AirTran Upgrade

[willard]

I was wondering what upgrade time a newhire in the last 1/2 of '05 can expect. Based on arriving aircraft it seems that growth will slow significantly in several yrs., pushing upgrade back considerably. I heard they expect to grow to 2000 or so pilots, and they past 1000 last year. Are there many retirements expected? I know no one can predict the future at this this or any co. in this industry, but would like to know what the concensus is on this matter. Also, I recieved a job offer and was wondering what the class schedule is, I have yet to get assigned one. Thanks for the replys.

 

[TV9Driver]

when I interviewed, they said it would be a 3 1/2 year upgrade. When I got to class in March, they were saying 2 1/2 year upgrade. Realistically, it's probably somewhere in the middle. They talked about slowing down deliveries of the 737 and slowing down hiring, but that has been scrapped and the hiring continues full force - about 250 a year for the next few years I think. The upgrade that I had as a sim partner had been there for 3 years.....Class schedules are pretty much Mon-Fri 8am to 4pm until you get to simulators, then it's a crap shoot.

 

[njcapt]

Congrats, Bill.

Johan

 

[Thunderchief]

Yeah, probably around 3 to 4 years realistically... I heard the same, anywhere from 2.5 to 4 years. Can you count on it, no but it is still pretty quick compared to most. The first year pay is $42/hr but if you are counting on the insurance, realize it is EXPENSIVE and that cuts into that 42 an hour!
Long story short..If your significant other works, get on his/her insurance!

-TC

 

[Ty Webb]

Well, you've got January '03 hires awarded upgrades right now in both aircraft, so you could say it is running two and a half years right now . . in about 6 months, upgrades will be awarded to guys at that point in the seniority list where we didn't hire for 6 months, so you will probably see it drop to a 24 month upgrade, until deliveries slow.

 

[llowwelll]

Based on hiring projections that were current as of a few months ago for people hired around the beginning of the year, upgrade time should be running just short of three years. I'd say that means people starting class this summer would be looking at right at a three year upgrade. However, there has been talk of slowing deliveries if fuel prices remain above $55/barrel. If deliveries are slowed, then who knows how long upgrade will take.

Does anyone know what the latest rumors are regarding the delivery schedule?

 

[-9Capt]

I spoke to an ex-TWA guy just today who was just awarded the next 737 upgrade class. It took him exactly 2yrs and 8months. 717 slightly longer he says.

Retirements are around 12-14 a year for the next 3 yrs.

 

[BigEasy]

I did a ferry flight the other day with someone high up in the training department. Initially the company wanted to slow training down but reversed course. The classes should jump back up to over twenty or so starting around the September time frame. These classes will be heavy 737.

As for deliveries, I heard that we are still on schedule for this year and next.

Of course we all know things can change overnight.

Later.

 

[AFcitrus]

I was awarded 717 Captain at 2 years, 8 months. I start training next month. If you are willing to take first available upgrade instead of bypassing for better schedules, one can ugrade pretty fast here.

 

[Steeler Fan]

I was awarded 717 Captain at 2 years, 8 months. I start training next month. If you are willing to take first available upgrade instead of bypassing for better schedules, one can ugrade pretty fast here.

Hurry up and get thru training, so 75M and I can fly with you before we get upgrade slots.

 

[AFcitrus]

Shakin' the tree boss, shakin' the tree. I think the thing I am most looking forward to is not going to sleep every night of the trip dreaming about the 5 weight and balance forms I filled out that day. They're easy but monotenous.

Would love to fly with you Bill, we'll have a good time. Oh and by the way you won't have to worry about me taking the airplane from you as soon as the nose wheel touches the ground - another pet peave I have of some of our captains.

"I'll save ya" I have the airplane.

Cheers!!

 

[Steeler Fan]

Oh and by the way you won't have to worry about me taking the airplane from you as soon as the nose wheel touches the ground - another pet peave I have of some of our captains.

"I'll save ya" I have the airplane.

Cheers!!

Knowing what I know about how I fly, I wouldn't let me fly at all!

 

[stangdog]

Yo AirTran Homies

My buddy starting class in July. What type of equipment should he expect to be flying? 737 or 717? Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks for your time

 

[Steeler Fan]

My buddy starting class in July. What type of equipment should he expect to be flying? 737 or 717? Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks for your time

If he's starting at the end of July, then I'm thinking there will be 14 717s and 7 737s...the oldest guy in the class is the most senior, and the newhires pick in seniority order.

 

[Ty Webb]

Oh and by the way you won't have to worry about me taking the airplane from you as soon as the nose wheel touches the ground - another pet peave I have of some of our captains.

"I'll save ya" I have the airplane.

Cheers!!

I thought we retired all those guys . . . .

I remeber one guy in particular . . . I would finess it on smoothly, only to have him say, "I've got it" . . . and it would go from a nice smooth landing and roll-out into a series of excursions left and right as he pawed at the brakes . . . . and then, the obligatory, unnecessary hard braking to make the first turnoff . . . you could almost hear the pax in the back, chipping their teeth on the tray of the seat in front of them.

"Geez, I guessed you did save us . . . . from a smooth ending to this flight".