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Trans States or Air Wisconsin?

Old 05-11-2015, 10:01 AM
  #1  
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Default Trans States or Air Wisconsin?

Ok,

I know I am opening myself up to a large amount of criticisms and commentary by posting this thread. But hopefully I will gain some valuable insights....

As some of you may know from reading AWAC and TSA threads or my earlier thread "ERJ 145 vs. CRJ 200), I recently interviewed with and was offered positions at both AWAC and TSA. I am leaning towards TSA, but would like to get the insights of current regional (and any major pilots on here) as to what you might do if you were in MY situation. Hindsight is 20/20... Please keep that in mind. I'm a new hire; I am not experienced in the industry.

I am looking for solid, empirical information as to why one may be a better choice over the other for my situation.

About me: I live in Northern VA (driving distance to an IAD or DCA base). I have a family to help support and can't afford bottom of the barrel pay. AWAC is highest paying with TSA fairly close behind. They both have DC bases and as a result are my top two choices.

Things I know:

AWAC:

Pro's: Has the best contract, pay, and supposedly QOL.

Con's: No long term contract exists. The extension takes operations through the first quarter 2016 with little or no growth currently forecast unless a new contract is signed. Upgrade times = 3.5-4 years. Soooo... If things did not work out for AWAC, I could end up having to find a new job at another company as an FO after three years when the current contract extension expires. I'd be starting over. If a new contract is signed, that still leaves the factor of a longer upgrade on the table.

TSA:

Pro's: Seven year contract with UAL. Doubling in size this year. Hiring like wildfire and current upgrade times are 1.5 years. Above average pay and I hear QOL is pretty good. 10k sign on bonus.

Con's: Lower pay than AWAC and probably not quite as good QOL and work rules, but still good from what I hear. Also, if I don't get an IAD base (I have been told by most that I have spoken to that I probably will get an IAD base right out of or soon after training), the commute from the DC area would suck. I'm trying to find other cons for TSA.... But off the top of my head, I don't have any.

50 seater question: Any actual empirical data to show that I should completely stay away from the 50 seaters in general? For the most part guys are telling me not to worry about this, especially with TSA since their contract is good for seven years... But some keep brining it up to me and say I should look into Mesa or PSA (whose wages I would have a hard time with given my situation).

What I keep hearing is people telling me to go to AWAC (mostly current AWAC pilots, but not all) despite the recent failure to get a new long term contract going and the uncertainty of their long term future. "They will figure something out; they always do," is a common phrase I hear. I know the pay, work rules and QOL are great. I know the company treats its employees well. But I also know that it could be dicey for a current new hire if things don't work out for them long term. Anyone hired now will likely still be an FO when negotiations come back around in 2017-2018.

I appreciate any insight that is given. Let's please try to keep it civil.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:04 AM
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Hulas vs. Guaranteed uncertainty.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:09 AM
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Pick one. Make it work for you. If you choose airline A and you're miserable/happy there, chances are you'd be just as miserable/happy at airline B.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:12 AM
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Neither, but my .02, maybe .03. Come to PDT...you can drive in short order to more than half of our current or proposed bases. If you ever have to commute with us, you will actually get on too (as will your whole family before any contract carrier employee). First year pay is good, 5k bonus, good contract, upgrade, flow...
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:21 AM
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ok fine I seemed harsh in my last post on the lost OP's post.

QOL, Base and then upgrade...you're going to make more when you're a Captain at TSA when you upgrade in 1.5-2 years (depending on how fast you can get the 1000 SIC) vs. ~4.5-5 years (someone correct that if it's wrong, not really sure)
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Lvlng4Spd View Post
Neither, but my .02, maybe .03. Come to PDT...you can drive in short order to more than half of our current or proposed bases. If you ever have to commute with us, you will actually get on too (as will your whole family before any contract carrier employee). First year pay is good, 5k bonus, good contract, upgrade, flow...
Wait this is a Trans States/Air Wisconsin thread. How dare you try and sell Piedmont on here.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by billyho View Post
Wait this is a Trans States/Air Wisconsin thread. How dare you try and sell Piedmont on here.
Screw it lol. I'm just trying to make some sense around here. DCA PHL CHO MDT ROA SBY all within reasonable driving distance. C'mon Man! 😜
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Lvlng4Spd View Post
Screw it lol. I'm just trying to make some sense around here. DCA PHL CHO MDT ROA SBY all within reasonable driving distance. C'mon Man! 😜
You needed the Kermit the Frog Meme sipping Tea saying that. haha
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Lvlng4Spd View Post
Neither, but my .02, maybe .03. Come to PDT...you can drive in short order to more than half of our current or proposed bases. If you ever have to commute with us, you will actually get on too (as will your whole family before any contract carrier employee). First year pay is good, 5k bonus, good contract, upgrade, flow...
CHO is the only base I could drive to. Everything else 3.5 hours or more driving distance.
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Old 05-11-2015, 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Lvlng4Spd View Post
Neither, but my .02, maybe .03. Come to PDT...you can drive in short order to more than half of our current or proposed bases. If you ever have to commute with us, you will actually get on too (as will your whole family before any contract carrier employee). First year pay is good, 5k bonus, good contract, upgrade, flow...
I personally wouldn't pick a regional based on boarding priority of wholly owned vs. non-wholly owns. Your commute will either have seats open or be oversold with two mainline jump-seaters listed. I do agree that you should look at PDT for the other reasons listed above. TSA, PDT or somewhere else with some growth.
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