For a newhire at AirTran....

1) What is the junior base / aircraft? How much more senior are the others?

2) What are the good and bad aspects to reserve? Anything really good or really bad about it at AirTran?

3) How long have people been on reserve as an FO, typically, until holding a line?

4) Whats a typical reserve's QOL? Fly a lot? Not much at all? How are the trips?


Thanks guys

 

I cannot talk fm experience but I can tell what I was told when I interviewed with AT.

1. Expect ATL first but there is a chance of MKE and a slight shot MCO. Either A/C can be assigned but 737s go first in each class.
2. No clue!
3. We were told to expect 3-4 years on reserve.
4. Reserves are used a lot.

Not a complete answer but it might help.

C9

 

I'll add a few more...

Since they started taking apps a few months back, about how many have they called for interviews and how many have they hired? What are competitive mins?

Gracias

 

I left Citrus a few years ago, but since they still don't have a new contract (Zing!), i bet it's pretty much the same, plus the morale down the toilet part. I'll try to answer what I do know.

1) ATL 717 will always be junior. But you'll be a lineholder a bit quicker.

2) Really good part about reserve?? hmm, hmm, can't say much unless you like eating Popeye Chicken in C concourse. Bad part, by far, sitting airport reserve. If you don't live in ATL, moving there will make your QOL much better. Though most of the commuters live in the east coast, and we had a few brave souls that commute in from west coast.

3) Few years ago, holding a line on ATL 717 was just a year, but if you're hired at the beginning of the wave, it may be shorter.

4) Reserve are always doing something. Either you sit airport standby, or you'll be flying a trip. Be expect to work hard at AirTran.

I'll always remember Citrus as a regional on steroid. We work hard, play hard. Crews are nice to each other, and if they get a decent contract, it'll be that much more attractive to stay there as a career. Good luck with your decision.

 

Expect RSV for 2-3 years. In-base RSV is barely tolerable. Commuting to RSV is a special hell. Bid R1 or R2 so your family can at least remember what you look like.

MKE is junior base, then ATL, then MCO.

However, no one has been displaced yet. Lots of people getting hired are from the MKE/MDW/ORD area and are bidding MKE right away.

RSV's fly A LOT! It's August and I am at 649 block for year-to-date.

 

Plus, being a younger airline their flight attendants tend to be younger, better looking, and friendlier than other airlines.

 

If that's true about our FA's, god help the rest of the industry! I'm just saying...

 

Good luck with that if you're based in MCO!!

 

What makes reserve at AirTran so bad compared to other airlines? Whats the min days off? Callout time? Details of airport reserve?

 

It depends what your background is. If you're ex-military, it'll take some time to get used to how the system works. If you're from regionals that are used to getting beat up by crew sked, you'll fit right in.

I recall min days off is 11, correct me if i'm wrong, and call-out is 2 hour. Airport reserve is just that. You're basically tied up to the crew lounge for 8 hours, and you need a hall pass if you'll be out of range.

Hope it helped.