Question for AirTran Pilots

[fr8doggie]

Was AirTran hiring pilots at the time SWA announced the merger?

SWA buddy of mine says AirTran was not hiring and infact had pilots on furlough.

What are the facts?

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

No, thats wrong. All were recalled late 2009, some bypassed. We have had a few new hire classes this year, but don't know the exact number.

 

[Muppets]

You buddy is beyond wrong. We were running interviews all summer for future aircraft deliveries in 2011. I heard that SWA had a huge pool of pilots and hadent hired since 2008 (I think that one is true).

 

[RedDogC130]

The reason we were not growing the past 2 years is obvious to us now. All the trimming and schedule optimization was for the Airtran deal. Kind of annoying going through it but now it makes sense.

 

[roughneck]

AirTran has about 30 guys on furlough.
SWA is running 9 classes in the 1st quarter. As someone previously said, we havent ran a class in awhile due to the fact we were saving our cash to buy some gates in ATL.

 

[Muppets]

I thought you were saving cash to by F9. You SWA cats sure are forward thinkers- give yourself a pat on the back for me.

 

[roughneck]

..............

 

[Cometman]

You buddy is beyond wrong. We were running interviews all summer for future aircraft deliveries in 2011. I heard that SWA had a huge pool of pilots and hadent hired since 2008 (I think that one is true).

I do not work for either airline but it sounds like you are trying to build your case. Airtran was interviewing and planning for the growth while SWA was not hiring at all. It will not work. You have to accept the fact that you are just a small pea in the bowl. That is all you were and that is all you would be except for the buyout.

 

[Muppets]

Build my case? Just stating the facts. If they are different let me know. So are you East or West Cactus? Just kidding, I could care less.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

There sure are a lot of people jumping into the Airtran/SWA merger threads that "don't work for either airline" but sure have a lot of stuff to say. And it always seems like stuff to set the two groups against each other. Kind of miserable lives you lead if that is your hobby.

 

[redflyer65]

F9 was a complete farce. Southwest was not growing for over 2 years and saving cash everyday to make the purchase of Airtran, those are the facts.

 

[Flyarcticcat]

So back to the orginal question? How many pilots has Airtran hired since Sept 27th? How many more scheduled for the rest of the year and the following six months?

 

[Muppets]

F9 was a complete farce. Southwest was not growing for over 2 years and saving cash everyday to make the purchase of Airtran, those are the facts.

Thanks for the facts Mr. Kelly. You are a line pilot and you manage the company and deal with the corporate books! Wow! You SWA guys are the coolest.

 

[redflyer65]

I state the facts and you want to jump into some smack down? Nice.

F9 was a look at the books. Hindsight is 20/20 and it all makes sense now.

 

[DonVerita]

AirTran has about 30 guys on furlough.
SWA is running 9 classes in the 1st quarter. As someone previously said, we havent ran a class in awhile due to the fact we were saving our cash to buy some gates in ATL.

AirTran has ZERO pilots on furlough. All furloughees were recalled months ago...way before the SWA merger was announced.

We did have a few pilots who voluntarily bypassed furlough recall. Once you bypass furlough recall, you are no longer considered to be on furlough even though you have recall rights. However, those recall rights are not indefinate.