If you're a west coast guy and you go to ASA now, you're going to be commuting for a long time. That sucks.

If you just hold out for a few months and keep doing whatever you're doing to build hours, then you can apply to SkyWest, Horizon, ExpressJet, or whomever, depending on how long you want to hold out and your latitude on the west coast. You still might have to commute, but at least there's hope that it won't be for long.

Unless you don't mind commuting and/or you're willing to move to Atlanta. Then more power to you.

IMO, at age 27, you will probably be in the mid-range age in your class. I would echo the same advice as others have posted. You will likely get the 200 regardless of how you bid. Just remember, If you bid the 700 and get it, you will spend nearly a year on reserve. If you get the 200, you will probably spend 3 months on reserve. As spring and summer roll around, schedules will pick up and you should be able to hold a hard line. I've been at ASA for a year, and I am holding weekends off finally. Good Luck!

i'm sittin on my butt trying to get a job and i dont have a CFI so there's no viable way to get enough hours in the next few months. truth be told id be at skywest in a heartbeat if they'd take me. i dont really fancy atlanta but how bad could it be? famous last words id imagine :D. its just a stepping stone to the big leagues so its only 4-5 years temporary.

the 200 is just fine for me... would like to fly the 700 for obvious reasons but im in this game to build hours and if the 200 is the best at ASA thats the plane for me. any insight you can give about life at ASA would be much appreciated.

thanks to all

With a recession possible, age 65 effects unknown, effects of any potential DAL/NWA/UAL merger, and near-$100 a barrel oil, I'd caution you to make that "4-5 years temporary" prediction...make sure you're somewhere you wanna be for the next 10 years.

Hiring might cycle back up again, but the IATA is saying this year will be less profitable for the majors than it was last year...if we have a recession, prices go up, and oil stays high, your prediction might get bumped up to more like 6-8 years. In fact, that's what any entry level FO should plan on right now IMHO>

thats sound advice... thank you. basically i want the most amount of hours in the quickest amount of time and i'm willing to live somewhere i don't want to as well as work for someone that might not treat me like a human. honestly, from reading thread after thread on this forum it doesnt seem like anyone likes their company other than the horizon and skywest guys... and since im no where near competitive for a job at either, i guess i need to re-adjust my thought process.

Geez, is ASA that bad.... I kinda thought with the new contract things were better.. Short reserve(I thought) Arggghhhh.. I put in with ASA, PSA, and Republic(best of course) will live in NC.... Hoped for a 2 month or so reserve than be able to commute.

I know many people here at ASA who like...maybe even love their job here :eek:. Dont take every word that someone says on here as the holy word. I have come to realize the guys who hate their jobs are the ones on here ****ing and moaning. ASA is a great company. Commuting is hard, and also will make your life he**. It can be done, if you want to make it work. If you dont want to commute than try XJT or Skywest. I dont know how your building time but try to buy time or even get that CFI ticket.

See, now that's the kind of attitude that allows the whole airline situation to be dragged down.

I dunno, people at ExpressJet and Republic seem fairly happy.

I've decided to live wherever I'm based. Initially I may have to commute from PBI and that's ok. Me & my fiance have a condo in Ft. Pierce. FL.

I've identified ASA, Comair, & PNCL. That means either the suburbs of ATL or MEM. Not to thrilled about CVG; maybe Kentucky where the CVG/Northern Kentucky airport is located.


atp

If you live in Florida, why not apply to Spirit? I hear they hire student pilots, plus you'd get to fly an Airbus!