Leaving AIRTRAN for SWA or FedEx

[GE CF34-3B1]

This post is not meant as flamebait at all.

But I'm am just curious, from those of you at Airtran, have you or any other pilots from Airtran left for Southwest or FedEx?

If so, what were the reasons?

Question #2. Would it be better to gain 1000 pic turbine at my regional for hopes of going to SWA or FDX, or just try to go to Airtran as soon as you have 500 pic? Obviously if you go with under 1000 pic turbine then you've made your bed and won't be going anywhere else for a while.

I am just looking for honest opinions. The positives I see with Airtran are the rapid growth. Yet with SWA you have a wider and better domicile selection. FDX you don't get that, but you get more pay and better equipment/flying (international, etc.)

 

[GogglesPisano]

This post is not meant as flamebait at all.

But I'm am just curious, from those of you at Airtran, have you or any other pilots from Airtran left for Southwest or FedEx?

If so, what were the reasons?

Question #2. Would it be better to gain 1000 pic turbine at my regional for hopes of going to SWA or FDX, or just try to go to Airtran as soon as you have 500 pic? Obviously if you go with under 1000 pic turbine then you've made your bed and won't be going anywhere else for a while.

I am just looking for honest opinions. The positives I see with Airtran are the rapid growth. Yet with SWA you have a wider and better domicile selection. FDX you don't get that, but you get more pay and better equipment/flying (international, etc.)

What makes you think you'll get hired by Air Tran with only 500 hrs?

For that matter, what makes you think you'll get hired by any of them?

My advice is to apply as often as possible to all of them -- and be thankful if a single one offers you an interview someday.

(The late 1990's are over.)

 

[AlbieF15]

Geez, Goggles...do you think maybe there are folks out there who are qualified to get offers at more than one company?

Seems to me he is only trying to compare/contrast some career options, which a lot of us do on here regularly. Maybe you are lucky enough to only have one interview, but I've met and helped a bunch of folks who lately who had 2 or 3 interviews, including...

A furloughed US Air pilot who just finished a SWA and JetBlue interview last month...
Another Navy driver just had a SWA and a FedEx interview...
Yet another corporate guy I know had a FDX corp and another interview with a major bank...
Another guy got called by AT, SWA, and JetBlue...
Several guys I know have been interviewed by JB and FDX...

So...before wailing away on someone asking legitimate questions, maybe you should get your facts together. I don't generally "roll in" on anyone on these boards, but while this guy may be "unworthy" of options in your eyes, his question is exactly the kind that helps facilitate information and discussion on these boards. If you only got one shot, maybe you should work on your networking, presentation, and/or attitude. However--there are lots of talented guys out there who have the make a very tough choice with lifelong ramifications. Bouncing ideas around on the board are one of the ways to gather data and get perspective.

For what it is worth, I had a conversation with a guy who left AirTran in the late 90s to go to UPS. He likes the stabilty at UPS, but misses the "fun", the day flying, and some of his old friends at AirTran. There are always tradeoffs, but I imagine there are some guys who would leave AT for other carriers. However, the guys I know at AT all love the atmosphere, and while other carriers like SWA or JB get the press, AT just quietly continues to sloooowly expand and still stays profitable. Captain upgrades are quick and likely to speed up as they take on more 737s.

 

[captain caveman]

Unless you have a solid "in" at FDX or SWA when you get the 1000, grab the AirTran opportunity when it presents. 'Hope you have this problem. cc

 

[-9Capt]

I've been with AirTran for a little over 6 years.

ALOT of pilots haved moved on from here in the late 90's up till 9/11, most of which are now likely (and unfortunately) out of work, except for the few at SWA, FedEx and UPS.

I would have gone to Delta or UsAir back in '98-'00 myself if the opportunity arose, however, I'm glad it didn't. Things are very much improved since then, it's almost like a different company.

I know of no one who has left since 9/11, except for a rumor I've heard of a guy who quit during new-hire groundschool to go to JB.

 

[SkiMoguls]

Excuse me, but...

Unless you have a solid "in" at FDX or SWA when you get the 1000, grab the AirTran opportunity when it presents. 'Hope you have this problem. cc

I got hired by SWA and I didn't know anyone over there. One girl in the People Department at Southwest said it does not matter if you know someone or not. So about the "solid in" statement you made...just not true. I'm living proof and many others are too.

My advice to anyone is to get your name out there, keep flying, apply to your airlines of choice, and when you do get an interview and are lucky to be offered a job, you can always decline if you think your life will be better off without it.

To each his own...and do your own individual homework. We are all different!

 

[GogglesPisano]

Geez, Goggles...do you think maybe there are folks out there who are qualified to get offers at more than one company?

Seems to me he is only trying to compare/contrast some career options, which a lot of us do on here regularly. Maybe you are lucky enough to only have one interview, but I've met and helped a bunch of folks who lately who had 2 or 3 interviews, including...

A furloughed US Air pilot who just finished a SWA and JetBlue interview last month...
Another Navy driver just had a SWA and a FedEx interview...
Yet another corporate guy I know had a FDX corp and another interview with a major bank...
Another guy got called by AT, SWA, and JetBlue...
Several guys I know have been interviewed by JB and FDX...

So...before wailing away on someone asking legitimate questions, maybe you should get your facts together. I don't generally "roll in" on anyone on these boards, but while this guy may be "unworthy" of options in your eyes, his question is exactly the kind that helps facilitate information and discussion on these boards. If you only got one shot, maybe you should work on your networking, presentation, and/or attitude. However--there are lots of talented guys out there who have the make a very tough choice with lifelong ramifications. Bouncing ideas around on the board are one of the ways to gather data and get perspective.

For what it is worth, I had a conversation with a guy who left AirTran in the late 90s to go to UPS. He likes the stabilty at UPS, but misses the "fun", the day flying, and some of his old friends at AirTran. There are always tradeoffs, but I imagine there are some guys who would leave AT for other carriers. However, the guys I know at AT all love the atmosphere, and while other carriers like SWA or JB get the press, AT just quietly continues to sloooowly expand and still stays profitable. Captain upgrades are quick and likely to speed up as they take on more 737s.

I think you read more than I wrote. I think anyone is lucky to get a job offer these days.

Cheers

 

[enigma]

I think you read more than I wrote. I think anyone is lucky to get a job offer these days.

Cheers

Albie gets paid to read into what people write and say. I for one hope to use his services in the near future just to get him to read between my lines. Having a professional "between the lines reader" evaluate your attitudes, etc is (I hope) a great advantage when preparing for an interview.

enigma

 

[CSY Mon]

Would go to Fed-Ex if given the above choices.

 

[GE CF34-3B1]

I would like to thank AlbieF15 as well as the others who responded. The point of my post is not to start a war between pilots of these three airlines, but to get educated and reasonable perspectives from all sides.

Well let me explain a little more. I do have a connection at Airtran, one of my best friends with which I've also flown with many hours. I also have my B737 type rating. I guess you could consider that somewhat of a leg up on SWA (although still no guaranteed in). I also know one person with which I've flown with at FDX too.

I'm trying to weigh out all the positives and negatives.

All in all, I see FDX with the best overall positives. Mainly because of the widebody, better pay, less legs, international, and full retirement.

I also see great stability at SWA with the best domicile choices of all three. I see nice conservative growth at SWA.

Where at Airtran, I see the fastest movement and upgrade. They have a good B-fund retirement and I'm sure that pay will improve, as well as more domiciles added on. Airtran might be the best choice short-term for sure?

Bottom line- Go to Airtran with under 1000 pic turbine and I've eliminated SWA and FDX for many years (probably at least 4 years or more). And by that time it would probably be too late to move. I agree whole-heartedly with AlbieF15 that it is very important to think about things like this because it is your whole life on the table.

 

[AA717driver]

How long is the upgrade at FEX? I would hate to sit at the panel(for ANY length of time--BTDT) waiting for the retirements to kick in.

Don't get me wrong--the FEX people ALWAYS treated me like a king when I jumpseated and I think it's one of the strongest companies out there.

I guess you just wait and see when you have the opportunity.TC

 

[wil]

GE- I would not leave until you have 1000 turbine PIC. Too many people on the street with 650/700 PIC turbine that can't get an interview. 1000 is just the minimum of course at SWA but at least you can still apply. How many hours are you flying per month? Good luck, I think any of the airlines you listed would provide a great living for you and your family. Cheers, Wil

 

[Flying Freddie]

I know of no one who has left since 9/11, except for a rumor I've heard of a guy who quit during new-hire groundschool to go to JB.

There are at least four of us from AirTran over at JetBlue. We all came over in 2002. Just a fact, no flame. Just a decision.

 

[jetblue320]

And......

There are at least four of us from AirTran over at JetBlue. We all came over in 2002. Just a fact, no flame. Just a decision.

And we have had 2 or 3 (that I know of) leave JB for both FDX and SWA. So, it is like the others said, you have to take your opportunities when they show up and decide for yourself. Looking for "advice" on this board might help you temporarily but you are the one who has to make the choice, (assuming you get a choice) and live with your decision.

Good luck to you.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

We all do dumb things (Monday Morning Quarterback)

and I resigned from AirTran during the brief furlough in October 98' to go to USAir.

DOH!!!

 

[AFcitrus]

I know of one pilot in my AirTran class that left for SWA. She was hired at SW (in the 2.5 year pool) when she received a class date for AT. She commutes out of St. Louis and was having a hard time getting to ATL as we don't go to STL. I think she was always planning on going to SW when the opportunity arose. AT was just place to hang her hat while waiting for SW. She claimed that AT knew she was hired by SW when we hired her.

Personally, I think she made a huge mistake - giving up alot of senority in one of the most successful airlines because it's "only AirTran". Big things are happening here and hopefully we will only hire people who want to be here for the long haul.

I too, have a 737 type rating and have been told by numerous SW pilots to apply and I would probably be hired. With all respect to SW as it is a great airline, but I'd like to think being at AirTran now is like getting on with SW in 1980.

Everyone has to make their own decision.

 

[j41driver]

What makes you think you'll get hired by Air Tran with only 500 hrs?

He's talking about the Part 121 PIC requirement not total time.

 

[jimcav]

Getting the 1000 hrs of pic should be priority #1. Then if any of these 3 carriers call take advantage of the opportunity. SW & FedEx have more to offer in some aspects but I can tell you from experience that making capt. in a big jet at 2.5 yrs doesn't suck. Personally given the choice between capt upgrade quickly or FO forever & similar pay I would take the left seat at aplace like AT. It's a nice place to hang your hat and do quite well and have a lot of fun in the process. All 3 are winners in my opinion.

 

[capt. megadeth]

I would do what I need to do to get to FedEx. In an industry with no guarantees, FedEx or UPS is as guaranteed as you are gonna get. By guarantee, I mean have a job until 60. Not only that, but you have 150+ less issues in the back (ie. whiny, pain in the a$$ passengers). Don't get me wrong, I know pax pay my paycheck but boxes don't bit$#, or bump their head and "need" a chiropractor or complain about the food when no other $59 one way airline will give you any anyways, etc....that's what I'm talking about....

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

IPersonally, I think she made a huge mistake - giving up alot of senority in one of the most successful airlines because it's "only AirTran".

I have a buddy who left for FedEx back when they were still Valuejet. He's now an MD-11 Captain....you do that math.