ASA work schedule?

RRPower

RRPower

Well-Known Member
Ok, I have been trying to find as much information about ASA as a specific airline as I could. I am planning on applying at the end of July and I just wanted to see if I could get some perspectives on what to look forward to. For any of you guys that fly for ASA (prefereable "newbies") I just wanted to see what your flying schedual is for the first year. I read the article on the main page about regional flying and I have a good idea, however I did want to see if it changed at all with ASA. For example, are all of your trips the first year 5 day trips where you literally stay somewhere besides Atlanta for the whole 5 days? How easy was the transition of what you were doing to a regional training, and IOE experience? I would be interested in any information you can give. Thanks for your help. CHEERS
 
My buddy has been there a year and he's still on reserve, he flies about 60% of the time according to him.
 
You need to anticipate not flying much the first year (being on reserve). All those high-time lines usually go to those with enough seniority to bid them. Sure, they're not the best lines, but a good deal of people bid what they can to maximize their income.
 
C150J said:
You need to anticipate not flying much the first year (being on reserve). All those high-time lines usually go to those with enough seniority to bid them. Sure, they're not the best lines, but a good deal of people bid what they can to maximize their income.
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Actually, the reserves are flying A LOT right now due to a shortage of First Officers, in particular on the 200. Of course, one of my buddies just finished Initial Operating Experience a couple of weeks ago, and was awarded 4 day trips next month. He didn't/won't sit one single day of reserve.

If you are on reserve, you will fly probably 6 days in a row, but some of those days will end in ATL, so you will get to go home for the night. Be prepared for scheduling to reassign your days off, except for "golden days" which are inviolate, and may not be moved.

You will read a lot of people complaining about ASA, saying to stay away, etc. As long as you go in not expecting to be a glamorous pilot, with 30 hour layovers in Rome, you'll be fine. Go in to the job with open eyes, and see it for what it is. It is a good place to build turbine SIC, and eventually, PIC time so you may get a job somewhere better down the road. People are complaining now because we are in the last throes of contract negotiations, and people are tired of the process. Once it is settled, sometime in the next decade, things will be better again.

The only thing that REALLY gets to me in this job, is flying with captains that complain non-stop. No matter how bad this job is, it is still better than a similar paying 9 to 5 corporate job. At least here the stress is minor, and when you shut the plane down, and get on the bus, the job is over.

Good luck with your career, and be sure to do your research!

G
 
PhilosopherPilot said:
Actually, the reserves are flying A LOT right now due to a shortage of First Officers, in particular on the 200. Of course, one of my buddies just finished Initial Operating Experience a couple of weeks ago, and was awarded 4 day trips next month. He didn't/won't sit one single day of reserve.

If you are on reserve, you will fly probably 6 days in a row, but some of those days will end in ATL, so you will get to go home for the night. Be prepared for scheduling to reassign your days off, except for "golden days" which are inviolate, and may not be moved.

You will read a lot of people complaining about ASA, saying to stay away, etc. As long as you go in not expecting to be a glamorous pilot, with 30 hour layovers in Rome, you'll be fine. Go in to the job with open eyes, and see it for what it is. It is a good place to build turbine SIC, and eventually, PIC time so you may get a job somewhere better down the road. People are complaining now because we are in the last throes of contract negotiations, and people are tired of the process. Once it is settled, sometime in the next decade, things will be better again.

The only thing that REALLY gets to me in this job, is flying with captains that complain non-stop. No matter how bad this job is, it is still better than a similar paying 9 to 5 corporate job. At least here the stress is minor, and when you shut the plane down, and get on the bus, the job is over.

Good luck with your career, and be sure to do your research!

G
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Finally, a positive ASA post. Thanks PhilosopherPilot! :)
 
PhilosopherPilot,

You say the contract is in the last throws. How so? You then elude to it ending sometime in the next decade. It's 2007, still have 3 more years for big daddy SKW to drag their feet.

I'm glad your optimistic, and I'll continue to stay optimistic as I'm an ASA hometown fan - but it's tough.
 
mojo6911 said:
I think about the only similar paying corporate 9-5 is mail clerk or janitor. The janitor isn't 9-5 though.
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Let me put it this way, I have a side job that pays a lot more than flying for ASA, and I was offered a full time position to work there, but the money is not worth the stress and going to work every day. Not to mention, I have to live in a city I don't want to live in, and I cannot commute from another city. ASA is a much better job, even with the BS, even with the lower pay. The "real world" sucks.

I sometimes think that we, as pilots, lose perspective. Sure, there are things that could, and should, be better, but overall it is a good job, and an excellent stepping stone to even better jobs. It sure beats the hell out of flight instructing.

G
 
surreal1221 said:
PhilosopherPilot,

You say the contract is in the last throws. How so? You then elude to it ending sometime in the next decade. It's 2007, still have 3 more years for big daddy SKW to drag their feet.

I'm glad your optimistic, and I'll continue to stay optimistic as I'm an ASA hometown fan - but it's tough.
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Take "last throes" with a grain of salt. No one knows when it will be settled, but I think it will be settled within a year (or maybe two, but I hope not). After all, we cannot go forever without a contract. We have been moving closer and closer to a resolution, and we really aren't that far apart. I believe a union rep said somewhere around 10,000,000.00 for pay, which isn't that much in the grand scheme of things.

About the decade thing, I was just joking around, as in, it will be completed sometime in the next 10 years, not by the end of this decade...

G
 
wheelsup said:
My buddy has been there a year and he's still on reserve, he flies about 60% of the time according to him.
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When's the last time you talked to him? Is he 200 or 700? There are guys on the 200 about 50 from the bottom holding lines this month.
 
Pilotdude, I am a newby in all senses of the word. I am just finishing up training, and getting ready to start IOE. I'll try to give you as much insight as I can.

So far I am really happy with my decision to come to ASA. Everybody has been great. The details on what life is going to be like in the next year are somewhat cloudy right now. Reserve time and all is kind've unknown right now. The first couple of classes when they started hiring again are hitting the line now. Some of them are actually holding lines this month, some are on reserve. That can all change tomarrow.

The lines the guys got are averaging 80 hrs with 11 days off for the month. Mostly four day trips looked like.

Hope this helps. If there is anything else I can help with let me know.
 
mojo6911 said:
I think about the only similar paying corporate 9-5 is mail clerk or janitor. The janitor isn't 9-5 though.
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Actually, that isn't really true at all. People aren't making what you think. I'd say regional captain pay, at least, is as much, or more, than the average 9-5.
 
PhilosopherPilot said:
Take "last throes" with a grain of salt. No one knows when it will be settled, but I think it will be settled within a year (or maybe two, but I hope not). After all, we cannot go forever without a contract. We have been moving closer and closer to a resolution, and we really aren't that far apart. I believe a union rep said somewhere around 10,000,000.00 for pay, which isn't that much in the grand scheme of things.

About the decade thing, I was just joking around, as in, it will be completed sometime in the next 10 years, not by the end of this decade...

G
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I knew some of it was meant in jest. I'm just really concerned with what the end outcome will be. I suppose as an outsider I'm hoping for the status quo when it comes to your contract, if not a little increase in pay to take note of the profits big brother has been making (and will make during the remaining time it takes to come to a resolution). My second concern with the contract are QOL issues. I have a slight feeling that big brother SKW will slowly begin to treat ASA like the dirty red-headed step-child that will do whatever big brother tells them. . . and if they don't like it. . . you're grounded, and off to your room to cry.

I'm watching this closely, but obviously, being an Atlanta native - buying land, and building a house in the SW burbs. . . ASA is my #1 choice. Have to think longterm sometimes too, but that's tough for me as a career changer.
 
Larkin, I would appreciate anything you could tell me as you go along. Thanks for what you have shared up until now. One quick question, did they go ahead and type rate you on the RJ? I am not sure how regional's do it, but most of the major's are type rating even the copilots cause would save them from having to do it later and spend more money. Is that an option for you?
 
ChrisH said:
Actually, that isn't really true at all. People aren't making what you think. I'd say regional captain pay, at least, is as much, or more, than the average 9-5.
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Captain, yes, but first year FO's make about 20k, on average. I think you could make more flippin' burgers at Mickey D's.
 
mojo6911 said:
Captain, yes, but first year FO's make about 20k, on average. I think you could make more flippin' burgers at Mickey D's.
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And all this time I was planning on being a first-year FO for the rest of my career. Remind me what the upgrade time is on that burger flipper...

I agree that we deserve more. However, having held 9-5's before and seeing what my friends put up with, I can't say this job sucks.
 
I agree it is a hell of a lot more fun than working a 9-5, but potentially having to relocate, or commute a long ways, all while having your job stability hanging by a thread, isn't exactly ideal, either.
 
mojo6911 said:
I agree it is a hell of a lot more fun than working a 9-5, but potentially having to relocate, or commute a long ways, all while having your job stability hanging by a thread, isn't exactly ideal, either.
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True! On the other hand, I love the ability to live where I want. I can't think of too many other jobs in PHL that allow you to live in Cali. As far as job stability, I've been fortunate not to face that yet... I hear you though.
 
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