AirTran Interview

[IFLYASA]

So I have been beating myself up trying to understand what AirTran is looking for to get hired. Of my interview class, it seems the most experience pilots were turned down, while one who made it has never flown a jet/turboprop. What gives?

Does anyone know the magic formula? Is there such a thing as having too much experience? I thought the interview went wonderful. Very simple and laid back.

I know guys are leaving for better places. I'm just wandering if they are rejecting guys who look to "marketable", and believe they will leave as well. Therefore they may get turned down. It's the only thing that seems logical. Maybe if they see you come back in 6 months, then you get hired because you haven't gone elsewhere.

Any clue?

 

[Ty Webb]

So I have been beating myself up trying to understand what AirTran is looking for to get hired. Of my interview class, it seems the most experience pilots were turned down, while one who made it has never flown a jet/turboprop. What gives?

Does anyone know the magic formula? Is there such a thing as having too much experience? I thought the interview went wonderful. Very simple and laid back.

I know guys are leaving for better places. I'm just wandering if they are rejecting guys who look to "marketable", and believe they will leave as well. Therefore they may get turned down. It's the only thing that seems logical. Maybe if they see you come back in 6 months, then you get hired because you haven't gone elsewhere.

Any clue?

Previously, they were looking for the same thing that SWA, CAL, UPS, etc were looking for, but with an emphasis on 121 PIC time.

This strategy really backfired when they came out with a regional-style TA that showed it's gonna be a rocky road for quite a while around here. Sad thing is, they'd rather spend an extra $25K training two guys for the same job, than give the $25K out in raises to happy, productive pilots.

My guess (and this is only a guess) that due to the spike in attrition, they have probably made some changes in what they are looking for, seeking candidates that are not likely to be in the pool at other carriers.

What those changes are, I don't know.


If this TA passes, you wouldn't want to work here, so I would keep that in mind.

 

[another cfii]

If this TA passes, you wouldn't want to work here, so I would keep that in mind.

Not to be off subject, but I understand this TA is so bad. So is there still more than a few junior FO/senior CA that still buy that POS, that convince you that this TA would actually fly?

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

No, it will fail then the fun starts.

 

[na4life]

IFLY,
How long from interview to notice that you didn't get the job?
How long for those who did get the job?
When did you interview?
Thanks,
NA

 

[wood pecker]

The TA is not the only problem. To me this represents what the future of AAI might be. Similar to a 737/RJ airline with low pay and crappy QOL. My personal experience was great compared to ASA but after actually reading the TA it appears that it is time to start over again. The union here is either clueless or is trying to cover up some type of bribe to approve such a concessionary contract and then lie about what is actually in writing. This completely destroyed the imagined " team concept" for me and made me realize that pilots are not special, only shareholders are. I would truly urge you to rethink why you want AAI after reading the TA. The 12 year CA rates on the @86 seat RJ are @$100.

If you are truly financially stable and are not basing everything on a quick upgrade then AAI might still work out for you since alot of pilots will be leaving if this TA/mindset grows roots. Good luck to you as this has been a wake up call to never stop updating a logbook.

 

[Ty Webb]

The TA is not the only problem. To me this represents what the future of AAI might be. Similar to a 737/RJ airline with low pay and crappy QOL. My personal experience was great compared to ASA but after actually reading the TA it appears that it is time to start over again. . . . . . . This completely destroyed the imagined " team concept" for me and made me realize that pilots are not special, only shareholders are. I would truly urge you to rethink why you want AAI after reading the TA. The 12 year CA rates on the @86 seat RJ are @$100.

Very well put. I agree, and as 6 year CA, I find myself updating my logbooks and looking for a Company that values their employees instead of degrading them. Life is too short to be living in a battered pilot shelter, and that's what this place would turn into under this TA.


.

 

[mnboyev]

The sky is falling.....naww..it will be ok fellas...just a process we go through to get what we need !!! Its all been done before...its just our turn.... Fight !!!

 

[ColganCapt]

IFLY,
How long from interview to notice that you didn't get the job?
How long for those who did get the job?
When did you interview? May 9th
Thanks,
NA

Got the offer 4 weeks after I interviewed AND after one of my friends sent an e-mail to check my status. I got a phone call the next day.

 

[bestpilot]

Got the offer 4 weeks after I interviewed AND after one of my friends sent an e-mail to check my status. I got a phone call the next day.

Dude! Way to go, Capn Colgate!!! Welcum to da Trannie. We be in da hizzie makkin sho dat yoo an da peeps be gettin a saweet ole contract, ya dig?

AWWW YEAAAHHH!!!!!!!!

 

[ColganCapt]

Dude! Way to go, Capn Colgate!!! Welcum to da Trannie. We be in da hizzie makkin sho dat yoo an da peeps be gettin a saweet ole contract, ya dig?

AWWW YEAAAHHH!!!!!!!!

Huh? uuhhhh, thanks, I guess!!

 

[Lear70]

Huh? uuhhhh, thanks, I guess!!

Ahhhh,,, someone who hasn't been following AirTran threads very long.

Welcome to da Trannie! Hope you got your waders, 'cause the sh*t's pretty deep over at the Training Center right now pushing this T.A. Luckily, most of the instructors know it's crap, too, but management will come to your class every couple of days the first week or two handing out the company kool-aid.

 

[ColganCapt]

Ahhhh,,, someone who hasn't been following AirTran threads very long.

Welcome to da Trannie! Hope you got your waders, 'cause the sh*t's pretty deep over at the Training Center right now pushing this T.A. Luckily, most of the instructors know it's crap, too, but management will come to your class every couple of days the first week or two handing out the company kool-aid.

Don't worry I was one of the first to send in my card at Colgan - glad they finally got enough for a vote. I just didn't understand what the previous poster wrote.

 

[Lear70]

Don't worry I was one of the first to send in my card at Colgan - glad they finally got enough for a vote. I just didn't understand what the previous poster wrote.

Who? BestPilot?

Dude, you gotsta bee learnin the 'Lanta lingo, 'cause dem peeps be talkin to you like dat all days long and you best be understandin and stuff wits dat or you gonna miss sumpn like bad hazmat in da belly and stuffs.

He's been posting for a while on here, and usually has a point, just takes a really *ahem* "different" road to get there.

Glad you're on board with the solidarity issue. We REALLY need to get the new-hires more involved and keep them that way...

Free pizza is a nice start, but we need a P2P mentoring program to help guys get up to speed on contract issues and give them a place to go without fear of reciprocity when they have problems. Way too many people just want to lower their head and become a number, and we won't get ANYWHERE like that.

Again, welcome!

 

[On Your Six]

Very well put. I agree, and as 6 year CA, I find myself updating my logbooks and looking for a Company that values their employees instead of degrading them. Life is too short to be living in a battered pilot shelter, and that's what this place would turn into under this TA.


.

You deserve a lot better and I hope you eventually get a much better TA. If not, I hear that Delta just hired one of your pilots directly into the 757/767 domestic out of ATL and it will be hiring 50 pilots per month for the foreseeable future. It is always an option I guess if you are willing to take a walk on the wild side...

Good luck to all AirTrannies out there - get a good TA and make us proud!!!

 

[AlbieF15]

Airtran looks for loyaty. I've seen SO many AT guys bail for FDX, SWA, and even CAL that the company is trying to match guys that will STAY there.

So--think about what makes AT attractive to YOU and focus on that.

Ty--I hope this works out man--I want you to be our biggest Airtran advocate.