Airtran info for new hires

[737sluggo]

Just had a few questions for you Airtran guys regarding training and what I might expect for the next few months. Any info would be appreciated.

1. What is pay during training and are we payed per diem?
2. How long should I expect to be in training?
3. Where would you recommend that I stay, since hotel expenses are not paid
for?
4. Which aircraft should I bid to get off reserve the soonest?
5. Any truth to the rumor of a possible DFW base?
6. Any other suggestions/advice during training and probation to make life on my-
self and my family a little easier.
I will be going to class on Jan 13. Looking forward to it but a littleunsure of what to expect of the whole experience.

Thanks! and see y'all soon!

 

[CatfishVT9]

Welcome aboard! I went through this summer so here goes:


1. Standard FO pay. 42.75/hr, 4 hr day in training. Should be the 70 hour min, but can be a little more depending on your sked.

2. About 6 weeks give or take a few. 737 ran a little longer this summer, but I suspect it's quicker now.

3. I got into a crashpad during training. You can find some on this board, mine was thru "Jetdawg", or there will be some posted in the Training Center. Some guys stayed at the Country Inn, also the HoJo is walking distance (just across the street). Both are about $40/night.

4. I bid 737 and had a buildup line first month. I think maybe 1 or 2 months is the norm now. Either one will not be very long riding the pine.

5. Huh? No time soon.

6. Study like hell. It's a firehose, but some really good folks in the company that will help you succeed if you're making the effort.

Good luck!

Catfish

 

[737sluggo]

Thx for the info, Catfish. Looking forward to flying with a real airline again! I had a few more questions for you or anyone else out there:

1. Are the lines commutable? I'm living in Dallas, Tx. and would rather spend time with my kids than at a crash pad when I'm off.
2. A little confused about the pay during training. Are we paid $42.75/hr during training? Paid for 4 hrs during training ? Is class only 4 hrs a day or the traditional 8 hrs?
3. How good is the medical/ dental plan?

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!

 

[FLB717]

Some trips are commutable, and 70% of our pilots do commute.
$42.75 X 70 Hrs, or 4 Hrs a day what ever is greater for the Month.

 

[jetdawg]

to add, medical/dental program is pretty good but also expensive.


per diem in ground school is 0.00 they say your base is ATL so per diem is not required.

 

[FlyingCricket]

The medical insurance is pretty good, however, it can be expensive. The cost depends on how many people will be covered (you, you+child, you+spouse, or you+family). If you don't need to go for the you+family option, the cost is not too bad. However, if you do have to cover your family, expect the cost to range from a low of $360 to a high of $560/month depending on which plan you choose and/or where you live. On FO pay, this will eat up a sizeable chunk of your take-home pay. The dental plan is pretty reasonable.

 

[eatme]

Does anyone know if they make Kool-Aid in Citrus flavors?

 

[BSkin]

Does anyone know if they make Kool-Aid in Citrus flavors?

To everyone else, Merry X-mas

 

[Indapool]

So you get to pay for your own hotel but at least the insurance sucks..



Nice

 

[FL717]

So you get to pay for your own hotel but at least the insurance sucks..



Nice

You should be happy during training, because at least you weren't forced to shell out $8,000 dollars to pay for your own type rating just to get the job.

Nice

 

[75M]

I've never understood people crabbing about a hotel while in training. If you are based in a certain city and your training is in that city then why in God's name should you be entitled to a hotel?

When I went through we did ground school in ATL and were later sent to MIA for FTD and simulator. Once we were in MIA, we got per diem 24/7 plus the hotel was paid for. It seemed fair to me. Besides, I didn't have to shell out $8,000 dollars to pay for a type rating just to get the job.

 

[Heavy Set]

Bid the 717

I know that you have 737 experience from your profile, but I think you should bid the 717. Try something different and see the system (more routes, more destinations) faster. I hear that the 737 is flying a lot of red-eyes. Clearly the 737 guys want you to bid the 737 so that you can fly the crap trips...

I hear the 717 is a fun airplane - you can fly the 737-700 later if you really want to...

 

[iflyfred]

Besides, I didn't have to shell out $8,000 dollars to pay for a type rating just to get the job.

You mean the one that pays for itself before the end of year two?!

 

[75M]

Yeah, that one

 

[Indapool]

So let's see...
Your hotel is paid for...
You get paid $3500 while in training...
Free health insurance the day you walk into class...

Seems the type rating pays for itself in short order.

Nice!

 

[FL717]

So let's see...
Your hotel is paid for...
You get paid $3500 while in training...
Free health insurance the day you walk into class...

Seems the type rating pays for itself in short order.

Nice!

Lets see..

*Live in domicile... not need for hotel room.. sleep at home every night.
*Paid the greater of 70 hour guarantee OR 4 hours per day
*Health insurance Plan equal or better than 80% of the comapnies in the free world
*Paid block or better plus soft pay (560 hours flown/over 1000 hours paid this year).
*Upgraded in 30 months so financially nobody hired at SWA at my DOH has yet come close to my total earnings.
*Defined contributions retirement (B-Fund) 10.5%.. tied to your annual earnings... not company profit
*Company paid ME for TWO type ratings... one as an upgrade (DC-9/B-717) and another of which was a Captain transition (B-737) and was while making a six figure income.

Nope.. buying your own $8000.00 type rating may eventually pay for itself... but only after you upgrade...... and certainly not in short order.

Nice!

BTW - I'm only having fun here guys. If you knew me, and background search my posts here... I have said and will again state for the record...... I believe SWA to be the BEST Airline for employment purposes... PERIOD!

IF I would ever leave here the ONLY airline I would ever leave AirTran to work for would be SWA. I just happen to like my little happy place in the world that I'm fortunate to have right now.... thats all.

I dislike the fact that AirTran new hires have to pay for their hotel rooms, and I think our insurance plan should be better. I also dislike that SWA requires a B-737 type rating to become employed.

A lot of good my opinion makes in the world...

Merry Christmas and God Bless..

 

[Indapool]

No worries my man, I was just yanking your chain.

Happy Festivus!!

 

[FL717]

No worries my man, I was just yanking your chain.

Happy Festivus!!

According to tradition, Festivus starts with the "airing of grievances" ... and I got alot of problems with you people!

 

[Indapool]

But do you have your pole?



The Festivus Pole Not a tree, a pole. No decorations. Tinsel is very distracting from the true meaning of the holiday. The pole is tall, silver, hollow, long, skinny, and heavy

 

[75M]

And now.....Feats of Strength!