EDUC8-or
Well-Known Member
You'll only have to eat there about a bazillion times while you're there. At least they have free breakfast.
Going to PSA!
- Thread starter TheOneMarine
- Start date
You'll only have to eat there about a bazillion times while you're there. At least they have free breakfast.
ComplexHiAv8r
Well-Known Member
CONGRATS MAN!!!! Sorry I have been out of contact.
cfii2007
New Member
You might want to stay away from those people; I can't imagine it's ever a good idea to be behind two turbine engines, particularly when they are lit
Seriously tho, congrats!
I hear they are quite good for roasting marshmellows.
TheOneMarine
Well-Known Member
I left Akron this morning. Where have you been bud? Is everything alright? Andy was wondering the same thing. Give me a call when you can!
Do you have any sources of information for PSA other than the typical stuff... here, APC, aviation interviews, mypilotcareer, company website? What else did you use to gather info? Maybe some current PSA guys or gals could post some info on conditions/pay/QOL at PSA. Thanks.
CirrusMonkey
No Real Usefulness
I am in phase 1 training now and will finish on the 4th. So as far as quality of life goes on the outside of the Dayton Airport Hotel, I hear it is not too bad. As far as IN training goes:
1. Pay while in training is your minnimum guarentee PLUS per-diem. Payday is the 5th and the 20th of every month with per-diem paid out on the 20th. So don't expect more than $500.00 your first few paychecks.
2. The training is BUSY (who did not know that)! Use the weekends to study but take one day off to relax (thanks again Paul). To be quite honest, I fell behind on a few things and allowed myself to get overwhelmed. In the words of Randy Fussi "keep drinking out of the fire hose". I did, and it is all starting to come together, slowly. So keep that in mind.
3. In the words of Paul M. "stay away from Willbur's". I did NOT, and paid for it for a few days!
Ask for help and let me know if there is anything that I can do to help. Many others did and I look forward to paying it back!
PS: Stay away from Willburs!
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
The PSA World Outside of training...
Well, actually, before training.
The union met with crew planning earlier this week and the plan for the future (and this is probably the first time we've ever had one) is classes of 10-15 every 2 weeks until summer and then classes ever 3 weeks for the foreseeable future. Upgrades of 8 every 2 weeks until summer and then 8 every 3 weeks for the foreseeable future. The reason for this is we losing about 15 pilots a month to other places. MOST of this attrition is captains and senior FOs (so in other words, junior guys WILL move up quickly). Until March, the majority of the Captain loss has been furloughed guys going back to mainline. After March it will be PSA guys who have gotten preferential hire at mainline. They are taking up to 9 a month for the rest of the year.
There are NO plans for growth right now. We currently have 35 200s and 14 700s. Some day they may want us to fly 900s or 1000s, but that is down the road and there is nothing (as far as I know, and I am reasonably well plugged in) going on with that right now. So, we have to find our excitement where we can get it. In April we are starting service to Fort Walton Beach, Panama Beach and Gulf Port. That's excitement for us. Draw your own conclusions.
As a new hire you SHOULD be able to hold any of the 3 bases within a short amount of time. No idea about time on reserve. If we are really upgrading at the rate they say, it shouldn't be too bad (and by bad I mean a year or more). Upgrade RIGHT NOW (and this could all change tomorrow) is down to 2.5 years.
Quality of life is what you make of it. If you live in base, or within descent driving distance of one, it's not too bad. Most lines have between 12 and 15 days off. Trips are mostly 4 days, although recently there has been a spike in one and two day trips. Trip efficiency is lacking. You may fly 7 hours your first day, 2 hours on day two and three and then 6 hours your last day. There aren't that many commuter friendly trips that start late end early.
Pay is about industry average (despite what people will tell you). The Captain pay is actually pretty good. FO pay, slightly low, but manageable. Our contract has a whole lot of holes in it and the company will try to abuse them. You just have to play the game and it is ok. We are up for a new contract in 2009 so expect the FUD to start appearing soon. The union (other then the MEC Chairmen) is stable right now. Once we get this election (which has been tied for about 2 months now) finished up stuff will be ok. The guy currently in charge (and who I hope stays in charge) is doing a good job and has a lot of pull at National.
MX is good. Hotels are SLOWLY improving. Pass travel is some of the best in the industry.
That's about all I can think of. We are hiring a bunch so if you are remotely interested at least put an app in. I don't know what it takes to get a call back now but I'm sure some of the guys still in the school house could answer that.
Well, actually, before training.
The union met with crew planning earlier this week and the plan for the future (and this is probably the first time we've ever had one) is classes of 10-15 every 2 weeks until summer and then classes ever 3 weeks for the foreseeable future. Upgrades of 8 every 2 weeks until summer and then 8 every 3 weeks for the foreseeable future. The reason for this is we losing about 15 pilots a month to other places. MOST of this attrition is captains and senior FOs (so in other words, junior guys WILL move up quickly). Until March, the majority of the Captain loss has been furloughed guys going back to mainline. After March it will be PSA guys who have gotten preferential hire at mainline. They are taking up to 9 a month for the rest of the year.
There are NO plans for growth right now. We currently have 35 200s and 14 700s. Some day they may want us to fly 900s or 1000s, but that is down the road and there is nothing (as far as I know, and I am reasonably well plugged in) going on with that right now. So, we have to find our excitement where we can get it. In April we are starting service to Fort Walton Beach, Panama Beach and Gulf Port. That's excitement for us. Draw your own conclusions.
As a new hire you SHOULD be able to hold any of the 3 bases within a short amount of time. No idea about time on reserve. If we are really upgrading at the rate they say, it shouldn't be too bad (and by bad I mean a year or more). Upgrade RIGHT NOW (and this could all change tomorrow) is down to 2.5 years.
Quality of life is what you make of it. If you live in base, or within descent driving distance of one, it's not too bad. Most lines have between 12 and 15 days off. Trips are mostly 4 days, although recently there has been a spike in one and two day trips. Trip efficiency is lacking. You may fly 7 hours your first day, 2 hours on day two and three and then 6 hours your last day. There aren't that many commuter friendly trips that start late end early.
Pay is about industry average (despite what people will tell you). The Captain pay is actually pretty good. FO pay, slightly low, but manageable. Our contract has a whole lot of holes in it and the company will try to abuse them. You just have to play the game and it is ok. We are up for a new contract in 2009 so expect the FUD to start appearing soon. The union (other then the MEC Chairmen) is stable right now. Once we get this election (which has been tied for about 2 months now) finished up stuff will be ok. The guy currently in charge (and who I hope stays in charge) is doing a good job and has a lot of pull at National.
MX is good. Hotels are SLOWLY improving. Pass travel is some of the best in the industry.
That's about all I can think of. We are hiring a bunch so if you are remotely interested at least put an app in. I don't know what it takes to get a call back now but I'm sure some of the guys still in the school house could answer that.
surreal1221
Well-Known Member
What is this Wilburs?
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
Wilburs is the restaurant in the hotel. The hotel is attached to the training center. There is nothing else within walking distance. The van *sometimes* will take you to other places to eat. Wilburs sucks. They have a lunch time buffet that you will pretty much live off of when you are in training unless somebody is your class has a car. Their food is... interesting. I actually didn't mind doing the lunch thing every other day or so when I was there.
Also, they had (I dunno if they still do) $1 appetizers from 5 to 6. You could get potato skins and a salad for 2 bucks. The first few days we got 6 potato skins. Then we only got 4 and by the last week we were down to getting 2 skins for the one dollar. Also, the size of the salad shrunk.
I'm not a fan of Wilburs.
Also, they had (I dunno if they still do) $1 appetizers from 5 to 6. You could get potato skins and a salad for 2 bucks. The first few days we got 6 potato skins. Then we only got 4 and by the last week we were down to getting 2 skins for the one dollar. Also, the size of the salad shrunk.
I'm not a fan of Wilburs.
TheOneMarine
Well-Known Member
Hey Bob, since I'm driving (I'm only in Indy) will I become the volun-told taxi driver in the group?
TheOneMarine
Well-Known Member
Hope you got new shocks before you left, Ray- GrandAm clown car
Enjoying the peace & quiet yet?
Heh, it's worse than that bro, The Grand Am is Ashley's car. I have a 2000 Celica 2 door hatchback. People will be hanging by the spoiler :rawk:, lol.
And yes, I am LOVING the peace that comes from the demons being cast away, lol.
EDUC8-or
Well-Known Member
I think I'm going to take a vacation to Vandalia this weekend just so I can stay at the Dayton Airport Hotel and eat at Wilbur's. Mmmm.
Actually, when I had the short Dayton overnights and couldn't go anywhere else to eat I'd get a burger, they're decent. I wonder if they still have karaoke, I'd like to rock some Kelly Clarkson.
Actually, when I had the short Dayton overnights and couldn't go anywhere else to eat I'd get a burger, they're decent. I wonder if they still have karaoke, I'd like to rock some Kelly Clarkson.
meyers9163
Well-Known Member
They still have it! However I was seeing you as more of a 50cent man or Michael Jackson!