AirTran Questions

[Phaedrus]

I'd appreciate some schooling on the following topics as they relate to AirTran:

-What would the cost be for company health insurance for a family of 4?
-What about dental plans? Good? Bad?
-Does the company offer life insurance?
-Can someone elaborate a little on "soft pay", or to be more general, how one might maximize pay?
-The stated time for training is 6-8 weeks. Does that usually run more towards the shorter term or longer term?
-How easy/difficult is it to commute say from ORL? Is the QOL remarkably better if you live within 90 minutes of Hartsfield?

Thanks in advance for the information. I know that some of these questions have been covered before, but I'd appreciate a comprehensive answer.

 

[Phaedrus]

Refresh...

 

[-9Capt]

1. Expensive, insurance is good, but it aint cheap
2. 2 choices, not expensive, only had routine stuff so I'm not real sure.
3. Free basic life and disability insurance, higher coverage for higher premiums
4. Trip rigs, duty rigs and daily minimums. Reserves start at guarantee and get paid over guarantee after the first assignment. You can sit reserve all month, never fly, get called out on the 31st, and you'll break guarantee.
5. ?
6. I wouldn't try to commute out of MCO, waaaay too much competition for the j/s. Would QOL be better near ATL, sure it would.

 

[Ty Webb]

Training is pretty standard . . . two weeks of Indoc, a couple weeks of systems, couple weeks of procedures trainers, couple weeks in the sim. The first few weeks you'll have weekends off, after that, it just depends on what slots you get, but you'll get home plenty. After your checkride, you may find yourself waiting for up to a month to start IOE, kind of like a paid vacation after training. Pay starts the first day of class, and there are plenty of crashpads for $150./mo - $200./mo.

Insurance depends on what program and what level. There are two HMO's and two PPO's. The highest one, a "Platinum PPO" is through AETNA. It has prescription coverage and eyeglasses and it is very steep, at about $230. per pay period. It is definitely a sore subject. I believe the HMO is about half that, but I don't know for sure. Dental pays half for most things.

Soft pay is pretty good. I commute and never pick up extra flying or answer the phone on an off day. . . . which results in about 1020 hrs credit per year and flying under 700 hrs/yr. Guys who pick up extr flying can make over 100 hrs credit per month, when there is flying to pick up . . you'd have to ask a harder-working guy thanme for the specifics.

Commuting? MCO and FLL are the cities with the biggest number of commuters. TPA seems to have a lot, too, but may be better now that SRQ opened up. RSW has pretty low frequency, especially in the off season.

Don't you want to know about the hot babes or secret handshake? Our layovers are usually next to the Fox Bar, where you can see our swinging friend, General Lee!

 

[Sun Devil 2000]

This may seem like a stupid question but I can't seem to find it out anywhere. Are your only bases ATL and MCO? Is there any talk of more western expansion and possibly even a western base?


Thanks

 

[PHXFLYR]

Ty;


Have you noticed that the larger Delta's quartely losses become, the less the General seem's to post on Fltinfo? He must be busy transitioning over to the MD11,or something. Getting ready for that Atlanta-Moscow trip!....only spoofing you there, General...where ya ' been ?


PHXFLYR

 

[-9Capt]

RSW has pretty low frequency, especially in the off season.

That's true. Stay away from RSW, we don't need any more competition for the j/s.

 

[-9Capt]

This may seem like a stupid question but I can't seem to find it out anywhere. Are your only bases ATL and MCO? Is there any talk of more western expansion and possibly even a western base?


Thanks

ATL only, no MCO base. There is always talk of a new base, but nothing ever happens.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

BWI flights increasing?

ATL only, no MCO base. There is always talk of a new base, but nothing ever happens.

I understand there has been talk about another base for some time. Is BWI in the running? If they pick a new base, where do you think it will be?

Place your bets!

 

[XGmaninGA]

When I first got here, it was PIT. Then BWI. Then PHL. Then DFW. MCO is always floating around in rumorville. Who knows? Our management will not open a new pilot base until they absolutely positively are forced to by the Atlanta Fire Marshall (too many occupants in ATL Ops).

 

[Steeler Fan]

I understand there has been talk about another base for some time. Is BWI in the running? If they pick a new base, where do you think it will be?

Place your bets!

KPIT! (It sure would make commuting easier--I think that opportunity is long gone, though).

We won't know until it happens. BWI makes sense, but it really depends on what happens in terms of growth. I've heard MCO, DFW, BWI, but who really knows.

Ty knows, but he's no telling anyone.

 

[Ty Webb]

Ty knows, but he's no telling anyone.

Well, I don't want to start any rumors, but has anyone else noticed that the airport restaurant at GPT recently doubled the size of their gumbo pot? I also heard that a new "red beans and rice" cooker is on the way, and when that equipment arrives, they can actually double the number of pax and crew that can be served there . . . and you remember, we used to also serve HOU and DFW from there . . . .

. . . and I also heard from a guy I flew with whose cousin is a realtor there, and he says that she said that some of the "mucky-mucks from MCO" have been looking at houses down there . . . .

So, if you put two and two together, the smart money is on Gulfport for the next crew base . . . . but you didn't hear it from me.

 

[Phaedrus]

Ty: Thanks for the excellent post! As for the secret handshake and the babes, that will have to wait until I start training.
Thanks again.

 

[fletch717]

Ty, You lazy S.O.B. get your butt out there and pick up some open time. How can our fearless leaders get another bonus if you won't help? I'll call scheduling and let them know your available since your busy on the computer.

Fletch

 

[meanstreak]

Picking up open time, now that's funny. As usual, scheduling just cleared out all the open time and gave it to reserves. It's a great place to work if you don't mind working without a contract( meaning scheduling and management don't follow half of it).

 

[Ty Webb]

They have their tricks, and we have ours . . .

If SAP 1 or SAP 2 doesn't work, there's always SAP 3 and SAP 4. . . . and SAP 5, which I am not allowed to talk about, except at the Fox Bar.

 

[herc17]

Savannah Commute

Hey Ty, Do you commute out of Savannah? If so, how is the commute? If not, do you know anyone that does commute from Savannah?

Herc

 

[fletch717]

Ty does'nt commute from sav. ( probably because of the tight slacks) I only know of 1 pilot that does. Only two flights a day, not good for commuting.

 

[Ty Webb]

I don't, but we have two pilots that do- Steve and Dana.

You might have heard of them . . . Steve and Savananah Dana . . . . .

Just kidding

Reserve make me crazy . . .

Seriously, I don't and I don't know off-hand of anyone who does. It was probably pretty tough when we had the RJ service, but that is long gone.

Anyone else help my man Herk out here. . . . Don't make me break out any more old SNL routines. . . .

 

[Ty Webb]

Ty does'nt commute from sav. ( probably because of the tight slacks

)



Tight polyester slacks are very popular in Savannah. Also, in Gulfport, Moline and Myrtle Beach.

Of course not everyone can wear them like I can.


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