Jjbiv From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1226 posts, RR: 6 Posted (11 years 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 2427 times:
Has anyone here worked for Chicago Express/ATA Connection? They're opening a new station here and looking for CSAs. I've read up on the company and they seem relatively solid. Post-9/11 expansion is a good sign for a company which seems conservative. I'd love to hear about any experience you may have had with them.
ALSF 2 From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 89 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (11 years 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 2275 times:
The company is a small-medium sized regional airline(top 20), with financial power of a large regional airline due to the fact that AMTRAN owns them (the holding company of Chicago Express, and ATA). A solid profitable airline with LOTS of growth on the horizon. Working as a CSA at one of the stations, has its fun times and not so fun times, but just ask any other CSA of another similar sized regional at your airport (American Conn, US Airways Exp, Mesaba, etc...). You get lots of flight benifits, but when the plane comes in, you do everything!! Some people like it, some do not, but that's every job! Good luck!
Skyway1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (11 years 3 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 2264 times:
Jjbiv,
I just got hired on at Chicago Express here in Dayton. I worked for Skyway until late last year when I got furloughed. Of course there are airlines here I would rather work for(nobody is hiring), but the Chicago Express operation looks pretty solid to me! Should be starting this week. You can email me and maybe I can give you more info a little later on!
Jjbiv From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1226 posts, RR: 6 Reply 4, posted (11 years 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2231 times:
Thanks a lot everyone for your help. I got hired at TOL and will be training with the FNT crew in June (starting May 29th I believe). This looks like a great company.
SegmentKing From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (11 years 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 2171 times:
Just make sure you keep LOW when hooking up the GPU to the plane.. it's below the right wing where it meets the fuselage (sorta, more inside).. the GPU is normally driven along the back of the wing and turn once you get to the fuselage... (well, that's how we did it @ XJ)...
PSU.DTW.SCE From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 6874 posts, RR: 29 Reply 10, posted (11 years 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2152 times:
Congrats on getting the job
Have fun disconnecting the GPU on those Saabs....you better like large spinning props being just feet away from you. Actually, if things pan out right next year, I may be doing the same sort of work.
Boyshane From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 128 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (11 years 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2145 times:
Hey,
I just got hired for Continental Express here in Madison... i'm really excited! I know it's off topic a bit but Chicago Express flies up here but they had no job openings. I was happy to get the job because I graduate on May 24th for HS and they are shipping me down to Houston and Newark for 5 weeks of training, all expenses paid... I can't wait. I think that the Express/Connection airlines are great because the benefits include their parent airlines. So if you are looking for a job with Chicago Express- go for it.
SegmentKing From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (11 years 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 2142 times:
oh one other thing.. the doors like to slide down on the B Plus models.. i'm not sure what C8 has... make sure you PUSH that door all the way up and in or you'll really really really get hurt (weighs about 70#s)...
Jjbiv From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1226 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (11 years 3 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2123 times:
Thanks for the tips. It seems like the GPU connection could have been placed anywhere on the aircraft, but they had to put it in the same general area as a prop? Engineers never cease to amaze me Good luck to all the other newbies!
We're opening a new station here, so I'm pumped for all the "excitement" we'll see not known our heads from our rears for the first little while
Skyway1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (11 years 3 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2134 times:
Yeah the GPU connection is almost in the same spot on the Beech 1900D's. Once I was waiting to disconnect and when the pilot started the N1 engine the GPU caught on fire because the cord was frayed right where it went into the back of the machine. Scared the living s**t out of me! Here in Dayton Skyway and C8 operate out of the same gate so I have watched them work the Saab's for awhile. BTW, why do they leave the N1 feathered while on the ground loading passengers? Good luck to you Jjbiv and maybe I'll see you in training!
ALSF 2 From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 89 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (11 years 3 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2112 times:
Jjbiv....
Don't let everyone scare you about the GPU location with the prop. I don't know the way everyone else with Saabs works it, but the GPU is all the way in the rear area of the fuselage. Chicago Express' procedure is that they ALWAYS park the GPU next to the NON-OPERATING engine, so you disconnect NOWHERE near the running engine, and it's long gone before that other engine starts! The will train you, it will be second nature after a while. Enjoy!
ALSF 2 From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 89 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (11 years 3 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2104 times:
Skyway1...
The answer to you're question is... They keep engine 2 running on the ground sometimes to act as a "poor-man's APU." With that engine running they can keep the a/c pumping through the cabin, electrical completly on, etc... It also keeps the ground time to a min (only have to start one and you're gone!!). It works really well!!
Cheers....
P.S.- The original Saab 340's came with a prop brake, so you could flip a switch and like the disc brakes on your car, and a pad would slow that prop to a stop but the jet engine would still be running inside. But that caused worlds of problems inside, so the discontinued it. oh well! good idea!
Skyway1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (11 years 3 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2110 times:
ALSF 2,
Thanks for the info on the prop feathering. I have to fly up to Midway next Monday for orientation.(How wonderful, 5:35 AM originator too!) Any chance your rotating through Dayton anytime soon? BTW, I heard to beware of a pilot named Monica? Could you shed some light on that issue? Thanks again and maybe we'll bump into each other.
Jjbiv From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1226 posts, RR: 6 Reply 20, posted (11 years 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 2074 times:
ALSF,
Thanks for explaining the GPU placement. That makes much more sense, and, after looking at pictures here, I'm much more comfortable. Watch out if you're flying to Indy in June...newbies from TOL and FNT will be all over the ramp
Skyway1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (11 years 3 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2047 times:
Thanks for all the info on the C8 operation! I have made no judgements about anybody in the operation there. I was just asking a question based on what another employee said. No worries there! BTW, are you making any Dayton rotations anytime soon? I have to attend orientation on Monday in Chicago. I also hear they still park at the hangars, is there anything I need to know to get to the training building?
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1226 posts, 
I'm as aspiring pilot, so I'd be glad to pick your brain any day!
Good luck to all the other newbies!
Printer friendly format 
