I don't think we're as fat on pilots as everyone thinks. I know there are over 300 captains on the 200 in ATL, but they continue to give new awards for ATL CR2 CA. If they were overstaffed, they wouldn't be giving these awards out. With the way our wonderful scheduling department utilizes reserves, they need a need a bunch.
In DFW, we are definitely not overstaffed by 90. That was the number back in August when they displaced everyone off the E120. On the latest prelim, there are 192 FOs in DFW on the 200. We currently have 136 hard lines (under normal staffing there would probably be around 15 relief lines). That only leaves a little over 40 FOs on reserve. I'd say we're probably not more than around 20 over now. When you consider it'll take 2 months to get a new hire on the line, I think you'll see new hire classes sooner rather that later. If I was a betting man, I'd say Feb (but of course that's just my guess).
As far as us getting "Comair's" airplanes next year, I don't see why you would be against it. There is no carrot being dangled here. We're not doing anything to undercut them. If DCI wants to give ASA more jets, I say bring em on. I haven't heard anyone at Comair complain about ASA shrinking this year (21 new jets with about 30 E120 retirements), while Comair gets over 30 growth aircraft. I don't blame the Comair pilots for this, but I'm certainly not going to complain if we gets some growth finally. Additionally, depending on where these new aircraft are going to be deployed, it may be more advantagous for ASA to fly them. Time will tell how this one plays out.
I think Comair might be short sighted by refusing to at least discuss things with their management. I know this isn't a popular stand, but you've gotta face reality. We don't get paid what we deserve, we get paid the going rate for our services. Just as mainline Delta has seen...when that rate is too high, mgmt will find someone cheaper to do it. I know it sucks but that's the free market for ya.
The fact is that as a DCI carrier, we have little leverage to negotiate with DAL. Sure, we can tell them to stick it, but they'll just send any new airplanes to another portfolio carrier. This is the reason I would never consider a regional a career airline. If you have no way of controlling your destiny, then you have no power. Look at two of the best regionals 10 years ago....ALG and PDT. They made great strides in raising the bar for regional pilots. Unfortunately, that high bar (among other factors) has made them less than ideal for growth. So now we watch as they slowly go away. If you're a regional carrier, a lack of growth is the kiss of death. Not to mention, a career regional FO is not my idea of a good time.
I think the next few months will be interesting as all this plays out.
In DFW, we are definitely not overstaffed by 90. That was the number back in August when they displaced everyone off the E120. On the latest prelim, there are 192 FOs in DFW on the 200. We currently have 136 hard lines (under normal staffing there would probably be around 15 relief lines). That only leaves a little over 40 FOs on reserve. I'd say we're probably not more than around 20 over now. When you consider it'll take 2 months to get a new hire on the line, I think you'll see new hire classes sooner rather that later. If I was a betting man, I'd say Feb (but of course that's just my guess).
As far as us getting "Comair's" airplanes next year, I don't see why you would be against it. There is no carrot being dangled here. We're not doing anything to undercut them. If DCI wants to give ASA more jets, I say bring em on. I haven't heard anyone at Comair complain about ASA shrinking this year (21 new jets with about 30 E120 retirements), while Comair gets over 30 growth aircraft. I don't blame the Comair pilots for this, but I'm certainly not going to complain if we gets some growth finally. Additionally, depending on where these new aircraft are going to be deployed, it may be more advantagous for ASA to fly them. Time will tell how this one plays out.
I think Comair might be short sighted by refusing to at least discuss things with their management. I know this isn't a popular stand, but you've gotta face reality. We don't get paid what we deserve, we get paid the going rate for our services. Just as mainline Delta has seen...when that rate is too high, mgmt will find someone cheaper to do it. I know it sucks but that's the free market for ya.
The fact is that as a DCI carrier, we have little leverage to negotiate with DAL. Sure, we can tell them to stick it, but they'll just send any new airplanes to another portfolio carrier. This is the reason I would never consider a regional a career airline. If you have no way of controlling your destiny, then you have no power. Look at two of the best regionals 10 years ago....ALG and PDT. They made great strides in raising the bar for regional pilots. Unfortunately, that high bar (among other factors) has made them less than ideal for growth. So now we watch as they slowly go away. If you're a regional carrier, a lack of growth is the kiss of death. Not to mention, a career regional FO is not my idea of a good time.
I think the next few months will be interesting as all this plays out.
