Airtran Interviewing?

[publisher]

Big 5

At the rate things are going, the Big 5 are going to be

Southwest
Air Tran
Northwest
American
Delta

Apparently no one read Don Carty's comments on how American needed to become more like Southwest and Airtran

 

[Clownpilot]

Re: Big 5

Airtran, a top 5 major?

Come on. Come back to reality.

Pure wishful thinking.

At the rate things are going, the Big 5 are going to be

Southwest
Air Tran
Northwest
American
Delta

Apparently no one read Don Carty's comments on how American needed to become more like Southwest and Airtran

 

[DCitrus9]

PanAm or Eastern going out of business?
No way, come on- come back to reality!
Stranger things have happened. Nobody knows the future, and there was a time when Delta, United, et al was just a crappy little airline that could...
Please try not to be so small minded.

 

[js31pilot]

I guess I didn't write in big enough print.....LOL


Anything can happen in today's marketplace........I used to remember that people used to say Eastern could NEVER die!!

 

[AV8OR]

Contact

Just curious. I know it's been a while since they interviewed, but when they start, how do they contact you? Letter or telephone? Also, are any of you Citrus pilots on this board planning on helping with recruiting at the Air Inc. fair in ATL next weekend. If so, would you mind sending an e-mail or PM so I can put a face with the username.

Take care.

Tom

 

[Marko Ramius]

I guess I didn't write in big enough print.....LOL


Anything can happen in today's marketplace........I used to remember that people used to say Eastern could NEVER die!!

While I wholeheartedly agree with the above comment, I always find it funny that many of the people who say that anything can happen always point at the failures of Eastern, PanAm, etc as proof that big airlines like UA and AA can fail, but never think the same thing can(and has) happened at many small carriers as well. Alot of people seem to boil down the decision of whether to go to airline like Airtran vs. an airline like AA simply down to money. If you go to AA, all you care about is money and really big iron, and if you go to Airtran you are somehow wholly altruistic and care more about people than money. Airtran may have the quality of life and benefits attractive to someone in the southeast, while someone in the southwest might prefer United or Southwest. While there are probably people who fit both extreme's, I think the truth for most of us is somewhere in between. We want a strong stable company, that is enjoyable to work at, and provides us a strong paycheck to provide for ourselves.

 

[js31pilot]

Good point Marcus.....good point

 

[Race Pilot]

Re: Big 5

At the rate things are going, the Big 5 are going to be

Southwest
Air Tran
Northwest
American
Delta

Hey, how about ATA. Come on now, I just got hired by them

 

[Ty Webb]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't seen the details of the new contract, but I hope you guys got what you were looking for.

Please keep us posted on training, schedule, pay, etc!

 

[DCitrus9]

Marko Ramius, I think you missed the point of why I emphasized anything can happen. Too often pilots of "big" airlines berate those of us who choose a different life
eg. ClownPilot "Airtran, a top 5 major?

Come on. Come back to reality.

Pure wishful thinking."

I honestly don't know where we'll be in 5 years, but to take such a negative stance is hurtful to everyone.
I never claim to be altruistic, in fact I'm trying to make the most money I can by flying airplanes. We certainly don't all agree on what path that is. A friend is furloughed AA, and it is going to take several years after recall for that person to match me in pay - given all things(contract) remain the same.

 

[NYRANGERS]

Marko Ramius, I think you missed the point of why I emphasized anything can happen. Too often pilots of "big" airlines berate those of us who choose a different life
eg. ClownPilot "Airtran, a top 5 major?

Come on. Come back to reality.

Pure wishful thinking."

I honestly don't know where we'll be in 5 years, but to take such a negative stance is hurtful to everyone.
I never claim to be altruistic, in fact I'm trying to make the most money I can by flying airplanes. We certainly don't all agree on what path that is. A friend is furloughed AA, and it is going to take several years after recall for that person to match me in pay - given all things(contract) remain the same.

I don't see anyone berating people going to low cost carriers. I think most people don't care where "you" go. I hope Airtran works out for you.

You don't have to justify your job to anyone, esspecially(sp) by trying to say major airline pilots berate you for choosing Airtran. I have seen no example of this, plus not everyone gets to go to a major airline.

 

[DCitrus9]

hello Nyrangers, I gave you a mild recent example quoted by clownpilot, people do say negative things about some airlines. No, I don't have to justify my job, but I do like to promote any positive image I can for smaller airlines- actually for all airlines

 

[Marko Ramius]

Marko Ramius, I think you missed the point of why I emphasized anything can happen. Too often pilots of "big" airlines berate those of us who choose a different life
eg. ClownPilot "Airtran, a top 5 major?

While I wasn't specifically adressing my post to you in particular, I did get you point. I was just saying that much like 'Ghostbusters' the door swings both ways, and the "anything can happen adage," applies to all of us. There are indeed pilots at larger airlines who berate those at the smaller carriers, but there are also quite a few pilots at smaller carriers who berate pilots at larger carriers. I'm furloughed from a major, and have heard and seen quite a few negative comments thrown in the directions of major airline furloughees. My post was primarily meant to be a commentary on how we as pilots love to stereotype each other when the "shoes" don't often fit well in practice.

 

[DCitrus9]

Agreed. I would very much like to see less use of stereotypes- I see it from both sides. I'm at a small carrier, with a furloughed major pilot for a wife!

 

[TSA Pilot]

No offense Ty, but maybe if your company paid a bit better & got some bigger equipment...we'd hang around.
FJ

That is the most moronic statement I have ever seen. Bigger equipment?? You mean to tell me that the size of the equipment somehow goes into the figuring of what Major you go to work for I suppose you can't drive in anything but a Lexus or Mecedes either... do you have small dick syndrome??? And just how much money do you need to make to be happy?? You can live fine on $100k a year you know? Hell even on $50k a year you can live well. I would give anything to work at Airtran in fact it's the only Major airline I want to work for. I dont want to be a number, I don't need $200k a year to be happy. Jade, your attitude is exactly what this industry needs to stomp out. Please go work for the big 5, or 3, or whatever it is now and don't take my seat at Airtran.

TSA Pilot

 

[Guam360]

TSA Pilot,

You said it!!!!!

right on!!

 

[skypine27]

He has a valid point

"That is the most moronic statement I have ever seen. Bigger equipment?? You mean to tell me that the size of the equipment somehow goes into the figuring of what Major you go to work for I suppose you can't drive in anything but a Lexus or Mecedes either... "

That statement is not moronic at all. The size of aircraft, for a lot of people (including me) is a very important consideration. It translates into a different schedule and quality of life ('different' = better). When you fly a 'small' plane, you can easily get stuck doing 4 and 6 leg days, and never leaving the freaking time zone for the rest of your career. I didn't become an airline pilot to just to see the southeast USA. Get into a heavy airplane, and you fly 1 or 2 nice long legs a day, and actually get to see some of the world.

AirTran's schedules probably arent that different from flying a CRJ for a commuter.

 

[Ty Webb]

For the guy who thinks that AIrTran's schedules aren't much different than a regional- perhaps you should ask the question, "what are the differences between AirTran's schedules and a regional?" Perhaps that way you'd get some real info, instead of just speculating wildly.

I'll tell you this- most of our days are three or four legs. I have had some months as a junior FO where I had a five-leg day 2 or three times that month- haven't had one of those in quite a while. Max scheduled is 12 hrs duty . . . and the bid package for this month has mostly 15-16 day off lines, with the 17,18 and occaisional 19 day off lines going to guys at the top.

CDO lines- one leg each way, max (no double legs, no draft). Max scheduled duty on a CDO line is 14 hrs duty, time on the ground is 6-8 hrs, all in hotels, of course.

 

[atldc9]

As for AirTran having regional airline schedules, we DO!!! The bottom line is that we are basically a large regional airline flying primarily a hub and spoke operation out of ATL. We are growing, and there is more and more hub overflying, but the truth remains, we are basically a regional flying the east coast and Florida. I don't think that is a bad thing. As a matter of fact, that is one of the best things in my mind. I don't want to fly long haul, I'm too impatient. Maybe someday, I might, but right now I have a 3 hour seat cushion. At 3 hours, I need out. We fly wonderful equipment, have a pretty good group of pilots, and the company is surviving in the worst airline environment since the 88-93 period.

I am a 3rd year Captain making over 100K. We will probably be a major, but that is really an arbitrary distinction. All being a"major" means is that you have over $1 billion in annual sales. Does that mean ATA and American are equals because they are both majors? I don't think so. The bottom line is we are a small, regional, national, wanna-be major, whatever, airline. The working conditions are good, the equipment is good, and the people are good. To each his own.

 

[AV8OR]

For those of you who have 121 PIC time and only want to fly for a "major", more power to you. Please, please, hold on to your goal and don't let anyone else deter you. Remember, your not really going to be satisfied until you're flying a heavy. Think "Big 5" and "Big 5" only.






















As for me and the whole Airtran "thing", bring it on. I hope to get me some of that!

 

[AAPilot]

That is the most moronic statement I have ever seen. Bigger equipment?? You mean to tell me that the size of the equipment somehow goes into the figuring of what Major you go to work for I suppose you can't drive in anything but a Lexus or Mecedes either... do you have small dick syndrome??? And just how much money do you need to make to be happy?? You can live fine on $100k a year you know? Hell even on $50k a year you can live well. I would give anything to work at Airtran in fact it's the only Major airline I want to work for. I dont want to be a number, I don't need $200k a year to be happy. Jade, your attitude is exactly what this industry needs to stomp out. Please go work for the big 5, or 3, or whatever it is now and don't take my seat at Airtran.

TSA Pilot

TSA Pilot, How could you bag on a former fellow "Waterskier" like that? We all make choices on where we go, some by choice and some because of certain requirements they do not have(degree, etc.)

As long as your happy thats all that matters. The unfortunate thing about being at Air Tran is you have to sometimes associate with the Delta boys and I have found them anti-social.

I knew a pilot a few years back who left Air Tran, he was 25, for America West(former TSA'r) and couldn't be more happy.

We all make descisions boys and I feel if you are happy with that descision you should not have to defend youself in here, especially you Ty Webb.

 

[CatYaaak]

Wise words AA. And since this Airtan interviewing thread has morphed into one of pondering moronic-ness and happiness, I'd just like to say:


"See the happy moron, he doesn't give a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**,
I wish I were a moron. My God, perhaps I am!"

 

[canyonblue]

Airline History for $500 Alex

"Study your airline history and give carriers like AirTran some thought"


Your boss is "Forklift Joe", among other names, look up his history.

Man,
I have not heard that name for 10 years. You win the Jeopardy Aviation Home game.

 

[Menace]

Interviews

Wayyyyy back on page one of this thread a couple of you said that AirTran is interviewing in August. I spoke with Greta Charles on July 9 and she said late September or early October would be the start of interviews. Do you have newer information?

As for those of you knocking AirTran....well, just go read another thread. Everyone I've talked to seems to love the place. I think I could live on $100k +. In fact, I know I could. Right now I'm living on a lot less! Quality of life and job security mean a lot to me right now with a family to support. I think it's pretty awesome that the senior guys at AirTran took a cut to keep the junior guys employed! Those are the kind of guys I would love to work with!!

-Menace

 

[flx757]

Menace...

The new information is this....(it's posted elsewhere, but here it is in a nutshell)

There was a class scheduled for August, which has been cancelled until further notice. Rumors are it will be Jan/Feb before this class is held. I would imagine that it will be very late this year or early next year before interviewing resumes. But, things can change, and sometimes they change quickly.

 

[DougCorp-9]

I saw Jill N on the crew bus a few days ago and she said class would be in January. FYI