AirTran Questions

[TV9Driver]

Hey guys, I'm starting class at AT in a week and had a few questions...

I know that pay during training is approx. $43/hr, but is that a 70 guarantee or something else?

Also, if given the choice between the 717 and 737, which would you consider to be a better deal?(ie types of trips, sitting reserve, time to hold a line, overnights, etc) I used to fly the 717 and loved it, so I'm kind of partial to it, but i'd love to hear your thoughts....

Lastly, i've posted this on the crashpad thread but haven't gotten any bites. Does anyone know of an available crashpads near the MARTA ,or a hotel, or other place where I could go without having a car?

Thanks in advance! I look forward to meeting and flying with you all...

 

[Flash]

Training pay is 4 hrs./day. Min of 70. The full month that I was in training I worked 21 days so I was paid 84 hours for that month.

I'm partial to the 717, of course my class wasn't offered the 73 so maybe that's why. It seems like the 717 has better trips and schedules right now but the 737 will get better when more come on line. I was on reserve for 2 months and am holding a regular hard line this month. The 717 trips are like what I was used to at the former commuter. Some times 6 legs a day. The 737 has some schedules that do the west coast stuff with a 24 hour layover then a red eye back to Atl. My ass, albeit well padded, can only take about 2-3 hours at a time in the seat so that's another plus for the 717.

I also did not have a car in Atl nor did I want the hassle of bringing my car down and getting in a crashpad. I stayed at one of the hotels that's within a 10 minute walk of the training center. It worked out fine, I walked unless it was raining then called for the van or one of my buddies would pick me up.

Good luck!

 

[EMBATP]

training

pay is 70 hour min guarantee or 4 hour per day in training. i had 88 hours pay one month in training.

717 is better schedules now, as far as the future, who knows.

don't have any crashpad info, sorry.

 

[TV9Driver]

I'm driving my car down for training, but will be bringing it back home afterwards. So, i'll need a crashpad after training near public transit or something....

 

['72Gremlin]

TV9Driver when is your training date?

Any idea on future training dates?

 

[llowwelll]

Gremlin,

You going to training?

 

['72Gremlin]

That is the plan... howz that commute? It might help that Delta joins CASS in August. Will that make a difference to you?

 

['72Gremlin]

And I'll be driving the Gremlin down, too.

 

[llowwelll]

The commute is not cool. If Delta joins CASS, it'd definitely help. Rumor is Alaska might start up service to ATL in the next few months. That'd help even more.

 

['72Gremlin]

I hadn't heard the Alaska to ATL service deal. I think you'll see a lot happening at Alaska after this week is through.

 

[llowwelll]

When's your class date?

 

['72Gremlin]

That's the question I indirectly asked TV9Driver.

He/she hasn't gotten back to me yet.

 

['72Gremlin]

What's the ratio of 717 to 737 offered to new hires now-a-days?

 

[CatfishVT9]

[QUOTE='72Gremlin]What's the ratio of 717 to 737 offered to new hires now-a-days?[/QUOTE]

It's been about 5-8 per class of 20 or so.

I'm on the 737 and I'm really enjoying it. I believe reserve time will be about the same (2 months or so?) but not sure.

Don't sweat the redeyes in your decision to bid. Right now we have 3 west coast destinations (LAS, LAX, SFO) so that's 90 redeye flights a month and as a percentage of total flying the ratio keeps dropping. This month I flew 2 in my line. That's doable. Now once we add another west coast stop, that adds another 30 to the mix.

One nice advantage to the long haul flights is that all the hard work is getting off the gate so there is less paperwork on the 737.

Good luck,
Catfish

 

[TV9Driver]

Gremlin,


Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you....

I start class on March 17th. - Can't wait to get started, but i'm trying to line up a place to stay and I don't have the cash to stay at a hotel for 3 months...

TV9

 

[sladude]

Doesn't AirTran pay for the hotel during training?

 

[mnboyev]

Welcome. from the LINE...!!!! Have fun in school and dont sweat some of the goofy training glitches... growing pains... Just do what you did at every other place you worked at... Limitations.. memory items.. Flows... chair fly.... Yup .. firehose junk.... Cooperate and Graduate.

Its a good place to work, great bunch of regular guys, and the coffee is to die for... No Koolaid though. But all the Fridays chips you can eat.

Work Hard, have fun, and see you guys on the line !!! I fly the 'RJ'. Better overnites, more trips, more variety, and the coffee...well...
Not sure why senior dudes dont bid the 737... I think they will when get about 25-35 tails...

Pay is Ok and no BS from MGMT for the pilot group.. We are well cared for, compared to other groups at our carrier.

Contract is getting hammered out.. It will probably take a while to wrap that deal up... Maybe up to a couple years..

Enjoy guys... Lots of pads behind BBQ Kitchen on Virginia Ave.. Bout 230/mo

Bring your Gremlin in my opinion.

 

[-9Capt]

Sladude,
AirTran doesn't pay for your hotel unless you're assigned training outside your domicile (ATL).

Not sure why senior dudes dont bid the 737... I think they will when get about 25-35 tails...

Not this senior dude. Why go to the school house for 2 months at 70hrs/month just to come back to the line for the same money and a few red eyes, NO THANKS!! My ass has a 3hr limitation anyway.

Life on the 717 aint bad. Days off have been slowly decreasing due to the fact that we're short staffed. It's bound to get worse after IND and CLT start up. 2-4 legs per day is typical, lots of soft pay (620hrs block, 1120hrs credit for '04, including vacation).

Hopefully the contract will be wrapped up before I retire in 2030.

 

[mnboyev]

On the car issue.... I commute and enjoy having a car in ATL..

Here is just one idea; I understand that General Lee has a BMW ..... maybe he would let you borrow it on occasion ? Those Delta fellas are a pretty good bunch and I'm sure he would help out a fellow pilot in a pinch. PM him... LOL Dont tell him I sent you his way.. tell him it was Ty..

I like the old Caddy in our lot by the stink pond..... I think it has been passed down a few times... Trusty Rusty...