ATA Update
From the Chief Pilot's monthly update;
Hiring / Training
Due to the decision to not add four B757 aircraft to the fleet this year, new hire pilot hiring has stopped with the cancellation of the March 01 class. Some B757 new hire training has also been stopped and the new hires are being rescheduled to B737 classes. Fifty-two (52) new pilots started training this year. Included in the fifty-two (52) are four (4) furloughed F/Es upgrading to F/Os. Vacancy / Base bid 04-02 was cancelled prior to awarding it. Upon distribution of Op Plan 3 with the revised operating plans for 2004, a determination will be made regarding any further Vacancy / Base bids for 2004 and any further pilot hiring for 2004
-in my opinion- the company has grown quite a bit in 03' and instead of growing a whole lot more in 04' they are deciding to "steer the ship" into greater profits and strength, in 05' many new planes are coming and supposedly TransAtlantic service (rumor is we are deciding between RyanAir or EasyJet to codeshare with), and with 767 talks underway the growth is definitely not done, just on hold for a short time. I'll let you know when Op Plan 3 comes out.....