Hi everyone! I'm reading a lot about American Eagle as I have an*interview*with them on November 14th. I keep on reading that their ATR are operated by Executive Arilines but also that new hires can get assigned the ATR. So are ATR pilots American Eagle employees or Executive Airlines employees? I know they are both part of AMR Corporation, but I'm not at all clear on the details. If anyone can shed light on this, I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks!

 

Separate Company, you would work for executive. Only difference is Turbo-prop vs Jet an somewhat less pay. You can transfer over to the Eagle side after a 1 year equipment lock is up. Base choices are DFW, SJU and MIA. Lot's of fun. . .

 

I would take the ATR in a hear-beat if I had to do it all over again.

 

Transfering after a year... Does that really happen? Or is it something that is only on paper? Flying the ATR for a time would be nice, but flying jets is ultimately the final objective.

 

Why do you say that? What would be the advantages and disadvantages?

 

Why? I've flown props and jets and props are far more fun than jets.

 

Well, I guess we all tend to want to fly planes that go faster and higher. Then again, I have never flow a turboprop, so you might as well be completely right!

 

To answer the original question, American Eagle today is a conglomeration of several smaller regional airlines which were combined into one large company over a period of time roughly 15-20 years ago. The only exception was Executive Airlines, which is based in San Juan, supposedly because of proprietary landing rights agreements with many of the island nations of the caribbean which were not transferrable onto the American Eagle certificate. So "American Eagle" operates as American Eagle Airlines and Executive Airlines.

Executive Airlines has all the ATRs on that certificate, so if you are awarded that airplane you will technically work for Executive. The first time you attend training for either side you will have a week of indoc, and then again if you end up transfering to the other certificate (ATR to jet, or jet FO to ATR captain).

A master seniority list is maintained for both companies, as well as separate lists within each company. You are free to go between companies as long as it is in accordance with the contract- you have to go up in pay each time you change status, and are subject to equipment and/or seat locks after training.

 

Thanks for the answer mrmak2. That is pretty much what I wanted to know.
So (assuming I get hired first, of course) if I am assigned the ATR, is it easy and common to move to a jet after a year or so? What is the procedure for doing that? And how long is this equipment/seat lock?
Thanks!

 

one year, unless you are 21/22 years old, it is extremely unlikely you will get the ATR. They are being parked, and very few are in each class if any lately. The downside is if you get it and we start shrinking, it could be hard to get off it. Pay is the same on all planes first year, however 2nd year the ATR is like $27/hr and the jets pay the same for FOs and pay about $34, so last thing you want is to get stuck if we go into a furlough situation.