Applying for AirTran

[JessK]

I am planning on going to an open house for AirTran for a flight attendant position. As I read through all these posts, I'll admit I am torn on whether to go or not. My parents have flown on Airtran and they said that the flight was fine, minus the fact that it was a really bumpy ride. My mother in law wont fly anything but AirTran. I understand that there are risks taken when working in the aviation field, but I dont want to walk myself into a guarenteed death bed. Not trying to start a new arguement, I just wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts or opinions that might help make my decision a little easier.

Thanks!!
Jess

[Delta7203]

Jess...don't worry about applying to work at AirTran. They are just as safe as any other airline.

Good luck with your career!

- John

[jetmech717]

JessK,
I can't help you with your problem and I'm trying not to be offended by it!!
B717mech and myself are mechanics for AirTran and take extrodinary pride and proffesionalism in or work. If you dont want to be a flight attendant for AirTran because of a "bumpy" flight than I invite you to try other airlines who seem to avoid the bumpy airways. I will put our aircraft and our team against "any" airline out there on safety and performance. good luck in your career desicion, and staying out of a "Deathbed".

[JessK]

Of course, after posting on this forum, i found another forum that completly changed my view for the better on applying for AirTran. After reading posts from flight attendants for AirTran, I am now thrilled to even have the opportunity to apply for a job that employs so many wonderful people. I have never seen so many people as passionate about their jobs as the ones I have spoken to from AirTran. Thank you jetmech717 and delta7203 for your responses!

[Doko Deska]

I'm not sure if I can add or subtract, but before you get all giddy about working for AirTRash, I need to remind you of a few fact.

All these "friendly employees" you keep referring to have worked without a contract for two years now. I don't see any change in this for another year or so. Also, keep in mind that you are getting a whopping 18 bucks an hour, 75 or so hour per month limit. That's not a whole lot of money.

Some other fine points. This airline merged, bought out, whatever legal term you want to use with ValuJet. In fact, from most veteren ValuJet employees (Very few of these brainwashed morons left...), AirTran and ValuJet is the same company. Still the same "Union Busting" a-holes they were in '95.

Go back one generation and you'll see Eastern's underbelly. That's right, AirTran is Eastern's grandson. The company is in it's early teens, and pretty much acts like a 10 year old would: Only cares about itself, and is very disrepectful of the other older airlines around it. Yes, I'm referring to Delta. The Easter / Delta feud is worse than the "Hatfields and the Mccoys". You need to think long and hard about where your loyalties lie, because they will test those loyalties on a daily basis, at 30 thousand feet.

Contrary to popular opinion, AirTran is predominantly non-union. They have around 6000 employees now, the Ramp, Reservation and Gate agents, among other admin employees comprise close to 3000 of those employees. That's a huge chunk of AirTran, and the Teamster's know it.

A union contract means millions to the Teamsters. If they successfully organize a vote, which may be later this year, chances are likely that they will succeed; however, given who won the election (ie. Bush), the election is not a slam dunk for the employees. I predict that if a vote were to happen tomorrow, AirTran's management would win the vote.

Personally, I worked the ramp at Hartsfield / Jackson international airport, and it was time for me to leave. AirTran runs a very tight ship, and most people who stay for longer than a year or so have been brainwashed into chanting the AirTran motto. The fact of the matter is, that AirTran looks at the short-term rewards, and fails to see the long term effects. You can't really blame them, Eastern did the same thing in the late early 80's. They learned nothing from their dead Grandfather, which is typical of a spoiled rotten rich kid. Some industry experts claim that they are leading Delta by the nose. I disagree, at the young age of 10 or 11, they can't reach the old man's nose. Instead, they take hold of the "family jewels", which in any man's opinion is flat out disrespectful.

Most of the pilots will tell you that their recruiter warned them about AirTrash. Basically, gone are the days of company loyalty. Most of the industry uses a seniority system to keep and cheaply reward wanted employees.

Laughably, the average seniority at AirTran is around 2 years. Very rarely do you see anyone survive past their two year anniversary without getting fired or quitting. I think AirTran likes it that way. The Ramp, for example has the largest turnover rate, not only for the company, but for the industry. As a result, pay raises can be compensated by new blood, which is preferred on the ramp (It's a very hard job! In the weather all the time, and the bags don't get any lighter!)

Hope this helps... I'm not saying that you have to take anything I say with a grain of salt! At 1.5 years, it was time for me to go. I don't hate AirTran, I just hope they learn to RESPECT their employees. The "nice employee" myth is just that.. a myth.

[B717mech]

Give me a break. Wow and you don't hate AirTran, how could this be??

[Doko Deska]

No. I don't hate AirTran. I wish you the best of luck.

I'm a realist. And I'm not alone in my opinions. AirTran leads through fear and intimidation, and you are obviously branwashed!

Sorry.. Have a good career...... Hope you stay 30 years!! Get the watch, and everything!!!!!!

[B717mech]

Airtran is a great company. I think you were probably fired and are looking for revenge. If the flight attendants would grow up and realize there job is not as important as pilots or mechs. then maybe they can reach an agreement.

[jetmech717]

Doko:

Some other fine points. This airline merged, bought out, whatever legal term you want to use with ValuJet. In fact, from most veteren ValuJet employees (Very few of these brainwashed morons left...), AirTran and ValuJet is the same company. Still the same "Union Busting" a-holes they were in '95.

I dont think you will find any company that "wishes" to have a union represent there employees. Its just always been that was. Now many companies may "get along" with the unions they have but that doesnt mean that they want them there,

Doko:

Laughably, the average seniority at AirTran is around 2 years. Very rarely do you see anyone survive past their two year anniversary without getting fired or quitting. I think AirTran likes it that way. The Ramp, for example has the largest turnover rate, not only for the company, but for the industry. As a result, pay raises can be compensated by new blood, which is preferred on the ramp (It's a very hard job! In the weather all the time, and the bags don't get any lighter!)

I'm not going to bash ramp because we as mechanics need and work with them everyday, and I also am friends with alot of them...We also just hired a a new mech that worked his way up from the ramp. Working the ramp is not something you want to make a career out of. You eventually want to become a sup, mgr, esc... You should not want to be throwing bags your whole life. Trust me we have alot of mechs that got their license' and moved up from ramp. Now we have mechs that are getting their pilots license' and they will move up to that next. As far as the weather and elements complaint...brother we can only fit (3) planes in the hangar at a time. We have an average of 15 planes overnight in ATL everynight, and I'm out there at night when its the coldest and if its raining, sleeting, freezing whatever then I'm right there with you in it fixing whatever needs to be fixed, and I cant wear gloves. I knew this when I became an aircraft tech, and I still love my job. Every job has good and bad. Thats just one of the bads. Oh well I wish you luck in whatever new career you chose.

[Doko Deska]

I'm glad to hear that he finally got a job with the mechanics. It's been a long time for him. I wish him well.

There have been a lot of speculation and rumors going around regarding why I left AirTran. The simple answer is, it was time for me to go. AirTran doesn't really care about loyalty. They care about profits; short term profits. Your fearless leaders, namely Joe and Bob, are very close to retirement. Some may argue that the new Boeing purchase is proof that they are indeed looking toward the future; however, the MAIN reason that the Boeing/AirTran deal went through is because ValuJet begged and pleaded with Boeing to allow them a finanical extension, so that they could regroup and make good on their financial promises. I had to laugh when I found out that Boeing was no longer making the 717. That was becaue the ONLY airline that made a long term committment to those low-quality airplanes was AirTran.

My critics will argue that the reason AirTran bought the 717 is because the outdated DC-9's were unsafe and needed replacing. That is partially the reason, but my critics fail to address the reason the 717 was chosen. Boeing forced their hand, so to speak. The 717 was cheap to build and engineer. In making the deal, they saved a great deal of money in research and design. After the huge profit margin gained in 2003, AirTran finally had enough money to invest in an airplane (the 737) that was tried and true in the market.

AirTran growth is essential to capturing short term opportunities in the industry, not long term. I have a theory as to why Managment has failed to grant the flight attendents a contract that both parties can live with. The money that they could have invested into their employees are going into new airplanes. Opportunities to make money for the stockholders takes priority over their employees. AirTran employees are among the LOWEST PAID in the industry, and it's that kind of disrespect that will eventually vote in a union for the ramp, gate and reservation agents.

I like the fact that you find my comments funny; however, I don't find disrespect funny. I got disrepsected on the ramp and in my paycheck. Free flying?!?! With 59 dollar fares one way to popular cities, I didn't give up much by leaving. Ask anyone who pays for and flies AirTran on a regualr basis, and you'll discover that when things go wrong, the only way they get the respect they deserve is by complaining!

I read some of your comments, and I understand that you are married to the company, and some of my comments are offensive, much like someone disrespecting a loving spouse. I appologize if my comments offend you; but I'm not alone in my opinions.