What Is The Real Deal With Our Airline?

[Air conditioned]

I hear all of these conflicting stories about the future of U and I am not sure what to believe. Are things getting better? Will U be here in a year? Is U out of the woods? Or could U fold any minute?

The reason I ask is that I have been offered a very good job (not related to the airline industry at all) and I am not sure if I should pass it up to wait for a recall to MAA. I am not sure if the future is as secure at U as some say. Can you all give me some input? What is the word on the street about our company? Thanks in advance.

 

[AlabubbaRegional]

"... I have been offered a very good job (not related to the airline industry at all) ..."

Take it and go with Gods' speed and His blessings!

 

[atlantis]

i think you should wait for mid atlatnic because they are going to be build up to be alot bigger than you think. if you get back on with mid atlatnic then you will be set for your future. that is just my opinon but that is what i think and i think other people think this to. mid atlantic is the future of this company so stick with them. good luck. thanks.

 

[BoeingBoy]

AirConditioned,

There is no doubt that I have no absolute answers to your questions - my crystal ball has been broken for the last 57-1/2 years and I don't see it starting to work anytime soon.

That said, there's a lot of "if's" in the future of U, especially for someone in your position. A potential recall to MAA, if U doesn't liquidate or if it does will you have recall to wherever the planes end up at. If you get recalled to MAA, how long till you can get back to mainline, if it makes it (if not, will you go with the airplanes or just be out on the street again). If you eventually get back to mainline, what are the pay, benefits, etc like. In other words, a lot of uncertainty in the future if you decide to hang in there and wait for U to take you back.

On the other hand, there's the job you've been offered - the old "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" kind of thing.

And finally, on the third hand (!!!), there is something about aviation that can get into your blood.

Whatever you decide, best of luck....

Jim

 

[usairways_vote_NO]

I hear all of these conflicting stories about the future of U and I am not sure what to believe. Are things getting better? Will U be here in a year? Is U out of the woods? Or could U fold any minute?

The reason I ask is that I have been offered a very good job (not related to the airline industry at all) and I am not sure if I should pass it up to wait for a recall to MAA. I am not sure if the future is as secure at U as some say. Can you all give me some input? What is the word on the street about our company? Thanks in advance.

Why would you pass up a very good job for anything less then a equal or better job? Unless of course you wouldn't be happy at that new job.

 

[Reservation Agent]

I think the future of USAIRWAYS is very uncertain...

No matter what the shape it will take if it is not being run well...Midatlantic could be another "Metro-jet" experiment....

Things I have read from some other carriers are that "Song" for Delta is not a saving grace..... and I believe "Ted" with United is being cut back...

Read also that Delta is re-evaluating use of regional jets and now thinks they are not "cost effective" enough...

The airline is not interested in any saving of money in the Mgt & administrative ranks....and we have seen past CEO's run off with a "huge" bankroll....

Good luck with your decision..

 

[atlantis]

but maybe he likes the airline industry like boeingboy said. i know that for me it would be hard to let go of and that is abig part of it i think. i think that he just wnats to know what the future is so he will know weahter or not to take a nother job. if the company is may be going to fold than the dicision will be easier right. it is worth asking. thanks.

 

[robbedagain]

i think you should wait for mid atlatnic because they are going to be build up to be alot bigger than you think. if you get back on with mid atlatnic then you will be set for your future. that is just my opinon but that is what i think and i think other people think this to. mid atlantic is the future of this company so stick with them. good luck. thanks.

I believ that Mid Atlantic is going to be the future of the east coast usairways with the rest being done by mainline. I believe once they get the software and other problems worked out on the emb170 it will be a nicer plane with far less cancels and mtr delays than what it is today and since it first came out.

 

[cavalier]

Thanks in advance.

Run like the wind, better yet, like a bullet.

What price, peace of mind, what price security, why are you even having second thoughts! ?

It's a no brainier from my perspective, go for it!

 

[PITbull]

i think you should wait for mid atlatnic because they are going to be build up to be alot bigger than you think. if you get back on with mid atlatnic then you will be set for your future. that is just my opinon but that is what i think and i think other people think this to. mid atlantic is the future of this company so stick with them. good luck. thanks.

Air Condition,

If you have secured a good paying job with decent wages and avordable benefits, then don't hesitate and don't look back.

MAA will be growing, however, the pay will not. Any future in the airline industry for f/as as far as a "profession" looks extremely bleak. We will have our own issues regarding "outsourcing" (cabatoge) very soon.

Flight attendant jobs will not be good paying jobs in general, for many years to come. It will take a group to either CHOAS or not take the job because the benefits and wage are not "livable".

These are sad times making history. You need to move on, as I suspect many will when reality finally sets in.

I believe you got a break and a "head start" on all of us. Take it and run.

 

[jimntx]

Flight attendant jobs will not be good paying jobs in general, for many years to come. It will take a group to either CHOAS or not take the job because the benefits and wage are not "livable".

Starting f/a's at AE make $17.67/hr which is actually the 4th year step in the current contract. The company had to negotiate a side letter with the union to raise the starting pay above the CBA rates because they were not getting "qualified" candidates at the contract rate of $12-something/hr. They had to raise starting salary to the 4th year step before they started getting decent applicants.

Catch was that if hired, you stayed at the same pay rate for 4 years before you got a raise. Catch #2, company wants to "raise" the starting salary to $16-something an hour in the new contract and cut the pay of 1st year f/a's already flying from the $17.67 rate to the new rate!

At the LCCs, other than WN, I think you will see salaries start to increase when f/as start trying to raise families or afford to live less than 6 people to an apt on less than $20/hr. Or, you will see increased turnover--which come to think of it is what the airlines want. I don't think any airline's management, including WN, ever thought that someone would want to make a career of flight attendant. They wanted (and still want) young, cute things that will go do something else after a few years of free travel benefits.

 

[PITbull]

When the job becomes unattractive to good, qualified dedicated workers, and they refuse to take a job that impoverishes them even in the first year, that is when you will see managements in this industry "raise the bar".


When the industry can no longer attract folks off the street that are dedicated to working for less than what is "livable", things will change.

Again, supply and demand....even in the job market works to raise the wage bar.

These jobs are not "cake-walk" jobs. Takes a certain type of personality, commitment, dedication to do the work of this profession, do it consistently, and do it well. What attracts the customer from one airline to another is SERVICE.

No matter how cheap the fare, if the service is bad, and folks are treated as if they are invisible AFTER you get their money, you won't stay in business long.

Employees care about a job that provides for their families, has a future, and is secure. That is where companies get "loyalty and dedication" in exchange.

 

[Bear96]

Or, you will see increased turnover--which come to think of it is what the airlines want. I don't think any airline's management, including WN, ever thought that someone would want to make a career of flight attendant. They wanted (and still want) young, cute things that will go do something else after a few years of free travel benefits.

Bingo.