Upgrade time for AirTran FO's?

[Entropy]

Hey folks,
I'm all set for an interview with AirTran soon and am weighing some options. For this spring's new hires how long will it take to upgrade to Captain in the 717 or 737?
Thanks for your help.

 

[UALX727]

I would say a good bet for someone just starting here now is 4 years in either airplane.

 

[ASA_DFW]

According to one of the girls in HR, 2 years 7 months.

 

[gt1900]

Right now its 100% speculation.. No one knows.. 3 or 4 years at least would be a good guess.. 2 yrs 7 months?? don't count on it..

 

[XBOEINGDRVR]

HR lady meant to say 7 years, 2 months

 

[atav8r]

Looking closer like 4 years, but could be faster with attrition.....

 

[maxblast72]

Just for some numbers for you to crunch, but if you are hired at Airtran in spring of 2007, you will be around #1500 on the seniority list. If nothing changes between now and 2011 (ie Midwest Merger, aircraft delivery slot deferring, or aircraft delivery slot sale), we will have 185 airplanes on property (87-717 and 98-737). Airtran typically has about 5-6 Captains per airplane. So by 2011, we will need about 1000-1100 Captains. Typically upgrades occur with about 60-80 First officers senior to you. So for a new hire in 2007 to make captain in 2011, you need to have 400 people senior to you leave. You will have lots of people senior to you leave your first and second year but that number will slow down in year 3 and beyond (I only moved up 9 numbers on the last seniority list, 7 of which were retirements and I have been here around 3 years).

If I was looking to come to Airtran in early 2007, I would expect 5 to 6 year upgrade when trying to determine if Airtran was a good fit for me. Just my $0.02.

 

[Newjetjockey]

Maxblast's math is good. Truth is you wouldn't see upgrade on our current aircraft order. We would have to get some more aircraft for you to see the left seat. Your guess is as good as mine when that will happen. We are supposedly already negotiating for 2011 but who knows what will happen. Maybe we will get a fleet of 737E next generation. Maybe we will get a fleet of E170-190s. 787s anyone? Who knows?

Are there any airlines right now that have enough orders for a new hire to see the left seat? What do Jetblue's orders look like right now? How many does SWA have on order?

 

[spitfire1500]

What month/year new hires are currently upgrading and what are the numbers in each class and freq of classes?

 

[Steeler Fan]

Good info, Maxblast.