Air tran interview
10-07-2007, 02:47 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: A319 320 321 LEFT GOOOOOD
Posts: 377
Yea the thing is the big boys haven't called, the last time I applied in the US was before 9/11, being Polar and ABX the only ones that I receiveda called. I flew for TACA in CA for 14 years earning peanuts and know India is great buttttttt, I will leave it there. I am 34+ 9500+ 8000+ on jet type A320 and B737 with some college where should I go? Best Jet320
10-07-2007, 05:59 PM
#12
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: B717 ---> seat
Posts: 49
Originally Posted by RobLAX
I saw first hand my buddies work long duty days, 5-6 days in a row and get to the overnight late and wake up early. I am sure they could go on and on. Plus they are out of gate space in ATL, TA was turned down and there stock is around $9 when everyone else is in the high 20's to high 40's. Plus, plus they lost the buyout of Midwest Express to NWA and another investor.
You need to educate yourself a little better before you start spouting off.
10-07-2007, 07:03 PM
#13
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Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 204
RobLAX
This may come as a shock to you, but not everyone is seeking the same thing out of an airline career as you. Some of us are willing to work for certain airlines primarily based on QOL and yes I work for AirTran for this reason. To put it in my perspective when I went job searching: 1. retired military, so I don't need the big bucks at my family's expense. 2. live in GA & I don't want to commute at my family's expense. 3. I don't want to work past 60 (15 years shelf-life). 4. Have done multiple military tours overseas, so international flying has no more appeal to me (3 hour time changes are more than enough for me). 5. spent way too many nights flying military to consider cargo attractive (& I have too many friends there pushing 50 that look like they are turning 70). 6. DAL was not hiring at the time & when I ran the numbers for my situation/wants when they started again, it was not worth switching.
As for my life at AAI....it works great for me!!! Only spent 3 months on reserve, average 93 hours/month with 15 days off, and my family life is great!
The guy is looking for advice, not airline bashing. Not everyone has travelled the same career path as you (or may even want to). Each person needs to figure out what works for them. I'm sure you'll have some negative comment back, so let it fly!
This may come as a shock to you, but not everyone is seeking the same thing out of an airline career as you. Some of us are willing to work for certain airlines primarily based on QOL and yes I work for AirTran for this reason. To put it in my perspective when I went job searching: 1. retired military, so I don't need the big bucks at my family's expense. 2. live in GA & I don't want to commute at my family's expense. 3. I don't want to work past 60 (15 years shelf-life). 4. Have done multiple military tours overseas, so international flying has no more appeal to me (3 hour time changes are more than enough for me). 5. spent way too many nights flying military to consider cargo attractive (& I have too many friends there pushing 50 that look like they are turning 70). 6. DAL was not hiring at the time & when I ran the numbers for my situation/wants when they started again, it was not worth switching.
As for my life at AAI....it works great for me!!! Only spent 3 months on reserve, average 93 hours/month with 15 days off, and my family life is great!
The guy is looking for advice, not airline bashing. Not everyone has travelled the same career path as you (or may even want to). Each person needs to figure out what works for them. I'm sure you'll have some negative comment back, so let it fly!
10-07-2007, 10:26 PM
#15
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Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: MD-11 FO Furloughed
Posts: 101
Hey jet320, I'm trying to get an interview with AirTran. Went to the job fair in DC,shook hands with FO Mark Now......something. So when you get the guidelines,can you help me? Oh yeah I was a 757 Legacy now Capt.So It ain't my first rodeo!!!
Thanks....
Vernon Williams BNA
Thanks....
Vernon Williams BNA
10-07-2007, 10:31 PM
#16
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Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 231
Yeah I'm still failing to realize the whole AAI sucks thing Rob has going.....If you fly at a legacy as you say then great....quit bashing an airline you don't work for. AAI never did anything to you.....what is all the negative remarks you put out about AirTran accomplishing really? 4 of your buddies didn't like it and there's 1600 pilots at Airtran....
Out of gate space? True....but we get by everyday just fine...our completion % is always high and we're meeting OT goals for the month.....the ship ain't going down.....TA turned down? GREAT....hope they get what they want....you make it sound like a Sh*thole because a few friends didn't like it....complete misrepresentation of what goes on....
Out of gate space? True....but we get by everyday just fine...our completion % is always high and we're meeting OT goals for the month.....the ship ain't going down.....TA turned down? GREAT....hope they get what they want....you make it sound like a Sh*thole because a few friends didn't like it....complete misrepresentation of what goes on....
Last edited by TRS531; 10-07-2007 at 10:38 PM.
10-07-2007, 11:22 PM
#17
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Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: KC135 IP
Posts: 398
Hope this helps
I am an ex military guy like Rouge so I understand the deployed perspective
AirTran interview was great. Easy going friendly, I thought they were genuinely interested in the person I am.
One on one with 2 pilots 1 HR.
Questions like "what was the best decision i ever made?" My answer lead to a 20 minute friendly discussion.
I asked one interviewer about the pictures on his wall and we had a 20 minute dicussion of his carreer and mine.
5 of 6 who interviewed here were hired. I have heard it go the other way too.
The 737 training department here is sharp. I have never felt better prep'd for a checkride in my life. They had a interest in me being a good FO.
I intervied at SWA, Alaska, and UPS. I thought the UPS interview went wll too. (but here I am) Alaska was almost hostile ( like I was trying to hide something),
SWA was interesting they seemed more concerned about picking me apart than trying to find out what kind of person I am and whether I fit their coorporate culture. I would re-apply there to get a second look. I would like to be a fly on the wall there to understand the way they interview.
Life at AAI. I held the line after 3 months of reserve. Life would be good if I lived in ALT but I commute 3 hrs (+ time zones) makes it tough. We need new domiciles, one per time zone.
There are some problems here too. I like 95% of the people I work with and fly with, that said I see no vision.
Big surprise but the Union and Management do not get along. Both sides have major failings. The union is more right.
This company is managed, some might say very well. The management has turned AirTran from a sows ear into a silk purse, that said this place is in dire need of leadership. There is none. Neither union or company.
You manage assets, you lead people.
The company is interested in cutting costs.
Thats it....
Management only concern should be leading the workers toward prosperity. They quickly squander all good will with stupid little S*&t.
Hey most costs are fixed, the only major one that is not is people. People are not going to work for free. The company wants good will, hard working inspired workers, with great ideas at zero costs.
The union has conflicting interest that does not seem to involve the members, that is why they were voted out. The problem seems to be that when we vote in people who have our best interest the company undermines them (fires, suspendeds, investgates).
If this company had some leadership and vision it could make huge strides.The company wants good will but offers nothing in return. There are a lot of little things that could create good will but the company seems to turm a deaf ear to any ideas. There seems to be no strategic vision. I have no idea were the company is going so even if I want to help it get there I have no idea which way to pull. I am just another employee number working in the trenches with no inspiration. I am just a guy doing the best job can because that is who I am, but others need to be inspired to give there best.
Too much rumor, too much uncertainty about the future.
This company has great potential. Management and the union need to lose this old school train of thought and move on. There are a lot of great ideas in the minds of our people who only need to be inspired to give them up.
Hey I know there are no guarantees, but I could be very happy here if I felt the Union / Company shared a vision and had our best interests and the companies at heart
The company could stand to spend some money and make some inprovements in the quality of the lives of the people working. (no new planes are not enough). Hire more schedulers and innovate the scheduling process to avoid the continual break downs we seem to have. Invest in facillities, infrastructure, and people.
The union could look to the future of all not a few, and gain the confidence of the membership agian. If the membership has dead weight in its ranks it has a duty to eliminate it to the betterment of all.
I know I will get some greif for not being a 100% behind the union but it has lost the confidence as the company has by not leading us "the great unwashed." ( last two TA's as example)
Sorry about the rant, I really hope we pull it together.
On the whole this is a good place to work but it could be far in advance of where it is.
Hey things change every day, maybe some vision will come tomorrow
GOOD LUCK ON THE INTERVIEW
Boogie
Hey if you have a lot of 320 time try Virgin America too.
AirTran interview was great. Easy going friendly, I thought they were genuinely interested in the person I am.
One on one with 2 pilots 1 HR.
Questions like "what was the best decision i ever made?" My answer lead to a 20 minute friendly discussion.
I asked one interviewer about the pictures on his wall and we had a 20 minute dicussion of his carreer and mine.
5 of 6 who interviewed here were hired. I have heard it go the other way too.
The 737 training department here is sharp. I have never felt better prep'd for a checkride in my life. They had a interest in me being a good FO.
I intervied at SWA, Alaska, and UPS. I thought the UPS interview went wll too. (but here I am) Alaska was almost hostile ( like I was trying to hide something),
SWA was interesting they seemed more concerned about picking me apart than trying to find out what kind of person I am and whether I fit their coorporate culture. I would re-apply there to get a second look. I would like to be a fly on the wall there to understand the way they interview.
Life at AAI. I held the line after 3 months of reserve. Life would be good if I lived in ALT but I commute 3 hrs (+ time zones) makes it tough. We need new domiciles, one per time zone.
There are some problems here too. I like 95% of the people I work with and fly with, that said I see no vision.
Big surprise but the Union and Management do not get along. Both sides have major failings. The union is more right.
This company is managed, some might say very well. The management has turned AirTran from a sows ear into a silk purse, that said this place is in dire need of leadership. There is none. Neither union or company.
You manage assets, you lead people.
The company is interested in cutting costs.
Thats it....
Management only concern should be leading the workers toward prosperity. They quickly squander all good will with stupid little S*&t.
Hey most costs are fixed, the only major one that is not is people. People are not going to work for free. The company wants good will, hard working inspired workers, with great ideas at zero costs.
The union has conflicting interest that does not seem to involve the members, that is why they were voted out. The problem seems to be that when we vote in people who have our best interest the company undermines them (fires, suspendeds, investgates).
If this company had some leadership and vision it could make huge strides.The company wants good will but offers nothing in return. There are a lot of little things that could create good will but the company seems to turm a deaf ear to any ideas. There seems to be no strategic vision. I have no idea were the company is going so even if I want to help it get there I have no idea which way to pull. I am just another employee number working in the trenches with no inspiration. I am just a guy doing the best job can because that is who I am, but others need to be inspired to give there best.
Too much rumor, too much uncertainty about the future.
This company has great potential. Management and the union need to lose this old school train of thought and move on. There are a lot of great ideas in the minds of our people who only need to be inspired to give them up.
Hey I know there are no guarantees, but I could be very happy here if I felt the Union / Company shared a vision and had our best interests and the companies at heart
The company could stand to spend some money and make some inprovements in the quality of the lives of the people working. (no new planes are not enough). Hire more schedulers and innovate the scheduling process to avoid the continual break downs we seem to have. Invest in facillities, infrastructure, and people.
The union could look to the future of all not a few, and gain the confidence of the membership agian. If the membership has dead weight in its ranks it has a duty to eliminate it to the betterment of all.
I know I will get some greif for not being a 100% behind the union but it has lost the confidence as the company has by not leading us "the great unwashed." ( last two TA's as example)
Sorry about the rant, I really hope we pull it together.
On the whole this is a good place to work but it could be far in advance of where it is.
Hey things change every day, maybe some vision will come tomorrow
GOOD LUCK ON THE INTERVIEW
Boogie
Hey if you have a lot of 320 time try Virgin America too.
Last edited by Boogie Nights; 10-07-2007 at 11:29 PM.
10-07-2007, 11:41 PM
#18
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Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: KC135 IP
Posts: 398
AT THE RISK OF REPEATING MYSELF>>>
RobLAX what is your grudge? Great you don't like AAI, get over it. Yeah we are not perfect move on. You obiviously think you are superior but you add nothing to the discussion. Quick little quips, ingnorance in abundance. You primary purpose seems to be to encourage ire, and not of the topic at hand only ire towards you. You really must be some ego maniac to think so highly of your oppinions and I got to wonder that it would really be a long 4 day with you in the seat next to me.
RobLAX what is your grudge? Great you don't like AAI, get over it. Yeah we are not perfect move on. You obiviously think you are superior but you add nothing to the discussion. Quick little quips, ingnorance in abundance. You primary purpose seems to be to encourage ire, and not of the topic at hand only ire towards you. You really must be some ego maniac to think so highly of your oppinions and I got to wonder that it would really be a long 4 day with you in the seat next to me.
10-07-2007, 11:48 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Dec 2006
Position: I was acquired, Not Hired
Posts: 1,784
If I may throw my two cents in...
ROBLAX is entitled to his opinion based on people that he knows that work there. I live with an AirTran F/A that finds the airline difficult for a reserve F/A, but she has quantifiable reasons.
Airport Reserve, standup overnights, mechanicals, ATC delays when there is one rain drop in ATL, no pay for D/H for reserves, no hotel reservations, and minimum wage, etc.
With that being said, the thread is not about my roommate or where ROBLAX works, it's about getting the info to this cat that is interested in working for AirTran.
Was the interview process easy or hard...where's a good gouge ? How is pay during training ? How long to upgrade ? Where are the contract talks going ? Will there be any farming out of flying or new domiciles after the contract passes ? Will the pilots strike ? Good benefits ??? Can you commute and be on reserve ? Crashpad network ? Any rumors of other pilot bases besides the current ones ?
I think the answers to these questions are probably more helpful to jet320, then anything else...just my two cents, your conversion rate may vary.
Good Luck on the interview jet320, a lot of good folks at AirTran.
FF
ROBLAX is entitled to his opinion based on people that he knows that work there. I live with an AirTran F/A that finds the airline difficult for a reserve F/A, but she has quantifiable reasons.
Airport Reserve, standup overnights, mechanicals, ATC delays when there is one rain drop in ATL, no pay for D/H for reserves, no hotel reservations, and minimum wage, etc.
With that being said, the thread is not about my roommate or where ROBLAX works, it's about getting the info to this cat that is interested in working for AirTran.
Was the interview process easy or hard...where's a good gouge ? How is pay during training ? How long to upgrade ? Where are the contract talks going ? Will there be any farming out of flying or new domiciles after the contract passes ? Will the pilots strike ? Good benefits ??? Can you commute and be on reserve ? Crashpad network ? Any rumors of other pilot bases besides the current ones ?
I think the answers to these questions are probably more helpful to jet320, then anything else...just my two cents, your conversion rate may vary.
Good Luck on the interview jet320, a lot of good folks at AirTran.
FF
Last edited by FliFast; 10-07-2007 at 11:55 PM.
10-08-2007, 12:01 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: KC135 IP
Posts: 398
FF, I agree ROBLAX is entitled to his opinion but you are right too the point is to help on the interview.
Rumors are rampant, but that is the problem. I have heard everything from Vegas to Orlando for new pilot bases. I have heard too that the union does not want new bases! How does that make sence? All these rumors come from people who are in a theorectial position to know. So i am left with no one seems to know anything. I have heard too we are going to try to go after Sun Country. If NWA does not want us in Milwalkee I am pretty sure they do not want us in Min.
The other emplyee groups have it far worse than the pilots at AirTran. Again low costs, cutting costs. My mom was a FA for 41 years for AA so I have some perspective on a FA lifestyle.
My advice as far as the interview is go be relax and really be yourself, and I mean it. You hear it alot but in this case itis true.
Lastly you are right my life would be in much clearer perspective if I have the answers to the questions you posed.
Rumors are rampant, but that is the problem. I have heard everything from Vegas to Orlando for new pilot bases. I have heard too that the union does not want new bases! How does that make sence? All these rumors come from people who are in a theorectial position to know. So i am left with no one seems to know anything. I have heard too we are going to try to go after Sun Country. If NWA does not want us in Milwalkee I am pretty sure they do not want us in Min.
The other emplyee groups have it far worse than the pilots at AirTran. Again low costs, cutting costs. My mom was a FA for 41 years for AA so I have some perspective on a FA lifestyle.
My advice as far as the interview is go be relax and really be yourself, and I mean it. You hear it alot but in this case itis true.
Lastly you are right my life would be in much clearer perspective if I have the answers to the questions you posed.
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