workingforfree

A friend of mine was called today for an interview too. Not sure on what date he took though.

starcheckdriver

Anyone know about lodging and pay during training?

kingairip

They provide lodging and per diem while in training. You'll also get paid (~3k per month.)

starcheckdriver

Thanks for the info. More questions:

1. What is the training schedule? 2 weeks in PHX for Indoc and then what?

2. Where do you stay in PHX?

3. Do medical benefits kick in day 1 or after training is complete?

4. Any idea what the plan is to merge seniority lists with US East/West and AA? Is he thought that US gets stapled to the bottom of AA?

fosters

1. 2 weeks in PHX (for now) and while there you bid on your a/c training date. Most guys for some reason bid the earliest dates possible. I'm not sure why. I had ~ 2 weeks off.

After that it's to ground training and IPT. I think 5 on 2 off. That goes for about 2 weeks then you have a little break, a couple days, then sim. That is 5 on 2 off as well IIRC. Then OE.

2. I think they switch off between hotels. Mine was nice, although I was there back in the winter when it wasn't 153*F outside. You got breakfast and dinner for free.

3. I think medical benefits happen after 30 days but I didn't pay attention because I didn't need them.

4. Nobody knows. A staple is highly doubtful. That isn't going to happen. Either way, the general consensus from most people is everyone hired after 12/13/2013 AT LEAST (and maybe 2/15/2013) will be slotted in DOH on both lists. A new-hire at AA at this point is the same thing as a new-hire at US, at least hopefully that is what the arbitrator sees. How they could rule differently I can't see, but never say never.

The SLI is a huge black cloud over head. If they keep the lists separate it would actually benefit those on the East list because of the huge relative movement. But long term of course, we want everything combined.

pilotguy65

Good info fosters. I'm starting May 26 and this helps me out!

In regards to medical insurance, you get it from day 1--I asked when I did my pre-employment.

Couple additional questions from me.. Does anyone foresee any DCA positions open for new hires? I know the last few classes haven't had any, but my fingers are still crossed. Also, if awarded PHL 320, how long would it be until I could bid over to DCA? Thanks

EMBFlyer

The medical benefits start on Day 1. You'll be enrolled in the program after 30 days, but it will back-date to Day 1.

We seem to have a bid every 2-3 months. There's a bid open right now, effective for August. With the movement around here, I'd say it would be less than 6 months at the very longest to end up in the base that you want.

One thing to consider, if you end up in PHX, you will not be able to bid East until the AA merger is complete (see other thread).

bassslayer

DCA typically goes pretty junior. You've got a real good shot of getting it in Indoc. If not, you could probably get it on the next bid cycle which they run every few months.

PRS Guitars

Pilotguy65

If you don't get DCA right off the bat. you'll likely be able to bid it within the first 6 months and possibly while still in training. That is only if you get an Airbus, if you get the 190, you'll be on that for a year. But then should be able to easily get the AB to DCA after that year.

One more training perk is that you get space positive tickets home and back every weekend. You book the tickets for whatever times you want. Stress free travel to see your family.

Also while in training you actually make more money than when you start sitting reserve, so that's nice as well.

Starcheckdriver,

There are thousands of pages on the US Airways merger history, but I recommend googling some history. It is beyond the scope/intent of this thread. Your staple comment will likely illicit some interesting responses. Bottom line for a new hire is it probably won't matter much, as Fostors said, we'll likely be slotted with AA new hires by DOH. Everything above the new hire level is where the pain will be.

I've really enjoyed working here so far, but it is true that this merger presents a big unknown in terms of SLI, work rules, reserve scheduling, Jumpseat scheduling, etc.

Hueypilot

One of the differences between East and West is the medical insurance. Our class was the first with PHX slots, and their insurance doesn't kick in for 6 months. Not sure if that's going to change, but definitely check on the benefits because there are some differences.

As had already been posted, DCA won't take long to hold provided you aren't on the E190. I'm DCA now but trying to get CLT but it's taking a while with the reduction in 737 ops and people being displaced off that aircraft onto the AB in CLT.