AirTran Reports Loss

[DonVerita]

Maybe because Management continues to take bonuses quarter after quarter....that's how.

 

[MRYFLYER]

TY you are not allowed to post text from PM's in the forum. I would think you would be aware to those rules.

 

[757jetflier]

No one wants to come out and say it, but it is difficult to compete against bankrupt carriers who charge rediculous fares while they're "protected", AKA DELTA

No one wants to talk about the ridculous pay scales and benefits and entry level longevity of start up LCC's either. Only the top thirty at AAI are at year twelve. 0 at JB.

 

[Lear70]

Maybe because Management continues to take bonuses quarter after quarter....that's how.

BINGO!

If the pay rates on the (eventual) T.A. don't at least have current book plus COLA over its entire duration AT LEAST equal to or better than the average rise in the Consumer Price Index or adjusted inflation rates, it's an automatic "NO" vote for me, as long as the company continues to post even a MODEST profit or even breaks even.

That aside,,,

Why does everyone have to sling mud? So WHAT if a carrier that YOU don't work for files a small quarterly loss while they're still in the black for the year by a wide margin? What do you care?

Do you go around kicking cats, shooting puppies with b-b guns, and make little kids cry at the grocery store? 'Cause it sounds like you guys are just hunting for something to bash as an excuse to make you feel better... pretty pathetic.

Incidentally, I don't think the idea of "no" carrier being low-FARE (your words) in the future is necessarily a bad one. That would mean that median ticket prices went up for EVERYONE which, at our cost level (and others) would mean profits for almost everyone and would stem the rapid growth of some carriers which has, historically, lead to bankruptcy for many, many carriers.

I'm sure at some point AAI, jBlu, and maybe even *gasp* SWA will be in financial trouble. I don't believe that any of them will simply die, just likely be absorbed through merger or purchase if they don't make it out on their own. No big deal, it's been going on for half a century yet most pilots somehow survived and made a career out of it.

You gotta think long-term, not just what's happening this quarter... so lighten up already. Jheesh.

 

[FDJ2]

This is the part I don't get:

"year-to-date net income of $18.8 million or $0.20 per diluted share compared to $7.7 million or $0.09 per diluted share in 2005. For the third quarter 2006, AirTran Airways reported a net loss of $4.3 million or $0.05 per diluted share, which compares to net income of approximately $1.0 million or $0.01 per diluted share in the year earlier period."

O.K. net income so far this year looks good ($18.8M compared to $7.7M last year), but then the 3rd quarter results are really bad (a loss of $4.3M compared to a gain of $1M last year). What happened? You have to admit that's a large change in fortunes. You can talk about high fuel prices, but weren't they high last year too.

 

[FlyAirtran]

Well here is part of it...

"The latest quarter's results included a charge of $1.5 million, or 2 cents a share, to record additional free-ticket liability "related to the company's highly successful 2005 Wendy's promotion," the company said. The amount will be recognized as future revenue when the tickets are used, it added."

Our performance overall wasnt that bad, Third Quarter Revenues is up 30 Percent on a 27 Percent Increase In Capacity, thats not too shabby.

 

[FDJ2]

Well here is part of it...

"The latest quarter's results included a charge of $1.5 million, or 2 cents a share, to record additional free-ticket liability "related to the company's highly successful 2005 Wendy's promotion," the company said. The amount will be recognized as future revenue when the tickets are used, it added."

Well I guess it could be worse, I'm sure you'll be profitable for the year, but that only accounts for $1.5M of a $4.3M loss for the third quarter, a quarter in which you had a $1M profit last year. Fuel was high last year also. What else happened to account for a $5.3M swing from profitability to a loss?

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Why are you so obsess with it? Let it go, it is not as bad as you would like it to be.

 

[BSkin]

A little off the subject, but still pertaining to AirTran, been here 2 1/2 years and had my first draft this morning. Traded a three day for two 2-days, each one leg per day. Got up to DTW last night, had only a few hours to have a couple beers and eat before DH-ing back to the lovely ATL on the first flight. Got down there at the bar/restaurant and saw one of the flight attendants from our flight. Sat down, and she was talking to another fo from AT and she quickly said he was a little weird. I talked w/him, small talk, etc., and found out he was doing the flight we were DH-ing on. Anyways, he bails, another bud of mine shows up, and have a good time (me) for about an hour, then I bail - as he said watch out for the crew tracker waiting for you at the jetway. Sure enough, the Capt I was with was in 1A and I was in 1C and as the jetway pulled up, he saw the *****. Door opened and she only wantead me. Capt said sorry, that sucks, I said yeah, then this FO, as the load was light, said "have a good time in White Plains", with a smile. The Capt, FA's all heard that and agreed with my tool assumption. Anyone else out there have a problem with someone like that?

We're in this game together, it's not about who gets ****** the worst, grow up JD, even though you're older! (and I'm sorry she preferred talking to me over you -- not really)

 

[minrest]

Bskin,

Wow, I can't say I completely understand your five line sentence, however if you have a problem with another pilot why don't you take it up with him personally or through your Unions Pro-Standards department? Partially disclosing his name on an open forum is worse than what you claim he did to you.

-minrest

 

[Citrusflyer]

Bskin,

Dude, there are ways to deal with things like this (if I read your post correctly). This fourm is not one of them. Do yourself a favor and delete the personal stuff.....

 

[Lear70]

I don't know him (or you), but I agree, and I also believe it's a violation of the forum rules to post all the information you'd need to identify someone; you might want to retract it before Longhorn or someone else gets on and chastises you for it.

Incidentally, I can't tell from your run-on statement exactly what it is you think he "did" to you, other than be a smart*ss that you were getting downline drafted? Maybe he had to keep flying and wasn't elligible? I wouldn't say he "ratted" you out or anything... or did we miss something?

Yesterday was really, really tight on 717 staffing, they were desperate for people. 3 days ago there were over 20 flights in open time just for that seat, about 7 of them being CDO's.

I used it to my advantage to trade two days off on the 29th and 30th for one extra day working yesterday (sorry you still got drafted, hope you made it home still), same pay, and now I'm starting 7 days off in a row. Swweeeeet.

I love this place! On reserve, dropped down to 15 days off, all commutable, still 85 credit hours. Better than being a line holder at Pinnacle!

Incidentally, got the NPA e-newsletter last night and, from the tone of it, sounds like we might start making some real progress (I know, I can hope, can't I?) So it doesn't sound like that report impacted our negotiations that much at all...

 

[BSkin]

Yeah, my bad. Shouldn't have posted the partial id# and partial name! Too late to delete. Still not cool on his part, and had no time to take it up with him as he was in the fwd lav for many minutes and was still there when I left the plane, and was rushed off by the crew tracker, and had 25 minutes to departure. Another good run-on sentence grammar folks.

 

[BSkin]

Yesterday was really, really tight on 717 staffing, they were desperate for people. 3 days ago there were over 20 flights in open time just for that seat, about 7 of them being CDO's.

Incidentally, got the NPA e-newsletter last night and, from the tone of it, sounds like we might start making some real progress (I know, I can hope, can't I?) So it doesn't sound like that report impacted our negotiations that much at all...

I haven't seen that newsletter yet, but I hope you're right. The guy I flew with yesterday, after being drafted, flew the NPA Pres. (no names) the other day to wherever they were negotiating. The Pres, according to this Capt, was hopeful that things were starting to move along in negotiations. We'll see!

I agree that something (FO manning) was screwed up yesterday. I called skeds prior to getting on the plane to get assured I would get the draft pay credited for that day and not deducted to my 2 hour day, the day prior. Didn't get that assurance, but printed up crewtime report and so far so good.

Anyone else digging the SAP-2 on FLICA? A lot easier than the fax's or e-mails. Also, anyone know if open-time will be on FLICA in NOV?

 

[Lear70]

The crew schedulers told me FLICA for trip trade is supposed to be active for pilots as of this morning...

Haven't tried it yet to find out.

 

[snow-back]

Like befuddled toddlers whose lollipop has just been taken away from them, they stand, wide-eyed, tensed up, wailing irrationally. No understanding, no reason, no logic can invade their cloud of confusion about why life is so unfair.

THAT is funny!

 

[BSkin]

Thanks Longhorn, my bad!

 

[-9Capt]

BINGO!

If the pay rates on the (eventual) T.A. don't at least have current book plus COLA over its entire duration AT LEAST equal to or better than the average rise in the Consumer Price Index or adjusted inflation rates, it's an automatic "NO" vote for me, as long as the company continues to post even a MODEST profit or even breaks even.

.

That's shooting waaay low if you ask me.

Based on the expectations of the pilots around here, I can safely cast my NO vote today.

 

[-9Capt]

ALK: CEO pay= 479K
CFO pay= 274K

JBLU: CEO pay= 200K

FRNT: CEO pay= 276K
CFO pay= 186K

CAL: CEO pay= 752K
CFO pay= 375K

AMR: CEO pay= 526K

AAI: CEO pay= 990K with 4.3M exercised options.
CFO pay= 359K with 754K exercised options

How much of that "MODEST" profit is a direct result of the pilots going above and beyond? SE taxi, calling ops for catering, cleaning, gates. Asking for shortcuts, saving minor write ups for MX stations, and generally giving a sh!t. Not any more, not me.

 

[IAHERJ]

If it makes you feel any better, our CEO just exercised over 13Mil in stock options last week.

 

[pit717]

ny

i got two words for yuns....done anyone here from utica

 

[jonjuan]

AAI: CEO pay= 990K with 4.3M exercised options.
CFO pay= 359K with 754K exercised options

Oink oink.

 

[abe44]

I hope you guys at Airtran hit a home-run and get substantial payraises, more money to your DB plan, and whatever else you are shooting for.

This industry (and career) is all about median (or industry standard) pay. The health of the piloting profession rests on each individual carrier to raise the bar (even a little bit). This will trickle down to future negotiations at other carriers.

A good percentage of company profits need to be in our pockets! Go get 'em Critters and hopefully all other carriers will follow in the coming years!

Abe44

 

[Lear70]

That's shooting waaay low if you ask me.

Based on the expectations of the pilots around here, I can safely cast my NO vote today.

Oh I agree, and I'd LOVE to see more, I was just making a blanket statement about not accepting anything LESS than current book plus COLA while our management keeps making money yet asking for concessions.

I was in the crew room last month and overheard one of the union officials saying something about how our rates will probably go up, but we'd have to get rid of some work rules like Min day, duty rig, etc in exchange for it.

I have one word for that... HORSESH*T!

I'm certain I misheard him as I didn't have time to stop and clarify, and I know I'm new, and I'm not trying to tell the NC how to run negotiations, but I came here for a REASON, which was excellent work rules, decent pay, and decent quality of life.

If ANY of those declines, I have no interest in working here any longer, it's that simple.

I would PREFER to make this my last stop in my airline career. I hope that's possible and it doesn't get screwed up somehow.

Thanks to the NPA volunteers for all their time and hard work. Having volunteered extensively for our MEC at my last carrier, I know how thankless a job it sometime is!

 

[-9Capt]

OhI was in the crew room last month and overheard one of the union officials saying something about how our rates will probably go up, but we'd have to get rid of some work rules like Min day, duty rig, etc in exchange for it.

There is one guy on the BOD in particular that has his sights set pretty low, it was probably him.

Personally, I'm prepared to give up nothing, and the longer they drag this out, the higher my expectations get!!

 

[canyonblue]

............ and the longer they drag this out, the higher my expectations get!!

And your retro check too. Keep on 'em! :uzi:

 

[DonVerita]

Well I guess it could be worse, I'm sure you'll be profitable for the year, but that only accounts for $1.5M of a $4.3M loss for the third quarter, a quarter in which you had a $1M profit last year. Fuel was high last year also. What else happened to account for a $5.3M swing from profitability to a loss?

Last year we didn't have to deal with a knee-jerk reaction from the TSA over liquids in carry-on's. That one bone-headed move is what caused this quarter's loss.

The incompetency of this government has no limits.

 

[jonjuan]

Last year we didn't have to deal with a knee-jerk reaction from the TSA over liquids in carry-on's. That one bone-headed move is what caused this quarter's loss.

The incompetency of this government has no limits.

Think it's bad now? Wait until Pelosi and her goons take over. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

 

[flythere]

Ty Webb, how can you say pay raises are justified now that you are losing money and the legacies are after you?

Once again TheGuat shows his vast knowledge of the aviation industry??

 

[FDJ2]

Last year we didn't have to deal with a knee-jerk reaction from the TSA over liquids in carry-on's. That one bone-headed move is what caused this quarter's loss.

The incompetency of this government has no limits.

O.K., I can accept that. Although I wouldn't necessarily refer to their reaction as a "bone-headed move", it probably made sense given the potential threat of liquid explosions at the time.

Imagine what we would be saying about the TSA if they had not immediately banned liquids in carry-on baggage, once the threat and plot had been discovered, and an aircraft would have gone down because a liquid explosive had been smuggled on.