Chi-town From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 970 posts, RR: 6 Posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 5230 times:
Does anyone know how much Airtran ramp agents make? I tried looking on their website and couldn't find it. I wanted to compare it to United Ramp pay of $9.74/hr. Also, Does anyone know if you MUST attend the 2 week training in Atlanta?
Travatl From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2172 posts, RR: 11 Reply 1, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 5170 times:
Starts at $10/hour. ($10.35 for shifts that start after 2P). And yes, you must attend the training....
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16888 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 5174 times:
Training is at ATL, as that is where their training center is (holdover from when ValuJet was HQ'd in Atlanta).
Quoting Travatl (Reply 1): Starts at $10/hour. ($10.35 for shifts that start after 2P).
When did that change? I take it that it's a systemwide pay scale now, as I remember some outstations had higher starting pay than ATL (Like BOS and LGA for example)?
OttoPylit From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5119 times:
Quoting Travatl (Reply 1): Starts at $10/hour. ($10.35 for shifts that start after 2P).
Airtran has always offered higher than average pay to retain people since the turn-over rate is so high. Its pretty much a revolving door.
Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter): I wanted to compare it to United Ramp pay of $9.74/hr.
Let's see, I can get paid $10 hr and fly to about 50 grand cities in the US such as MLI and CAK, and work with minimum staffing and only get to work with 717's or 737's, or I can go to work for UA, get paid a mere 30 cents less, but be able to fly to more cities(domestic and international) than I can think of, including such exotic places like BKK, LHR, FRA, CDG, FCO, SYD, HNL, NRT, GIG, GRU, SCL, PVG, etc., get easy ID90 benefits on any airlines that do not fly to my cities, work with able staffing, and get to work airplanes from a 737 up through to a 747-400, while throwing in a few Airbuses to boot.
Malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3185 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5108 times:
LAS has Airtran Ramp??? I thought Swissport handled FL ramp in LAS?
Does FL have a Union on the ramp?
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
AvConsultant From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1360 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5095 times:
Quoting OttoPylit (Reply 3): Let's see, I can get paid $10 hr and fly to about 50 grand cities in the US such as MLI and CAK, and work with minimum staffing and only get to work with 717's or 737's, or I can go to work for UA, get paid a mere 30 cents less, but be able to fly to more cities(domestic and international) than I can think of, including such exotic places like BKK, LHR, FRA, CDG, FCO, SYD, HNL, NRT, GIG, GRU, SCL, PVG, etc., get easy ID90 benefits on any airlines that do not fly to my cities, work with able staffing, and get to work airplanes from a 737 up through to a 747-400, while throwing in a few Airbuses to boot.
Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Come on Otty. The ID90 and choice of cities maybe. As for which type of plane they work, they'd prefer working something smaller for more pay. Be sides, it appears the days of a career ramp employee are going away. Outside of a hub, airlines are smart by outsourcing these jobs to a ground handler who can be more efficient by working multiple airlines/air cargo carriers.
Aa757first From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 3338 posts, RR: 9 Reply 6, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5089 times:
Quoting Malaysia (Reply 4): Does FL have a Union on the ramp?
I'm fairly sure they don't. I know IAM has been really trying to unionize them, but I'm pretty sure they didn't succeed. I might be confusing them with CO though...
Malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3185 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5062 times:
Quoting OttoPylit (Reply 3): Airtran has always offered higher than average pay to retain people since the turn-over rate is so high. Its pretty much a revolving door.
Jetblue went to 11.00 earlier this year? but I thought B6 was not having turnover problems. but the 11/Hr is a pretty nice feature for B6 ramp compared to 8.75 at WN still.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
73G From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 127 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 5037 times:
Quoting Malaysia (Reply 4): LAS has Airtran Ramp??? I thought Swissport handled FL ramp in LAS?
Does FL have a Union on the ramp?
FL Ramp in LAS is handled by Worldwide. The Swissport contract ended earlier this year sometime. And no, AirTran ramp and c/s are not unionized.
Quoting OttoPylit (Reply 3): and get to work airplanes from a 737 up through to a 747-400, while throwing in a few Airbuses to boot.
Which is cool for about a week. After that, one bag bin looks just like the next. And most rampers would rather work a smaller aircraft with less bags.
Chi-town From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 970 posts, RR: 6 Reply 9, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4952 times:
Quoting OttoPylit (Reply 3): work with able staffing, and get to work airplanes from a 737 up through to a 747-400, while throwing in a few Airbuses to boot.
keep, in mind, i am a college student and I would be working at BMI for Airtran.
73G From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 127 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4941 times:
Quoting Chi-town (Reply 9): keep, in mind, i am a college student and I would be working at BMI for Airtran.
In that case, go for it. Because remember, in BMI, you wouldn't be working for United, you'd be working for whichever Express carrier runs c/s and ramp there. As far as AirTran is concerned at BMI, three daily ATL flights and one MCO flight four days a week. The work is easy, the pay is good, and our employees there are excellent. They are very sharp but also very friendly. BMI is a very nice little airport!
Chi-town From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 970 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4933 times:
Callsigncitrus From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 22 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4898 times:
gor for FL in BMI. BMI has a really nice pretty much brand new airport. At least when you work for airtran in bmi, you know your working for airtran and nobody else. Theres alot of people that work at these outstations that dont really techincally work for "united" or "Delta" and have zero flight benefits and make crap for money. Airserv in MLI for United express and is a good example. They have pretty much no flight benefits. If you take AirTran over United, you will have alot more job security in my opinon. (airtran as a whole is making money while United really isnt) plus in bmi you would be working crjs and erjs and those suck compared to a B717 or a B737. Trust me. cheers.
DeltaGuy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4875 times:
Quoting AvConsultant (Reply 5): As for which type of plane they work, they'd prefer working something smaller for more pay.
You've never worked a k-loader before then....doing 767/777's is a blast when you have one of those babies. Better than crawling in countless MD bins all day.
Weigh it out....you can work for a legacy carrier that is now doing better money wise, and have some awesome benefits and experience alot of neat things systemwide, not to mention future opportunities. United has a proud history, and despite it's downfalls in the past, is still a good airline. Where else can you fly a 747 for free?
Or you can work for a second tier airline that, as Otto mentioned, only flies to cities that'll subsidize them (hell, your $10/hr is probably financed through Wichita's subsidies). Have fun working your 717 and the occasional 737, and enjoy the dismal work environment- I have 2 friends that worked/work for FL and they hated every minute of it- a crappy company breeds crappy culture, and you'll be spoon fed it. Three months is tenure there. It's still ValuJet, just a different paintscheme. You'll be on the lowest of the LCC totem pole...worse than a WN employee (that's a joke, WN is a good place to work these days). Enjoy working for a bunch of scabs.
Unless you like getting your jodies off by looking at Elton John on the side of a 717, I say stick with UA.
Chi-town From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 970 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4865 times:
Quoting DeltaGuy (Reply 13): Have fun working your 717 and the occasional 737, and enjoy the dismal work environment- I have 2 friends that worked/work for FL and they hated every minute of it- a crappy company breeds crappy culture, and you'll be spoon fed it.
AvConsultant From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1360 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4830 times:
Quoting DeltaGuy (Reply 13): have some awesome benefits and experience alot of neat things systemwide, not to mention future opportunities
Diminishing benefits with a future of wondering if you're going to be outsourced or your company will be acquired or vice versa. That's promising.
Quoting DeltaGuy (Reply 13): It's still ValuJet, just a different paintscheme. You'll be on the lowest of the LCC totem pole...worse than a WN employee (that's a joke, WN is a good place to work these days). Enjoy working for a bunch of scabs.
Call it whatever, B6, WN and FL are the industry leaders. Yes, Legacy experienced profits this year attributed unforcasted loads when gas was $3/gal. They will still have to face the fact of cutting capacity. DL is in a unique situation by abandoning their Int'l service Post 9/11, so they have something to shift the aircraft instead of parking them. AMR will have to figure out what to do along with UAL and NWA.
What will set FL aside their cost will drop 5%/year where no other carrier can make that claim. Would I want to work for them? Hmm probably not. Would I want to own their stock, sure. As for the scabs, signifies an old school term for angry blue collar types who do not accept reality.
ATLAaron From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 1018 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 4788 times:
How hard is it to obtain a ramp agent position at FL? I always see they are hiring. Bet you get bottom of the barrel lodging for those two weeks in ATL.
F9Animal From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 4739 posts, RR: 30 Reply 17, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 4768 times:
Quoting ATLAaron (Reply 18): How hard is it to obtain a ramp agent position at FL? I always see they are hiring. Bet you get bottom of the barrel lodging for those two weeks in ATL.
Trust me, they get plenty of apps. The background checks seem to be the stopper for a majority of those that apply. Out of 10 applicants at an airline I worked at, only 2 passed everything.
Quoting Travatl (Reply 1): Starts at $10/hour. ($10.35 for shifts that start after 2P). And yes, you must attend the training....
Quoting OttoPylit (Reply 3): Let's see, I can get paid $10 hr and fly to about 50 grand cities in the US such as MLI and CAK, and work with minimum staffing and only get to work with 717's or 737's, or I can go to work for UA, get paid a mere 30 cents less, but be able to fly to more cities(domestic and international) than I can think of, including such exotic places like BKK, LHR, FRA, CDG, FCO, SYD, HNL, NRT, GIG, GRU, SCL, PVG, etc., get easy ID90 benefits on any airlines that do not fly to my cities, work with able staffing, and get to work airplanes from a 737 up through to a 747-400, while throwing in a few Airbuses to boot.
Seems like a no-brainer to me.
$0.35 per hour is not bad compared to UA's payscale. And how long does it take to get the first raise at UA? Pay is important, and 35 cents adds up. Also, I would be happy to work a 717 compared to a 747. Less bags, less back aches. Air Tran has more than just their airline you can fly. The pass agreements with other airlines are just as good. Local station agreements can equate to free air travel on other airlines. I would not be surprised if Air Tran has some smaller stations that gets freebies on UA and many other carriers. I got free tickets on just about every airline. I could even fly free on BA and Virgin.
Being a former UA employee myself, I have to say that UA's employee travel program was billshiet. I had to pay for travel when I worked for them. LAS to LAX was about $4.00-$6.00 each way in coach. If I got first class, it was double. I flew IAD to SFO on several occasions in First Class, and it cost me almost a whole paycheck (part time ya know!). I am not sure if they still charget the $0.003825 per mile on UA (something like that), but I can say that it sucks!
Quoting Chi-town (Thread starter): Does anyone know how much Airtran ramp agents make? I tried looking on their website and couldn't find it. I wanted to compare it to United Ramp pay of $9.74/hr. Also, Does anyone know if you MUST attend the 2 week training in Atlanta?
Thanks
I would suggest applying. If you can sneak away for 2 weeks, then it would be worth your time. UA is a fine airline, but you have to look at the benefit side of it. Medical/Dental/Vision/401k/travel/perks.......... If I had to choose between the 2, I would certainly jump on Air Tran.
VonRichtofen From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 4621 posts, RR: 40 Reply 18, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 4751 times:
Quoting F9Animal (Reply 19): $0.35 per hour is not bad compared to UA's payscale. And how long does it take to get the first raise at UA? Pay is important, and 35 cents adds up. Also, I would be happy to work a 717 compared to a 747. Less bags, less back aches. Air Tran has more than just their airline you can fly. The pass agreements with other airlines are just as good. Local station agreements can equate to free air travel on other airlines. I would not be surprised if Air Tran has some smaller stations that gets freebies on UA and many other carriers. I got free tickets on just about every airline. I could even fly free on BA and Virgin.
Being a former UA employee myself, I have to say that UA's employee travel program was billshiet. I had to pay for travel when I worked for them. LAS to LAX was about $4.00-$6.00 each way in coach. If I got first class, it was double. I flew IAD to SFO on several occasions in First Class, and it cost me almost a whole paycheck (part time ya know!). I am not sure if they still charget the $0.003825 per mile on UA (something like that), but I can say that it sucks!
You cannot compare working for a major over a LCC. Sure a 747 carries more bags, but widebodies are much easier on the body than bulk loaded narrowbodies. Using the controls on an FMC loader doesn't cause many back aches. Unlike humping 120 bags into flight after flight while constantly under the gun to work like you're in a sweatshop in order to maintain precious OTP. And sure they may start 35 cents higher per hour. But let's see who's making more after 3 years, plus benefits and stuff.
As for the flight passes, how can you say a major airlines employee travel sucks? Just because you have to pay $6.00? Give me a break!! I'd sooner pay and get to fly anywhere in the WORLD on ANY airline (Zed fares baby) for next to nothing then get free passes on some rinky dink domestic runs... please...
ATLAaron From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 1018 posts, RR: 4 Reply 19, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 4748 times:
Quoting F9Animal (Reply 19): Trust me, they get plenty of apps. The background checks seem to be the stopper for a majority of those that apply. Out of 10 applicants at an airline I worked at, only 2 passed everything.
What is so tough about the background check? Do most people fail for have criminal stuff on their record or what?
Theweave33 From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 40 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 4717 times:
For a college airline fan like me is the ramp job a great experience? The freezing temptures to the radiating heat off the tarmac, does the love of aircraft really make the job worth it or am I better off keeping my better paying restaurant job?
Since I'm not pursuing a career in aviation this is could be my only chance to work around aircraft so I wonder if I better take my opportunity now.
Turpentyine From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 154 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 4622 times:
Quoting Theweave33 (Reply 22): For a college airline fan like me is the ramp job a great experience? The freezing temptures to the radiating heat off the tarmac, does the love of aircraft really make the job worth it or am I better off keeping my better paying restaurant job?
Since I'm not pursuing a career in aviation this is could be my only chance to work around aircraft so I wonder if I better take my opportunity now.
apply for the tsa at your airport
u get 13.50 an hour starting
u get benefits
u don have to work outside in the cold
u don lift as much
u still see planes all the time and on breaks u can go on the ramp and just chill
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 8 Reply 22, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 4605 times:
All this discussion on travel perks is OK, as long as you understand how often you're gonna use it. You can discuss free flights to Europe as much as you like, but if you're going to fly free from BOS-FLL once a year, and save $200, you might want to put other benefits higher on the list....like healthcare, 401(k), etc. etc.
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
Antoniemey From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 1505 posts, RR: 4 Reply 23, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 4603 times:
Quoting 73G (Reply 8): And most rampers would rather work a smaller aircraft with less bags.
Bring on the CRJs flying a 45 minute hop with 20 PAX!
Quoting Turpentyine (Reply 23): u still see planes all the time and on breaks u can go on the ramp and just chill
I've yet to see a TSA security checkpoint agent with authorization to go outside of the terminal at any airport.
Make something Idiot-proof, and the Universe will make a more inept idiot.
AirTran737 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3639 posts, RR: 12 Reply 24, posted (6 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 4720 times:
You need to realize that if you work anywhere other than ATL you will be cross trained and will work the ticket counter and ramp.
As for the Delta haters, they can blow it out their ass. I was a very happy AirTran employee, and leaving the company was one of the hardest choices that I have ever had to make. It all came down to a quality of life issue, and unfortunately I had to move on. AirTran is a good place to work. I enjoyed my four and a half years there, and would go back for a second helping. In fact when I get enough flight hours I have three guys who are going to help get me a class date in the 737. You'll have fun working for AirTran, and like others have said, you would be working for an express carrier in BMI and would make about $7.50-$8.25 to start out. Good luck with your decision .
Nice Trip Report!!! Great Pics, thanks for posting!!!! B747Forever
26 Annoyedfa: Do they get time and a half after they work 40 hours? Whats the top out pay for the agents and at how many years. Thanks!!!
27 F9Animal: Yikes!!! Please tell me your not that rude to your passengers!!! Let me start by correcting you..... I never said that a major airlines employee trav
28 Turpentyine: yes you do. how many years i am not sure but i think its aboout 40000. You can get promoted and make more as a supervisor or a lead. Its a new and gr
29 AirTran737: I didnt say that. I don't know how it got quoted as my message.
30 Turpentyine: that was weird here lets try again do it all the time at jfk and lga
31 Turpentyine: wow again same thing strange or maybe i am doing something wrong
32 F9Animal: Weird! I got quoted on something I did not do either. Glitch in the system perhaps?
34 BR715-A1-30: When I worked for AirTran for a short time, they ripped me off with only $9.10/hr. No Union either. If they hadn't threw me into pub-lick, I probably
35 AirTran737: Thanks man, good to know I was liked at the Tran. I miss it.[Edited 2006-11-09 23:37:03]
36 OttoPylit: Av, but, but, but this is A.NET!!! Isn't it a requirement to be a fan of every aircraft type and want to work/fly every aircraft type in order to be
37 ATLAaron: I already have a full-time career but would not mind doing a little part-time aviation work for some aviation exposure. I saw FL has a part-time ramp
38 Crogalski: i believe thats only in the JFK, because if I'm not mistaken, b6 is still $10/hr and WN, starting is 8.75, and then I think they get a $1 or $2 raise
39 AvConsultant: LMAO. I forgot, you're correct. From a 16 y/o point of view, it's about the equipment not less work. Read their statement, the loss had to do with th
40 FXramper: We pay our rampers at FX $12/hr. Also included... full medical full dental full vision profit sharing 401(k) tuition reimbursement Purple Promise bonu
41 ATLAaron: Hmmmm, be watching for an IM on a.net from me.
42 VonRichtofen: AC has been out of Bankruptcy for 2 years and is profitable. When I say "rinky dink domestic runs" in regards to flight passes, I'm talking about rou
43 MSYtristar: An airline job is as good as you make it. If you have a good attitude, you'll enjoy your time with any airline. If you get caught up in all the drama,
44 ORDZW: You must remember that the hub and outstations are very different. The FL employees in BMI are some of the nicest I have ever seen - They enjoy their
45 AirTran737: The way I stated it was wrong. I meant that if he works for anyone other than AirTran in BMI he will be working for an express carrier. Just about ev
46 Antoniemey: The thing about working for an airline, any airline, is that it's an entirely different environment from any other workplace. You will either love th
47 Chi-town: Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I will probably apply for the job in the summer so I can have 2 weeks off for training in ATL.
48 BR715-A1-30: Bullshit... I didn't HATE it. I just didn't like the environment. Normally I can learn something pretty quickly, but what got me in trouble at AirTra
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