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Jetblue Or Air Tran Questions

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safe2solo

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2006
Posts
7
Howdy folks,

I'm new to the site and about to punch out of the military after 20. I can't seem to find any recent information on the following for either JetBlue or Air Tran:

1. PIC time to be competitive.
2. The "need" to have someone inside the company for a referral.
3. Quality of life.

Both JetBlue and Air Tran look like great opportunites, so I welcome any feedback. I know that there are others hiring right now, but I get grumpy flying the back side of the clock, and last time I checked, I don't have an extra 8K under the bed for a 737 stamp in my book.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
Both are doing very well right now, and hiring looks like it's going to continue for the long haul based on aircraft orders, so really, the biggest variable for you could be commuting.

In terms of knowing someone, yes, I think it helps alot. Unless you were a career copilot, you're definitely going to have enough mil PIC to be competitive.

If you know anyone here at AirTran, now would be a great time to get in touch with them. Same thing with JetBlue (although I'm not entirely sure how you get called for an interview there, and I'd rather let someone who works there provide that info to you).

The thing that you'll like is that, with your retirement income, 1st year won't be nearly as tough for you as it is for others (but as an AF Reservist, I'm still plugging along with commuting to both, which I strongly never recommend for anyone).

I really like AirTran alot, and I see the operation improving everyday. The contract will get done but may take awhile. Just don't get yourself worked up over things beyond your control.

Good luck.



Oh, by the way,



GO STEELERS!!!!!!!
 
AirTran is a good company and I think it's well-positioned for the future. It's one of the few passenger airlines to have been profitable for FY 05. AirTran reported a small profit for 05 and Jetblue was forecasting a relatively small loss for 05, though I have not seen the official actual results for them to see if that really happened. AirTran's non-fuel costs were actually lower than SWA's in the latest quarter. Our management has been very savvy (on the business side of things) over the last several years.

Commuting is definitely an issue in your decision since AirTran has only one domicile and that is ATL. JetBlue has (I believe) three domiciles; JFK, FLL, and LGB. It seems like JetBlue would be more appealing to a wider variety of folks in terms of commuting. To answer your question, most AirTran pilots do commute. The number is somewhere around 65% commuters.

As SteelersFan said, you should have more than enough PIC to be competitive at AirTran if your career path has been anywhere close to typical for your 20 years in the military. Having someone inside the company write a letter for you definitely helps but it seems going to one of the hiring conferences (Air Inc, WIA, OBAP, etc) can mitigate the lack of one if you don't have one. Why they like the hiring conferences so much I don't know but they definitely seem to like them.

Quality of life is pretty good if you don't kill yourself with a bad commute. FO's are off reserve fairly quickly (ranging from no reserve at all to three or four months on reserve). You can pretty much bid morning (0600-0900 or so showtimes) or afternoon trips and do three or four-day trips. Upgrade (IF the growth continues) is quick. It's running about 2.5-3 years at the moment. Typical lines are 80-85 hrs of credit. If you upgrade in your third year, pay is $106/hr. FO pay is substandard but hopefully new hires won't be FO's for long. The FO pay issue is supposedly being addressed in negotiations. Medical insurance is very expensive but as a retiree that shouldn't be an issue for you. That is also being addressed.

Negotiations are going on right now so that kind of attenuates quality of life a little bit. I wouldn't worry about them too much. Of course, management wants concessions but their position grows weaker as the industry recovery continues. It is highly unlikely that any concessions will be given in the next contract. On the positive side, management seems to be purchasing a bunch of new equipment (tugs, ground handling stuff, computers, renovating the ATL crew room, airplanes, etc). Also, we have a very good Chief Pilot who seems to do his job really well; he's a former F-16 and Academy guy...very down-to-earth and common-sense oriented.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if AirTran and SWA eventually become the two dominant LCC's. I'd personally be a little surprised if it was JetBlue and SWA, but I am by no means ruling that scenario out. Just my piddly two cents. I hope it helps.
 
Plus our B717's are the only commercial airliner with 100% fresh air!


And GO STEELERS! Bill my parents will be at the game, sitting in 11th row of upper balcony. I can't wait until Sunday!
 
Knowing someone at JetBlue doesn't help until you get the interview, then internal recs come into play.

Unless you have a buddy at JB with a blue dart (an opportunity for a guaranteed interview). These are very rare.

We are hiring over 500 this year. You should apply and update often. Have you applied yet? Cause it seems like you might be a little bit behind the power curve if not.
 
Aps To Both

Yup,

But the AirTran clock has been ticking for over a week...three to go before the dreaded 6 month waiting period begins.

Any idea on how long the wait is for either to receive an invitation for an interview?
 
Good Luck... and we hope you have a good experience with the whole hiring process. Nothing fancy over at AirTan. Just hard working safe pilots.

Probably getting safer each month without a contract... Hmmm
 
safe2solo-

JB does quite a few redeyes and late night flights, so you wouldn't be able to avoid being a vampire until you gain a little sen. Good luck.
 
How early is too early to apply for Airtran? I will be a year out from seperating from the military this Wednesday. I have several friends who will walk in a resume/rec for me. Since Airtran doesn't allow you to update your resume online once submitted should I wait until I'm 6 months out to post it or should I go ahead and do it a year out? Or can I submit it now and resubmit it in 6 months with updated hours? Does Airtran ever interview people more than 6 months out like LUV?

Thanks for the info!
 
Gi Bill Pays 40%

safe2solo said:
and last time I checked, I don't have an extra 8K under the bed for a 737 stamp in my book.
Click to expand...

The GI bill will pay for 40% of the stamp, but you do need a current Class 1 FAA flight physical (see the front page of flightinfo for a directory of docs).

I had a blast at Higher Power Aviation, their folks are fantastic and it will open another door in your search for a job. I would not rule out the chance to work for SWA (run those numbers!) unless you are completely strapped for cash right now. Again, financing is available if you need it.

Best of luck!
 
mnboyev said:
Probably getting safer each month without a contract... Hmmm
Click to expand...

Glad I'm not the only one...
 
A year is NOT too early to be applying anywhere. Just be upfront with your actual available date and keep updating regularly. Let them decide if its too soon to call you in for an interview.

Most guys wait way too long to get their apps in. At the one year mark I'd say you are almost one of those guys.

Get the app in NOW!

Good luck.

FJ
 
Shhhhhhhh.

sayagain? said:
safe2solo-

JB does quite a few redeyes and late night flights, so you wouldn't be able to avoid being a vampire until you gain a little sen. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Don't tell this to wndshr. He thinks FedEx are the only guys flying over his house at night.

FJ
 
Falconjet said:
Don't tell this to wndshr. He thinks FedEx are the only guys flying over his house at night.
FJ
Click to expand...

So it was you who woke me up:)
 
No way it could have been me, I am on the blissfully quiet Jurassic Jet. Those are the quietest whisper jets going!

FJ
 
Tonedrvr:
PM me.
 
A few questions for AirTran guys.

What are the planned a/c deliveries for this year?

Are they still talking about 250 plus new hires for '06?

I read in the Air Inc. literature (from last summer) that the business plan was counting on oil being around $45/barrel. Since that doesn't look likely, is there any talk of slowing deliveries and hiring?

Thanks
 
Wesb737fo,

You can bet that the business plan you saw published in Air Inc's literature last summer, if it was accurate to begin with, has been updated and adapted for changing conditions several times since then. There has been no word on a slowdown in deliveries or hiring. Joe Leonard (CEO) noted during the 4th quarter conference call last week that all 737 options so far have been exercised. Guidance given during the conference call also predicts double-digit revenue increases in 06. Combine that with the lowest non-fuel costs of any US airline and you have an extremely competitive player.

 
XBOEINGDRVR said:
Bottom line...JB is a mich better culture and working environment
Click to expand...

Duuuuude, da culture at da Tranny wuzznt whut is be now, my brother from another mother.

If you say dat the culture wuz bad when you left da Tranny, then I say "True-Dat". Buuuuuttttt, da Tranny be a MO Better place now, bro, cause da peeps like dat dude MinnieBoy, da Tubelduuude, dat 75M, dat Steeler Guy, dat FL717 and his clone FLB717, dat -9 Capt, AF Citteris Dude, Phaedrus, and my 2 most favorite peeps.........................


Ole AirTranny Fanatic, and of couse, the legendary TY GUY!



Theese peeps are like my posse, and like they be makin it ALL Good at da Tranny. Come on over to da Beverly TranBillies and hop on in to the CEMENT POND! Ole Jethro Bodine gots some grits and brewskis waitin!!!
 
bestpilot said:
Duuuuude, da culture at da Tranny wuzznt whut is be now, my brother from another mother.

If you say dat the culture wuz bad when you left da Tranny, then I say "True-Dat". Buuuuuttttt, da Tranny be a MO Better place now, bro, cause da peeps like dat dude MinnieBoy, da Tubelduuude, dat 75M, dat Steeler Guy, dat FL717 and his clone FLB717, dat -9 Capt, AF Citteris Dude, Phaedrus, and my 2 most favorite peeps.........................


Ole AirTranny Fanatic, and of couse, the legendary TY GUY!



Theese peeps are like my posse, and like they be makin it ALL Good at da Tranny. Come on over to da Beverly TranBillies and hop on in to the CEMENT POND! Ole Jethro Bodine gots some grits and brewskis waitin!!!
Click to expand...



Can a brother get some love?
 
No love... Fletch... Oh, by the way... How was your MDW gig the other evening ?

Stop bidding the MSP stuff dammit !! Next time in Minne.. ask the hotel to haul your Florida butt over to Sensors... not bad food.. good atmosphere. 100 % Fresh Air.
 
I think AirTran is 'mich' better. No bologna and kool aid.. Union shop, and ... 100 % fresh air.... (as long as your not comin out of RSW in the early am)...... Whewwww.... Gasper fan - on.....avionics cooling - venturi Flow Switch - High....

Is that Legacy bashing ?
 
When I was looking at JB back in 2001/2002, and trying to figure out how to make a commute work, the best trips for days off were the red-eye transcons. I quickly realized that the Fedex/Jetblue choice wasn't going to be a day/night decision, but rather a "which company will you enjoy flying at night for...?" issue. At the time the FLL domicile was only speculation, so I knew getting to/from JFK would be pretty tough. Bottom line is there are several LCCs getting higher utilization by keeping their jets moving at night, so the night skies aren't just filled with freighters. In fact, I do hear a lot of "jetblue" callsigns when I'm going out west late at night on freq.
 

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