They shouldn't do that, and it is NOT a minor problem when an amp smokes output tubes in minutes. It went from normal bias to zero volt output, and flashed another tube in the same location. The only possibilities are: very poorly matched tubes, a bad batch of tubes (for example, you may have tubes that were rejected by someone else), incompatibility with GE tubes or an amp malfunction.
I recommend seeing if the amp performs properly with the original tubes; if so, the amp is not at fault, leaving only the tubes as culprits (if it doesn't bias properly, the flashes damaged the amp). I seem to remember that VTL likes to use higher than usual plate voltages, and maybe the GEs cannot handle it. If the RCAs work fine, maybe you should track down some more of them and dump those GEs.
I recommend seeing if the amp performs properly with the original tubes; if so, the amp is not at fault, leaving only the tubes as culprits (if it doesn't bias properly, the flashes damaged the amp). I seem to remember that VTL likes to use higher than usual plate voltages, and maybe the GEs cannot handle it. If the RCAs work fine, maybe you should track down some more of them and dump those GEs.