JetBLue, AirTran, or Alaska?

[humuakalaka]

Just wondering what y'alls opinions are. Aside from commuting issues, which one is the best choice if I'm lucky enough to be able to make the choice? These three seem close in terms of which is best to work for.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

That’s a good question, I have been weighting the pros and cons between AirTran and Alaska too. I came up with FO pay is better at Alaska, but upgrade could be as long as 7-10 years, AirTran upgrade around 3 years. It seems Airtran has a better relationship with Management then Alaska. Pilots I have met at Airtran seem to be very happy, at Alaska they used to be very happy, but now are very upset with Management. But we all that can change on a dime at AirTran.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I dont work for any of the above (although I used to work for AirTran) but I would pick Alaska for one reason.

They have engineered, developed, and OWN a lot of the instrument approaches that they use at some of the small towns in Alaska. They are the ONLY economic driver for those towns. They are the only access to the national transportation system for those people. Alaska relies upon that airline.

I just cant see them ever going away. We must be getting pretty far away from 09/11. People are starting to forget about JOB SECURITY in favor of a quick upgrade again.

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

They have engineered, developed, and OWN a lot of the instrument approaches that they use at some of the small towns in Alaska. They are the ONLY economic driver for those towns. They are the only access to the national transportation system for those people. Alaska relies upon that airline.

as if no one else could ever do this?

 

[English]

They are the ONLY economic driver for those towns. They are the only access to the national transportation system for those people. Alaska relies upon that airline.

I just cant see them ever going away. We must be getting pretty far away from 09/11. People are starting to forget about JOB SECURITY in favor of a quick upgrade again.

Hmmm, I remember some pilots at Aloha that used to say that all the time about Hawaii.

 

[Ty Webb]

Alaska may be the better company to work for, but I'm not sure that your job security would be better at Alaska. I was hired at AirTran after 9/11 and am already in the top half of the seniority list. I'm sure people at Jet Blue could say the same thing.

As for the morale at AK, it is very hard to go backwards. Hopefully, things will improve there.

In the unlikely event that you end up with offers from all three, it's gonna come down to what is important to YOU . . . fast upgrade in mainline aircraft (FL), progressive management (JB), or west coast bases, more challenging flying and pictures of senior TWA flight attendants on the vertical stab (AK).

Good luck, Stryker, we're all counting on you.

 

[Benhuntn]

Go and research these 3 companies like you were going to invest every penny you have in just one. The company that looks like it has the business plan that can sustain it through the good and the ugly is the one you want to pick, without consideration for commuting etc. Just my thought.

 

[semperfido]

Go and research these 3 companies like you were going to invest every penny you have in just one. The company that looks like it has the business plan that can sustain it through the good and the ugly is the one you want to pick, without consideration for commuting etc. Just my thought.

it is still a crap shoot. i would just put them on a dart board and have at it. in ten years you will be surprised how it all turned out.

 

[radarlove]

This is an easy question to answer. Take the first job that is offered. If you get offered a second job while you already have the first, then you'll know more to make an informed decision.

Also, it would be easier to get a job at Alaska (Airtran) if you were already employed at Airtran (Alaska).

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

You wont know if you got it right untill your 60 and can look back.

 

[mach none]

You wont know if you got it right untill your 60 and can look back.

Isn't that the truth.

Alaska's upgrade should improve...one would hope. Pursue all three with equal vigor and ultimately the first one that comes through...DING, DING DING, we have a winner. Even better if you get to choose between two. Then it just comes down to following your heart and your research.

 

[XBOEINGDRVR]

Alaska or JB. Think long and hard about airtran. Been there, done that- pm me for details....

 

[Falconjet]

What about FedEx or UPS?

FJ

 

[Airtran Fanatic]

Airtran definitely!!!

But then i may be a little biased.... honestly ... its different for every person.. I would say that 70% of pilots choose their airline based on the domiciles...

However, please dont come here if your hearts not in it. If you think you would rather go to Jetblue or Alaska, please save the spot for someone who wants to be here.

 

[bestpilot]

Airtran definitely!!!

But then i may be a little biased.... honestly ... its different for every person.. I would say that 70% of pilots choose their airline based on the domiciles...

Naw Duuude, aint choosin da Tranny causa da base in da Aay-Teeee-Elllle. Dude, Ty Guy be commutin and he be luvvin it here...

Airtran definitely!!!


However, please dont come here if your hearts not in it. If you think you would rather go to Jetblue or Alaska, please save the spot for someone who wants to be here.

Dat Duuude dat be sayin Dat you should like be thinkin twice abouts da Tranny aint like knowin what da Tranny be like in like da present times, cause Dude, it ROCKS!!!!!

My brother from da Fanatical mother, Dude, how you be likin da Tranny, dude? Da peeps are like cool and like be wantin to like get like BooooKooo cool dudes here so dat we can like be chillin at da Tranny, yeah, freaking great Kharma at da Tranny, yeah.

 

[Ty Webb]

Alaska or JB. Think long and hard about airtran. Been there, done that- pm me for details....

What current info would you possibly have about AirTran? Let's hear all about your AirTran "knowlege". I doubt it's very deep or very current. I have been here for four years, and I have seen one Capt leave in that time, so you either weren;t here very long, or it was a long time ago.

 

[humuakalaka]

Thanks for the opinions fellas. I'm trying to get some points of view brought into my decision-making process that I may be missing without asking for advice. I know that part of choosing an airline is a crap shoot, but which of these do y'all think offers the best chance for a satisfying career based on your best conjecture? Is there some kind of fatal flaw at any of these airlines that I'm not thinking of? Does one of them have significantly better prospects than the others?

 

[dually]

Would someone with info please offer an opinion on Frontier
Thanks.

 

[CatfishVT9]

Thanks for the opinions fellas. I'm trying to get some points of view brought into my decision-making process that I may be missing without asking for advice. I know that part of choosing an airline is a crap shoot, but which of these do y'all think offers the best chance for a satisfying career based on your best conjecture? Is there some kind of fatal flaw at any of these airlines that I'm not thinking of?

Yeah, they are all Airlines........

Just figure out what is most important to you. I looked at future growth, history during tough times, difficulty/ease of commute, type of equipment. If you make a list of how each one stacks up in relation to your priorities, one should rise to the top for you. You'll also find that the interview is a 2 way street. One company may get a + or - when you are face to face.

 

[Vingus]

I can't think of one good reason to go to Airtran except a paycheck. Talk about an un-sexy airline. They have no marketing or branding (unless you count having Elton John painted on your airplane).

I do hear that Airtran has a good product for the customers, but what is keeping them except price.

My dollar is JB. They are estimating growing four times in size in the next 4-5 years. Talk about a ground floor opportunity. Plus, JB gets all sorts of free publicity from about everywhere you look or listen. People love JB and talk about it all the time to all their friends and familiy.

As for Alaska, I guess if you like the Pacific Northwest.