A couple years ago Rankin was in the crew room in Philly and someone asked him about the ground handling. Basically, they were looking to grow it aggressively and won bids by doubling the people and halving the contract margin % cost. They basically took on twice as much work for the same dollar profit as they were making on the previous bid.

Guess it didn't work out like that.

In regards to all the recent hiring, remember when they were aggressively hiring for the Midwest contract? That was a great fall/winter to bid relief, as you never went to work, we were so over staffed. In the end, nothing ever came of it despite the heavy hiring.

If anyone junior there has a chance to go to a fast upgrade place like PSA, Mesa, Compass etc. I would do it now. The future is fairly known at those places, and is very unknown at AWAC.

I would love that. Our clock starts as soon as I drop the break. Go push 20 other AC before us. I'm on the clock. Doesn't your contract work that way?

At PDT it's main door closure till main door opening.

That's good. Now if PSA can get onboard. No more of this 10ft bs

There are ways around that to get on the clock..10/hold is really not necessary on any of our fleet and just creates unnecessary radio chatter. Some of the scarredy cats won't do it on the 200.

GPS circuit breaker by chance? Oldest trick in the book. Actually, the ACARS CB was even better, you could keep the clock running for an unlimited amount of time after block in.

That may or may not be what I'm referring to

I know at AWAC they said they could track pretty much anything on the plane. A guy went to the CP about an ACARS message and the CP brought up the entire history of that flight, including "popped" circuit breakers.

Not saying they care right now, but you just never know long term. Just be careful.

A guy at AWAC was fired for it.

I have an upcoming class at AWAC and I will be a commuter. I was hoping any current AWAC folks could provide insight to the best commuting base(s) to include the availability and quality of crash pads. Also, this is my initial plunge into the 121 world after retiring from the AF so this is all new to me.

I'd be coming in from Dallas and I see about 12 direct flights a day to PHL so that seems doable. DCA also has a fair amount of direct flights so those two seem the most likely at first glance.

Thanks for any info.

I go through dfw to phl and it's fairly painless. Orf was a hard commute.