Who the hell cares how low or slow they go? Its not Mesa- they get paid by the hour. If you're going to avoid PDT do so because of the long upgrades, uncertain future, propensity for closing bases, or inbred HQ staff. Flying a turboprop is nothing to be ashamed of and will not harm your carrier progression whatever the SJS folks say.

My limited experience talking with crews says ASA will treat you better than PSA... but take the first hand word on that count. Do you want to live somewhere in the south in particular, or just anywhere south of the IHOP wafflehouse line?

 

im in training at asa and like it so far. training pays guarantee (19 X 75hrs) and they shack you up in a single occupancy room. the ground instructors are great. right now they are taking some people to the atr (approx every other class). reserve is only a couple months for the 200 and about 6-8 i heard for the 700. the atr has some pretty nice overnights like hilton head. both the 200 and 700 go into the bahamas. again, im pretty happy with it here. ill update as i get further through training.

 

Doug, I currently live in Atlanta Ga, which is one of the reasons that I wanted to get some information on ASA, My entire family has worked for USAir at one point or another but I will be the first pilot. My mother and father started out at Piedmont when they were a big carrier (before USAir) so I've always dreamed of working for them. It doesn't matter to me if I flew the Dash 8's or the CRJs. I would actually prefer to fly the Dashs for awhile because I hear they are really nice planes to fly. I would like to work for PSA or Piedmont because when I do move up in the ranks I would like it to be with USAirways. Do you see me having a problem commuting from Atlanta to Charlotte? I would like to stay in ATL for as long as it is feasible but if I need to relocate then I will do whatever I need to get a job and hold onto it. My top 2 choices on where I would like to live would have to be ATL and Charlotte.

 

cbram,

Thanks for the great information.

 

If you live in ATL I would definitely try for ASA. The CLT commute looks like it has 8 mainline DL flights on plus Aitran and US, so it shouldn't be too bad. Commuting to PDTs bases shouldn't be too bad from ATL, but I personally wouldn't want to commute if you don't have to. ASA is is hiring, so the way I see it you don't have to.

I haven't worked at ASA or PSA, so I can't comment on those. Hopefully someone who has actually been working for one of those airlines for more than year will post and give you more info about QOL.

 

Well said sir.

I sent that email along. Let me know your questions/concerns. I'll answer them as best I can.

 

Great info y'all! I'm looking at PSA and will send them a resume after the new year. What's reserve flying like out of TYS on PSA? An earlier poster said they flew a lot, but how many hours are they averaging? How long are new guys on reserve? I'd be commuting from Dallas, but my parents and sister live in Knoxville so at least I don't have to get a crash pad.

I know tons of people who work for AE, but have no contacts at PSA. What are the chances of getting a TYS domicile (I hear it's pretty junior)?

Not looking to hijack the thread, just looking for a little more elaboration about the pilot group, flying (reserve and line), contract and stability of PSA.

The mins are Comm/Inst/Multi, but what's competitive? I have 500/45.

 

500tt/45multi?? apply, youre good. thats twice as much what people have been getting hired with.

 

It depends on what kind of flying you want to do. Personally, I like flying low and fast. It's pretty sweet reaching your cruising altitude of 6,000ft. And rolling along at 220kias. Then landing at 88kts vref. You can have that high and fast stuff, too boring for me...

Merry Christmas!