Some LCC hire this year....some won't

[Monster Buck]

To hire or not to hire, that is the question.

April 15, 2010




Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines’ CEO, said the airline will reduce its work force through attrition and refrain from hiring this year, while AirTran on the other hand said it intends to hire pilots and flight attendants, The Associated Press and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
“We're trying to reduce our total employment through attrition, and that’s what's occurring so far this year,” said Kelly. “So no plans to hire for 2010.”
Southwest said its decision was based on coping with higher jet fuel prices. Jet fuel and labor are the largest costs for airlines, and with oil prices climbing, the price of jet fuel on the Gulf Coast spot market has jumped nearly 20% since early February, the article said.
Meanwhile, AirTran said it plans to hire 159 pilots and 135 flight attendants this year “as it resumes growth,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said. About 20 newly-hired AirTran pilots have already finished training, the article said. In addition, AirTran expects to hire more ground personnel and gate agents. AirTran plans to also increase capacity by 3% to 4% and add seven Boeing 737s to its fleet next year, the article noted.

 

[Hamfighter]

That's great news for all my friends at AirTran! Congrats guys!

 

[ultrarunner]

My money is on SWA's decision-making.....

I'm going out on a limb that folks over there tend to know what they are doing....

But then again, I'm sure others would argue they were stupid not to play the BK card like the rest of the bunch....

 

[Ty Webb]

My money is on SWA's decision-making.....

I'm going out on a limb that folks over there tend to know what they are doing....

AirTran is short pilots, and has been cancelling flights due to lack of crews. Summertime flying will increase block hours, they have no choice. Hiring up to 180 in the next 12 months, I believe . . . They announced today another 20 First Officer positions, and the calls are going out for interviews next week.

 

[CRJFlyer]

Happy for Airtran, and smart move for SWA....I think anyway.

Hiring is always a good thing, and even not hiring but forecasting using intelligent data is a very smart move as well.

 

[FlyinGuy]

Hey trannies,
I was wondering how different the schedules are on the 17 vs the 37.

 

[Ticker]

Hey trannies,
I was wondering how different the schedules are on the 17 vs the 37.

No redeyes in the 717 that I've ever seen but there are a number of Continuous Duty Overnights. If you're on reserve, you'll likely get to see what those are like. I don't mind them. Lots of shorter flight...multi leg lines. Usually 2-4 legs but I've had 5 leg days (usually on the last day of my pairing). Most 717 flying is in the eastern 1/2 of the US. There are a few flights to DEN, DFW, SAT, STL but I've only gotten a few of those on reserve. If you hadn't guessed, I'm pretty low on the totem pole but coming off reserve in the next month or two. I miss flying out west but I hate redeyes. I think one of the longest legs I've done in the 71 was MCO-MSP and/or MCO-MCI. Currently the fleet is something like:
717: 86 737-700: 52
All Future growth will be with the 73. The only other domicile is MKE and it's exclusively a 73 base as of right now. I like the QOL in the 71 and live in ATL so staying to the eastern US doesn't bother me.

Someone with more time at Airtran and a view from the 737 will have to give you some insight on that side of the house.

 

[fly4unclesam]

Any predictions for AirTran in 2011 and 2012?

 

[Guppy Guy]

Any predictions for AirTran in 2011 and 2012?

If they don't settle the contract with the pilots soon there won't be a 2011 on 2012. That's my prediction.

 

[maxblast72]

Any predictions for AirTran in 2011 and 2012?

My prediction is the pilots of Airtran will be enjoying a new contract that makes their pay commensurate with their peers in the industry. 7 new 737s in 2011 and 8 in 2012 are the latest I believe. Wall St. predicting $100 million profits for Airtran (barring Jet A going over $4/gal).