Age 65 rule on US Airways hiring

[dirkdigler]

Just listened in on a webcast. In the short term (probably for the next 3 - 6 months), they said they will keep the current pace of hiring new pilots but expect to slow down somewhat after that.

 

[MK82Man]

Dirk, once they get the 190 staffed it is anyone's guess.

The East guys chest-thumped about how they were entitled to their "attrition." That's what US Air brought to the table in the merger with America West and the West guys didn't have any right to benefit from the massive number of retirees looming on the East side. Then the age 65 2x4 whollaped 'em in the head in December -- guess what, no more "attrition." Just stagnation now, once the 190 is staffed, since none of the old Captains back East are going anywhere as they fly to the last day to re-coup their pensions. Which is their right to do now that the law has changed -- I've got no problem with that. But you've got a bunch of older FOs who now may never upgrade or are stuck pulling the gear at age 63/64. FOs who are 55/56 today that though they were upgrading in 2008 and now it will be 2012/13. I think you'll see some of those guys just retire out of frustration and oddly enough, they will create the "attrition" that will drive "new hire" opening. You will benefit as a new hire from both FO and Captain retirements. The East is fighting so hard to "hold onto their upgrade slots" (that never will materialize now) that they continue to lose all opportunity for a better contract today. Then the economic slowdown hits for 2/3 years. Management says: we can't afford better wages now, and all of a sudden the East has squandered 6 years of time. We've already wasted almost three years (May 2005 was the merger date) and with the East guys staying away from joint contract talks and pushing the USAPA issue, nothing is changing short/medium term. Only one winner, Management. Good luck to you on getting on with the new US Airways: it is anyone's guess at staffing now that 65 has hit the street. But if you are young enough, in 7-10 years, there will be alot of dudes out the door. Man that sounds alot like what the East guys believed in the 1990s!

 

[BeCareful!]

Pretty fair assessment. I'd say the possibility of furloughs in the next three years is quite good as well.

The 190 fleet is a questionable thing here. I've never known US Air or even AWA to order such a small fleet of aircraft. Am I right on this? I think there are only 29 coming, a number which past managements have indicated was not enough to operate economically. Who really knows?

What I think.....just an opinion.....is that these aircraft will be held hostage in the next downturn, with the company saying they have to go to Republic or somewhere like that.

BC
Bracing for the next furlough

 

[Tweaker]

190 Orders are 25 firm - options for (who gives a rat's ass, options mean nothing!)

All 25 online by Oct 2008. So hiring must be substantial at least for that reason.

Remember when US Air had 10 different A/C types? They operated like that for a good while. Economics of scale meant nothing to that management team.

Moving the 190 to another operation is certainly a possibility (Mid-Atlantic-Republic). I doubt that is what they intend to do though.

 

[BeCareful!]

190 Orders are 25 firm - options for (who gives a rat's ass, options mean nothing!)

All 25 online by Oct 2008. So hiring must be substantial at least for that reason.

Remember when US Air had 10 different A/C types? They operated like that for a good while. Economics of scale meant nothing to that management team.

Moving the 190 to another operation is certainly a possibility (Mid-Atlantic-Republic). I doubt that is what they intend to do though.

10 types, yes, but the fewest in any of those fleets were the 38 MD80s, if memory serves. Management said several times that 50 was the comfortable minimum fleet, but of course their lips were moving so lying is probable. Who knows...

Anyway, I hope you're correct about the sale of these airplanes, but I wonder why you doubt that possibility. After all, you should be well versed in the anti-labor shenanigans of U.

 

[dirkdigler]

1/31 FAQ Posting

Here's a posting from the recent FAQ posted by the company:

Q. How has the change to 65 years old retirement rule affected the pilot hiring forecast?
​

A. We're still in recruiting and hiring mode for pilots for at least the next three months. Beyond
that, it's hard to give concrete figures but we expect it will slow down some. Look for more on this​

in the months ahead.

 

[PlaneDrvr]

10 types, yes, but the fewest in any of those fleets were the 38 MD80s, if memory serves. Management said several times that 50 was the comfortable minimum fleet, but of course their lips were moving so lying is probable. Who knows...

Anyway, I hope you're correct about the sale of these airplanes, but I wonder why you doubt that possibility. After all, you should be well versed in the anti-labor shenanigans of U.

I could be wrong but I believe that US Air only had 29 MD80s. And, along that lines; they only had 40 F100s, only about 11-12 B767s, never had more than 32 B757s (combined 757/76 wasn't over 50), and even the F28s never exceeded 50. Sorry, again what was your point??

In fact the only fleet types that ever exceeded 50 was the B737 and A320; and that was with a fleet that once numbered over 400 total.

Yes, now I remember my question; Do you know what you are talking about???

For what its worth.

DA