MunkyButtr

I've known a few FOs get on at airways lately and all were extremely well connected, fwiw. In all cases it wasn't their first regional either.

HotMamaPilot

Nevermind two-percent; he is a low time guy thinking that he can "cut-the-corner" into airways. Wishful thinking on his part.

JoeyMeatballs

Would you consider getting an ATP and Type as a yes to this answer?

jackie moon

Here are a few problems with your argument

As a regional captain I knew more fos than captains because that is who I flew with fo but the only people I knew who got hired at airways from my company were captains. In my new hire class at airways of the 15 in the class only one was an fo.

SUX4U

My point exactly. Wishing thinking guys with selective hearing will see that 1 out of 15 figure. Next thing you know they hear the next class maybe had 2 out 14 being FO's. Now all of a sudden "Airways hires more FO's then Captains" is created from the small increase of FO's hired.

Max Glide

A ‘low time’ pilot is not less deserving of a job [at any company] than the ‘high time’ pilot.

As long as someone meets the minimum application criteria, they are just as deserving.

Sliceback

Minimums are minimums. Don't be stunned if the typical guy is well above that.

It's not about "deserving". It's about stacking up against the guy next to you before you get a face to face chance.

howard500

I'm currently a regional FO and would make the jump to Airways if given the chance with little or no hesitation. However I am curious if anyone could put in perspective the first few years at today's Airways.... things that perhaps one would not ask at an interview!

How's life as reserve? How many hours call out do you get? Are reserve months heavy or light? Is there any type of 401k contribution? How's the medical insurance like? Days off? Vacation? Pay gotchas like cancellation/mx pay? How much does one realistically bring home?

Also, and this is pure curiosity, does long haul European flying go very senior, or is there a fair mix of people who like that type of flying?

I realize contract conditions will likely be quite different in the near future with all the things to come, but as of today I'm curious of current conditions.

Thanks!

2ndGenPSA

Reserve QOL is dependent upon a few factors. Do you live in base? Do you live in base? And, do you live in base? All kidding aside, the reserve system is a huge step up from most regionals. It is very transparent; you log into CATCREW and can see exactly where you stand in the list to be called. The pilot with the lowest time is next up, which keeps everyone flying about the same amount: summer months more than off-season, 50 hours compared to 30 on average. There are no favors, there is no punishment, and once assigned a trip, it's your trip. You go home at the end of it, to start another reserve period when you have reserve days next. Very black and white, cut and dry, straight forward.

Short call is pretty much "a reasonable amount of time to get to the airport," with 2-2.5 hours pretty normal. 76 hours pay, compared to 72 on long call, which is 9 hours.

If you live in base, expect to be home about 22 days a month. And most trips you fly are day trips, with the occasional 2, 3, or the rare 4-day.

401(k) is 10% company contribution, regardless of what you contribute. One week of vacation until you have a bazillion years of service. First year pay is $3,000 a month salary, unless you get the E190, then it's something like $40/hr. The 190 pays a couple hundred bucks more per month the first year, especially if you fly above guarantee, or DH a lot (paid 1/2 above guarantee).

The working agreement is from bankruptcy. The pay is low. The QOL is what you make of it. The training is stellar. The people are generally great. The difference between the regionals is indescribable. If you can live in base (DCA and PHL are junior, CLT is not far off because of retirements).

If you get the E190 (new-hires are going to A320 and E190), you are sea-locked for a year, but that has been waived for some when the need arises.

Long story short, compared to the other majors, the pay is the worst. A merger with American is likely, though, and pay will go up as soon as that agreement is signed. Compared to a regional, if you can afford the first year (you've been saving, right?), it's a no-brainer. Much more secure than any regional, and much more enjoyable, professional, rewarding, and easier!

Two-percent

Kettle: every time you open that yap-hole, the APC community collectively groans. I think it's funny tho. I can understand the struggles you went through to this point.