AirTran Hiring

[Citrus Jockey]

The following was just emailed to all pilots from the NPA (National Pilots Association), the union that represents the pilots of AirTran:

ATL Domicile Update:

1. We received an initial plan for new hire classes for 2004 from the
company with the next class starting March 4, 2004 and then a new class
every 21 days throughout the year.

NPA View: 14 classes X 15 pilots = 210 for the year with the schedule
allowing the flexibility to go up or down from the publicly announced number
of 150 to the initial plan of approximately 210.

2. There are currently 836 pilots on the seniority list as of January 30,
2004. Basically, 418 Captains and 418 First Officers. The next 717 upgrade
class is scheduled for March 25, 2004.

Good Luck.

 

[C77MD80]

Thanks Citrus, just waiting for the phone to ring now. I am on the edge, maybe the first class, most likely the second; if only three don't answer their phones.

 

[C77MD80]

By the way, how are you all bidding the 737? Do you have the opportunity to bid it yet? What is the general feel as far as current FO's bidding over? Or will the airplane go to new hires? Any language in your contract? Thanks Citrus for the info.

 

[Propblast]

Just wondering how many/what type aircraft AirTran is getting this yr. Is it all 73s or are there some 717s yet to be delivered? What is the forecast further out?

 

[Citrus Jockey]

By the way, how are you all bidding the 737? Do you have the opportunity to bid it yet? What is the general feel as far as current FO's bidding over? Or will the airplane go to new hires? Any language in your contract?

AirTran just added the 737NG to the pilot master bid screen this week, allowing the pilots to bid that aircraft if desired. All pilots that are not seat locked (including those wanting to bid FO 717 to FO 737) may do so. The company reduced all seat locks to one year for those wishing to bid over. Because the pay is the same on the 717 and 737-700, I do not see a mass exodus of FOs from the 717 to the 700. As with all new airplanes added to the fleet, schedules will probably not be very good in the begining and red eyes will probably be common. Sure there will be some that will bid to it for various reasons (ie long haul west coast flying, they have previous experience in a 737 and love the airplane) but for the most part there will probably be a fair amount of new hires in those 737 classes. That could change if they decide to open a new domocile with the 737 and pilots that commute from that domicile decide to bid it, or if they decide to option the 737-800 which falls under a higher payscale.

Just wondering how many/what type aircraft AirTran is getting this yr. Is it all 73s or are there some 717s yet to be delivered? What is the forecast further out?

AirTran will receive 14 airplanes this year, 6 717s and 8 737s. We just received one 717 and will be getting another later this month. The rest of the 717s will come in the second half of the year. The 737s will start coming in June. So the second half of the year will see approximately 2 new airplanes a month. After that I know we will be getting basically one 737 a month through 2008. If we exercise our options that can be increased to two a month. As far as the 717s go I believe we would have 6-10 more on order after this year but I am not sure what the delivery schedule is.

 

[Sensei]

I just talked to Greta Charles today. She confirmed 2 classes in March. She was waiting to hear about the exact dates earlier this afternoon--thanks for the info!!. She did say that the folks in the class that was postponed in Oct would be called first. Those who will be selected for the March classes should be called next week--if the stars are aligned and the gods are favorable, I'll be in one of those two classes. Good luck to all!

 

[golfc5pilot]

Thanks for the update, Sensei!!

I'll be staring at my phone next week!

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Thanks for the update, Sensei!!

I'll be staring at my phone next week!

Does it move when it rings?? Don't forget to take out your earplugs.

 

[C77MD80]

Thanks Citrus for the update. Do you know what the makeup of the next couple of classes be in regards to 717 or 737 training? I suppose that answer relies on the latest bid. When does that close/run?

 

[Citrus Jockey]

Well I know the first class in March will be made up of 7 717 FOs. That is from the most recent vacancy award, and I suspect the second class in March will also be 717. From what I have heard the 737 classes won't start for regular line pilots until May or June. Instructors and checkairmen will of course go before that.

Citrus jockey

 

[Heavy Set]

Looking forward to seeing those 737-700s with WINGLETS...

 

[General Lee]

I have a couple questions. What will happen with the Ryan A320s? As you get the 737NGs, will you place them on the LAX, LAS, and SFO routes, or will you put them on other new routes, like SEA?

Just curious...

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FL717]

I have a couple questions. What will happen with the Ryan A320s? As you get the 737NGs, will you place them on the LAX, LAS, and SFO routes, or will you put them on other new routes, like SEA?

Joe Leonard has implied that he would like to get our own aircraft on the longer routes (i.e.ATL-LAX etc.) quickly. He said that with RYAN running those routes, we cannot and have not been profitable. He wants to cut out the middle man.

Looking forward to seeing those 737-700s with WINGLETS...

Our first group of 737NG will NOT have winglets. I asked Joe Leonard personally about winglets and he indicated that they were not cost effective enough for us to endure the added expense. He said they would consider winglets on a PER aircraft basis as we move along down the road, but most likely only on a few... if any aircraft.

He also indicated that by the time all aircraft are delivered (2008) that we would probably have a ratio of (1) 737-800 for every (5) 737-700's based on current fleet projections.

Just like the hiring and everything else at this company... it can all change tomorrow, which is not necessarily a bad thing.