Advice Please! AirTran vs. Delta?

[FDJ2]

Can you believe how DIFFERENT this is than 1999-2000?

With that thought in mind, can we really even guess at what 2009-2010 will look like, let alone even further down the road?

 

[ron burgundy]

Right now I fly for the AF Reserves and this is my first opportunity to fly for anybody outside the Air Force. I'm looking for long term stability at a company with steady growth. Got snubbed by Southwest, and already applied with UPS & FedEx, but assuming they never call, I'm trying to find the right fit for me and my family. Thanks for the inputs!

HA HA . IN THIS INDUSTRY? MIGHT I SUGGEST HOME DEPOT OR STARBUCKS?

 

[Ty Webb]

There was a Delta furloughee who was hired at AirTran, and it is my understanding that he has now gone back to Delta . . . . so that tells you what he thought of the situation.

I also hear from the AA and TWAA guys that most plan on going back when their number comes up- even if they have upgraded.

If it wasn't for the possibility of the USAirways merger, it would be a no-brainer . . . . . that, to me, is the wild card.

How about this - don't go to either of 'em, but focus on SWA, Fedex, UPS or CAL.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

.

 

[Max Powers]

Also think about debt. Delta's overall debt burden very high albeit with some lucrative routes but remember you will be paying off that debt with your hard work. Even after the bankruptcy their debt load will be massive. AirTran lower debt load and Casm's are very low making their inevitable growth good for the near term. But AirTran lacks the lucrative route structure delta has. Its all a freaking crap shoot. But looking solely at business model and what Wall street thinks Airtran is the better bet their PE ratio is at 49 massive for the industry(meaning wall street is betting on their cont'd growth)

 

[dtfl]

There was a Delta furloughee who was hired at AirTran, and it is my understanding that he has now gone back to Delta . . . . so that tells you what he thought of the situation.

I also hear from the AA and TWAA guys that most plan on going back when their number comes up- even if they have upgraded.

If it wasn't for the possibility of the USAirways merger, it would be a no-brainer . . . . . that, to me, is the wild card.

How about this - don't go to either of 'em, but focus on SWA, Fedex, UPS or CAL.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

.

Uhhh I am a furloughee hired there. I took mil leave from DAL and havent taken a class date there because I have mil obligations through June. So..if that was ME they were talking about..I haven't gone back to DAL. Speaking of..I need to email Sarah and update her.

 

[PHXFLYR]

Right now I fly for the AF Reserves and this is my first opportunity to fly for anybody outside the Air Force. I'm looking for long term stability at a company with steady growth. Got snubbed by Southwest, and already applied with UPS & FedEx, but assuming they never call, I'm trying to find the right fit for me and my family. Thanks for the inputs!

Either way Delta or Air Tran , keep the AF Reserve gig going until you get 20 years in. This way you will have some sort of traditional pension check coming in. As far as Delta vs Air Tran that's a tough call . Might come down to what kind of flying you would like to do. Delta has a little more to chose from in that regard. International flying,wide body aircraft etc. My wife is a ticket agent there and if you like a little more polished product I would have to say Delta would be the way to go. If that stuff isn't all that important to you, Air Tran may be more to your liking. hope this helps.


PHXFLYR

 

[FDJ2]

Also think about debt. Delta's overall debt burden very high albeit with some lucrative routes but remember you will be paying off that debt with your hard work. Even after the bankruptcy their debt load will be massive.

Actually, DAL's balance sheet will be amongst the best in the industry. I believe the debt load is suppose to be approximately $7.5B by the end of 2007, down from $17.5B when DAL entered BK. Not bad for a company the size of DAL. DAL also has the lowest CASM of any of the legacy carriers.

IMO, both AAI and DAL will do fairly well in the forseable future. The real questions are, what type of flying do you want to do? Do you want a quicker upgrade to the left seat at AAI, or the opportunity to fly wide bodied aircraft overseas and eventually make more at DAL due to the higher rates on the larger equpment? Eose matters. each pilot has to make his own decision on that. Determining the financial strength of the companies more than 5 years out is just guessing.

 

[CheyDogFlies]

If you don't go to that Delta interview, I'm gonna kick your ass next time I see you at the Deid.

E-mail me--I've got an airTran interview when I get back. GY

 

[Jonny Sacko]

I can not believe the header of "Airtran vs. Delta". Wow. Think back 10 years ago. How bizaar an industry we live in.

 

[Gear Down]

Get hired with Delta. Airtran appears to have a dark future.