Alaska or AirTran

[Pooley1]

Looking for a little advice. I never thought I would be in this position. Alaska or AirTran. Been in the Alaska pool since Jan 2003. Recently picked up by AirTran. My perception, though I may be off, is that AirTran is on the upswing and Alaska is holding steady. Seat movement is quicker at AirTran while pay and benefits better at Alaska pending the outcome of contract talks.


Any advice? Maybe something I'm not thinking about.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Why not just take the job at AirTran and then go to Alaska when they take you out of the pool?


Do you want to live in Atlanta or the west coast?

Would you rather fly to Juneau or Philadelphia?

Good luck with your decision. It would be nice to have a choice like that.

GP

 

[av8instyle]

fwiw

If you need help with this one you probably better go with AT.

 

[Ted Striker]

Go to Airtran.

 

[thruthemurk]

Looking for a little advice. I never thought I would be in this position. Alaska or AirTran. Been in the Alaska pool since Jan 2003. Recently picked up by AirTran. My perception, though I may be off, is that AirTran is on the upswing and Alaska is holding steady. Seat movement is quicker at AirTran while pay and benefits better at Alaska pending the outcome of contract talks.


Any advice? Maybe something I'm not thinking about.

Advice I got early on - take the best offer you have on a given day. Today, that appears to be Airtran. If and when Alaska gives you a classdate, you can make your decision with all the perspective and experience you gain between now and then.

JMO,
Brian

 

["Next Wave"]

Airtran, quietly expanding, upgrade is the name of the game. And great people
thats what makes you love going to work, when you enjoy it the pay will come. I had a similiar offer on the table. I turned down Airtran in 2000 and reget it.
Let my hine sight be your 20/20; Airtran and enjoy life!!!

 

[mach none]

It appears I will be the lone voice in the crowd. Go to Alaska. It is a great airline. We have lots of retirements coming up and a route structure that is second to none. We will have lots of movement and expansion. Just have to wait for the contract to be settled. Even with concessions and everything, we will make more and have a retirement. No slam intended, we are just an older airline with a more mature contract than AT.

Good luck. I am sure glad I am here and not on the east coast again.

Mach none

 

[lumax]

I vote Alaska. Great people to work with. In the 3 years I have been here, I can honestly say that I have not flown with any jacka$$es. Great route structure, that mostly keeps you in one time zone. If you want transcon, then you have your choice of about 8 destinations (as Mach said, probably more once the contract is worked out). Awesome Mexico layovers. Challenging flying in SE Alaska. Fast movement since retirements will be about 40-60 per year for at least the next 20 years.

Good luck!

 

[Ty Webb]

The person you need to talk to is FLX757. Try to PM him. He has been at both, and can give you insight that most others cannot.


Good luck. I think it comes down to where do you want to live, and what kind of flying do you want to do.

 

[captain caveman]

Doesn't anyone take QOL into consideration? I know a guy who lives in SEA and commutes to ATL who wishes he worked for Alaskan. Of course, the opposite could apply. I can only think of 2 or 3 markets that these 2 carriers have in common. Both are very good places to be because they both allow leather jackets. I'll be happy to fill the vacancy you leave at either place. Good luck. cc

 

[mach none]

Doesn't anyone take QOL into consideration? I know a guy who lives in SEA and commutes to ATL who wishes he worked for Alaskan. Of course, the opposite could apply. I can only think of 2 or 3 markets that these 2 carriers have in common. Both are very good places to be because they both allow leather jackets. I'll be happy to fill the vacancy you leave at either place. Good luck. cc

I think you mean ALASKA. I would not base my decision on who lets you wear leather jackets.

 

[Pooley1]

Thanks to everyone. I appreciate you comments. Good luck to everyone!

 

[Dart]

How and who do you send a resume to at airtran..Do you have to know someone who works there? Thanks

 

[Freight Dog]

I'd go for Alaska myself. West Coast bases, great group of people, established carrier, and so forth. But then again, I'm partial to the West Coast.

I would think it really boils down to where you want to live.

 

[English]

Alaska. But if you are asking the question, then Alaska is not for you.

 

[Ted Striker]

Alaska. But if you are asking the question, then Alaska is not for you.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[AK737FO]

AirTran (Please!)

Go to AirTran, and plan on staying there. The fact that this question even entered your mind, tells me that you are not going to like it here. It is a bit sad that you even made it through the entire interview process and were offered a job. I guess our HR department still makes mistakes from time to time.
I wish you a long, happy and prosperous career at AirTran!

 

[Falconjet]

?

av8instyle, AK737FO, English and Ted: I have a question for you folks. Why do you throw out that type of reply ('if you have to ask you don't belong at AK', if I may paraphrase) and leave it at that? I understand that AK is a major with a proud history and a very well defined market. It also has good pay and benefits (a retirement, yea), and I can only assume a pretty decent group of pilots and managers.

These, or course are all in contrast with the startup, LCC, growing and profitable model of Airtran. What I don't understand is why don't you offer your insights and opinions as to why the AK model is better instead of just casting the question off as off base.

If you are going to reply, you might as well offer some insight as well as the commentary on how the person asking the question just doesn't get it. They are trying to get it, and are asking for some opinions from others in the industry who might be able to help.

I happen to agree with your choice in this case in a generic sense, but I'm sure there are plenty of reasons you could share with Pooley to support your opinions, which might help Poolie decide which way to go. Remember, there are no stupid questions*, and treating people like their question is stupid isn't going to help them.

*(Yes, I know, there are only stupid people!)

Just some thoughts.

FJ

 

[EternalOptimist]

Falconjet,

Alaska Airlines is looking for pilots who are sold on flying for Alaska Airlines. If Poolie is not 100% sold on flying for Alaska Airlines (especially after having been offered a job there) then he should make room in the pool for another candidate. The responses from those at Alaska are not intended to make Poolie feel stupid for asking the question, they are responding honestly. Alaska is by far the better choice for many reasons: stability, pay, benefits, route structure, growth potential, great people to fly with, etc. But the fact that he made it through the interview process tells me that he did his research and knows all that. If he is actually considering flying for AirTran given the fact that he has a job offer at Alaska, he's not committed to Alaska and therefore is not the type of pilot Alaska Airlines is looking for. He should take the AirTran job and let someone who REALLY wants to fly for Alaska have his slot. I'm not judging his character for considering AirTran, kudos to him for even having the option, I'm just saying that there are a ton of qualified people out there who desparately want to fly for Alaska Airlines and are just praying for a chance to interview. Poolie should step out of the pool and give others a shot at their dream if he's not committed enough.

 

[Ted Striker]

av8instyle, AK737FO, English and Ted: I have a question for you folks. Why do you throw out that type of reply ('if you have to ask you don't belong at AK', if I may paraphrase) and leave it at that?


Sorry, I should have explained. Eternal Optimist did a good job. The people that should be there are the ones that have dreamed about being there since they were kids and anything else is second fiddle. To make it all the way to the pool and then pull the plug seems asanine to some of us. Alaska is something that is in your blood and soul, not just a job. I didn't mean to sound like a jerk, but if he is having any questions or doubts-that's his answer. The people there are passionate about the company and that part of the world. Having someone that doesn't share that is something they try to avoid. Hope that helps, again I wasn't trying to be sarcastic or anything. I think he'll have a great time at Airtran-it seems like a great company that is going places.