A Few Questions about AirTran

[ASA]

Hey Guys,

Although it's very tough to give up 6+ years seniority at ASA, I am really thinking about AirTran now. Can anyone answer a few questions?

1. Can you describe the reserve system? Long call, short call, and/or ready reserve? Are there different time periods from which to choose? Can you bid for your days off?

2. Is there truth to the rumor that when you upgrade to Captain, you start over at 1st year Captain's pay? (I'm guessing this is just a bad rumor.)

3. What are the breakdown of lines, as in, mostly 4-days, day-lines, CDOs, etc? Generally how many days off for an average line?

4. Does a non-commuter have a big bidding advantage, since there are many commuters there?

5. Is there a Commuter Policy"?

Thanks a lot if anyone can answer some or all of the questions. Also, HOW CAN I GET HIRED?

 

[CaptainMark]

good luck..hope you get hired...



.

 

[crosscut]

Hey Guys,

Although it's very tough to give up 6+ years seniority at ASA, I am really thinking about AirTran now.

....

2. Is there truth to the rumor that when you upgrade to Captain, you start over at 1st year Captain's pay? (I'm guessing this is just a bad rumor.)

HOW CAN I GET HIRED?

Yes, when you "upgrade to Captain," not only do you start over at 1st year CA pay but they also put you back on probation for a year and the real kicker is you have to get re-interviewed for the job and sit through the month of initial indoc w/the new hires. It sucks. Also - no commuter policies around here. Anyways, I would just keep my ASA seniority if I were you. I 2nd Mark's cut-and-paste.

 

[j41driver]

I'll try to answer some of these for you but keep in mind that I'm still an FNG around here so I could be slightly off base with some of it

1. Reserve lines are published in the bid packs and you can see the days off for every particular reserve line. It's all short call (2hours) but I recently had a Captain tell me they're looking at adding long call also. I'd file that under rumor for now. There are 3 time periods available: R=0400-2000, R1=1000-2400 and R2=1800-0800.

2. Completely false rumor. You keep your longevity when moving to the left seat.

4. Not sure. I'm a commuter.

5. No official commuter policy but I've heard that they're pretty good about it as long as you've given yourself several flights that would have gotten you there.

As far as "How can I get hired?" I know some people are against it but I'd definately get to an AIR Inc if you can (there's one in DFW tomorrow). I'm not really sure why they like to meet people there but they do. Internal recommendation are highly favored as well. I know that there are a bunch of ASA guys here now and chances are high that you know a couple of them. I had a couple guys in my new hire class that were 5 or 6 years at ASA and last time I talked to them they had no regrets.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck.

Hey Guys,

Although it's very tough to give up 6+ years seniority at ASA, I am really thinking about AirTran now. Can anyone answer a few questions?

1. Can you describe the reserve system? Long call, short call, and/or ready reserve? Are there different time periods from which to choose? Can you bid for your days off?

2. Is there truth to the rumor that when you upgrade to Captain, you start over at 1st year Captain's pay? (I'm guessing this is just a bad rumor.)

3. What are the breakdown of lines, as in, mostly 4-days, day-lines, CDOs, etc? Generally how many days off for an average line?

4. Does a non-commuter have a big bidding advantage, since there are many commuters there?

5. Is there a Commuter Policy"?

Thanks a lot if anyone can answer some or all of the questions. Also, HOW CAN I GET HIRED?

 

[ASA]

Yes, when you "upgrade to Captain," not only do you start over at 1st year CA pay but they also put you back on probation for a year and the real kicker is you have to get re-interviewed for the job and sit through the month of initial indoc w/the new hires. It sucks. Also - no commuter policies around here. Anyways, I would just keep my ASA seniority if I were you. I 2nd Mark's cut-and-paste.

Hey, thanks a lot for the encouragement--hope this is not representative of the pilot group there. I asked several reasonable questions and threw in that one just to finally quell a rumor that I was pretty sure was false.

And I don't think my questions were geared at trying to find the "airline of the moment." I'm not a current contract chaser, but trying to just get the gist of how life is at AirTran.

 

[j41driver]

Hey, thanks a lot for the encouragement--hope this is not representative of the pilot group there. I asked several reasonable questions and threw in that one just to finally quell a rumor that I was pretty sure was false.

And I don't think my questions were geared at trying to find the "airline of the moment." I'm not a current contract chaser, but trying to just get the gist of how life is at AirTran.

Your questions were fine. Some people are just a bit too sensitive. Don't worry it's not representative of the group. I got your PM and will send you an email shortly.

 

[crosscut]

Hey, thanks a lot for the encouragement--hope this is not representative of the pilot group there. I asked several reasonable questions and threw in that one just to finally quell a rumor that I was pretty sure was false.

And I don't think my questions were geared at trying to find the "airline of the moment." I'm not a current contract chaser, but trying to just get the gist of how life is at AirTran.

Are you the type that is still upset there is no Santa Claus even though you learned about the fairy tale when you were seven? Rumor or not, upgrading & reverting back to the 1st year pay would have been so unconventional that to even think this were possible at your "airline of choice" is revealing. When one smells flowers – this doesn't always mean there has to be a coffin close by. Stick to your 6+ years of ASA seniority since you're already so hastily disappointed in the future.

j41, what are ya... my self-proclaimed spokesman? Speak for yourself.

 

[j41driver]

j41, what are ya... my self-proclaimed spokesman? Speak for yourself.

I'm sick of guys asking relatively legit questions on this board and getting sarcastic answers with no information at all. I've heard the "go back to year 1 pay when you upgrade" rumor as well...just because a guy confirms that it's false doesn't make him an idiot. I am not a spokesman for anyone but myself...never claimed to be...I was just basically saying that most people at AirTran wouldn't have been so offended about his question as you seemed to be. IMO, you read too much into his question and went off on him about it unnecessarily.

 

[GogglesPisano]

CaptainMarklease don’t take offense, but perhaps ASA does not know 3 FedEx pilots (including a sponsor) that would even make filling out a $50 application worthwhile.

 

[CaptainMark]

none taken...i didn't write it ..but probably was a bad post! sorry.. reserve can be boring at times... and i will edit it..bad taste..my wife flies airtran all the time...

 

[crosscut]

I'm sick of guys asking relatively legit questions on this board and getting sarcastic answers with no information at all. I've heard the "go back to year 1 pay when you upgrade" rumor as well...just because a guy confirms that it's false doesn't make him an idiot. I am not a spokesman for anyone but myself...never claimed to be...I was just basically saying that most people at AirTran wouldn't have been so offended about his question as you seemed to be. IMO, you read too much into his question and went off on him about it unnecessarily.

Flightinfo is the last refuge of unrewarding sarcasm. Not saying anyone here is contributing to it (although could be just as arguable) – only saying if you're SO "sick of it," find a different audience and/or a different media of expression. At least, could we agree on that?

 

[boeing747-800]

have you tried CAL?

 

[SkiFishFly]

Hey Guys,

Although it's very tough to give up 6+ years seniority at ASA, I am really thinking about AirTran now. Can anyone answer a few questions?

1. Can you describe the reserve system? Long call, short call, and/or ready reserve? Are there different time periods from which to choose? Can you bid for your days off?

2. Is there truth to the rumor that when you upgrade to Captain, you start over at 1st year Captain's pay? (I'm guessing this is just a bad rumor.)

3. What are the breakdown of lines, as in, mostly 4-days, day-lines, CDOs, etc? Generally how many days off for an average line?

4. Does a non-commuter have a big bidding advantage, since there are many commuters there?

5. Is there a Commuter Policy"?

Thanks a lot if anyone can answer some or all of the questions. Also, HOW CAN I GET HIRED?

ASA,
AIR Inc conferences do work. I know several folks have mentioned that is how they got an interview. Seems like there are plenty of folks coming over from ASA. Figure out how to contact some of them.

If you go to the 73 and are fortunate enough to be somewhat senior in your class you might not stand reserve at all right now. Some folks have been getting build-up lines, others only 1 month, maybe 2 on reserve.

Good luck to you.

 

[Steeler Fan]

I went to DFW AirInc in 2003, and I think it helped alot as well.

Internal rec letters are always a plus (unless the person sponsoring has earned a bad reputation).

The biggest thing here is attitude. People who are problem solvers tend to do well. People who spend their time here talking about "well that's not how we did it at (insert your last airline here)" really highlight themselves.

I am really glad that I'm here. Could it be better? Sure.

Are the Steelers in the Superbowl? YES!!!!!!

 

[greasy8driver]

I'm also an ASA guy thinking about Airtran with a question. Does airtran have standups/naps if so how long to hold them? It might sound crazy but I enjoy them. Between a home based business and two kids they give me the most time at home.
Also, I'm a former valujet mechanic do you think mx recs pull any weight?

Thanks,

 

[XRMEFLYER]

I'm also an ASA guy thinking about Airtran with a question. Does airtran have standups/naps if so how long to hold them? It might sound crazy but I enjoy them. Between a home based business and two kids they give me the most time at home.
Also, I'm a former valujet mechanic do you think mx recs pull any weight?

Thanks,

Yes they have CDOs and you could get them quickly as most sane people stay far away from them. One huge upside to them versus ASA CDOs is that they are three on and three off.
As for the mechanic recs, can't hurt.
Good luck, leaving ASA for Airtran was the best move I ever made.

 

[-9Capt]

Hey Steeler Boy, are we still flying togeather next month or did you swap and drop?

 

[Steeler Fan]

So far, just the last trip of the month is all that's left with you.

I had to get something with a later check-in on the 6th as, if I haven't mentioned yet,

MY PITTSBURGH STEELERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!

 

[180ToTheMarker]

As a former ASA guy and now AirTran pilot I'll say this: Get out of ASA. They say the grass is always greener and thats true in this case. Alot of green grass at AirTran. ASA is a desert. Good luck.

 

[mnboyev]

Not sure who posted ... 'you start over as a 1 yr Ca when upgrading'.... this is BS.. if you wait till 4 yrs... you enter the CA pay schedule at 4 yrs...period.

Commuter policy.. If you try to get to work twice and cannot get on.. it is my impression from the CPO that they will cut you slack and remove without pay the legs you missed... So, there is an 'informal' policy.

Retirement is getting better.. If saavy and miserly, one can put about 25k away per year. 401 and DC..

Naps.. or CDO's are good for those that like them.. no more than three in a row with a reasonable ground time. Most leave at 10:30 ish and return to ATL at 7-8:00 am...

15-16 days off.. 85 hr credit on average. 4 day trips.. some 3 day trips. Folks work afternoons or mornings.... Weekends or Weekends off. Simple.

AirTran Pilots are a good bunch. all good regular folks... big mix.. military, civilian, legacy, and regionals.

Jump in the water is warm... Welcome... see ya on the line. Nothing fancy..

 

[Captzaahlie]

no 2 cents to add at this time I just want Dad to follow this thread!
Good luck to my ole man and all the other Airtran waanabes! .............