Interview for AWAC after getting a class date with Comair?
 

Well, one week ago I interviewed with Comair and they offered me a class date of April 21. Today AirWis called, left a message, they want to interview me.

I'm a SoCal guy so I'm going to have to move either way.

AirWis Pros: Higher Pay, Quicker Upgrade Cons: All 200s

Comair Pros: Larger Pilot group, "moving to larger A/C" Cons: Upgrade time way up

Anyone want to chime in with some of their opinions?

Primarily, what is the etiquette- should I go to the AWAC interview, politely turn it down?

Interview, it never hurts. Maybe you'll see something you like or maybe it will reinforce your decision to go to Comair. Either way, its not a decision until you get the job.

You're right I don't want to sound presumptuous that AWAC would hire me.

just curious, what kind of time do you have?

Well 650/215... I know it's low and I am happy to have the chance at all, just thought maybe you guys could point out something I haven't thought of? Not trying to sound entitled or start a flamefest.

Has anyone else been in this position? I think that is AWAC offered me a job I'd take it. As long as I let Comair know prior to my class date is it that big of a deal?

Ya, I was in the same boat, had interviews lined up with 4 airlines, got hired at Comair and turned down the rest. I was hatched and raised in Cincinnati so it all worked out for the best for me. Personally, I like Comair, Im still on reserve but flew 63 hours this month for 93 hours of credit so Im happy. Go with your gut feeling, if you feel better about one over another go for it. Good luck on your decision.

nah wasnt tryin to start a flamefest, just curious what your time was like, thats great though that you got the job with comair though man congrats.

I'd say interview at Airwis, and see what you feel like if they offer you a class date also. It's not uncommon for this to happen to people, was happening all the time last year, and i'd say that for your own self being, you're worth the most you can get (in quality of life, pay, upgrade, etc). If you get the job at air whiskey, and it seems like a better deal that what comair has, take the job, if not, don't. No one will fault you either way.

This shouldn't even be a question. Go interview at as many places as you can, and then make a decision. Also, don't base your decision on what aircraft they fly, upgrade times or even bases. This can all change in a day. Do what is best for you and your family.

Congrats SuperPilotJesse! Go for the interview, either way it's a win/win situation. Best of luck to you and happy landings.

Well I'm all alone so I don't know what to base my decision on other than those things.

I'll let you guys how it goes.

Is Air Whiskey still hiring? Just got the "no interview at this time" email. This to a 4000+TT soon to be retired Navy type. Ouch!

I live in VA Beach so it seemed like a good fit.

Thanks.

Last that I heard, we were looking to run one class of about 6 new hires per month. But for all I know they could have decided to just stop hiring all together right now. The attrition rate has slowed dramatically considering there really isn't anywhere for people to be going right now.

I just had a former student interview with us(AWAC), and he has the same amount of time as you, and he has a CRJ jet course under his belt. Just recently got the letter, saying that they did not want him, due to higher qualified candidates. They told him a class of 2 in may. When I got hired back in August they were taking many more lower time guys, but now they are being very very picky. Go figure......

A good friend of mine is interviewing today down in ORF. They positive spaced him down there last night. I did reccomend him though, so maybe that had something to do with it.

I dont know why they would stop hiring FO's anyway...we barely have any reserves.

I did hear that since we have been so Fat on Captains, that they arent running upgrades for a few months. Anyone else hear that?

Jesse, just tell them you are STEADFASTLY DEDICATED to the principal of "competing to win" and you should be a lock. ;)

Seriously though, best of luck...I really enjoyed my two years there.

Superpilot,

If you can manage the time and expenses an interview requires, I would recommend going. You will meet a lot of people, get another perspective, and maybe even decide that AirWhiskey works out better for you--not that those of us at Comair wouldn't love to have you below us.....err with us!
I interviewed at Comair one week, got the job on a Friday, and then interviewed with ASA on the following Monday. I was pretty confident I would much rather commute to CVG over ATL from where I live, all other things being pretty equal, but I went to the interview anyway for the extra practice and to fly the CRJ-700 sim they were conducting the sim ride in. Hope this helps and good luck!

Well looks like I'll be below you, if I ever get this supposed UPS package. I start monday, I'm prett pumped.

Just so everyone else knows I ended up canceling the other interview... for a plethora of reason that I won't bother you with.

Last I heard we were doing 14 new hires a month through the summer. A vacancy came out a few days ago for 6 more captains. Things are still moving, but a more manageable pace.

yeah but the vancancy notice was for LGA and RDU domiciles...they still arent backfilling anything else.

Just talked to my buddy who interviewed this morning, he said that there were 4 guys from ATA interviewing.....poor guys :(

AWAC is still hiring mainly for attrition. All applications are now done via the internet. The bean counters in ATW are the only ones who think they know what the true staffing levels should be.

The posted minimums are:
500 hours total flight time
125 hours multi-engine
ATP written within 1yr of hire
1st class medical
Valid passport

If you have CRJ or jet training some of the times may be flexible.

Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
Washington, DC (DCA)
Norfolk, VA (ORF)
New York, NY (LGA) opening in May
Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) opening in May

Things will definitely be changing with the opening of RDU and LGA.

http://www.airwis.com/car_pilots.htm?linkSrc=6

Does anyone have any news on how many/when class dates are? Are they hiring into a pool? Also how is training? Any travel privileges during training? Thanks.

Class sizes have been pretty small recently. No pool and have never heard of one at AWAC. Training is...training. 4 weeks in Appleton (ATW) WI, then off to CLT or Montreal for CPT (Cockpit Procedures Training) and Sim training. Senority goes by age and your assigned a number the first day of class. Travel benefits start within the first few days. Not sure when family members become eligible for travel.

In CLT, we use the US Airways training center (located at the airport) and in Montreal we use either CAE or Bombardier depending on availability. The CLT hotel has an AWAC room full of snacks and the paper flightdeck posters mounted on panels plus the QRH and other study aids.

In Montreal, the hotel is right next to the airport. Both CAE and Bombardier are right next to each other at the airport and are connected by a skywalk. You can see CAE from the hotel. Nothing too exciting except Montreal-French girls sure are pretty!

Again...from the website:
Training

• No training contract or pay-for-training program
• Pay during training – 2.5 block hours per day
• 2 weeks Basic Indoctrination – Appleton, WI
• 2 weeks Systems Ground School – Appleton, WI
• 3 weeks CPT & Sim – Charlotte, NC or Montreal
• Single occupancy hotel rooms provided

Anybody know what the application status terms mean on the web site. I checked mine and it says "Not qualified". Strange. I wonder if I pressed the wrong button.

Time to make a few phones calls......