It's unfortunate that AWAC is now a hollow shell of what it was ten years ago.

 

Give me one airline out there, Major, Regional, or even International, that is anything like it was a decade ago.

With that being said, again, if you're going to make a remark like that, back it up. Do you work for AWAC? In the past? Now? Ever?

Everyone is entitled to their own views, but if you're going to make a bold statement like that, better have something to support it. That really goes for anyone on these forums.

 

From what I know of the current industry:

• West Coast - Skywest
• East Coast - Air Wisconsin

Try and find pilots at these carriers and get their take on things.

I've always liked Horizon, but with changes in the works it could very quickly become a bad place to be. Best of luck.

 

I was there pre 9/11 with the 328's and Bae-146's when only 10 CRJs were on property. Watched a continual erosion of the airline as we were continuously whipsawed against other regionals willing to do it cheaper. 328's went away, concessionary contract, loss of UAL flying, watched 146's parked and moved all domiciles east, good commutable schedules eroded to noncommutable schedules (some two to three day back to backs that just plain sucked), erosion of medical benefits, and over all QOL went down the tubes. All that is left is a fleet of 70 CRJ-200's that are too expensive, yet still pay more than most other 70 seat jobs out there. At least until 2015. I left at the first opportunity after the USAir change over, It was no longer a place that had career potential as it was when I was hired. AWAC went from one of the few regionals with career potential to actually retire from to an agressive cost cutter competing with all the other cheap regionals.

That enough back up for you?

 

Quite frankly, no. If you were still here, I'd say that you know exactly what you're talking about and know exactly where we are here. Things have changed significantly over the past 5 years here. AWAC is very much an airline people retire from, just look at the DOH for many of the people working here. Go ask any pilot here right now if they would leave to another regional right this moment to if given the chance. Can't guarantee anything, but I'm sure that most of them would tell you they'd stay. It's not our pay that is high for CRJ-200's, it's more like their pitiful pay flying anything bigger.

All regionals have gone down in QOL in the last decade, but very few, if any, have the type of contract (which in itself, outside of pay/hr, hits just as nice as some majors), pay, and QOL like AWAC flight crew do.

 

Just curious if you were there back in 2001? It was much different then compared to when I left.

I agree that there is no reason to leave AWAC for another regional. That is a losing proposition for most. Personally, I was at the point of being ready to just find another job outside of aviation then I had the opportunity to move up for a short time. I also agree the pay at the other regionals for larger aircraft is what makes AWAC's concessionary contract too expensive.

I still visit the AirWilly board and by the comments on there, the QOL has not improved since I left.

I do have to disagree in that even my worst day at the major I went to was better than my best day at AWAC. What major do you have personal experience with to back up your statements?

If you are planning on retiring from AWAC I wish you luck with your career and sincerely hope there is an AWAC after 2015. It would be nice to see the quality of that organization restored. I left a lot of great guys there when I left and I do miss the pilot group.

 

When did they start stuffing 70 seats into the CRJ-200's????

 

Fixed it, thanks for pointing out my error.