Question for Airtran Pilots

[Max Eaper]

I start class at Airtran in DEC. If (that's a big if) given a choice, should I pick the 717 or 737? I know the schedules on the 73 are in the evolution mode as more airframes are being added. I guess my main concern is getting off reserve ASAP. I live near ATL so commuting is not an issue. Thanks for your input. I look forward to flying with you soon!

 

[On Your Six]

Go for the 717. That's the best way to travel around the system on shorter flights. Do you want to fly a lot of red-eyes on transcon flights? I have been told that the 717 is fun to fly and that its systems are relatively advanced. The 700 is not as impressive with its 200-like overhead panel (thanks SWA!). Either way, you are going to be in somewhat cramped seats - it's better to fly the shorter flight segments in the 717.... That's my $0.02.

I bet a lot of AirTran guys can chime in here. Anyone fly both aircraft with an opinion?

 

[Ty Webb]

It's hard to tell right now, and one of the 717 FO's who have been here a year to two years may be better able to offer advice to a newhire, but I would think you will get relative seniority more quickly in the 737. Yes, the lines are awful right now, but that should be resolved within the next 6 months, and all future airframe growth will be in the 737.

The next question after QOL issues will be upgrade. Which airplane will you be more likely to upgrade on? I donlt know for sure, since we don;t have a way to predict how many guys will move to the 737. If we get the -800's, some guys will come over for the pay, but if we don't, it may remain a junior airplane. Of course, if we get another pilot base, then tha will affect seniority on the airplanes, too. Just too many variables right now to offer much of a prognostication.

As for airlplane issues- the 717 is the more automated aircraft, but I think the 737 is fine.

Either way, welcome aboard, and good luck.

 

[FL717]

I start class at Airtran in DEC. If (that's a big if) given a choice, should I pick the 717 or 737? I know the schedules on the 73 are in the evolution mode as more airframes are being added. I guess my main concern is getting off reserve ASAP. I live near ATL so commuting is not an issue. Thanks for your input. I look forward to flying with you soon!

Read the reply from "On Your Six". He must be a AirTran spy because he seemed to nail some of the issues pretty good!

As far as what to bid: I was a Captain on the B-717 and never got off reserve. I bid over to Captain on the B-737 because thats what got me off reserve, and I'm senior enough I will never sit reserve again unless we downsize. Quite frankly reserve s$cks pretty bad here. I had never sat reserve my entire time at AirTran as a First Officer, and it was a real eye-opener when I first upgraded. The issue for me is to do whatever gets you off reserve. The money I made "sitting" (actually flying my *ss off) reserve was GREAT, but the quality of life of being a lineholder far outweighs the extra money I made.

If I was a newhire First Officer right now.... I would bid B-717, because I believe there is and will be more stability in the lines, more growth as senior people move to the B-737, and a better chance of staying in ATL if we open a new base in the next 12-18 months.

Remember, your initial equipment lock is 24 months. So you can always bid First Officer to First Officer in 24 months if you choose. Be careful with that however, because with the resulting seat lock, you may get stuck not upgrading for 2 extra years.

I took that chance, and that is what I did to get off the DC-9 as a First Officer because I couldn't hold Captain, and DC-9 lines s$cked. After I transitioned, the company released my resulting seat lock early anyway, and I upgraded on the B-717 on schedule at 31 months.

Besides, if you bid the B-717 you won't have to fly with me, and I'm the biggest A-hole in the company... !

Its all a cr*p shoot. Good luck, you'll be fine either way!

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

Bid 717. Most 737 FO's are too junior to hold captain on anything for over 2 years, so the only seniority advancement for you on 737 will be new deliveries.



Now, 717 FO's are upgrading to both airplanes, as a result of 737 deliveries and senior 717 captains switching to 737. I just think on 717 you would benefit from deliveries of both airplanes.



As mentioned by others, 717 is more automated and truly is a nice airplane to work with. If only it would come with 737's windshield wipers, it would be perfect.

 

[Steeler Fan]

Congrats!

I start class at Airtran in DEC. If (that's a big if) given a choice, should I pick the 717 or 737? I know the schedules on the 73 are in the evolution mode as more airframes are being added. I guess my main concern is getting off reserve ASAP. I live near ATL so commuting is not an issue. Thanks for your input. I look forward to flying with you soon!

Whatever you bid, please study really hard and get really good at flying the airplane...I'll be upgrading to Captain in a few years and I'll need all the help I can get!

 

[GogglesPisano]

How is seniority dished out in new-hire class?

Also, is there a better way to get the resume to the right people than the e-mail address on the website?

Thanks.

 

[Steeler Fan]

age before beauty

How is seniority dished out in new-hire class?

Also, is there a better way to get the resume to the right people than the e-mail address on the website?

Thanks.

oldest=most senior

 

[Max Eaper]

Also, is there a better way to get the resume to the right people than the e-mail address on the website?

Thanks

I tried the email for a year with no response. I got in touch with some old buddies that I had flown with at brand X. They both walked my resume in w/recommendation letters. I got the call a couple of months later. Good Luck!

 

[meanstreak]

I agree, do what ever you can to be off of reserve. For being a pretty good place to work we have the worst reserve out of any company in the US right now. Hopefully our Union can work out some of the problems but don't count on that happening anytime soon. Tell Carol I said hello.................

 

[Ty Webb]

I agree, do what ever you can to be off of reserve. For being a pretty good place to work we have the worst reserve out of any company in the US right now. Hopefully our Union can work out some of the problems but don't count on that happening anytime soon.

I think you could find plenty of airlines with worse reserve QOL issues, but ours is pretty lousy. LIke most things, though, when it starts costing them money, they will fix it, and right now, it is starting to cost money in the form of junior 717 CA putting in for 737 CA for no reason other than to get off reserve. At $42K a whack, those needless training events will certainly get their attention.

 

[FLB717]

I am on reserve and I don't think it is all that bad. At a previous life our mantra was, Com On My Arse Is Ready. This is really not so bad in my opinion, did you come from a legacey, or a small pilot base by any chance?

 

[Dave Benjamin]

If Airtran were to open another base as mentioned in a previous post, would anyone care to speculate on the location?

 

[cl65capt]

I have to agree with FLB717, I too was on reserve Comair and let me tell you the difference is night and day. At Airtran I have more days off and am home more as a reserve FO than I was as a line holding captain at Comair. The schedulers are much nicer, they help you out, you help them at. At Comair if you asked for anything it was always the same, NO! Oh yea, Comair also had what they call the SAW or schedule adjusment window, basically good for nothing. At Airtran its the SAP, I was able to SAP my whole line for December into weekends off and Christmas off, not bad considering I've only been here since June. Anyway, my Comair buddies ask if I think I made the right move and I tell them all the same thing. **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** right I did, I love it here!