Airtran upgrade time

[ADG]

Sorry dudes, too lazy to do a search.

What is the average upgrade time at Airtran?

Any rumors lately about any "other" new bases?

I know you are getting the 737-700, but what about the 800?

Is there a pay rate for the 737's?

Thanks for the info and once again I apologize for not doing a search. (Plus it's good to get some fresh info and sometimes a new perspective.)

ADG

 

[FLB717]

3 years, will drop fast.

No

Yes-some?

Same, -800 + 13%

Sorry, 2 Lazy to type more words.

 

[ADG]

Thanks for the info.

3 years and dropping. that's great.

ADG

 

[Ty Webb]

Historically, its been closer to 2 years, but the retirement of the DC9 fleet dragged that number down.

If we are receiving 16 more aircraft this year, that should amount to around 96 CA slots, plus approximately 10 more retirements, for a total of 106 new Captain slots out of 425 FO's.

It looks to me like my number should come up at the end of summer, which would make 2 years and 9 months.

 

[Heavy Set]

Is the 737-700 proving to be a popular bid among Captains and FOs? I understand that the 800 should bring more bids given the pay raise, but is the 700 generating much interest off the bat?

Will many newhires go straight into the 700?

 

[XGmaninGA]

Initial 737 CA bids went VERY senior. Although one FO just a few numbers from me got an upgrade on the last bid. FOs bidding over are ones that get the two year seat lock reduced to one for new equipment. So they have about one year seniority. Looks like a lot of new hires will be going to 73s. Some will get the 717 since we will be getting some new ones. Although with movement and upgrades starting, who knows what the class splits will be.

 

[Music]

With regard to XG's post, I am the FO that he is referring to that just got the 737 CA Slot. Just to clear up any questions regarding upgrade at this time; I have been at the company 3 years (this month). I received an 717 CA slot last year but was reduced back to FO when the company did not receive 4 717's that were projected to get (Many of you will recall that's when all of the new-hire classes were cancelled last year) In last months bid for the 717, I was one seniority number away from a CA slot on that airplane too. From the people that I've been talking to right around my seniority, there are more than I would have expected bidding the 73'. I also expect in the next year the upgrade window to drop down and hang in the 1.5-2 year range once training gets going. I begin training June 7th, so I will be looking forward to all of you guys that will be in the May 27th class.

Music

 

[Sensei]

I just started in the 29 April class. We were tentatively offered 6 737s and 12 717s for our class of 18. We were told the upgrade time to captain would be longer in the 737 although the quality of life as a senior FO would be good since there were only 6 737FOs in front of us. By the way I opted for the 717--I can't seem to get the DC-9 out of me The 737s would initially take over some of the routes for the 717 before they are put on the long haul routes--so we were told. If I remember right there will be 2 737s coming in June to start with and working towards a total number of 100 for the 737 fleet. -800s maybe in the future but no firm date. Lots of info on the first 2 days--my brain is full. I have a headache.

Sensei

 

[CatfishVT9]

Choosing wisely......???

How about some advice for those getting ready to start on 27 May. I'm guessing we will have some sort of split between the 717 and 737.

So the question is, what are the pros/cons of selecting either airplane?

Some related sub-questions:

-No pay difference now, could that change with the next contract?

-How about a 737 FO upgrading to 717 CA? Would the training be difficult, or reasonably easy to succeed?

Thanks!
Catfish

 

[Music]

Catfish,

As a newhire, the pro/cons are almost evenly split between the two airplanes. I would have to put the advantage with the 717 though because the aircraft has been on the property for awile and most of the bugs have been worked out in training. I can vouch for that because I am (was) an instructor on 717. Schedule would have to go to the 717 also due to the wide variety of trips available although you will have a line much sooner with the 737. Lastly, it's personal preference with regard to type of flying that you want to do. Generally long or short haul flying, Douglas or boeing varient, etc.

With regard to the upgrade, the 717 is slightly more automated (i.e. all systems are integrated into the glass cockpit rather than traditionally layed out on the overhead panel like the 737) than the 737NG and of course the cockpit layouts are much different. But a glass airplane is a glass airplane. The automation concepts are the same. Speaking from a training perspective, if you are comfortable with your abilities and do the appropriate amount of studying, it shouldn't be a problem. The key in confidence and preperation.

Music

 

[islandhoper]

May 27th class

Some more questions about the class:

-How is seniority assigned durinf trainnig: age or social #?
-Starting on a thursday do you get the weekend off?
-When did you get the ID?

I was told by Gretta that she thinks the first 2 days are info about pay and benefits. True statement?

Is the trainning center near the airport? I have only been to ATL once. Does ground transportation work well in the city?


Thanks, we'll see you in about 3 more weeks!

Islandhoper

 

[Music]

Islandhoper,

-How is seniority assigned durinf trainnig: age or social #?

Age

Starting on a thursday do you get the weekend off?

I believe so

-When did you get the ID?

Day 1 or 2

-I was told by Gretta that she thinks the first 2 days are info about pay and benefits. True statement?

True

-Is the trainning center near the airport? I have only been to ATL once. Does ground transportation work well in the city?

The training center is about 3 miles from the airport. MARTA works well within ATL however the closest station is at the airport. Your best bet is to stay at one of the many hotels that are near the training center. There should be some information about lodging in the packet that you receive.

Music

 

[Lifter]

Next Training Class

I was wondering when the next training class after this one in May is scheduled?
Catfish and Island, have you kept in contact with the others in your interview group? How are the % looking for for being offered a class date?

 

[Heavy Set]

I would think the 717 would be a better choice for a newhire at this point given so many 717s on the property and the inherent variety in routes and schedules. That airplane really has some zip to it on takeoff too...

Sensei,

You mentioned that you "opted" for the 717 - did you have a choice given your seniority in the class?

Any word on eventual winglets on the 737-700? I saw an Aero Mexico 737-700 with winglets and it looked great!

 

[CatfishVT9]

Lifter,

I have contacts with the others in the group. So far I only know of 3 of 9 that are confirmed hired. Don't read too much into that since some guys may not have emailed a response. I'm hesitant to send out an "I'm hired, how bout you?" email out of respect for the guys who might not be hired.

One I know of that was turned down.

Islandhoper, unless you're 45, I'm senior to you!!!

Catfish

 

[Sensei]

We (our class) took an unofficial poll of who wanted what. I was #11 out of 18. The first 3 senior guys wanted the 737 and most of the younger guys wanted the 737 as well. So that gave me the option (?) of choosing the 737. I used to be an IP in the C-9 so I thought the transition to the 717 would be easier for me. Both airplanes are great, but I also think that the 737 will have a few issues to work out when it comes online soon. Just my opinion.

Sensei

 

[Music]

I was wondering when the next training class after this one in May is scheduled?

Lifter,

I can't give you an exact date but I know that there is an upgrade class running at the end of June, so a good guess would be the middle of June.

Any word on eventual winglets on the 737-700? I saw an Aero Mexico 737-700 with winglets and it looked great!

Heavy Set,

None of our -700's will have winglets. All of our -800's will have them though.

Music

 

[Steeler Fan]

Airtrancrew?

Anybody else having trouble accessing this from home computer today???

Is something going on with Citrix?

 

[FL717]

Re: Airtrancrew?

Anybody else having trouble accessing this from home computer today???
Is something going on with Citrix?

I was just on it 1 hour ago... it seemed to be working. If you can't log in call me on my cell phone and we'll see if its your expired registry.

I'll be glad when we switch away from Citrix!

To the people asking the questions:

Asking upgrade questions is important, but remember the answers mean zero.

I took my upgrade checkride last November exactly 31 months and 1 day from new hire... and I was in the middle of a seat lock due to bidding DC-9 FO to B-717 FO. Everything is a big "what if" crapshoot!! By policy I should still be an FO, yet I upgraded and now there are people senior to me from my new hire class trying to get an upgrade class and locks aren't being released, and they are stuck.

Go figure.

 

[flx757]

I agree with FL717. When I interviewed, in Jan '02, I was told to expect an upgrade in about 9 months. My class will actually upgrade around the 3 year mark. With the upcoming planned expansion, that number will probably drop.

But, until you are sitting in the upgrade class, no one really knows how long it will take.