Leave AirTran for CAL?

[Ty Webb]

Sorry, but wehn you gotz a tampon wedged all up yer nostrill an stuff, sometimez its jus embarassin, like wehn Ty Guy's new babe was like really a dude and stuff.

The jury is still out on that one, so don't be so harsh. She could have just been a big Midwest girl. . . . . . .

.

 

[BSkin]

Incidentally, I only fly 2-3 legs a day and get 16-17 days off as a relatively junior guy here at AAI. The Quality Of Life ain't bad... hope the T.A. dies so it can stay this way until we get a better deal.

You must be a morning guy, 3 is usually the min for afternoon skeds. Very good work on the TA play-by-play on the other thread. If it's not voted down by 90% or higher, I'll be VERY disappointed!

To the thread starter, as I'm too lazy to go back and see the name, I've been here 3 yrs. also. Also looking at this next upgrade. Very tough choice. Personally, I'd love to fly the big jets and go accross the pond, but I'm 40ish, and will ride this crazy trip out at FL. If you're younger, have funds to back the small first year pay (esp. with a kid on the way), I'd jump! Best of luck on the decision!

 

[bestpilot]

The jury is still out on that one, so don't be so harsh. She could have just been a big Midwest girl. . . . . . .

.

Duuude, wahtevver helps yoo sleep at night, but duuude, we jus gotszta git a crashpad up in Madison, Wisc, cuz I be hearin dem hunnies dig Trannie pilots!

AWWWW YEAHHHHHH!!!

Ty Guy, didsya evver pick yer nose whyle postin stuff on flightinfo? Duude, just got a boogie on da keepad! It aint a gushher, so dat's goood.

 

[Island Hopper]

Go to CAL

 

[Steeler Fan]

Go to CAL

If you have a 5-digit employee number, I think you should go to CAL.

If you have a 6-digit employee number, I hope you'll stay at AirTran.



I think the vote on the TA as well as the integration of the senioity list (if/when Midwest happens) will really open your eyes to what our future will be.

I still think that we're poised to be a great company with a very good contract that still keeps us at a cost advantage. The pilots here really want to do a great job. My feeling is that many of us our deeply hurt by this TA, because it fails to reward the pilot group for what we do on a daily basis, above and beyond the contract at times, to make this thing work.

Call me gullible and naive, but I thought that the company would be smart to recognize that in the form of this TA. Call me a fool, but I have really high hopes for the corporate culture here, especially in anticipation of Bob F. running the show.

To say we live in interesting times is a gross understatement, but I know I was expecting the TA to look alot different than the product we're seeing now.

Don't give up on this place yet. I think the vote will send you a clear message about how much (or how little) the pilot group cares.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

I have six digit # I guess it is time to roll out. Dont worry if this passes, we will all be leaving.

 

[Captain X]

airtran has about 12-18 age 60 retirements per year the next 5 yrs. Continental has a couple of thousand age 60 retirements the next 5 yrs.time frame. After the age 60 rule go's out the window , Continental will probably be the MOST affected airline out there. try adding 5 years to your upgrade. I'd rather take a 3-4 yr captain slot to being a fo for 6-8yrs. Its all about the money not the piece of tin your sitting in.

All that means is that the stagnation will take 5 years longer to hit AirTran.....but it will hit. But hey, I guess as long as you get yours....

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Just got a call today for a CAL interview next month. Been at FL for 3 years now and upgrade hopefully is around the corner. I'm trying not to get blinded by my big jet syndrom and make a cold rational decision what to do should the interview go my way. Oh yeah, just found out my wife and I are expecting our first so we'll be down to just one income, which as I understand it is pretty low first year at CAL.

If you had this decision 12-24 months ago, I would say move. Now not so sure.

It will cost you. Slowdown in airplanes at CAL. Could be bad part of the cycle. Many a pilot made the wrong call in 1999-2001 when they moved around. One income makes it even more critical. It will take you at least 8-10 years to make up the income you lose in this move. If nothing changes...

...And something always changes. Age 65 flying. Growth hiccup at CAL or Airtran.

Tough, tough choice. I say stay. I have a friend who turned down a CAL interview in the hopes of getting an Airtran interview (12 months ago). He is now at Airtran. Don't get disheartened by contract negotiations. If you don't have a pilot group (or any other group) threatening to burn the place down, it is a good thing long term.

Being in the top half of a seniority list as a Captain makes this job a different animal. It is no small thing. I would place more value on your upcoming upgrade. The next downturn in this industry will prove my point.

If you feel the LCC thing is under too much pressure, I would get lots of qualified advice on that subject. And if you still want to move...go ahead.

Not a small consideration--Gracefully turning down the interview at CAL may preserve that opportunity for a later time.

 

[Pocono Pilot]

I would not want to be on the CAL list when they merge with United.

Wait until the fall when UAL starts hiring again and try to get on with them instead. That way, when they staple the majority of the CAL pilots to the UAL list, you will be very senior pretty quickly.

Just be sure to get on the UAL list, instead of the CAL list.

That's my plan anyways. It will be fun to be senior to all the flowbacks and PIGs.

 

[EWR_FO]

That's my plan anyways. It will be fun to be senior to all the flowbacks and PIGs.

Good luck with that, it can't miss.

 

[Double Shot]

I would not want to be on the CAL list when they merge with United.

Wait until the fall when UAL starts hiring again and try to get on with them instead. That way, when they staple the majority of the CAL pilots to the UAL list, you will be very senior pretty quickly.

Just be sure to get on the UAL list, instead of the CAL list.

That's my plan anyways. It will be fun to be senior to all the flowbacks and PIGs.

Good luck with your date of hire and career expectations with UAL.

 

[pianoman]

This message is hidden because Pocono Pilot is on your ignore list.


Ahhhh. How do you spell relief?

 

[MINIME]

Right now with your proposed TA and what your management wants you to make, I'd go to CAL no question about it. You'll make a little less your first year but you'll make it up fairly quickly. Even with the age 65 rule in place, you'll still upgrade in a reasonable time frame. With all things being equal, I'd venture to say that in the span of your career you'll come out on top financially with CAL.

 

[jbDC9]

Wait until the fall when UAL starts hiring again and try to get on with them instead. That way, when they staple the majority of the CAL pilots to the UAL list, you will be very senior pretty quickly.

Just be sure to get on the UAL list, instead of the CAL list.

That's my plan anyways. It will be fun to be senior to all the flowbacks and PIGs.

Pocono, you're a freakin' idiot.

 

[AlbieF15]

Outside looking in---but from the perspective of an interview coach who talked to a LOT of guys who made a bad move before 9/11....

When 9/11 happened, CAL furloughed 20% of the workforce. It took several years for those guys to get back.

Airtran (current issues aside), furloughed nobody.

If you use the extra time you have now to pick up extra trips, work on a side business, etc I think you could probably more than make the difference up in what you'd make if your timing worked perfectly (hmmmm) and you went to CAL. Now--compare being at captain at AT...getting more senior all the time...and being stuck at CAL if things freeze up. Could you handle that?

Obviously--if home is Houston, Newark, or Cleveland....well...that's a bit different.

Good luck in any case...

 

[sleeves]

I have to agree with everthing you say except the last three words. Larry is a moron, Gordo was much better.

Things are looking up here lately. They did shoot Pocono Pilot down.

 

[av8er2]

CAL makes it tough to fly for them. They are not even a thought for me due to first year pay, medical, etc.

I am a professional and I am over paying my dues.

 

[Furloughed80]

It seems like the last few classes had some Air Tran people in it. Obviously some people are making the jump. However, I don't how much seniority they had at Air Tran.

How do you guys feel the merger with Midwest will go? Any cause for concern there?

 

[Lear70]

Outside looking in---but from the perspective of an interview coach who talked to a LOT of guys who made a bad move before 9/11....

When 9/11 happened, CAL furloughed 20% of the workforce. It took several years for those guys to get back.

Airtran (current issues aside), furloughed nobody.

If you use the extra time you have now to pick up extra trips, work on a side business, etc I think you could probably more than make the difference up in what you'd make if your timing worked perfectly (hmmmm) and you went to CAL. Now--compare being at captain at AT...getting more senior all the time...and being stuck at CAL if things freeze up. Could you handle that?

Obviously--if home is Houston, Newark, or Cleveland....well...that's a bit different.

Good luck in any case...

Well-said.

If you're close to being a CA or already a CA, I don't think I'd do it... Not with the roller-coaster that is the aviation industry and already that far into the CAL hiring cycle unless you live in those domiciles.

If you're a 1st or 2nd year F/O here and you want to fly heavy metal international? I think it's even money on which would be an eventual better choice...

 

[Ex737Driver]

When 9/11 happened, CAL furloughed 20% of the workforce. It took several years for those guys to get back.

Actually, just under 14% but who's counting.:laugh:

 

[Pocono Pilot]

but who's counting.:laugh:

I'm sure it wasn't as funny to those that were furloughed.

Luckily ExpressJet saved most of there butts from the street. And saved CAL's butt too.

 

[Scrapdog]

I'm sure it wasn't as funny to those that were furloughed.

Luckily ExpressJet saved most of there butts from the street. And saved CAL's butt too.

Here is a post from Pocono Pilot on 2/24/07 before screwing up her interview with CAL and completely tubing it (which is EXTREMELY difficult to do, especially if you're female). She must have really pooched it...

I agree.

With all the retirements, CAL could be the most secure major out there. Also, there is a good chance that CAL will be the highest paid eventually with a new contract.

I hope to be there soon

Obviously Pocono got burned by CAL and is now nasty and bitter (very standard for an immature - "I deserve to be there because I'm a chick" type attitude). And BTW horse freak - it's "their" not "there." And no, Express didn't save their butts...military leave did for a lot of them along with a plethora of other professions far from flying an RJ with Express.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

I beg to differ, I'm not too sure that's a CHICK! I think it's a ruse from a pansy that did as you say, but I'm not sure it's a chick. Even funnier if it is, but I'm not sold yet?

 

[Scrapdog]

I beg to differ, I'm not too sure that's a CHICK! I think it's a ruse from a pansy that did as you say, but I'm not sure it's a chick. Even funnier if it is, but I'm not sold yet?

It's a chick - she claimed her and her husband were going on a picnic or some lame ordeal a few weeks ago. If it's not a she, and "it" has a husband, then God help us all...

 

[Uniform Shop]

I agree.

With all the retirements, CAL could be the most secure major out there. Also, there is a good chance that CAL will be the highest paid eventually with a new contract.

I hope to be there soon.

Wow nice find!! That's the funniest thing I have seen in awhile.

Talk about losing ALL credibility with one post...

I actually remember that thread. What a moron.

 

[Lear70]

*snicker*

That's some funny shiznit... Keep pushing that RJ tin, honey. Maybe next time...

You know, you can tell a lot about someone's character by how they handle disappointment. Lots of people get turned down by an airline without becoming instant thread flamers for whatever airline shot them down...

Another 10 years or so of RJ flying and maybe she'll be mature enough to handle a major airline interview.

 

[AlbieF15]

XJT may not have "saved" CAL, but it saved a lot of f-lo guys from the umemployment line. The flow through agreement got signed just in time to be a flow back agreement, and a bunch of XJT guys missed upgrading for 2-3 years because of it.

Not taking sides--post 9/11 was tough on everyone. I'm glad to see CAL hiring XJT guys and gals in good numbers now. Still--that was a tough period for a lot folks....on both sides.

Back to the thread...I don't think I'd leave a low six figure job now hoping for a higher six figure job 3-5 years from now. The more I think about, the more I am convinced its math based on hope and not on analysis. Again--if I was so darn smart, I wouldn't be flying boxes at 2am, would I? Good luck whatever you do...

 

[EWR_FO]

XJT may not have "saved" CAL, but it saved a lot of f-lo guys from the umemployment line. The flow through agreement got signed just in time to be a flow back agreement, and a bunch of XJT guys missed upgrading for 2-3 years because of it.

The flowthrough agreement had been in place since 1988, in some form or another. No one ever paid attention to the downside because all they ever saw, until 9/11, was the upside. You could make the case that the people who got "screwed" would never have been hired had the vacancy not been opened by a guy flowing up. I am pretty sure everyone who got hired after the program was terminated knew the potential was there for flowbacks if something bad happened. Unfortunately it was guys from Calex who wound up in the unemployment line and that sucked.

 

[SteelerMan]

I think that unless you are planning on living in Houston, NY area, Cleveland or Guam, you would be very dissappointed making the move. Upgrade at CAL will probably be 7-10 years or so after 65 happens. Dont think I would make that move and still commute.

 

[scarlet]

Intl and wide body is not all that--TRUST ME!!

It is very expensive to go and do all the things you want to do INTL. And for 30, 50, 60 k you will not be doing anything....

I would STAY !!!!

One attack and YOU just lost 110k a year and the 30-70K at CAL......