HawgDude

Long time listener, first time caller...

I've seen at least one post where a guy asked about Airtran's work schedule and QOL. That thread quickly spiraled out of control into a discussion about SCABS. When it was all said and done nobody seemed to answer the poor guy's question. So...

1. What IS the work schedule like at Airtran? Days on/off; Reserve Hours and call up time; "Dead" time - The basic stuff.

2. How's the QOL overall? I know that's a question with as many answers as there are folks, but still...what do you say? Any takers?

Thanks very much!

hawgdude

BigEasy

Well I'll give it a shot.

Been at Airtran for one year and this is what I know.

1. Schedules are not bad. I normally get 15-16 days off with an average of 85 credit hours of pay. There were several times that the credit pay was 95-105 hours. Reserve (B-717) is about 3 months, maybe less. At every airline I have worked for reserve was not pleasant, at least here you can really make some money with the reserve pay rules that we have.

2. QOL? Pretty good, I really can't complain. Plenty of flying to go around and growing more every day.

We should have 165 airframes minimum(strait from the CEO's mouth) by the end of '08. At this moment we have 106 on property.

I do believe a new base will pop up. Now if only we knew where?

Anyway, I personally think QOL is good, the flying is good, and the aircraft choices are good. There is a bright future to be had and anyone who gets on I say welcome.

BigEasy

Bengalsfan

BigEasy

Do you know if Airtran utilizes a military conversion factor? If so, what is it?

Bengalsfan

Another question

According to the airline section of this site, you guys are in mediated contract talks... Where are these heading? Is management trying to cut pay and benefits? Or does it appear that you all will actually get a raise and improvemnts to QOL?

BigEasy

I am actually heading out the door so a quick response.

1. Military conversion factor? Not sure, I am all civilian so not the right person to answer that. Many military pilots here, actually a good mix of all types.

2. As far as contracts go. The vice-prez of flight ops initially asked for a 12% reduction in costs. At first this included pay but now they say it is not needed. The company now wants better efficiency, about 12%. There are areas that can be fixed, for the 12%, that would go almost unnoticed by the pilot group.

I do think that there will be some pay increases and better QOL with the new contract, it may take a little time to complete however.

See yall next week!

BigEasy

Zeroto4

No military conversion factor. Just for reference, they didn't even request I bring my logbooks to the interview. Once you meet the mins I get the feeling they are looking more for quality of flying background (i.e. military = great training/experience) and a willingness to make AirTran your airline of choice (i.e. you are not going to use them as a stepping stone to somewhere else).

FlyByWire

12% pay cuts around the corner yet?

Frank Rizzo

Not sure what you mean by that? Concessions aren't even on the table any longer.

I can't comment on the Military conversion question, I have no idea.

As for QOL, I'd say it's good but would be great if management upheld their end of the contract. Management violates the contract at will with little regard for what they signed. Our contract is over 5 years old and the company is still re-interpreting it to suit their needs.

Overall a good place to work, good pilot group, decent contract (what's left of it).