The Wandering Disciple

A little bit of wheel smoke comes out from underneath an AirTran Boeing 717 as it touches down at Tampa International Airport. AirTran, owned by Southwest Airlines, operates a fleet of 94 aircraft providing over 700 flights a day.  (Photo: April 13, 2014)

A flurry of activity surrounds Airside C at Tampa International Airport. Airside C is home to gate operations for AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines. Tampa International Airport welcomes flights from 73 worldwide destinations services by 22 airlines. Over 16,000,000 passengers pass through TIA, making it the 31st busiest airport in North America. (Photo: July 27, 2013)

Brewers One departs Sarasota-Bradenton International on a sunny morning. Brewers One is one of several special edition Boeing 717 aircraft operated by AirTran to symbolize major corporate sponsorships. (Photo: March 6, 2012)

A Boeing 737-700 operated by AirTran Airways departs Sarasota International Airport. AirTran offers over 700 flights a day to 70 destinations. AirTran is in its final months of operation following its acquisition by Southwest Airlines. (Photo: December 15, 2011)

AirTran's Falcons One makes an arrival at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Falcons One is one of twelve special livery jets in the AirTran Fleet. (Photo: January 10, 2012)

AirTran's "Ravens One" taxis for departure at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. "Ravens One" is one of several special edition paint schemes operated by AirTran to highlight the airline's partnerships. (Photo: January 6, 2012)

"Colts One" a Boeing 717 operated by AirTran is seen on arrival to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Dedicated in 2009, Colts One is one of several special edition paint schemes on AirTran aircraft. AirTran operates a fleet of 140 jets that service 70 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. (Photo: December 9, 2011)

Orlando, Florida: AirTran Airways is a low-cost airline based in Orlando, Florida. Its fleet of 140 aircraft operate over 700 daily flights to 70 destinations in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. The history of AirTran actually begins several years before the name AirTran. In 1992, the low-cost airline ValuJet was formed. ValuJet suffered scores of safety setbacks, culminating in the FAA to seek removal of their flight certification in ealy 1996. However the process was lost in the government bureaucracy and ValuJet suffered its largest accident in May 1996 when ValuJet Flight 592 crashed in the Florida Everglades, killing 110. The crash combined with the substandard safety records forced ValuJet into financial ruins and they were purchased by Airways Corporation in 1997. The airline was rebranded as AirTran Airways and the company headquarters was relocated to Orlando in November 1997. The original model for AirTran was to provide low cost flights to Orlando...