Flying Down At AirTran..Furlough Next?

[Flying Freddie]

Just heard from a friend at AirTran that the May flying is down. What gives?

 

[SWA/FO]

Everyone is flocking to Song.....?

(be nice guys)

 

[AlbieF15]

Ok...step away from the flightinfo forum for just a second, and go turn on your TV. CNN or Fox, CNBC or MSNBC, or even a network news show will do...

While we wah wah'd about furloughs, pay for training, mil verses civ, etc....there was a war in Iraq. We have just about won, but things are still a bit messy.

Our mideast brethren have a habit of trying to blow up airplanes when they are mad at us--and right now it would appear lots of them are. You may hold up the odds of getting hurt on your Airtran flight as very low, but mom, and aunt Sally, and the rest of the vacationing travelling public is at least giving pause to the ramifications of war. People also tend to be stingy with money in uncertain times, and travel is often a "discretionary" expense that can wait for better times. While getting whacked by a terrorist act my be a low probability, even the hint of such a terrible act is enough to give one pause before planning a summer vacation to Europe this year (much less the reception from the French et al)

Ok...my tone is light...and I don't mean to mock...but with a war on you cannot expect high volumes and load factors. These tough times aren't just going to evaporate...recovery will be methodical and slow....IMHO.

 

[Networ-King]

SWA F/O

Dude,

You and I have had words before and I just refuse to start with you again, but you do realize that your basically in the same catagory with the retard that started the flame bait post about song. I don't know, maybe you just need to get out and get leid or something. But Im pretty sure that everybody can put 2 and 2 together and realize that your posts are nothing but flame bait.

 

[Freight Dog]

Rumor network in Hawaii has it that Airtran wants Hawaiian's B717's for the going price while Hawaiian doesn't want to pay that price. Since Hawaiian is in Chapter 11, and there is an interested party willing to pay the rates Boeing wants for their airplanes, makes things a little interesting about what will happen with Hawaiian.

More airplanes = more flying, right?

 

[Ty Webb]

Flamin' Freddie

Hey, Flamin' Freddie:

Give me a break.

Our loads have been very good, with the exception of some NYC and Washington area flights (wonder why) . . . . in fact, we're having problems getting our guys to and from home, the flights are so full.

Talked to reservations today .. . . . they said the call volume slowed for a few days, now they're getting overtime, so if you still have "issues" why don't you ask our CFO when he is featured on USAToday.com this Tuesday.

BTW- what dog do you have in this fight, anyway?

 

[fr8doggydog]

A little premature speculation I'd say...

 

[flx757]

Freddie;

Not sure what you mean by "flying is down". The line value index (average value for all lines) on the 717 for May is 84.88. For April it was 84.60. Total number of lines for the 717 (not counting build-up or reserve) for May is 225. The total for April, 223. Load factor yesterday 85.5%

That doesn't sound "down" to me.

Maybe you should stick to the facts instead of what your "friends" say. Or better yet, just crawl back into your hole and continue pulling on your "gear", since that's the only thing you seem to be good at.

By the way, the May bid packet includes a vacancy bid for 23 717 Capts, and 26 717 FOs, with a reduction of 6 DC-9 Capts. The next class starts on the 24th of this month.

 

[750driver]

That doesn't sound "down" to me. Maybe you should stick to the facts instead of what your "friends" say. Or better yet, just crawl back into your hole and continue pulling on your "gear", since that's the only thing you seem to be good at.

How does commentary like this help anyone on a professional forum?

 

[Heavy Set]

AirTran Pilot Bases?

A little off subject, but what are the main AirTran pilot bases? Obviously Atlanta is a base - but what are the others? I thought Ft. Lauderdale but I could be mistaken....

I love those 717s - they have great ZIP.............. and awesome flight decks...

 

[flx757]

Heavy Set,

ATL is the only pilot base.

750driver,

I posted facts to refute Freddie's flame bait. Sorry you seem offended by my response to his flames, they were directed to him and only him. There are many posters on this board, Freddie included, who do nothing but post flame bait. How do their commentary help anyone on a professional forum?

I've posted the facts, so there's no reason to discuss this subject further. See ya.

 

[750driver]

Flx757,

I understand your rationale, but it's not worth letting these guys get to you. No offense taken here. Take care.

750Driver

 

[Flying Freddie]

Hey,
I did not think I was flaming. My buddy is a new hire and he was all freaked. That is why I posted here, to get many different thoughts. Gotta go and check that the gear came up!

 

[717pilot]

Freddy....before you post anything here, try to get some facts. There are plenty of AIRTRAN guys here who can give you the info you want. FACT 1-AIRTRAN is hiring. A big class will start on April 24th. FACT 2-A class will start on May 15. I personally talked to head of HR last week and she told me that there may be a second class in MAY. FACT 3- AIRTRAN is interviewing as we speak for July class dates. So tell your friend to chill out and have fun on the 717. I believe AIRTRAN will show a nice profit for 1st quarter and should announce new cities in the next 60 days. Those of you coming to class soon welcome aboard and have fun....

 

[atldc9]

Before we all get hot and bothered over this, the flying in May is down at AirTran. It was a planned reduction due to the earlier then planned retirement of 3 Dc-9s. The feds would not grant a waiver for 1 month on the new door requirements. The aircraft were scheduled to be retired next month, but since we could not get an extension on the new door, they pulled them out April 9th. Overall, the ASM's are still up, blaock hours are still growing, and most importantly, we are still hiring at least 1 class a month.

I'm sorry the facts aren't as interesting as some would have liked them to be.

 

[Flying Freddie]

ATLDC9,
Thanks for the answer. Now things make sense.

 

[Midnight Mike]

The title is a little strange? I have only heard good things about Airtran loads. Do you have a link to provide the rest of us more information?

 

[flx757]

Freddie, (and 750Driver),

Sorry about the comment. I usually try and make informative posts and provide answers to people's questions without the commentary that is so prevalent on this board. So, I apologize again.

Thanks also to atldc9 for his information. I only had access to the 717 flying stats. I knew the DC-9 flying is gradually being reduced until they are all retired by October (at least that's the last I heard). Basically, I just wanted folks to know that overall, things are still moving forward.

 

[FL717]

The problem with this thread is twofold.

First.. the title and the "facts" as Freddie has said. The title questions a "furlough", yet he doesn't back his thread title with any common sense. In fact his thread title sounds like something from a journalist, looking for a grab. His statement is from a supposed "friend" who is in a new hire class. Does that sound like we might furlough? Why doesn't he ask his friend.. after all his "friend" is actually AT the training center watching all the new pilots and flight attendants come rolling through the door every day to start new classes. His "friend" should have the facts, in fact his "friend" would definitely have info on furloughs, since he'd be the first to go.

Second.. Flx757 has it right. Do a search on some of Freddies posts, and there is very little valid "info" that comes from him as far as I can tell.

 

[Ty Webb]

Agreed- the title of his post was inflammatory, and it's not the first time.

When you shout "Fire!" in a theater, don't be surprised if you get hosed.

 

[Bad-Andy]

flx,

Any truth to the rumors about a BWI base? A buddy of mine mentioned a "phantom bid," or something to that effect.

 

[atldc9]

As long as I am here, there will never be a BWI base. That would make my life far too easy!!!!

The phantom bid was to try and see where the new aircraft would fall in seniority, and subsequently training.

 

[flx757]

I agree with atldc9. The BWI base had been talked about for some time, but that talk has completely died out. I don't see it happening. I think if a base in the NE were to happen, PHL would be a more likely candidate. (What the heck, why not fuel another rumor. )

Like atldc9 said, the "phantom bid" was to gauge how the new aircraft (labled XXX) would fall seniority wise. I'm curious how it turned out, although I'm not sure we will know. Maybe some "insider" has that information??

 

[FL717]

It is my guess PHL is going to get ALOT more flying in the next 12 months. It will take alot for this company to spend the $$ to open a new crew base.

As far as the phantom bid, I believe it was predominantly done as a management assessment tool for a decision regarding the ultimate schedule for new aircraft delivery versus retirement aircraft. This new aircraft could cost us a fortune in B-717 training for the DC-9 guys who go to the B-717 only to be eligible to bid new equipment in 1 year. The new aircraft training may be free initially, but interim 717 training is still costly, especially for only a 1 year equipment lock.

Timing is everything, and the company wants to have all available info and look at all angles up front, hence the "phantom" bid.

Just my observations.

 

[717pilot]

Hey FL717..did you participate in the phantom bid? I thought it was kinda silly...Bidding on a unknown!! Ill bid when theres something pernament. Which hopefully will be coming out soon. By the way dont take my line for MAY....Ill have to send "GUIDO..the killer PIMP after you! Hey good to see you the other day and take care....

 

[FL717]

Hey FL717..did you participate in the phantom bid? I thought it was kinda silly...Bidding on a unknown!! Ill bid when theres something pernament. Which hopefully will be coming out soon. By the way dont take my line for MAY....Ill have to send "GUIDO..the killer PIMP after you! Hey good to see you the other day and take care....

Well since it was a "phantom" bid I decided to submit a "phantom" fax. Not sure if they got it or not. I bid B-757 based in Kansas City (MCI). Hope I get it...!!

BTW.. I took your May line... wait.. your senior to me old man........doooh!



D@mmit Jim, I'm a doctor not a forklift - Doctor McCoy

 

[flx757]

I bid B-757 based in Kansas City (MCI). Hope I get it...!!

If you do, you want me to teach you how to fly it??

 

[FL717]

If you do, you want me to teach you how to fly it??

Hey what does a B-757 rent for "wet"? How much you charging for dual these days? Tell you what, I'll trade helping you fix citrix and the bidding page if you help me learn the 757. Deal?

BTW - Were you able to get your bid in online? I was actually able to bid without disabling my firewall this month. POS!