Draginass said:AA wants to implement a preferential bid process. Some think that would eliminate the need for about 500 pilot positions. This will be another test of the "pliability" of the AA pilots' union.
Recalls? My guess is at least another 18 months before a very slow recall starts.
Draginass, back in 1999/2000, Northwest had preferential bidding (still does). They computed that it saved about 5% in manpower requirements. If you currently have 10,000 pilots, you'll need 9,500 with preferential bidding.
Management at United got our pilots to take preferential bidding during the paul whiteford (ex-MEC Chairman) giveaways. However, since whiteford had already sold the pilots on heinous QOL schedules where you pretty much fly 1000 hrs/yr hard time, the impact of preferential bidding is lessened a bit. However, it does screw the lineholders out of vacation drops, adding a couple of percentage points to crew efficiency.
I just hope that APA doesn't give away unlimited 70 seaters. WTF was whiteford thinking? Oh yeah, save the pensions. Well, we all saw how that one played out. Nothing like selling out the bottom half of the seniority list hoping that management wouldn't take away our pensions. This should be airline union 101 stuff ... if management has an opportunity to take $hit away, they will. Giving away other stuff to try to save something that they can wipe out in BK court is just plain stupid. Take note everyone from Northwest and Delta; I hope that they don't wipe out your pensions, but don't give away the farm trying to save 'em. Management can wipe 'em out in BK court in the blink of an eye.