ATA's 2004 Hiring Projections

[R985]

ATA Hiring 90 pilots the first 90 days of 2004!

The ATA Flight Operations stated in their December message to the flight crews that the final class of 2003 started Indoctrination on November 12. That class brings the total new-hires for 2003 to 228. The company plans to hire approximately 90 pilots during the first 90 days of 2004 and at least 130 pilots for the year. The company said the 2004 business plan is still evolving and the total number of new-hires for 2004 has not been finalized.

 

[SELFloadingCRGO]

R985,

Thank you for keeping us up to date on the numbers, it is truly appreciated!

Cheers!
SLC

 

[Pig]

Application

I just got an ATA application in the mail today. Are they sending those out to alot of people who sent in resume's now to cover interview needs for the next year?

 

[R985]

Pig

They are probably looking for some people to interview starting in Jan. Your C-5 military time means you have heavy aircraft time and probably some international flying experience also. They do hire into the right seat off all three Acft types and both the L1011 and the B757 fly international charters.

The 737 type could be of some help also since we have 32 of them. Look out for questions like: Have you applied to SWA? Who would you go to work for if ATA and SWA both called with class dates? Why would you choose ATA over SWA?

If you have any ex-military buddies at ATA that have written you a letter of recommendation that is the most likely reason you got an application with your low total flight time. 2500 hrs TT is the minimum that ATA will even consider. They seem to give preferential treatment to resumes accompanied with a letter of recommendation. That may get you in the interview door and than it is up to you to impress them and not embarrass your buddy!

 

[sayagain?]

Listening to one of the chief pilots explain the interview process to another pilot, this is what he basically said. Resumes sent in with a letter of rec (from an ATA employee) will get you an application. Once the app is recvd, it is "graded" and then decidied if they feel you are competitve to bring in for an interview. Not necessary to send in another letter of rec along with your app. However, if you are called in for an interview, bring another letter or two because each interview item is scored and a letter of rec will give you 5 points. Hope this helps a little.

sayagain?

 

[Pig]

Didn't have a letter of rec. I know of only 1 guy from a while ago at ATA but have not been in touch with him. I do have a couple hundred more hours than listed right now. That's not much more though. Maybe they're just being less picky right now.

As far as ATA v. SWA, I have heard that ATA is in the most precarious position of any major carrier right not. One airline stock analyst predicted they would be squeezed out of business as soon as the legacy carriers add capacity back with the upturn in the economy. I couldn't lie to them at the interview and tell them SWA doesn't interest me since they are much more stable. Not that I'd necessarily get an interview with ATA. Or do they pretty much interview everyone that returns a completed application to them?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[BoilerUP]

I don't think ATA is going to be going anywhere over the long-term. True they have had some short-term cashflow issues, but it seems they were very active in talking to creditors and resolving the issue before it became a major problem. I'd venture to say they are in much better shape than either of the U's.

I really enjoy meeting the ATA applicants when they are up at Purdue doing their sim ride. For the most part, they are all very friendly individuals that don't mind chatting up the students if they aren't immedately focused elsewhere. Now, if they would just stop breaking the -200 sim....

Remember - with ATA, you're on vacation!

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

As far as ATA v. SWA, I have heard that ATA is in the most precarious position of any major carrier right not. One airline stock analyst predicted they would be squeezed out of business as soon as the legacy carriers add capacity back with the upturn in the economy.

Most precarious position??? I didn't think so, but American might start giving us a good fight. I thought USAir and UAL were worse off.

I wonder if capacity will be added without thought of profit.
ATA has a very low CASM and adding too much capacity will just continue losses at those carriers that do it..

BTW, so far that stock analyst has missed out on a good run in ATAH stock. Lets see how we do this quarter and make a judgement then.

 

[Pig]

I have heard everyone really likes the work environment at ATA. As far as financial viability, the UAL and USAir have both shed alot of debt coming out of bankrupcy court. Some think they should have been allowed to fail instead so as to give the non-bankrupt carriers a better chance. But being they were allowed to not pay bills and keep flying it put alot of financial pressure on the rest. I hope ATA does well, but I think they are the most leveraged carrier right now. Not alot of room to not be profitable. The analyst I read said UAL, I think, would be able to add back alot of capacity on the cheap having shed so much debt and costs and ATA was the least able to fend off any predatory pricing. It would definetly be a worry.

If I got an interview, and they asked if I'd accept an interview at SWA if hired by ATA, I think I'd have to tell them I would, because I really would. I wouldn't want to say no and then interview at SWA shortly after starting at ATA if they actually hired me. I'm sure that answer wouldn't enhance my chance of being offered a job at ATA though. Very understandable.

 

[Falconjet]

2 year training contract

Pig: ATA will cover the possibility of you jumping ship with the 2 year training contract. If you leave for another carrier within 2 years you will have to pay them for the training. So they have their bases covered.

 

[Pig]

I remember that know. I don't know if that will make a difference as to whether they'd offer a job to me if I tell them I'd interview at SWA. I wonder if the training contract actually covers all their expenses. I doubt it does. Thanks for that info though.

 

[Pig]

How much is the training bond or whatever they call it at ATA? Is is prorated monthly like the others I've heard about?

 

[UAL-GSO]

It's $24,000 prorated over 24 months.

 

[b757driver]

R985 & sayagain

Just wondering if you guys would clue me in on this whole process.

Been trying to get an interview for the past year with ATA. It took me 6 months to get an application. This was a result of asking an ATA new hire for a LOR (was a former Captain @ my last airline).
Filled out the app meticulously incl. those essay questions and when I felt it was the best I could get it, I sent it in. They received it mid July. I asked my LOR for a status check about 4 weeks later. I was told it was too early but he had his name plastered all over it and he said that was a good sign.

It is now 5 MONTHS and my circumstances have not changed, so there is nothing to update! Does anyone know of any candidate who has waited this long (or longer) and subsequently got called for interview?

As for grading & points, I have BOTH 121 and international time, am type rated on BOTH 737 and 757 and have the NG time as well. As you can see from my profile, I have more than plenty time.

I have researched recent (the last few months) successful candidates profiles and the one thing I noticed that was common is that they were all employed and left other flying jobs to join ATA. Also, that most were called within 2-3 months. My question is do you get a -5 points if you are unemployed and -10 if you are long-term unemployed? Not knowing, your mind tries to rationalize. I personally know of several pilots that have not flown since 9/11!! Besides, my LOR was unemployed when he got hired by ATA last spring. There's nothing more I can do except wait.

As you mention, it is the coveted interview that is the hardest to get. If you don't get that opportunity, then no matter how good you are, you will never be able to "shine" and tell 'em why they should hire you.

Any insights would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[sayagain?]

b757driver-

Have the ATA pilot that wrote you the LOR email IND and ask what your status is. I don't have the email address for this handy but they should be able to find it. They'll get back a reply in a week or so and it'll let you know if you are in the pile to interview or are passed up.

sayagain?