AirTran Stops Classes

[jstarav8r]

Just got a call from Greta. My Oct. 9th class got cancelled until further notice. She said its a planning thing and it has happened before. She said it could be 1-3 months before they start again. I don't know if this means they will stop interviewing.

In the meantime, I guess I'll swim. I'm glad I haven't quit my corporate job yet.

If anyone hears anything, let me know.

Still can't wait!

Jetstar Aviator

 

[flx757]

This sort of thing has happened before. I was initially scheduled for class in Feb '02, rescheduled for Apr '02, then rescheduled (and finally went) in Aug '02.

Right now the training pipeline is full with recurrent, upgrades and Cat II/III training, which all the pilots must complete during Sept and Oct.

Not to worry. Once this training backlog gets cleared up, new hire classes will resume.

 

[Pack Leader]

I received the same phone call today as well. Hopefully we will hear back about another class date soon. I hope it doesn't go to the end of the year like Greta said.

On another note, what is AirTran's hiring outlook for 2004?

PL

 

[Heavy Set]

At least you got calls........... Congrats!

 

[HoursHore]

How's this bode for people still waiting for a response from thier interview on say Aug 26th?

 

[Sunking]

I got the same call with the same news........but the water's fine. I just hope we don't have to swim as long as you Fedex and SWA boys had to.

 

[dugav8s]

I am but another that got the call. My second one, since I was in the Sept. 18 class. Scared the crap out of me when Greta started out explaining she had bad news. I am happy to swim, but was completely ready to start, so it will be a financial hit. I hope the training backlog is the real poop for the cancellation. If anyone has any other rumors, let us know.

 

[Midnight Mike]

In addition, there is going to be a shortage of 717 simulator time as Alteon is going to be moving
717 simulator's around. I think that in Jan/2004 there will be "3" 717 simulators in Atlanta ready for action, to support Airtran & Midwest.

 

[flx757]

I hope the training backlog is the real poop for the cancellation. If anyone has any other rumors, let us know.

Well, that was the word yesterday...but new information has surfaced today. The word from one of the fleet managers is that the remaining 4 717s that were to be delivered this year will be delayed until the first quarter of next year because "Boeing wants to make a deal with Hawaiian". As part of the deal with Boeing, they can give us 6 months notice if they are unable to meet the delivery schedule. They have given us this notice on the 4 717s that we had exercised our options on for this year.

Personally, I think it's a combination of issues. None of which are long-term or bad for the company. Just not immediately good news for those scheduled for class in Oct. Traffic numbers, profits and the stock price are all at or above record levels. All 717s will be delivered by the end of the 1st Qtr 2004, then the first of the 737s start arriving at the end of the 2rd Qtr. Things are most definitely good here, and will be worth the wait for classes to resume. By the time you start class, the new training facility will be completed with 3 717 sims here in ATL, 737 classes will be starting, and the first of the new aircraft deliveries will be just around the corner.

I think this is fairly reliable info about Boeing not being able to meet the delivery schedule, and the next slots available are not until the end of the 1st quarter next year....so, I would not expect to see any new hire classes until after the first of the year. Also, some upgrades are being delayed. Again, not what those waiting wanted to hear, but the wait will most definitely be worth it. Good luck to everyone.

 

[Pack Leader]

Is there any information on how many pilots AirTran plans to hire in 2004?

 

[flx757]

Is there any information on how many pilots AirTran plans to hire in 2004?

I would think a minimum of 150 would be a safe bet.

 

[Pack Leader]

Thanks for the estimate on the number of pilots for next year at AirTran.

Do you have any idea about when we might get a phone call for the next class? Just wondering how far out AirTran will know something.



PL

 

[flx757]

That's a tough one to answer sometimes because things have beren known to change rather quickly around here. But, like I mentioned earlier, I think this is reliable info about Boeing delaying the delivery schedule, so I wouldn't expect anything for at least several months.

It's hard to predict these things, but I can tell you what happened in the past. Last year when they started delaying the new hire classes because they were accelerating the DC-9 retirements, and therefore the transitioning DC-9 pilots were filling the available 717 slots, I was given my Aug class date sometime in mid-late June. So, I had plenty of notice. Then again, I have heard stories of guys given very little notice. I do think this time however, will be one of those times when they will know fairly far in advance of the new delivery dates, and can plan classes accordingly.

 

[Flying Freddie]

Anyone know when the next scheduled delivery of a 717 is? That may help on when the hiring will continue. Also, Has the upgrade program slowed at all?

 

[FLB717]

My understanding is that 717 deliveries will continue but the 4 deffered deliveries were extras from AMR. Dont know if its true but that was what Ive pieced together. Yeah it slows the upgrade for now, but when April comes it will go into overdrive due to 717 and 737 deliveries (growth). This last delivery deal hosed me. But Ive still got a good job some no real $ pain.