My sixth year view of AirTran

[pilotyip]

College degree not necessary

Lear70 those are good reasons to go to school, but they having to do with flying an airplane. I know too many people without college degrees who are among the finest people I have ever associated with. The WWII pilots did not have college degrees, guys like GW Bush I, and George McGovern; they did an unbelievable job. No a college degree does not make the person. Besides why would anyone want to talk about anything but flying and airplanes?

 

[Ben Thare]

Glad that someone brought up the correlation between education and pay. Here’s a thought: Management probably realizes that pilots with “degrees” in airport landscaping or aviation studies (or no degree at all) don’t have a lot of alternatives (i.e., leverage) when it comes time for a showdown. It’s this job or…..what? What’s worse, there are thousands of star-struck ATP’s waiting at the door to take your place for less than you’re making. No, you “don’t need no stinking” degree to fly for the airlines. But if you have no alternative in terms of skills or education, you will be far more willing to take what they are willing to give. I'm not slamming anyone on the basis of their education. It just is what it is ( regardless of Bill Clinton's definition of 'is'). If I were hiring, I’d sure be inclined to fashion a ‘captive’ crew force, as well. It’s just business…supply and demand.....nothing personal.

 

[Lear70]

That's true, it makes me glad I have a 2nd degree in Computers and have 3 other skill sets I developed in college, including being a sous chef, a mechanic, and real estate.

That's what makes it easy for me to be millitant... I can walk away and immediately do something else to support my career. That's what makes me a little ambivalent about what the company pulls, although I get a little upset when I hear my coworkers talk "concessions" or even "current book".

I can always vote "no" and not worry about supporting my family. Heck, I make more money at home working on my cars and selling them and the parts on eBay than I do at work on 1st year F/O pay (or 2nd for that matter). My take-home for last month on 80 hours of credit was $3,000. I made that same amount working 5 days rebuilding a head and replacing a turbo then flipping the car on eBay.

Only two of those careers make having a college degree a plus, especially the real estate work; makes it easier to converse with clients intelligently.

 

[chris69]

MGySgt's and SgtMaj (E-9's) of today generally have 4 year degree's these days if not advanced degrees. In the past decade targeted pay raises have significantly increased compensation levels of senior NCO's and technical specialists like Warrant Officers due to their marketability in the civilian sector. According to the 2006 pay scale, a 20 year E-9 (could be 37/38 years young) EARNS $4717.80 in base pay, $272.26 in subsistance and $928 in housing before local adjustments (upwards for high priced areas) for a total of $5,918.56 per month (or $72K per year)- and that's before any special pays. Retire and make half base pay on retainer until 60 and find a new career. You aren't officially retired until after 60.

 

[Caveman]

MGySgt's and SgtMaj (E-9's) of today generally have 4 year degree's these days if not advanced degrees. In the past decade targeted pay raises have significantly increased compensation levels of senior NCO's and technical specialists like Warrant Officers due to their marketability in the civilian sector. According to the 2006 pay scale, a 20 year E-9 (could be 37/38 years young) EARNS $4717.80 in base pay, $272.26 in subsistance and $928 in housing before local adjustments (upwards for high priced areas) for a total of $5,918.56 per month (or $72K per year)- and that's before any special pays. Retire and make half base pay on retainer until 60 and find a new career. You aren't officially retired until after 60.

The pay has definitely increased in recent years and that's a good thing.

 

[afhercdriver]

Hey Caveman, It's George HW Bush and he did have a college degree.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gb41.html

Just wanted to make sure the correct information gets out. I don't think we are going to solve this debate on FI. The have nots are going to say it shouldn't be required and the haves will want it. Personally, I think it should be required.

 

[afhercdriver]

Sorry Caveman, Wrongly accused. I should have addressed my reply to pilotyip. Even MBAs make mistakes!

 

[USARET]

Your were enlisted in the military with no education, I was at one time enslisted you join and serve to do just that serve. We decided to become pilots to fly and because it was a good living. If you think 38 K flying a jet is great so be it. I quess coming from living in the mud to 38 K, it does look good. Why compare what we do to a MBA etc. You just cant. I hope you like 38K nothing like selling out short. In the business world you neg. for your selary, good thing we don't do it in our business, you guys would sell us out.

What an idiot! In addition to your poorly written post you are also terribly misinformed. Many of the enlisted men serving in our armed forces have a college education. Most of them obtained that degree while defending morons like you. In the future since it looks like your formal education stopped at the 6th grade I would suggest using the spelling and grammar check feature offered on this web board.

 

[Citrusflyer]

What an idiot! In addition to your poorly written post you are also terribly misinformed. Many of the enlisted men serving in our armed forces have a college education. Most of them obtained that degree while defending morons like you. In the future since it looks like your formal education stopped at the 6th grade I would suggest using the spelling and grammar check feature offered on this web board.

Amen.....maybe lowpayisgreat should go back and get his edumacation.....

 

[IAHERJ]

People like you who are willing to fly widebodies for $30K/year are half of the problem. The other half are the senior farts who sell the rest of the pilot group down the river in concessions. Labor will never get back what it has lost, and you will be looking for another $30K/year job when you get furloughed in the next downturn.

Management laughs and says :"You dumb pilots ain't got the ballz. Pay raise? Strike? Like I said......NO BALLZ!"

My last job was AirTran and I was there for almost 3 years and was holding captain when I chose to leave to go to CAL. I knew what the pay was first year and took quite a hit. Who do you work for and how long have you been in this business. If you are at MESA like your profile hints at then I assume your post was flaim bait.

IAHERJ