AirTran: How often to update ??

[kommutrdog]

I've been chasing after an interview for 3+ years now. How often should I update my resume with a fax/letter...I've been doing it pretty consistently about every 1-2 months. I attended the AirInc. fair in Sept and have 2 LORs (one from a captain) I want to be persistent, but not be a pest or seem annoying.

I sure would like to at least interview in 2005. Any advice/input ?

Thanks.


PS All my flight time numbers are pretty good: 5700 tt, 2400 121 PIC etc....

 

[Ty Webb]

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Fax early, fax often and see if you can;t find someone you know or knew who works here. We have over 1000 pilots, many are recent furloughees from USAirways, UAL, NWA, etc. Also, plenty of Midway, Piedmont, CCAir, Airlink, Commutair, Eagle, ASA, Westair, Emery . . . . all the usual subjects, so you are almost certain to know someone here.

You could also call Greta at XT 5757. It is rare to catch her on the phone, but if you do, she may be able to give you some insight on why you haven;t been called yet. I wouldn;t recommend that every person on this message board do so, but if you are a 121 PIC who has been sending in stuff regularly for three years- well, I think you deserve some sort of feedback.

Good luck.

 

[LUalum]

Don't give up. I attended WIA conferences three years running (with my wife), met Jill Ndeifer, recieved assurances that AirTran would call me ASAP etc etc. Updated my info every couple of months online. Three years later Greta Charles calls me out of the blue. I think that the HR dept is pretty backed up and that results in these kind of delays. However It's a great place to work and worth the wait. One word of caution though, when they do call you, things start happening real fast with not alot of time to get required papers together or schedule interview preps etc, so any advance groundwork you can do now will stand you in good stead when the phone rings.
Good luck.

 

[737sluggo]

For what it's worth, Keep hitting those conventions. I've talked with a few of the guys and they were noticed by attending the job fairs, etc... As for me, I had someone walk my resume into the Chief Pilot and three weeks later got the call from Greta. Like Ty, my advice would be to continue to update online frequently, keep hitting the job fairs, and get someone to walk your resume in to the right people. Good Luck and be persistant!

 

[miles otoole]

For what it's worth, get your 737 Type and apply to Southwest Airlines. Do you really want to gamble with your future?

 

[Crossky]

For what it's worth, get your 737 Type and apply to Southwest Airlines. Do you really want to gamble with your future?

SWA has excellent job security, yes, but I have to respond; your comment strikes me as so ironic! I know more who've interviewed at SWA with the type and been shot down than who've been hired. 'Gambling with your future' can go both ways! Maybe I know the wrong pilots. ;(

 

[Ty Webb]

For what it's worth, get your 737 Type and apply to Southwest Airlines. Do you really want to gamble with your future?

Spoken like a real tool, Miles. There are no guarantees in this industry. SWA is no more a guarantee going forward than TWA, Pan Am or Eastern was 30 years ago.

I interviewed at AirTran about the same time a good friend interviewed at SWA. Three years later, I am a 737 Captain. He is an 18 month SWA FO, due to swimming in the pool. In five more years, he may be the most junior Capt at SWA, I will be in the top quarter of 2300+ pilots at AirTran. . . . . . but who knows? Not me, and sure as hell not you. Only when we hit 60 will we know who made the right choice, and that is another 23 years from now.

Apply everwhere. Hopefully, you'll have a painful choice to make. Wouldn't that be awful?

 

[kommutrdog]

Thanks for all the positive replies

Thank you for everyone with their good input/advice. I got my answer and will continue to press foward. I know things take time and I'm a patient man. I just want to play my cards right.