What Airtran brings to the table

[hairball1173]

I am watching the Georgia game (sucks btw) and an Airtran/Southwest ad just came on. Yes, both airlines in one tv commercial. WOW!!!!

 

[puddlejumper101]

a thread on this thing with a positive outlook????? WOW...maybe I should stand by my window because a pig might fly by.

 

[Herkdrv]

Lear, If more people realized this merger is completely out of their control and understand it is going to happen, then maybe they can finally be happy about it. There are so many positives out there if people would just open their eyes for a second. I don't think for a second the majority want this to fall apart. Growth, better pay, new destinations, more crew bases, etc are great for all of us. SLI is the only thing people are screaming about. Not everybody is going to be happy, in fact most won't be I'm sure. The way I think about it though, is once it is done you create a new starting point in your life and move on. Kicking and screaming is no way to live when you can't do a thing about it. There is way to much alcohol and too many women in this country to be pissed and mad, there is simply better things to do. I wish us all the best and look forward to flying with you guys some day. We truly have a great opportunity here fellas, let's not screw it up.

Bake

Anyway we could post this in all the crew lounges? :beer:

 

[Lear70]

Works for me... I can stick it up in the training center tomorrow afternoon, too.

:beer:

 

[Bake]

My grammar sux. You might want to correct it before you do.. LOL

Bake

 

[boeingdriver213]

I think the one of the biggest adjustments AT guys will have to make is flying our old 3/500s without autothrottles and only one FMC. A plus for those aircraft is they have enough armor plating to resist a missle hit.

 

[islandhoper]

I guess change is hard to take.
I can't wait to be part of a company with a tradition of treating employees well. And just like my other colleagues I can't wait to buy you guys a round. (Better get ready, with all the free rounds you guys will be getting, those livers may start to suffer...)
I have good friends at SW, and once we merge ops, I look forward to flying with them...

I guess I should express that other feeling I have as well. After so many years of making AirTran a great place it is sad to see the brand disappear... I have to say I did like the uniforms, the business class the assigned seating, the international growth.d AirTran is like a little legacy with an LCC. Hated management though (bunch of greedy liers...)

I'm sure the new culture will make me forget the good things we had as they get replaced with the better things... I hope the feeling of "cheating on AirTran" goes away quickly so I can enjoy myself fully.

You guys have always been awesome in my book and I can assure you that you are getting a great bunch of guys and a great airline (minus the management). We are professional, funny, good looking and sociable. I think we'll be fitting right in with you guys! Ohh, and we have been hiring some hottie flight attendants lately too... :beer:

I hope the party starts soon...

 

[waveflyer]

Nice post- not cheating- just adding to it
;-)

 

[yoyoma]

As a 3 year AT/FO I can say we are all very happy about the merger and hope it all goes smoothly. The rumblings aren't so much SLI but getting a TA that we have been ready to strike for in place while we wait for the ink to dry. This is the most hostile MGT around and we just don't want to see this MGT team walk away with millions on our back. Take some office furniture on the way out if you will. I look forward to working each and everyone at SW and hope to crush any airline that treats there employees remotely as Airtran does/soon to be did. Bring back the profession to a respected and well compensated position.

Merger? what merger?

 

[Mickey D]

Glad to hear this. I'm sure both sides are scared of what could possibly happen with the SLI, and that's only natural--just like it's natural to "look out for #1," so to speak. I guess we have to look at it like a power couple negotiating a pre-nup. I'm sure that in the end, we'll all see that we have a lot in common and can work really well together and put the difficult period of negotiations aside. Part of our famous culture is a "Warrior's Spirit." Well, if anything, these negotiations are bringing this out on both sides. Let's just make sure that when we combine, that same "Warrior's Spirit" comes to life in a positive way and is directed outward towards the competition. It sure has been lacking at the corporate level in this previous period of no growth. You guys are going to like it here.

I just read every post on this thread. I am impressed. I am so thankfull that guys/gals on both sides of this deal are optomistic about getting this deal done. I too look forward to buying a round of cold ones my first trip after we merge. You guys have gone a long way on this thread toward easing my fears of being treated like the bastard step child. Thanks SW guys/gals a truly class act!

 

[Ky.BrownBourbn]

There has been some discussion on this board that assumes SWA gets nothing and Airtran gets a "windfall". So I thought I would start a thread that explains what Airtran can do for the SWA pilot group.

Here is my short list:
1. Of all the airlines based in Atlanta we have the hottest flight attendants. This is undisputed (ASA: Fail, Delta: would have won in 77' with there current group)

2. Overnights: SWA has a world renowned reputation for being a rolling frat party. To the point they have gotten soft. Take away the 1,2,3 rule and SWA folds like french prize fighters. We can teach you skills like: giving your FA herpes, getting onto your FA's balcony when she locks you out of the front door, and what to do with 18 hours in CAK (that last one will save your life).

3. Security: Per capita Airtran has more FFDO's than any other airline. We already have gunracks in the cockpit. What do we bring to the table you ask... peace of mind.

4. Financial planning: Do to your pay you most likely have piles of money sitting in your mattress. We have a group of pilots who have great opportunities for you and your money. See once you get a few people below you...
See we have had to be crafty while you have been sitting fat, dumb, and happy...
seriously think about it, if you only had 20 people below you that would be 100K for doing nothing!

Those are just some quick thoughts... Other Airtran guys can chime in.

Note to SWA guys: we got it. You're bringing free bags, money, work rules, bla bla bla...

Let me handle those one at a time.
Money: How much do you need? Answer: More

Work Rules: Hey I came to Airtran for one reason. Atlanta base. That is all the work rules I need. Spend most nights at home. As I said earlier you always need more money. I'm sure your Captains complain about taxes and how they are barely getting by with the ex-wife, taxes, child support, yacht payment etc...

Free Bags: Yeah some may have forgotten but I haven't. SWA ruined a monday night game by showing that commercial with Airtran every five minutes. BURN IT DOWN! My pride is worth something.

Did "Spiderman" happen at Air Tran or a Commuter? There is an A/T guy that did it before being hired there...Just wondering if it's previous story, different guy, or same guy up to same stuff?

The "Superman" story is hilarious!

KBB

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Yes we have spider man. And super man, he thought that he could jump from the second floor down to the lobby. Didn't work out to good.

 

[USARET]

Yes we have spider man. And super man, he thought that he could jump from the second floor down to the lobby. Didn't work out to good.

Don't forget about Aqua man. He enjoys afternoon skinny dipping sessions at the hotel pool (TPA) with our Flight Attendants!

 

[Captain Jeff]

Did "Spiderman" happen at Air Tran or a Commuter? There is an A/T guy that did it before being hired there...Just wondering if it's previous story, different guy, or same guy up to same stuff?

The "Superman" story is hilarious!

KBB

Spiderman climbed from his room balcony to a flight attendants balcony because she wouldnt answer the door. She wasn't expecting him. She was on the phone with her boyfriend. When she heard someone on the balcony she started screaming and the boyfriend called the police. On his next check ride he felt that he was being given a ride that he was going to fail no matter what. He quit rather than let the training dept get him fired.