air tran called, any pointers?

[runfast]

hello all,

just got the interview call for airtran, hoping to get some additional pointers on what to bring (other than updated resume,id, certs,pc reports, logbook) that they may need/want during the interview.

thanks in advance,

 

[Ty Webb]

Congratulations!

I believe this was covered not too long ago, so you may want to do a search. I would also add any letters of reccommendation, a ten year work history and ten year address history if there is any paper application to be completed there. Your logbooks are good to have, but I don't think they will inspect them. Check out the gouge on the willflyforfood site . . . try to keep in mind the interviewers are good people who would like to see you "on board" . . . . try to relax, and don't forget to show some teeth.

Good luck!

 

[Steeler Fan]

Remember that AirTran is looking for people who want to spend the rest of their careers here. (And readiness to be Captains in a relatively short time)


Congrats and good luck!

 

[~~~^~~~]

I have been very surprised at some of the excellent Pilots AirTran has chosen not to hire after the Pilots thought they had good interviews. One of these guys told me that AirTran likes them to go through the process twice to show that they really want to work for AirTran. Any truth to that rumor? Anyone know what percentage of folks they interview are getting hired?

Would having Line Check Airman on a resume make a big difference?

I will be contributing to the Kit Darby Ferrari Fund in the near future with the goal of getting to AirTran. Any in's for a guy that has held AAI since $2.40 a share?

~~~^~~~

 

[Fins Up]

I have been very surprised at some of the excellent Pilots AirTran has chosen not to hire after the Pilots thought they had good interviews. One of these guys told me that AirTran likes them to go through the process twice to show that they really want to work for AirTran. Any truth to that rumor? Anyone know what percentage of folks they interview are getting hired?

Would having Line Check Airman on a resume make a big difference?

I will be contributing to the Kit Darby Ferrari Fund in the near future with the goal of getting to AirTran. Any in's for a guy that has held AAI since $2.40 a share?

~~~^~~~

I hope your first paragraph is a nothing but b.s.. There are better ways for a company to test your dedication and worthiness than to screw with your livelihood like that.

 

[Ty Webb]

I hope your first paragraph is a nothing but b.s.. There are better ways for a company to test your dedication and worthiness than to screw with your livelihood like that.

Come on guys, simma down . . . . guys who have interviewed twice have been hired, but that is an exception; I've only met one or two. . . . we have also had pilots leave for allegedly greener pastures, and return (as newhires). . . . . but no, there is no nefarious plot afoot to make pilots suffer the pain of interviewing twice. Hell, they can hardly keep up with getting guys selected and in here once!

Now, when I interviewed at Midwest Express back in 1999, the interviewer actually said to us, "Now, guys, if you don;t get an offer from this interview, don't be disappointed. We like to see guys re-apply". . . and no, I'm not making that up! I certainly did not appreciate hearing that after taking time off of work (not easy to do as a 91/135 guy!).

But, no, it'll just be a plain ol' interview. Put your best foot forward, smile, be enthusiastic, and hopefully, you'll be exchanging high five's at the Fox Bar with me and my swinging brother Yortuk before you can say "Wild and Crazy Guys!"

 

[Phaedrus]

Ty knows better than I due to the fact I've only been on property for about 3 weeks, but I can say I've neither seen nor heard anything about how making someone go through two interviews would be productive. Quite the other way around I think. They want you to work here if they called you for an interview. It is a waste of time and therefore money to play games. Trust me, AirTran tries pretty hard not to waste money.
I don't know any percentages, but in my group of 5 (Apr 05 interview), 3 were picked up. I've heard lower and higher ratios in groups after mine, but I'm convinced that when the HR person told me the job was mine to lose, she meant it.
AAI is big on hiring captains, not FOs; big on being the best you can be no matter what you're doing; big on being a crewmember (team player). The rest you can find at sites like Ty mentioned.
The best of luck to you!

 

[Waborita]

hello all,

just got the interview call for airtran, hoping to get some additional pointers on what to bring (other than updated resume,id, certs,pc reports, logbook) that they may need/want during the interview.

thanks in advance,

What are your stats? Do you have internal recs? Thanks and congrats!

 

[UAL-GSO]

Congratulations! Check this out if you have not already, it's pretty accurate:

http://aviationinterviews.com


Good luck!

 

[anewunion]

Remember that AirTran is looking for people who want to spend the rest of their careers here. (And readiness to be Captains in a relatively short time)


SOUNDS LIKE THAT GUY THEY CALL THE COACH....

 

[-9Capt]

He's just "coach", not "the coach".

 

[DASHDRIVER]

any truth to the rumor Airtran is looking to purchase Midwest?

 

[-9Capt]

any truth to the rumor Airtran is looking to purchase Midwest?

Who knows? I'm sure they're talking.

 

[runfast]

thanks guys for all the tips, sounds like they really do want you to suceed in the process.

as for my stats,

6000 + total
1800 pic turbine
2 types


and about 2 years of constant bugging the airtran folks through resumes and an airinc conference.

 

[ShadowFlight]

any truth to the rumor Airtran is looking to purchase Midwest?

That's been a rumor around Midwest for sometime now. Have no clue if it's true but supposedly a number of AirTran executives have visited Midwest HQ recently. Right now, Midwest's market cap is approximately $42 million so, in theory, that's what it would take to purchase the company. I don't know if TH and company (the Board) would be willing to sell for that price.

Time will tell.

Peace

SF

 

[Ty Webb]

Two years ago, I wouldn't believe it. . . Midex management seemed to really hate the green-tailed penny-pinchers. It would seem to be smart, though, since SWA blocked us at MDW. . . lots of overlap that could benefit from consolidating stations and gates.

If they could put egos aside, probably not a bad combo. . kind of like beer and bratwurst.

 

[BFL370]

MidEx and AAI are bad combo, for AAI that is. What do you get, nothing but a few gates, no better destinations. Old MD80's and no great pull from Chicago. Unless you want to have an alter ego airline and play one side to the other. Like ASA and Comair, or Like Eastern and Continental. Does AAI Mgt have any past with that. Hhmmmmmm. hey Ty hows good is your scope.

 

[Steeler Fan]

Remember that AirTran is looking for people who want to spend the rest of their careers here. (And readiness to be Captains in a relatively short time)


SOUNDS LIKE THAT GUY THEY CALL THE COACH....

So when did you work for AirTran?

 

[PCL_128]

I will be contributing to the Kit Darby Ferrari Fund in the near future with the goal of getting to AirTran. Any in's for a guy that has held AAI since $2.40 a share?

I wish I would have bought AAI when you did. I got in at about $12 bucks and haven't seen that price in quite some time. It's a good question though. Does anyone know if owning the stock helps at all? I know some of the majors used to ask if you owned any of their stock when you interviewed, but I haven't heard anything about Airtran asking that.

 

[BFL370]

To make a small fortune in the Airlines start with a large one.

 

[717capt]

Ty, I agree with BFL370.. Midex has nothing that we want or need... let em alone... I,ve heard that a hub in MKE could work and gives all the folks from chicago area access to a low fare airline.. the folks in Chicago already have a low fare airline.. a pretty big one at that.... some planes painted desert brown, some canyon blue.. etc.. the people from chicago that go to MKE expect to fly on an airline that has all first class seating.. I realize that they have their super service or whatever they call it with all coach but for the most part say midwest in chicago and everyone thinks of first class.. we don't need em...

speaking of SWA blocking us at MDW, they did no such thing... in the bankruptcy process SWA could have offered 1 trillion dollars.. It's up to the bankruptcy judge to decide what is best for the creditors and they employees and of course they usually listen to what the shareholders want i.e Goerge Mikelsons.... I hear guys talking all the time in the crew room about how southwest outbid us and they have deep pockets.. yes they have deep pockets but if our offer was better for the ATA folks, we would have won the decision... On a personal note... SWA can have MDW.. Relatively quick upgrades at Airtran lots of hiring, new airplanes to some people.. first jets to some people, etc.. MDW could have been problematic...especially in the winter time, crosswinds, braking reports, etc... not that it couldn't happen with our 10 flights or so out of there per day but 100 flights increases chances of find yourself in the middle of Cicero Ave..

 

[Ty Webb]

Ty, I agree with BFL370.. Midex has nothing that we want or need... let em alone...

Well, no one seems to be calling me from (407) asking for advice, but it sounds like they are spending time up there, at least according to the rumor mill.

I,ve heard that a hub in MKE could work and gives all the folks from chicago area access to a low fare airline.. the folks in Chicago already have a low fare airline.. a pretty big one at that....

I don;t know how familiar you are with Chicago, but some people in the north and west suburbs find that driving to MKE is often preferable to driving to MDW. These are the people that are used to paying O'Hare fares, not MDW. Parking at O'Hare costs more than most of our tickets.. . . . in other words, a better yield.

speaking of SWA blocking us at MDW, they did no such thing...

Well, I guess it's all a matter of interpretation, but to me, there is no question that it was a move to block us. SWA sees us as a much bigger threat than anyone else out there right now . . . . why, I am not exactly sure, but the evidence is there if you want to see it.

especially in the winter time, crosswinds, braking reports, etc... not that it couldn't happen with our 10 flights or so out of there per day but 100 flights increases chances of find yourself in the middle of Cicero Ave..

You could say the same thing about a number of other airports we operate into . . . . but at least the White Castle has a drive through, so if the braking action doesn;t cut it on 13C, just throw open your D.V. window and help yourself to some "sliders" on the way through, and tell 'em Ty Webb sent ya!

 

[Chuck Yogourt]

Why don't you Air Tran folks ask your management why they are cutting back on flights in Milwaukee? Also, while you are at it, ask Northwest why they can't compete on the same routes with Midex. Midwest carries over 50% of the MKE and northern Ill. traffic. Also, Kansas City is improving beyond the companys expectations? Why? Because once you fly on all first class airline and not treated like a "airline passenger", you come back and you tell your friends. Once you fly on Midwest, everyone else, especially you low cost guys, suck. Just an observation from an old fart who happens to be a senior captain at Midex.

 

[Phaedrus]

I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony.....

 

[IAHERJ]

Chuck,

As one of those low cost guys, I have to agree with you. Nobody is questioning your service levels. I think that marching to your own beat, which Midwest is doing can either be your salvation as an airline or your worst nightmare. I hope for you guys that you continue to be successful and that there will always be a class of passanger that will continue to go out of his or her way to travel in a more civilized manor.

On a different note, I took Frontier this afternoon on 2 legs and was impressed with the service and on board entertainment. The aircraft were very clean as well and the crews were very accomodating. I hope to return the favor someday soon.

IAHERJ

 

[Remington]

I just rode on Midwest on a full fare ticket to an interview. Best domestic service around. Flight attendants are actually nice, helpful, friendly, and are hard working. The FAs aren't over the hill, and it isn't obvious they got tired of their bartending job and went to work at Midwest. The 2 by 2 seating is great and the planes were clean. Great operation.

 

[Ty Webb]

Why don't you Air Tran folks ask your management why they are cutting back on flights in Milwaukee? Also, while you are at it, ask Northwest why they can't compete on the same routes with Midex.

Other than the usual seasonal changes, I haven't seen it any "cut back" MKE service. We have 4 ATL flights every day, plus MCO on weekends.

Because once you fly on all first class airline and not treated like a "airline passenger", you come back and you tell your friends.

I think we all wish that this were true. Unfortunately, the flying public is saying that price is king.

Once you fly on Midwest, everyone else, especially you low cost guys, suck.

By "suck", I guess you mean that we make money.

Just an observation from an old fart who happens to be a senior captain at Midex

.

Well, here's another "observation", old fart. The primary motive of a business is to make money . . . otherwise, it becomes a charity.


Another observation- maybe you ought to temper your optimism with a dose of realism, and develop a little respect for those "low cost guys who suck" because when your "best care in the air" stops sending you checks, you will be a "low-cost guy who sucks". . . . or worse.


.

 

[Remington]

It's pretty simple. Airtran is to WalMart as Midwest is to Target. Both low cost.
One is a little classier with all first class, and one cheap with a cheap, no frills product you go back to with lower class.

 

[fletch717]

Chuck, so you are a SENIOR CAPTAIN at midwest. That means you are about 300 from the bottom right?

WOW!!!!!

 

[Ty Webb]

It's pretty simple. Airtran is to WalMart as Midwest is to Target. Both low cost.
One is a little classier with all first class, and one cheap with a cheap, no frills product you go back to with lower class.

Well, I know which one's paycheck I would rather be cashing . . . . and which one's contract I would rather be working under . . . . and which one's seniority list I would rather be on.