ASA info please

DavCo

DavCo

Well-Known Member
Hey guys... I'm just looking for some info about ASA airlines. Here's where I stand, I have CFI, CFII and MEI ratings and I work out of a very busy flight school in the Denver Metro area. I fly 5-8 hours a day and I am coming up on 600 TT and 60 Multi. I am considering Applying for ASA but I am just looking for some good information on them. I would be commuting from Denver with no interest in moving to ATL. I don't want to miss this hiring spree... any advice would be great! Thanks!

Dave
 
All I know about ASA, is that they are part of ALPA (airlinepilots association), and fly the RJ'S, and are owned by SkyWest, and probably get paid a little more than SkyWest. They have lower mins as well. I personally haven't heard nothing bad about the airline, but I'm sure some more folks can give you a little more insight than me. Take care, goodluck!
 
surreal1221 said:
Man, all these ASA threads, asking the same questions. :)
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Hey, "all these ASA threads" your talking about. How can I find them? I searched ASA Airlines, ASA, Etc. and came up empty handed. I just signed up yesterday so any tips on how I can find ASA info would be a little more useful.
 
DavCo said:
Hey guys... I'm just looking for some info about ASA airlines. Here's where I stand, I have CFI, CFII and MEI ratings and I work out of a very busy flight school in the Denver Metro area. I fly 5-8 hours a day and I am coming up on 600 TT and 60 Multi. I am considering Applying for ASA but I am just looking for some good information on them. I would be commuting from Denver with no interest in moving to ATL. I don't want to miss this hiring spree... any advice would be great! Thanks!

Dave
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What type of specific information are you looking for?

The only pointer I have is that if the idea of living in the airlines only base city is out of the question, I'd certainly recommend looking into another airline.

Commuting to reserve, especially to your first airline gig where you've got to learn about jumpseating, non-revving, etc might be a little arduous.

I mean, it works, it's doable and people make it work, but I'd consider broadening your targets to other carriers which may have bases where you want to live.
 
Doug Taylor said:
What type of specific information are you looking for?

The only pointer I have is that if the idea of living in the airlines only base city is out of the question, I'd certainly recommend looking into another airline.

Commuting to reserve, especially to your first airline gig where you've got to learn about jumpseating, non-revving, etc might be a little arduous.

I mean, it works, it's doable and people make it work, but I'd consider broadening your targets to other carriers which may have bases where you want to live.
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I'm looking for information about how easy the commute would be (hopefully from someone who has done it!), how long pilots are sitting reserve, upgrade time and maybe some tips or concerns about commuting for my first job any and all info helps. Basically, I don't want to miss this hiring boom, and I want to work for a decent airline. I can't do a Great Lakes because I have bills to pay, but other airline's here in Denver want 1000+ (i.e. Lynx, SkyWest).

Any other airlines that others may think is a better option, I'm all ears. I appreciate the insight on commuting, its definately something I need to consider as a major factor.
 
DavCo said:
I'm looking for information about how easy the commute would be (hopefully from someone who has done it!), how long pilots are sitting reserve, upgrade time...
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I'm not sure, but there are people here that would. However, let me caution you a bit about that data. Someone hired two weeks before you may never sit reserve where you might be on reserve for months on end. It's the nature of the business.

It's a lot like stock price. What's the stock price of AAPL going to be in three months? :) Seriously.

maybe some tips or concerns about commuting for my first job any and all info helps.
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Start looking at timetables between the two cities (http://jetcareers.com select pilot's toolbox, then look at timetables) and see what carriers fly the city pair which you'll be commuting from and to. Also, I'd also consider starting a new thread about "DEN - ATL Commuters" because those that make the commute may not even click on the thread at all.
 
SteveC said:
http://forums.jetcareers.com/tech-support/58926-additional-search-function-option.html

Funny, it even uses "ASA" as an example. :)
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Yeah, the problem is three letter strings (such as "ASA") won't work on the forum search engine anymore. The method above works, though I didn't know about it until recently, and I think my google-fu is about average. I imagine there will be a bit more "help me find info on XXX, I searched and turned up nothing" type threads.

It's good that the "Additional search" info is getting out there- thanks for the recent sticky, I know where to go when I can't remember the format! :)


-A-
 
Davco, look up 777forever. He is a member of this board, and I believe just finished, or is about to finish training with ASA. He can probably fill you in on the info. you are looking for.

This is what I do know.

Reserve depends on the aircraft you get. ATR reserve is long, because that airplane is being phased out of the fleet. CR7 reseve is long, because that airplane is very senior. CR2 reserve is only about a few months, or less, and seems to be the best option, if you want to fly a lot. Upgrade time right now, is in the 2-3 year range, but that is only for people hired 2-3 years ago, not necessarily somebody hired today.

I know nothing about commuting, except that is sucks, and you are better off living in base. I would imagine DEN-ATL would be a long/hard commute.

Why not keep instructing, and apply to SkyWest, when you have the time? They have a DEN base. I don't know how junior/senior it is, but at least there is a base there you can eventually get. ATL is ASA's only base.
 
ChrisH said:
Davco, look up 777forever. He is a member of this board, and I believe just finished, or is about to finish training with ASA. He can probably fill you in on the info. you are looking for.

This is what I do know.

Reserve depends on the aircraft you get. ATR reserve is long, because that airplane is being phased out of the fleet. CR7 reseve is long, because that airplane is very senior. CR2 reserve is only about a few months, or less, and seems to be the best option, if you want to fly a lot. Upgrade time right now, is in the 2-3 year range, but that is only for people hired 2-3 years ago, not necessarily somebody hired today.

I know nothing about commuting, except that is sucks, and you are better off living in base. I would imagine DEN-ATL would be a long/hard commute.

Why not keep instructing, and apply to SkyWest, when you have the time? They have a DEN base. I don't know how junior/senior it is, but at least there is a base there you can eventually get. ATL is ASA's only base.
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I really appreciate all this feedback... I have a buddy who is going to try the commute out from DEN to ATL so I'll keep those interested, posted. As for why not instruct? I love it, and if I could see the future I would know what to do, but the fact is, our economy is slowing down, minimums are going up and I don't want to instruct forever. I can see it now, in 6 months when I have 1000 and 100 skywest bumps it up to 2000 and 200 and upgrading slows way down... that is my fear. I would really hate to be on the tail end of this hiring spree...

But all of this advice has really helped me out, I did not imagine how much went into deciding my future as a professional pilot.
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
Seriously, is ASA "the new hotness" in the regional world? Stark contrast from last year...
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Ah, I don't know Max. I really don't.

I think the issue is that ASA appears to be the one that has a willingness to accept and look at ANYONE's resume.

Which is, well, good for some, bad for others.

Maximillian_Jenius said:
Sadly, I think that you already are...
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Agreed, potentially. . .if he doesn't have his resume into ASA HR now, he better not hesitate.
 
DavCo said:
I'm looking for information about how easy the commute would be (hopefully from someone who has done it!), how long pilots are sitting reserve, upgrade time and maybe some tips or concerns about commuting for my first job any and all info helps. Basically, I don't want to miss this hiring boom, and I want to work for a decent airline. I can't do a Great Lakes because I have bills to pay, but other airline's here in Denver want 1000+ (i.e. Lynx, SkyWest).

Any other airlines that others may think is a better option, I'm all ears. I appreciate the insight on commuting, its definately something I need to consider as a major factor.
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According to management, we're going to continue hiring 40 pilots a month through September 2008. Take that with a grain of salt....also, the interview process is really tough compared to most regionals.

I know several senior guys commuting but for reserve pilots it really sucks, even with the new contract. Denver to Atlanta shouldn't be a hard commute though.

Right now, reserve on the CRJ200 is 1-3 months, on the CRJ700 it is 5-8 months and on the ATR it is 3-6 months. Understand, by the time you're fully trained, it will change and there's no good way to predict whether it will be better or worse.

ASA is a good company to work for - we have a great maintenance program and the best training program out there. Unfortunately, we suffer a lot having Atlanta as our only hub and Delta fully controls all of our baggage, gates and ticketing in ATL. The new contract is very favorable for the pilots and Skywest has a generous profit sharing program we can participate in.

Good Luck!
 
surreal1221 said:
Ah, I don't know Max. I really don't.

I think the issue is that ASA appears to be the one that has a willingness to accept and look at ANYONE's resume.

Which is, well, good for some, bad for others.
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Well, I've been down since day one! :D


surreal1221 said:
Agreed, potentially. . .if he doesn't have his resume into ASA HR now, he better not hesitate.
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It will be okay, if he does an RJ course, lol!
 
gtpilot said:
According to management, we're going to continue hiring 40 pilots a month through September 2008. Take that with a grain of salt....also, the interview process is really tough compared to most regionals.

I know several senior guys commuting but for reserve pilots it really sucks, even with the new contract. Denver to Atlanta shouldn't be a hard commute though.

Right now, reserve on the CRJ200 is 1-3 months, on the CRJ700 it is 5-8 months and on the ATR it is 3-6 months. Understand, by the time you're fully trained, it will change and there's no good way to predict whether it will be better or worse.

ASA is a good company to work for - we have a great maintenance program and the best training program out there. Unfortunately, we suffer a lot having Atlanta as our only hub and Delta fully controls all of our baggage, gates and ticketing in ATL. The new contract is very favorable for the pilots and Skywest has a generous profit sharing program we can participate in.

Good Luck!
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"ASA is a good company to work for - we have a great maintenance program".....Hahahahahahahahaha. You haven't been here very long have you? The company is one of the worst managed and unorganized things I have ever seen in my life. They also don't give a DAMN about their employees. If this wasn't the airline world with guaranteed contracts, their inefficencies would have put them out of business a LONG time ago. Got a problem with your pay? It will take weeks to sort it out because nobody at the GO answers their phone and they ignore your pay queries. Change your address? It took them 5 weeks to process mine and in the meantime they kept sending my health info, 401K statements, benefits enrollment info etc...to my old address. No problem there right??? Letting strangers know all your health and financial info, thanks. Need a copy of your W2 because they never put one in your malbox? That took 4.5 weeks, 2 chief pilots, 7 calls to payroll, and a threat to call the Department of Labor. They continually violate our labor contract.....they've failed to meet NUMEROUS implementation milestones in our new contract. Just this month they decided to bypass seniority and assign long call/short call reserve however they saw fit! Am I looking for something else? Oh yeah, most everybody here is.

The contract may be decent, but by NO means is this a GOOD company. They look at their employees....especially the pilots as liabilities. It is really shocking actually. Don't say I didn't warn you
 
cime_sp said:
The contract may be decent, but by NO means is this a GOOD company. They look at their employees....especially the pilots as liabilities. It is really shocking actually. Don't say I didn't warn you
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Please understand, ASA is a Regional and in my humble opinion, it is a good company to work for. My checks don't bounce, I don't have to worry about illegal maintenance, the profit sharing program is the best I've ever had and, whether management likes it or not, I have a good contract to back me up. I agree that H.R. sucks, dealing with ATL is a pain and scheduling sucks.
 
gtpilot said:
Please understand, ASA is a Regional and in my humble opinion, it is a good company to work for. My checks don't bounce, I don't have to worry about illegal maintenance, the profit sharing program is the best I've ever had and, whether management likes it or not, I have a good contract to back me up. I agree that H.R. sucks, dealing with ATL is a pain and scheduling sucks.
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The maintenance has gone downhill quite a bit. They've quit fixing things until they absolutely have to. Then when they do some half-assed procedure and it gets written up again it just extends the deferral cycle. Just last month I had them illegaly deferr something that was plain as day. Maintenance computer explicitely said it was a NON-DEFERRABLE sensor in the a/ice system, but they defered a different part of the system. They then tried to make us fly into a snowstorm in SYR! When asked about it one mechanic said they didnt have the part!!!! Are you f'ing kidding me? I had one month this year (February) where we had 3 EMERGENCY air returns for problems that were all "ops checked good". Oh, and how many radar altimeter problems have you had that haven't been fixed because it's non-deferrable too? How many "cleaned cannon plugs"?, or "reseated, ops check good"?, or "unable to duplicate on ground"? These are all B/S "fixes" that I've had far too many of. It's funny how most of this started when the exec's told them they had to cut costs by 1/3.
 
ttaylo23 said:
Does anyone else at ASA know about all these maintenance problems this pissed off cowboy just posted?
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Just a thought but if you come to work with ASA, he might be your captain - try not to burn too many bridges!

All I'll say is some of the maintenance peons are a little dense.....
 
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