American Eagle or ASA
 

In a strange twist of fate (life is funny sometimes) I have ended up with an offer for a class date on October 11th for American Eagle AND Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

With American Eagle, I would be flying the CRJ 700 out of LGA. I would have to commute, but for the time being, I would probably have a line out of training because they are so understaffed on the aircraft. This could, of course, change, and I would end up commuting to LGA for reserve if it does.

With ASA, I will be Atlanta based, and I live in Atlanta. I will probably end up with the CRJ 200, and would definately be on reserve. No commuting, no crash pad. ASA is $2/hr. less for year 1, but $1/hr. more for year 2.

Both airlines have a relatively long history, and appear to be a good place to be.

The question is this, which would you take, and why? No bashing here, please. There are plenty of other places you can do that.

You already know my opinion..but living in base is absolutely PRICELESS. It will make your QOL 189019840184102X better..so much in fact, that you might actually be able to afford first year pay!

Commuting sucks, there's absolutely nothing good about it. If you're going to sit reserve, it might as well be on your own couch.

I'm jealous.

You go to ASA and never look back. Commuting is a torture created in hell for those who choose it. Nothing like finishing a trip and going HOME.

I'd take ASA. Commuting, particularly to NYC is a killer. There are other things for YOU to consider, but commuting vs. not commuting almost decides it for you.

My commute right now, while paid for, is from DFW to BOG. I've always commuted. Made it work, but it would be nice to just "drive" to work.

Good luck with that estimate. Seriously though, sounds like you have a very hard choice. Commute to New York or stay home....

Go with ASA hands down. Look into what is happening with both carriers and make the best decision. Mine would be no commuting, an airline that is not up for sale and an airline that just signed a 10 year cpa along with a merger with another great airline. Plus I hear that there are only a few spots that ASA is hiring for and you got one. The writing is on the wall man go with ASA. Best of luck to you with whatever you decide.

Don't be suprised if you end up in IAD as a new hire at ASA. But it may not be for that long. An ATL base should come available in the near future, look at the long term.

ASA. No commute. Eagle will shrink to half its fleet ala ComAir.

You are very fortunate to get on at both places during this down turn. Both are good options for you, however if you live in ATL, ASA is the place to go. Avoid the commute at all cost. Im on reserve here at AE, but I live in base. I havent flown since Sept 1. I have mowed the lawn, got the oil in the car changed, and just ran erands all month, all on the companies tab. Being based at home is like that visa commercial, "It's priceless!!!":cool:

Assuming you want to live in ATL this is an absolute no-brainer: ASA.

Eagle's future is very much uncertain right now, so I'd lean the ASA way anyway.

And, if you have any inkling of making this decision based on the voice in your head saying "yeah, but I could maybe become an AA pilot automatically" then you need a beating.

Pure speculation. AE and Comair are under very deffrent circumstances. OH's fleet was replaced by bigger airplanes from other feeders. AMR doesnt have that option unless APA give on scope. Could happen .... but I doubt it.

AE, I need a cushion below me.

thats just wrong! lol :D

ASA because it's where you live

While I may or may not actually need a beating, this isn't the deciding factor. I don't believe that an AA flow will exist for someone hired this year. Wasn't even a factor.

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate all your insight into this.

Not too mention you may very well get the 700 at ASA. It tends to be a junior aircraft for FO's, and many do get it as newhires. Also, there is rumor of 20-30 more 700's coming to ASA soon.

Considering Delta is maxed out on anything over 50 seats, our fleet is not being replaced by bigger airplanes, it is just going away. It could very well happen to AE.

Yeah but they have enough 70 and bigger seat aircraft to replace them. AMR only has 47, 70 seaters. But like you said, it could happen. But I wouldn't make a career decision on which airline I'm going to go to based on speculation.

Just curious, is there something about Eagle you like because this is a no-brainer.

Probably just the bigger jet...

Lame.....


Anywho. There's also something to be said about getting in at the beginning of a hiring cycle (very, very beginning) whereas eagle has been doing solid hiring for what, 8/9 months?

LOL I was about to say... he differentiated the CRJs with 200 and 700 as if that matters.

What do they pay and will you be based home? That's what matters.

AMR is going to merge Eagle into AA. AA has 4400 pilots retiring in the next 10 years. You'll be a captain at AA in 15 and 787 cpt in 20!!!

Go Eagle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Not..... As a TWA flowback at EAgle stuck in the right seat in my 16th year making 35k/ year. All I can say,,,,, stay away from AMR!!!! it's a costic environment!

oh.... commuting knocks 10 years off your life and thousands of dollars out of your pocket.

nuff said?

Pay is about the same. Unless you're commuting to ANC for FedEx or something, go with ASA. Being on reserve for any regional sucks sacks, but like it was said before, if you can go home after a trip or don't have to rush for a callout...that's priceless.

It takes me 20 minutes to drive from my apartment to the crewroom at DFW. Takes even shorter to get back to the house.

Be careful - it is possible you'll be forced over to IAD to start.

Congrats on the offer!

I'm at eagle and I say ASA. Hands down, living in base is the greatest thing ever. I hope you get based elsewhere initially so you can experience commuting for a few months. That will make you truly appreciate being based at home.

Also, don't expect any real growth or attrition from Eagle anytime soon. I don't know ASA's growth/attrition rates.

Best of luck on your decision!

Yea, go for ASA no question. Even if you start in IAD you have a massive base in ATL and will eventually get a transfer. Run for it, and don't look back!

Go to ASA!!!! Much better future in my opinion, but mainly I say ASA because commuting is not a fun option. But on the flip side I think commuting helped me grow a lot as a new hire pilot due to I met many great crews that always gave me very useful advice. Plus every time I jumpseated on a major it was inspiration to get out of the regional world ASAP!

But it was all good when you had that flowbaack spot
Wasn't it?

Ohhhhh boy. Popcorn's a popppppin! :D

Actually, yes, there is, which is why I asked to begin with, and it has absolutely nothing to do with aircraft size. I actually like flying Cessna 150's, so size, in this case, matters little to me!

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...-uGaq0SkNGDEQ=

(Stolen from Superpilot92's post!)

What did you choose?

Listen to everyone here...I have probably the easiest commute in the history of airlines and it is still torturous, turn your hair gray and then make it fall out hell.

Humm, while I agree the deciding factor is living in base is the way to go...
From what I've heard from friends still there is that nobody is mentioning that while they are telling him he will get a line right out of school, they are not telling people that once they displace their EMB pilots out of NY it will trigger a displacement bid, and all of the new hire CRJ guys can expect to be displaced to different equipment, most likely the EMB and be on reserve.

how's that for a run on sentence?

Oh, and as much as I hate outside subcontractors, ASA would be the better job. Eage for sale... yeah right. When something is for sale, you hear about it AFTER the sale is done... like Compass & Mesaba... Eagle gets put on the block for sale everytime a pilot contract is being negotiated or amended... be it APA or EGL ALPA. Stop drinking the koolaid.

16 years and still in the right seat???? please explain to me how you are still in the right seat with 16 years under your belt? sounds like a choice rather than a sentence

My guess is it's his 16th year since DOH at TWA. The flowbacks are upgrading with their Eagle seniority now since Letter 3/Supp W is expired. They have been sitting in the right seat for a couple years since the big displacement after the SAABs and a handful of 135s were parked.

For those wondering, I just got confirmation of the class date with ASA today, and I took it. Absolutely nothing against Eagle. Everyone I dealt with there was extremely professional, but being based at home is just too big a deal. I called Eagle 5 minutes ago to let them know.

Good luck guys!

Good for you. You're not missing much anyways.

I just got the call to. See you Monday. I had to decide between Pinnacle and ASA. I can't afford to wait around.