Airtran Hiring news?

[Guppy Guy]

You are an idiot if you come here!

Worst corp. culture ever!

I believe Dante said it best "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here"

This is the worst company I have ever worked for (and I went on strike for 3 months at my last carrier). This place is horrible.

 

[27 driver]

I believe Dante said it best "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here"

This is the worst company I have ever worked for (and I went on strike for 3 months at my last carrier). This place is horrible.

That is all relative. I have worked for 3 other airlines that were way worse. None that were major carriers though. This place can get better if we are willing to fight for it.

 

[Guppy Guy]

That is all relative. I have worked for 3 other airlines that were way worse. None that were major carriers though. This place can get better if we are willing to fight for it.

I admire your optimism and I hope you're correct. I am ready to fight for it and take it all the way to the mat if necessary. Did it once and I'd do it again.

However, this place will never be much more than it is today. Oh, we'll make gains in our contract, get our pay up to industry standard, and have a decent retirement and that's fine. But, as long as the current group of managers is running the show it will always be screwed up. The mind set of the managers is to do things cheap. They jump into markets and don't provide proper training for the pilots. If they can save a dollar today they will even if it costs them $10 next week. Scheduling will continue to be confrontational, captains authority will continue to be marginalized, and oppressive management style will always be the norm. These are management styles and won't change just because we have a new contract.

Don't get me wrong, it's better to have a job right now and complain about it than be on the street. But, Airtran will never be a "good" place to work. Then again, I can't think of any other airline that's much better.

 

[27 driver]

I admire your optimism and I hope you're correct. I am ready to fight for it and take it all the way to the mat if necessary. Did it once and I'd do it again.

However, this place will never be much more than it is today. Oh, we'll make gains in our contract, get our pay up to industry standard, and have a decent retirement and that's fine. But, as long as the current group of managers is running the show it will always be screwed up. The mind set of the managers is to do things cheap. They jump into markets and don't provide proper training for the pilots. If they can save a dollar today they will even if it costs them $10 next week. Scheduling will continue to be confrontational, captains authority will continue to be marginalized, and oppressive management style will always be the norm. These are management styles and won't change just because we have a new contract.

Don't get me wrong, it's better to have a job right now and complain about it than be on the street. But, Airtran will never be a "good" place to work. Then again, I can't think of any other airline that's much better.

Guppy, I agree that this management team is horrible. I do believe they won't be in power forever. They come and go. All we can do is fight for a better Airtran or bail when the hiring starts. Unfortunately I don't think there will be any jobs for a few more years, at least until 2013 or 14. Until then we will fight the good fight. Like you, I am also willing to take it to the mat. Lets hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[PCL_128]

If single pay rate works so great, why aren't they in effect at American, Delta, United, Continental, US Airways, etc.?

I think you would agree that we're all looking for Alaska pay rates in this contract, right? And you would probably also agree that Alaska is a very similar carrier that is easy to draw comparisons to at the bargaining table, correct?

So, with that in mind, how does Alaska handle pay rates? Simple: one pay scale for all 737 equipment, which includes not only the -800, but also the -900.

 

[Lear70]

FTR, I have no problem with a single pay scale...

As long as current book plus the 13% override plus COLA raises dating back to the amendable date plus FULL retro are the basis for the CAPTAIN pay rates, with F/O's tied to 70% of CA pay across the board.

Hint: that's nearly a 25% pay raise for all our CA's and about a 50% pay raise for most of our F/O's.

 

[DonVerita]

I think you would agree that we're all looking for Alaska pay rates in this contract, right? And you would probably also agree that Alaska is a very similar carrier that is easy to draw comparisons to at the bargaining table, correct?

So, with that in mind, how does Alaska handle pay rates? Simple: one pay scale for all 737 equipment, which includes not only the -800, but also the -900.

No, I'm not looking for one pay scale. I firmly believe that we should have payscales based on aircraft size. Therefore, there should be a rate for the 717, 737-700, and 737-800.

If you think Alaska rates are sufficient then you are selling us short. Why do you seem so eager to simply accept Alaska's rates? Why not exceed them and exceed expectations for once?

SWA is a similar carrier to us. They do the same job with the same business model. Please don't use that tired analogy of they are X times bigger than us so they get paid more. If that were the case then American would be getting paid more than SWA. Do they? No. So let's keep our eye on looking up, not down.

There better not be even one concession or status quo section in the new T/A...not one! Every section better be an big improvement. We have gone 5 years waiting for it; we can go the distance to the finish line. Don't spike the ball on the 1 yard line!

Oh, and for the record...I am beyond ready to go on strike and shut this disgrace of a place down. I was ready yesterday.

FUPM
STRIKE!

 

[27 driver]

DonVerita,
I admire your tenacity. You should be on the NC.

 

[PCL_128]

No, I'm not looking for one pay scale. I firmly believe that we should have payscales based on aircraft size. Therefore, there should be a rate for the 717, 737-700, and 737-800.

I don't think you'd find too many pilots here that would agree with you on that. Yes, plenty of guys want to keep the -800 separate, but I don't think you'd find more than a handful that would want to split off the 717. I think that would be a big mistake, and would result in it being nearly impossible to achieve Alaska rates for the 717 crews. Have you looked at DC-9 series rates across the industry lately? Even tacking on a few dollars to the industry-leading MD-88 rate would still leave our 717 crews with rates below Alaska. I'm not too fond of that idea. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Clyde Frog]

If you're looking for a "job", go ahead and apply, just don't expect a "career".

To settle for Alaska rates would be an embarrassment. What ever happened to pattern bargaining? This pilot group is like a bunch of beaten down dogs. Management hates it pilots and treats them like seasonal farm workers.

A strong, industry leading contract or my vote will be no.

Screw this place.

 

[Clyde Frog]

Not looking to offend here, but the only pilots who are happy here are the ex-VJ scabs or the ex-military types who never held a civilian job. Even the guys from craphole regionals know this place blows. The CPO treats it's pilots like children and fire them to keep everyone in line. *************************in' joke.

 

[humveedriver]

Need a coke and smile? How about a hug?

 

[DonVerita]

Well said Clyde Frog...twice!

Rumor has it that we've got another hostage. Must have happened this past Friday. Good thing the PCF passed so we can start taking care of this guy financially after his case gets reviewed.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

"Worst corporate culture"

Worse than Mesa?
Worse than Great Lakes?
Worse than Trans States/GoJet?
Worse than Qatar?
Worse than Air Madagascar?
Worse than Cathay Pacific?
Worse than Korean Airlines?
Worse than Gulfstream (the FL commuter)?
Worse than Pinnacle/Colgan?
Worse than xxx?

cliff
GRB

 

[Clyde Frog]

Humvee,

no, I don't need a coke or a hug, what I need is a company that appreciates the work I do and compensates like the major airline pilot that I am. Is that too much to ask?

We need to raise our expectations. Shooting for average pay and benefits will certianly result in significantly less.