Airtran 2009 Annual Report Download - page 18

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In contrast to certain low-cost airlines, we offer our customers the ability to select seats in advance. Full fare
passengers, A+ Reward Elite members, and members of our A2B Corporate travel program, many of whom
tend to purchase tickets at the last minute, are allowed to reserve seats at the time of purchase. All other
customers may reserve seats at the time they check in, either at the airport or online at http://www.airtran.com.
Passengers purchasing a coach ticket can also reserve a coach cabin seat for a fee per seat reservation.
We also offer our automated frequent flier program known as “A+ Rewards.” Our customers may earn either
free roundtrip travel or Business Class upgrades, or under certain circumstances, free travel on other airlines.
A+ Rewards credits can also be earned for purchases made with an AirTran Airways A+ Visa card, when
renting from Hertz, purchases from other A+ Rewards partners, and in conjunction with marketing promotions
that we may run from time to time. Additionally, American Express Membership Rewards is a partner and
enrollees may convert Membership Rewards into A+ Rewards credits.
We perform substantially all of our marketing, promotional, and media relations in-house and typically utilize
outside services for advertising and public relations.
Computer Reservations
We are a participant in the major travel agency Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), including Amadeus,
SABRE, and Travelport. These systems provide flight schedules and pricing information and allow travel
agents to electronically book a flight reservation without contacting our reservations facility. We pay booking
fees for completed transactions made in the GDS systems. We also participate with a number of emerging
distribution tools and other Internet-based booking tools. These companies generally have a lower cost for
participation.
Employees
As of February 1, 2010, we employed approximately 8,070 employees, equivalent to approximately 7,740 full-
time equivalents.
Both initial and recurrent training are provided for all employee groups. The average training period for new
employees ranges from approximately one to eight weeks depending on job classification. Both pilot and
mechanic training are provided by in-house training instructors.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require pilots to have commercial licenses with specific
ratings for the aircraft to be flown, and to be medically certified as physically fit to fly. FAA and medical
certifications are subject to periodic renewal requirements including recurrent training and recent flying
experience. In December 2007, federal legislation was enacted increasing the mandatory retirement age for U.S.
commercial airline pilots from age 60 to age 65. Mechanics, quality-control inspectors, and flight dispatchers
must be certificated and qualified for specific aircraft. Flight attendants must have initial and periodic
competency training and qualification. Training programs are subject to approval and monitoring by the FAA.
Management personnel directly involved in the supervision of flight operations, training, maintenance, and
aircraft inspection must also meet experience standards prescribed by FAA regulations. All safety-sensitive
employees are subject to pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug testing.
We have seven craft or classes of employees that are represented by labor unions and are covered by collective
bargaining agreements. The Railway Labor Act governs our relations with these labor organizations. The
agreement with our dispatchers, who are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), was ratified in
February 2010. Our agreement with our pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA),
as successor by merger to the National Pilots Association (NPA), became amendable in April 2005. During