AirTran New Mins.

[DCitrus9]

sewrpipe said "Since all you need is the money, dedication and time, but it does not favor someone over another"
If you do have the dedication, get the 121 pic
It is just as attainable as turbine or heavy time. If you want the job, get the credentials. Since you don't want the job, it doesn't affect you. It does have a bearing on the company though, and therefore their decision stands as is.

 

[flx757]

If you do have the dedication, get the 121 pic

Sure. If you don't have any 121 PIC time today, then if things break your way, meaning you can land any 121 job today, and wait for your upgrade, then acquire the 500 hours, you MIGHT have the minimums 5 years from now. Who knows what this industry will look like in 5 years? I certainly hope and expect AirTran to continue to be a success in this industry 5 years from now, but we need effective policies in place to ensure this success. In the meantime, many quality pilots and people are excluded based not on their experience (turbojet PIC time acquired under FAR 135 or in the corporate/fractional world, for example), but solely on one type of operation where this experience was gained. These pilots could bring valuable experience and insight to the pilot group.

It does have a bearing on the company though, and therefore their decision stands as is.

That doesn't make it right. But, I agree it has a bearing on the company. A negative one. I absolutely believe that any company needs a well-rounded employee group, including the pilots, to succeed. This absurd limitation can only help ensure that AirTran will not have one. I can't emphasize enough how much I disagree with this policy, and intend to let this be known.

I'll climb down from my soap box on this forum, since I have let my feelings be known here, but I will continue to let them be known in the proper channels.

 

[DAL737FO]

121 PIC or military equivalent - 500 hours

Not trying to add fuel to this fire but what do you guys consider a military equivalent to part 121 PIC. No really I'm serious. The first thing that came to my mind was a C-141 or C-17 Aircraft commander. I sure didn't think of a single seat fighter type guy. Heck I have 1,145 hours in a C-12 and I don't know if that would count.

 

[Swerpipe]

AirTran is simply looking for the pilots that fit the operation best. This helps in the training both for initial and the quick upgrade.

DCitrus9,

How does a military pilot fit a Part 121 operation better than a Part 135 pilot? Your statement makes no sense to me. I mean really, how is a Navy F/A-18 carrier pilot better suited to AirTran than a Part 135 pilot? I am not saying a 135 driver is better but rather that it depends on the individual. I do see a lot more commonality between Part 135 and 121 operations than flying missions off an aircraft carrier. By the way, I think pilots from all backgrounds can fit any Part 121 operation. Given their flight experience I would be more interested in their personality, attitude and who they are as people. Your statement makes me think you are really biased. Are you?

 

[FLB717]

OK lets just cut through the BS for a moment and look at it from an HR point of views. remember they are not pilots.

1) 6000 resumes' for 100 jobs.

2) Thousands of 121 and 135 pilots at Home Depot

3) WE CAN PICK WHO WE WANT!

I dont see the difference between USA, NWA, DAL, SWA, all had thier minumums in Turbine, PIC etc when they were hiring. The difference is many pilots are now on the street and they all want (most) shot at a job. I would never even get a interview with the time I've gotten in the last 2+ years here. But I was hired in the past. Does that mean I am less qualified now then earlier, NO? The number of people and qualifications have. So it is unfair the 98% of the people at Delta had college degrees. It a way to sort and check boxes, not fair to all but the bottom line is the Company not making Bobby and Susie happy.

 

[Midnight Mike]

Every company changes their requirements, no big deal, hell Southwest changed their requirements
several times of the years. It did not used to be a requirement to have a 737 type before joining Southwest,
now you need a 737 type rating just to send in an application with SW.

In the Valuejet day, pilots needed a DC9 rating before joining, which was attained at Flight Safety. If Airtran
needs more pilots the requirements will change again.

 

[HAZ-MAT]

Sorta on the same line as Midnight Mike was saying... Times being not so good right now, they make the requirements more stringent.. cuts down on resume's... give it a few years and i am sure that 500 121 requirement wont be there, but it definatly sucks for 135 guys that want to go there now... IMO

 

[cgmason1]

121 PIC or military equivalent - 500 hours

Not trying to add fuel to this fire but what do you guys consider a military equivalent to part 121 PIC. No really I'm serious. The first thing that came to my mind was a C-141 or C-17 Aircraft commander. I sure didn't think of a single seat fighter type guy. Heck I have 1,145 hours in a C-12 and I don't know if that would count.

Come on DAL737FO
You know as well as I do that flying that RC-12 around in circles over the Rok is just like what a 121 carrier does...well sort of (just kidding)
Now the military C40, C-9, Gulfstream Etc gigs-with pax, flt attendant's and ops compariable to an actual airline is another story.

Fly Safe
Chuck

 

[flx757]

It a way to sort and check boxes, not fair to all but the bottom line is the Company not making Bobby and Susie happy.

I can't believe we have another company pilot here that can't see the forest for the trees. Sure, the company can hire whomever they want, and it's a way to sort and check boxes. An exceptionally poor way.

I would think you would have a vested interest in the long term viability of this company. Ridiculous policies will prevent that from happening. Look around you.

I challenge anyone on this board to convince me that someone with 500 hours in a non autopilot, non EFIS, non FMS equipped B1900 is MORE qualified, and "fits the operation better" (note I said more qualified and better fit, not AS qualified...MORE qualified), than, for example, a fractional pilot with thousands of hours in a modern, high tech business jet such as a BBJ, Falcon 900, or G-V. So much more qualified that we totally exclude these pilots from consideration. It is absolutely absurd, and it worries me that those who make these decisions are this shortsighted. It worries me a great deal. It also worries me that so many of my collegues think this is ok, and that it's no different than other companies requiring turbine PIC time, which can be gained at any type of operation, not just a 121 carrier.

Now the military C40, C-9, Gulfstream Etc gigs-with pax, flt attendant's and ops compariable to an actual airline is another story.

Fly Safe
Chuck

But flying Gulfstream gigs--with pax, flt attendants and ops comparable to an actual airline with a corporate, fractional or 135 operator is not another story.

But, I'm done with this subject here. It's a real shame that it became a subject at all.

 

[Intruder One]

Welcome to the world of airline hiring.You will never know what these guys want or looking for.Myself and friends included have been to several interviews and seen people hired that will blow your mind.Do not try to figure out what they want or what they are looking for......its all a crap shoot.If you want to give it a try go for it,after some of the stuff I've seen everyone has about the same chance.Butter up HR depatments they seem to hold alot of cards at most company's.Just remember alot of them do not have a aviation background so be careful,good or bad.