Regional Flying...Pinnacle Airlines/ASA

[rickyrhodesii]

Suppose you're "lucky" enough to land a job with Pinnacle Airlines as your first major flying gig. From what I understand, you do your indoc training in Memphis, but where do you go from there? Since Pinnacle has hubs in Memphis, Minneapolis, and Detroit...where would your place of residence be? Do you get a choice of what hub you'd like to fly our of?


Okay, maybe if you can't relate to Pinnacle, what about ASA? They have hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati and Salt Lake. Do you just bounce around to these cities until you have seniority to hold a line?


Sorry to ask these silly questions...I’m just trying to get some info on life as a regional pilot.


Thanks for any help JCers!

[rausda27]

The only crew bases at ASA are ATL (CRJ-200, CRJ-700 and ATR-72) and SLC (CRJ 700). You are assigned a domicile during training, most likely ATL as it is the junior base and can bid SLC when you get more seniority.

[FlyingNole]

You go to DTW for Pineapple...

[rickyrhodesii]

I'm not following you FlyingNole...what exactly do you mean?

Originally Posted by FlyingNole

You go to DTW for Pineapple...

[blee256]

what nole means is that Detroit is the junior base for pinnacle (aka pineapple, peanuckle, or pinchnickel). Just like you have build seniority to build a line, with your seniorty or lack of, you bid a domicile.


rasauda, i heard ASA is closing SLC as a 700 base, is that true?

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Recently, junior FO's have been going to all three bases. THings have stagnated a bit with upgrades...in fact they are supposedly going to be displacing 10 captains back to FO the beginning of the year.

On the other hand- we are supposed to be hiring 65 FO's a month at the beginning of the year for a while. There are numerous rumors about E170's circulating- I wouldn't put any weight into those until you see the official announcement.... the same goes for the displacements.

You'll likely be able to get your choice of being domiciled in either of the three hubs- whichever is most convenient to you. If you can't hold the one you want the most, you'll be able to bid to it probably within a fairly short period of time. MSP is where the least growth has been recently- thus harder to bid to.


As far as your thoughts of bouncing around in between bases.... that doesn't really make sense or apply here, haha. You hold which base you hold until you want to change. You'll likely be on reserve for the first few months...

As far as living- you can live anywhere in the world you want to live.... literally. The catch is- you've got to be able to make it to base in time for your report, haha. Plus with only 10 days off a month on reserve, commuting is a pain in the patooty. I bought an apt. in DTW- life is so much easier. I am pretty low on the totem pole as far as lineholders go in detroit. I'm on reserve this month- all highspeeds (ARGH!) next month, though holding a line.


Ramble- off. Good luck!

[kellwolf]

Hmmm. Wonder how much truth is in that rumour. I should be sitting close to 1000 and 200 ME around the beginning of the year.

[blee256]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Hmmm. Wonder how much truth is in that rumour. I should be sitting close to 1000 and 200 ME around the beginning of the year.

which rumor? I think the 65 a month isbfact.
the E-170. ha yeah right. thats rumor.

[pavelump]

Originally Posted by PeanuckleCRJ

I'm on reserve this month- all highspeeds (ARGH!) next month, though holding a line.

What kind of call out time do you get on a "highspeed"?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by PeanuckleCRJ

all highspeeds (ARGH!) next month, though holding a line.


Ramble- off. Good luck!

I'll take all of those high speeds off your hands - well only if they are TOL, ERI, or DAY.

Jason

[PhilosopherPilot]

Originally Posted by blee256

rasauda, i heard ASA is closing SLC as a 700 base, is that true?

I heard the same thing from an upgrading captain, but I wouldn't put much stock in it until we hear more from management. I wouldn't be surprised if they did close it though. It sure will upset some of the DFW people who moved out there if it turns out to be true...

I also heard from the same guy that we may be getting the CRJ-705 (900 with a first class configuration.). Who knows?

G

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by PhilosopherPilot

I also heard from the same guy that we may be getting the CRJ-705 (900 with a first class configuration.). Who knows?

G

And none of y'all see anything wrong with this??? Absolutely amazing. Where are those guys that said there was nothing wrong with the RJ's and there's no SJS????

TX

[blee256]

Originally Posted by txpilot

And none of y'all see anything wrong with this??? Absolutely amazing. Where are those guys that said there was nothing wrong with the RJ's and there's no SJS????

TX

705s are the CRJ900 with a first class config, but i still think They only have seventy seats. As far as i know Scope clauses are based on number of seats, not size. i.e. XJ avro flying 69 seats, even though it was supposed to fly around 85 at a time.

[Stone Cold]

Okay,

If you feel that this is not a bad thing with regionals with first class, etc., then good on ya. How long until they take out the first class for more room? Just curious as to what level y'all are going to let it get to.

Sorry, maybe I was born in the wrong decade or something, and I realize you think you are doing good, and say that the pilots should stick together, but how much more are y'all going to let go? How far does this go? Good luck to all of you and I'll try not to butt in on any more posts, but please, for the future of this profession, open your eyes.

Once again very glad I did not go to a regional!!!!

TX

[BobDDuck]

Aw, don't pull the bitter freight pilot card


The 705s do only have 70 seats. Having a first class section a regional? I don't really have a problem with it. It has to do with the number of people moved and the routes served. I don't think anything bigger then 50 should have move to the regionals, but it's done now. I would just as soon draw the line now at 70. As for adding seats back in? Again, it's the number of people, not the size of the airplane. If they do add the seats then scope is broken and that is a whole other issue. As to the routes served. That seems to be a losing battle as well. I seem to be covering a whole lot of routes recently that I remember riding in the back of a 'bus in a few years ago.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

Aw, don't pull the bitter freight pilot card

Surely you jest ; bitter...very cute. I can say I never applied to one regional ever, and plan on keeping it that way. I am very happy with my company, get treated very well, and will go corporate or fractional from here. Like I've said before, I'll go to a charter business and live on a pager, rather than get into the airline debacles going on, if necessary.

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

The 705s do only have 70 seats. Having a first class section a regional? I don't really have a problem with it. It has to do with the number of people moved and the routes served. I don't think anything bigger then 50 should have move to the regionals, but it's done now. I would just as soon draw the line now at 70. As for adding seats back in? Again, it's the number of people, not the size of the airplane. If they do add the seats then scope is broken and that is a whole other issue. As to the routes served. That seems to be a losing battle as well. I seem to be covering a whole lot of routes recently that I remember riding in the back of a 'bus in a few years ago.

I hate to break it to ya, but back then, they said we'll only have the 50 seaters, and no more. We'll draw the line there. In my mind, it's the size of the airplane also. How many cabin changes have happened in the past? We're adding first class, business class, more legroom, now we need revenue, so we'll only have first, now we're getting rid of first, so we can compete with SWA, now back to the original design. It's an on-going cycle. Trust me, I've heard it before. They will find a way to get out of scope, just like in the past. A few years down the road, it will be, well the 50 and 70 seaters are here, we'll set the limit at 90.

As far as routes served, yep, I agree...that's in the can and will only get worse. I cuss every time I step on a RJ going half-way across the country. But, there's nothing anybody can do about it, right?

I have no problems with anybody on here (JC), and wish y'all the best. I just wish y'all would open your eyes. It's painful to watch history repeat, and the entire industry going downhill.

TX

[Kingairer]

You dont seem bitter to me

[blee256]

Originally Posted by Kingairer

You dont seem bitter to me

HAHA!! LOL!!


TXpilot,

I dont condone large jets at the regionals. I never said I had SJS or have given any type of impression showing that I do. Someone mentioned ASA getting 705's. And i think what happened isyou assumed they are ninety seat airplanes and commented on it. And I was just trying to let you know that Hey, its a 900 but it only seats 70. thats it. You could have easily said oh, but instead you went off and decided to get on your soapbox instead of admitting you were mistaken.

How many cabin changes have happened in the past?

I dunno,you tell me.

We're adding first class, business class, more legroom, now we need revenue, so we'll only have first

I dont get what you are trying to get across here. Airlines have added business class and first. ok.....more legroom was something AA tried out to try to differentiate themselves and offer more to the pax than their competitors, i dont see a problem with that. Need revenue we'll only have first? umm, I am assumig you are refering to NWA, that got rid of first class, and just has WOrld business class? its just a marketing ploy. Most companies wont pay for First class for their employees, but they will pay for business. and what are most travelers? its people on business. SO they just got rid of the name first class, and called it all as business so they can sell more seats. I think thats smart if you ask me. Also cabin classes has no reflecion on pay. I dont think NWA pilots took a paycut when managment decided to get rid of first class. and If i heard correctly SWA pilots make more than legacy carriers on the same equipement. and SWA only has one class, coach aka cattle class. which brings me to your next quote...

now we're getting rid of first, so we can compete with SWA, now back to the original design.

No airline is going to get rid of their first/business class all together? Do you know who rides up in the front of the plane? i would say at least 99% of the people are mileage/rewards/points members. which equal to brand loyalty so they can earn their points/miles. If they get rid of first/bus/ bclass they are getting rid of they most loyal passengers. why would any company want to do that? especially in a time when they trying to build brand loyalty?

Once again very glad I did not go to a regional!!!!

get off your high horse, dont think you are better than use because "you dont work for a regional and never plan to"

I had a job offer to fly G-IIs and DA-20s. but i turned it down becayuse i felt i would get better training at an airline. dont mean to make it personal but when you say things like "I can say I never applied to one regional ever, and plan on keeping it that way" and "I just wish y'all would open your eyes" what do you expect?


I do agree with you on the point of how far are you going to let it go. I dont think Regionals should fly the 90 seaters. the 70 seaters are already in the hands of the Regionals. good or bad, i dunno. but the reason why people blame the regionals isnt because of the size of the plane. its the crap wages that ALPA or whoever agrees to. If we got paid better there wouldnt be an economic advantage for management to outsource their flying. But most of the time ALPA sells out the regionals because most of their income comes from the majors. 2% of my paycheck is nothing compared to 2% a fedex piots check. So ALPA spends more time with them, then they do with us. But if they only realized by increasing our pay it would drastically help out the maineliners as well. The RJ revolution did a lot to the industry more than anyone could have imagined. If they thought RJs would be all over the place liek they are today, mainline pilots would have been flying them. But now that they realize they are too expensive to operate I think/hope a lot of flying will go back to mainline so it can be done in more effecient airplanes.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by txpilot

.....As far as routes served, yep, I agree...that's in the can and will only get worse. I cuss every time I step on a RJ going half-way across the country. But, there's nothing anybody can do about it, right?
.....
TX

Speaking of which...Next month I am flying CO from MSP - EWR. Mainline 737 on the way out......COEX - RJ on the way back. Last time I made the flight on NWA with the Dc-9s. The RJ is going to be a tight fit. Anyone gonna be around...Starbucks on me !!!

[Kingairer]

Originally Posted by blee256

HAHA!! LOL!!

[Stone Cold]

We are talking about ASA, right? Delta Connection?

I won't copy the entire article, and you must register for viewing the article, but here is an exerpt from the AJC.com:

Web fares, rivals cited for woes at Delta

"Delta, which filed Chapter 11 on Sept. 14, is seeking $325 million in annual cost concessions from pilots, including a 19.5 percent pay cut and rights to shift more flying to regional jets with up to 100 seats." - AJC 11/30/05

I realize this is Delta's pilots' fight right now, but this is what's coming down the hill.

Blee, I don't think I ever said you specifically had SJS, just it's a phenomena, in general. I also never assumed they were getting 900's...I read it was one with 1st class as posted above. So, as far as admitting I was wrong, yes, I was a little ;-) outspoken at the beginning, but as far as being wrong about the a/c, no, I knew what I was replying to.

Yes, absolutely, some have made good points, and I guess, going back and reading some of the posts, I was a little strong at the beginning. I am NOT trying to argue with anybody on here. I am just pointing out some things people I feel should be noticing, and stating my opinions. As far as them not taking first class out of an airplane, I wouldn't trust management to hold to this.

Good luck to all out there.

TX

edited to add content.

[cime_sp]

Originally Posted by txpilot

We are talking about ASA, right? Delta Connection?

I won't copy the entire article, and you must register for viewing the article, but here is an exerpt from the AJC.com:

Web fares, rivals cited for woes at Delta

"Delta, which filed Chapter 11 on Sept. 14, is seeking $325 million in annual cost concessions from pilots, including a 19.5 percent pay cut and rights to shift more flying to regional jets with up to 100 seats." - AJC 11/30/05

I realize this is Delta's pilots' fight right now, but this is what's coming down the hill.

Blee, I don't think I ever said you specifically had SJS, just it's a phenomena, in general. I also never assumed they were getting 900's...I read it was one with 1st class as posted above. So, as far as admitting I was wrong, yes, I was a little ;-) outspoken at the beginning, but as far as being wrong about the a/c, no, I knew what I was replying to.

Yes, absolutely, some have made good points, and I guess, going back and reading some of the posts, I was a little strong at the beginning. I am NOT trying to argue with anybody on here. I am just pointing out some things people I feel should be noticing, and stating my opinions. As far as them not taking first class out of an airplane, I wouldn't trust management to hold to this.

Good luck to all out there.

TX

edited to add content.

Delta is the one trying to fly the 100 seat jets. They asked the pilots union for a 100 seat payscale earlier this year I believe. The pay is pretty pathetic! It is much lower than anything else at Delta...despite the fact they they already fly a 100 seat airplane (737-200). It is a completely different scale

[Stone Cold]

CIME SP,

I did not know that. Thanks for the info. The article made it sound like it would be the Regional affiliates doing the flying, and from reading on other boards, granted, take that for what it's worth, there's debate on whether the Regionals or Mainline will be flying it, and who should be.

Do you have a source for the info? Just curious.

Thanks.

TX

(edited for punctuation)

[cime_sp]

Talked to a number of Delta pilots either riding the jumpseat, or flying them on ours.