of the sim eval there, and will probably just dish out the $600 to Flight Safety to do the 2-3 hour prep course the night before.

The recruiter ( a retired ASA guy ) was very nice but he didnt want me to screw up the eval I guess.

Holy christ $600 to prep for a regional job??? I can understand if it was FedEx or something, but not a regional. You guys need a little reality check :D!!!

$600 doesn't seem like much when you factor in the fact that I needed to get current and comfortable again in the aircraft. Believe me, that was a lot more than $600. I also have very little "glass" experience. GA planes have changed a little bit in the past 5 years.

I had no glass time and ASA called my cell twice a day for two weeks to set up an interview......... and i had 585 60 multi

If you can fly a GA airplane, glass is a piece of cake. A GA scan is more difficult than a glass cockpit.

Just telling you my experience... and I dont disagree with you.... you guys are just STUDS what can i say.....

So, I think that I am going to apply just at Republic and ASA. I can't accept a class date prior to 1/21 (really 1/28), and I am unavailable to interview from 1/10 on. When should I send my resumes in, and when should I have my friends walk a referral in for me? I want to get my ATP written knocked out in the next two weeks, and I would like to get back down to ATL one more weekend to get some more multi time in (Time share with someone else, and pay only $80 per hour - my share). Just nervous about cutting it too close, and also worried about flying standby around the holidays.

Dude...don't wait - get you resume in. When they call you in, let them know when you're available.

Glass really is far, far easier than the standard GA six-pack. The difficult part are the Turbofan engines behind you! It doesn't quite fly as easy!!

I've got tons of respect for those crusty old DC-9 guys flying their steam-gauges, raw-data, no box, etc...I've told them many times in the J/S that they're my Hero's LoL. Don't quite understand why so many these days are lost without a FD?? Anyway that's another topic and another thread :cool:

I know a guy who faxed a resume to RAH yesterday... and is going in MONDAY for an interview....dont delay.

RAH will hire you if you don't act like a dweeb in the interview. Actually, they may hire you anyway. AWAC will likely give you brush off with your lack of recent flight time (they did that to me). I am happy at RAH and think its one of the better options if you are looking at growing airlines. AWAC has a better contract currently, but there are some pretty unhappy people there. Had one of their FOs jumpseat on a flight with me, he said it wasn't the great place it was purported to be anymore. Go with all of them upfront, then pick the one that best meets your situation after you are hired. Don't know much about ASA.

I wasn't crazy about seeing that AWAC is solely contracted with USAir now. I have been through PHL enough to see how "friendly" the staff is there. NOT

Time off of work is an issue for me, as I have had to get creative for reasons for taking days off. So, I think that I am going to stick with Republic and ASA initially. Hopefully I don't screw it up too bad.

thats funny i faxed one yesterday as well and never got a call. we'll see what happens.

Dont know what to say .....this guy has about 1400 hours ....current 121... with 600 hours of ME turbine RJ time.