Airtran Future Classes?

[Sunking]

Any Airtran pilots have the inside information on when they will spool up the training again?

 

[flx757]

Rumors (emphasis on rumors...this is only the latest talk that I have heard) around the training center is that classes will resume sometime after the first of the year.

This is due to Boeing advising AirTran they will not be able to meet the initial delivery schedule of the 4 options on 717s that AirTran exercised for the remainder of the year. I have heard that these aircraft will be delivered between March and May, with the 737 deliveries beginning in June.

So, based upon that, one would think they would need to resume new hire and upgrade classes sometime around the Jan-Feb time frame. BTW, one upgrade class (although reduced in numbers from it's original award) is currently running, but that will be the last class this year.

This is, of courss, only today's talk. Things have been known to change quickly. However, I think this is a fairly good estimate.

 

[Neubyfly]

Sunking:

Would you leave Southeast to fly at Airtran. And, why?

 

[DCitrus9]

This may change things: http://starbulletin.com/2003/10/28/business/story2.html

Also, the 51 B717 this article claims we have does not include the 22 we got from TWA.
Neubyfly, I just flew with an FO that came to AirTran instead of a Captain slot at Southeast. He felt it was an easy choice.

 

[Ty Webb]

Sunking:

Would you leave Southeast to fly at Airtran. And, why?

If you have to ask this question, you are pretty far out of the loop regarding the two companies.

According to friends that have left Southeast, they have no contract, no real protected seniority (Street captains), the work rules change frequently, the domiciles change on a regular basis. and they have the FAA breathing down their neck on a daily basis.

AirTran isn't perfect, but it's light years ahead of that outfit.

 

[Newjetjockey]

The article said AirTran only has six 717s on order. I thought it was more than that. Does the two from Hawaiian count towards the six? What are the chances of getting more from Hawaiian?

 

[Ty Webb]

We have 71 or so, and had options for four more before the end of the year.

The bulk of the growth is going to be coming from the 100 B737-700/800's that we are getting, starting in June. They're saying 1 a month, but I would be surprised if that wasn't increased to at least 2/month, once we get ramped up for them.

The COO says we will be doubling in size in the next 4 years, which means about 1700 pilots.

 

[flx757]

The article said AirTran only has six 717s on order. I thought it was more than that. Does the two from Hawaiian count towards the six? What are the chances of getting more from Hawaiian?

I really don't think they want more. The plan was to exercise the 4 options before the end of the year, which would give AirTran a total or 73 717s. The 51 from Boeing and the 22 from TWA, That was the end of the 717 orders and options.

The reason we were given (the official "company line") was that Boeing had, as part of the option deal, 6 months to notify AirTran if they weren't going to be able to meet any delivery schedule, and this is what they did for these 4 options. The reason we were given for that was that Boeing was trying to "make a deal with Hawaiian".

Who knows what really is going on or what ulitmately is going to happen? All I know was that the original order and options for the 717 was ending with the 73rd aircraft. Then the 737s start arriving.

 

[Sunking]

Why would I leave Southeast as a Captain? Ditto what Tywebb said. Absolutely no benifits or respect at Southeast. Its a pressure cooker! 60,000 is the top pay I'll ever get, it cost $600 a month for health insurance, no vacation, no sick leave no adherance to scheduled bid , Faa part was true and worst of all I am a what they call "at will employee" so I can be fired for even writting this reply.

Im willing to bet I'll be very happy at Airtran.

 

[Neubyfly]

Why would I leave Southeast as a Captain? Ditto what Tywebb said. Absolutely no benifits or respect at Southeast. Its a pressure cooker! 60,000 is the top pay I'll ever get, it cost $600 a month for health insurance, no vacation, no sick leave no adherance to scheduled bid , Faa part was true and worst of all I am a what they call "at will employee" so I can be fired for even writting this reply.

Im willing to bet I'll be very happy at Airtran.

Sunking:

Thanks for the answer. That is pretty much what I thought but, I know little to nothing about southeast except what I've seen on their website. Too bad there are so many companies out there like that!

Ty:

Like I said, I know very little about southeast (more now) and, enough about Airtran to know I would like to work there. I'm just trying to gather as much info about as many companies as I can. Hell, I got nuthin else to do while on this extended furlough (hope i never have to go back)!!!

 

[atldc9]

Just to muddy the waters about AirtRan's fleet, here is a little more accurate info.

We currently operate 69 717's, and 4 Dc-9's. The -9 are relegated to backup duties, and will be retired by Dec 31.

We are scheduled to receive 4 more 717's by year's end, ending the year with a fleet consisting entirely of 73 717-200's. This completes the original Valujet order of 50 orders/50 options. The remaining options were traded away to Boeing as part of thier refinancing of our long term dept.

In July, we ordered 50 737-700's with options for 50 more. The 737-700's can be converted to -800's with 18 months notice. Initial deliveris are for 2 737-700's in June, then 1 a month thru the end of the year.

Concurrent with this order, we placed a firm order for 10 717's, with deliveries of the 717's starting in the 3rd quarter of 2004. In addition the order for 10 717's, we were granted 4 contingent options for 717's. These four airplanes are owned by Boeing Capital, and could be leased to us at their discretion. To date, we have been told that tentatively 2 of these 717's will be coming in latw January.

That is our sorted story.

By the way, Air Wisci is flyin 10 CRJ-200's as AirTran JetConnect.

Ryan airlines is flying 2 or 3 A-320's as our west coast operation until the 737's arrive.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

ATLDC9

ATLDC9: "To date, we have been told that tentatively 2 of these 717's will be coming in latw January".

That seems to agree with this announcment.

http://www.businesswire.com/webbox/bw.103003/233035115.htm

 

[Midnight Mike]

There is another piece to the puzzle, Impulse could be thinking about turning in their 717's and going the 737 route. That could be another "14" 717's that would be on the market, perhaps Airtran would get their hands on these 717's as well.

 

[atldc9]

If a 717 becomes available, it is a pretty safe bet that it will end up at AirTran. OUt of the 130 or so built, we have about 73 spoken for, and I feel confident in saying we would take the rest if they became available. Economies of scale and al that stuff...