The best advice I could give you is to look for a company that views its employees as ASSETS and not LIABILITIES. The list is short and AirTran is not on it. Otherwise, Re-up.

O

 

Hope you're right. Maybe once the age 65 dam bursts, things will improve.

 

Bull, you should have stayed on active duty. The pay is much better, the retirement is much better, the QWL is better unless you are senior at an airline and the job security is much better. If it was me, I would have at least stayed thru 2012 when retirements start again. My 2 cents.

 

Tony...I am guessing that you were military by your avatar...the airframe that I was in, I was gone about 285 days/year. I got out because I have a great reserve job that allows me to work alot. I would have never gotten out without a reserve job. I would like to get into the airlines right before what I think would be a big hiring time (hopefully around 2012). I won't know if I make the right choice until I look back when the ride is over....time will tell!! Thanks for your input...

 

Bull, yes, your guessing was correct. I got off active duty in 2000 with a reserve job(traditional) and hired by a major. I got furloughed after 9/11 and then transferred to the ANG for an AGR job so I could get a 20 year retirement. Best thing I ever did.
You didn't say how many active years you have but if you can get an AGR slot with your reserve unit it may pay dividends in the future. You could still apply for airline jobs. If you got hired, then you could take Mil leave if you were close to your 20 yrs. Just something to think about. Hopefully when 2012 hits and folks start to retire again much of the current chaos will disappear.

 

This is a very accurate statement! As mentioned the path to the left seat will be long at all majors..... It's not just the age 65 ruling, the airlines have been cutting capacity for years and there doesn't appear to be any significant capacity increase for some time.

 

I knew someone who went to Airtran in 2004.

At the time his health insurance was something like $835 per month.

Is it still that high?

Something else to think about.

 

Nicely said. Alot also depends on what kind of scope relief, if any, is negotiated by pilot unions in current contract negotiations. If scope is given up in the 90 to 110 seat range, there will be even further cuts and it will be the death knell for getting quality people in this job.

I'm not saying unions will give up scope, just saying if they do...........

Denny

 

I'm retired military (best decision I ever made was to stay in until retirement). Don't get out thinking the grass is greener on the other side. Some quick pros/cons on AirTran from my point of view.
Cons:
- Hostile work environment (very hard to adjust to after excellent leadership in military).
- Very poor/inefficient management (if we get a competative contract we will no longer be able to compete against Southwest and JetBlue).
- Inability to weather another economic shock (we were hours from bankruptcy when oil went to $140/barrel). A new contract combined with another economic shock will cause the Tranz to fold like a circus tent (we are not to big to fail like Detla/United/American).

Pros:
- Better place to keep currency than the regionals (they treat you poorly here, but at least you're paid better than starting regional pay).
- Good company contribution into plan B fund (but only vested after 3 years).
- Very good training department, but that may change when AQP is forced on us by FAA.

Once again, if you already have a good gig don't leave it for AirTran.

 

................