AirTran Hiring question

[wood pecker]

Has anybody heard anything about future hiring/staffing at AAI? Does AAI still plan on hiring @700 new pilots? A rumor floating across the concourse is that AAI is talking about 8-13% pay cuts or a contract extension this April, any truth?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Ty Webb]

Has anybody heard anything about future hiring/staffing at AAI? Does AAI still plan on hiring @700 new pilots? A rumor floating across the concourse is that AAI is talking about 8-13% pay cuts or a contract extension this April, any truth?

Thanks for your help.

Don't know where the "700 pilots" number would have come from. The prediction stated by our COO in October was that we would double the number of pilots in the next four years. At that time, we had 1,000 pilots. Current delivery schedule for 2005 and upcoming retirements would indicate in the neighborhood of 250 pilots to be hired for the year, which would be consistent with his statement.

As for a pay cut or contract extension, what you are hearing is typical posturing as we are in contract openers. We start in the attic, they start in the basement, and we meet somewhere we can both live with.