RIP AirTran. Nostalgia thread

[Tripower455]

Airtran might not have been the nicest to work for, but the people I worked with made it fun and enjoyable.

This was my experience at the 7 airlines I've worked for prior to SW. At SW, at least up until the last few years, even the company was nice to work for. Now, it's getting like all the rest.

5/20......

 

[ATLplt]

Definitely Humpty's for me. Awesome nightly train wrecks to watch and/or participate in. I woke up late for the van once at 4:30...PM.

The 717 was a fond memory as well. Easy automation, almost to the point of boredom. PROF actually did its job with accuracy. If the runway was visible off the nose your chances of landing on that runway were 99%. The 73 is MUCH easier to land smoothly (consistently) though.

The biggest thing, I guess, were the people. Most everyone being based together meant you knew each other, and I'm not just talking about first names. Lots of great times were spent with co-workers outside of work as well, especially if you lived in "base housing" or near the city.

An original SWA flight attendant asked me how I knew so many crew members in the terminal, having been on the property for such a short amount of time? I answered, because we were a family, dysfunctional and great, all at the same time. That was my experience anyway. Everyone takes away something different, but in my opinion, Southwest lucked into a helluva great group of people to work with. From my short tenure at SWA, I think the AirTran peeps lucked into a similar group as well. [emoji482]

 

[SWA717]

Right out of Gary's mouth," And very importantly, it allowed us to grow and grow profitably over a time when we could not have done it otherwise. We would not be enjoying the results we have achieved this year and over the last couple years without AirTran. "

 

[Choppy]

The Interview process, which kept 400Ahole on the outside and forever bitter. Let's hear it for Jill and Stephanie! :laugh:

Was this person trying to get on with Airtran? How long ago?

 

[400A]

Best wishes

Unlike another poster, We always rode Air Tran 2-3 times per year for the last 10 years. I can honestly say I never had a bad ride. Air Tran was always my first choice. Thanks to all the professionals who made riding in the back a pleasant experience. Most memorable flight.... Departing KICT and the Captain played the Harmonica as he welcomed everyone aboard. Watching someone have fun at work is contagious. Best wishes to all the employees.

 

[tankerhead]

Scabs

You break a six month hiatus for that pearl? Your rock just called, it said to come crawling back.

 

[FlyinGuy]

Nothing pearly about scabs....just sayin'

 

[Bake]

We can all joke and we can all poke some sone fun but in the end we are all pilots with one thing in mind, and that is a great career with many great memories. Just finished up a two day with a "tranny". one of the best pilots I ever flew with. Thank you all, Sammy, Jonathon, Tom, Rich, and the other 40 I have flown with. Hope to make friends with many more. A toast to you today.

 

[waveflyer]

Well said bake

 

[$$$4nothin]

Thank you for the AirTran FA that worked an ATL-RIC flight I was commuting home on about 10 years ago for being bored on an overnight. Also the AirTran FA that I met at Faneuil Hall about 9 years ago. A few good nights not forgotten.

 

[Kharma Police]

Thank you for the AirTran FA that worked an ATL-RIC flight I was commuting home on about 10 years ago for being bored on an overnight. Also the AirTran FA that I met at Faneuil Hall about 9 years ago. A few good nights not forgotten.

Was it the same guy both times?

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Was it the same guy both times?

HA! [emoji23]

 

[tankerhead]

Nothing pearly about scabs....just sayin'

Right, because your airline is scab-free, eh?

400aDude is a poisonous dirtbag, just sayin'.

 

[FlyinGuy]

Never said it was. Just sayin I'm scab free!!!

If you had a problem with 400, say so. Btw, a scab is NEVER a nice part of any discussion.

Now back to the tranny love fest !!

 

[Kharma Police]

Never said it was. Just sayin I'm scab free!!!

If you had a problem with 400, say so. Btw, a scab is NEVER a nice part of any discussion.

Now back to the tranny love fest !!

Let's hope it never comes to this, but IF SWAPA ever got released for a strike, I have a feeling more than a few or our bretheren will not have any issues crossing the line. Now, would you and our pilot group like to be judged by the actions of a selfish few?

 

[BuckMurdock1]

They were a great airline to commute on unlike another unnamed airline in Atlanta.

Isn't airtran the one that tried to charge $20 to jumpseat? Perhaps it was someone else...

 

[waveflyer]

Isn't airtran the one that tried to charge $20 to jumpseat? Perhaps it was someone else...

$20 is better than being left behind
In the late 90's I'd been left at the gate when the airplane had seats by both united and delta.
At least united pilots were fighting for jumpseat rights while the professionals fought for solo hotel van rides.
In any case, I'm not sure any airlines management hasn't abused the jumpseat at some point or other.

 

[GuppyFlyer]

Sad to see all the little "a" 717's parked in the Phoenix Goodyear Apt mothball fleet. I lost count at 30.

 

[FlyinGuy]

Karma, I don't judge any AT pilot for what a few did. My point was simple and was not ment to detract from the thread.

 

[XBOEINGDRVR]

My favorite memory was flying with Al Teasley in the 1990`s....one of the best guys there! RIP Bubba

 

[Ty Webb]

My favorite memory was flying with Al Teasley in the 1990`s....one of the best guys there! RIP Bubba

Agreed. Al was a great guy. Jamie Seargent, and Crunk too.

 

[400ADude]

Isn't airtran the one that tried to charge $20 to jumpseat? Perhaps it was someone else...

It was them. Typical.

 

[jonjuan]

Hey, it's chuck yogurt!

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Sad to see all the little "a" 717's parked in the Phoenix Goodyear Apt mothball fleet. I lost count at 30.

Wait for it... wait for it...

 

[canyonblue]

Right out of Gary's mouth," And very importantly, it allowed us to grow and grow profitably over a time when we could not have done it otherwise. We would not be enjoying the results we have achieved this year and over the last couple years without AirTran. "

I don't believe everything out of Gary's mouth, neither should you. If we hadn't spent the money buying AirTran I guess we wouldn't have grown or turned a profit, is that what you really believe?

Then I guess real shocker to you is we bought an airline, didn't take 2/3 of their fleet, still took all of their employees and made millions in profit.

 

[humveedriver]

I don't believe everything out of Gary's mouth, neither should you. If we hadn't spent the money buying AirTran I guess we wouldn't have grown or turned a profit, is that what you really believe?

Then I guess real shocker to you is we bought an airline, didn't take 2/3 of their fleet, still took all of their employees and made millions in profit.

It was about eliminating a competitor. Kelly probably figured the 2008 oil spike would kill AT or at least bankrupt AT. Neither situation happened. Buying AT allowed SWA to raise fares several times post acquisition.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/13/business/la-fi-mo-southwest-airfare-hike-20120913

ATL wasn't the prize. Controlling the fares from BWI, MDW and MCO was a lot more important. An added benefit was a platform to launch int'l. SWA has the cash to do whatever they want organically. Obviously they saw an advantage to buying AT. What's not a shocker is that you wanted organic growth. No kidding Sherlock, don't we all.

Also, since you had to bring it up. Losing 2/3 of the AT fleet which was the 717 resulted in keeping the classics longer (lucky passengers!) and the ability for the senior SWA FOs to upgrade in the 737 for 3 years. Could they have upgraded in the 717? No. Hopefully they send Steve Chase a thank you card.

 

[canyonblue]

Losing 2/3 of the AT fleet which was the 717 resulted in keeping the classics longer (lucky passengers!) .....

Next time you step into one of those "classics", take a look at the registration on the door to see who owns it. The same couldn't be said about the 717, be sure to send a thank you note to Southwest (lucky employees!).

 

[humveedriver]

Next time you step into one of those "classics", take a look at the registration on the door to see who owns it. The same couldn't be said about the 717, be sure to send a thank you note to Southwest (lucky employees!).

I do feel lucky actually. A 30 plus year career in this field brings no guarantees. So far so good. Very fortunate to be purchased by an airline with such a strong balance sheet. It looks like buying AirTran has improved SWA's position. Great news for everyone. The purpose of this thread is to show that despite some dysfunctionality at AirTran we still had fun and delivered great service to the public and our non reving brethren. We fought that $20 fee for the second jumpseater tooth and nail. I think it was when we got the 737 with a second J/s they had to back off. Their my good memories, not yours. I've already flown with a ton of great SWA pilots and look forward to my future there. If we strike a deal with Alaska, Hawaiian or JB, I'll do my best to remember how I wanted to be treated during this last deal.

 

[Mr Wu]

Well, if you really want to get nostalgic...

Following two serious accidents (flight 597 and flight 592), both blamed on a lax corporate culture on safety at ValuJet,[2] on September 24, 1997, ValuJet Airlines changed its name to AirTran Airlines, by, on November 17, 1997, acquiring Airways, Inc. and renaming the holding company AirTran Holdings, Inc. In the summer of 1998, the two airlines merged onto the same FAA certificate and the AirTran Airways name survived. While the hub remained in Atlanta, the headquarters of the new entity was combined in Orlando, Florida, on January 28, 1998

 

[asaflyer]

If the FMA is white call "auto flight". RIP AJ