Originally Posted by alfaromeo

Carl,

We were 14.3% over staffing formula in 2010. We were 15.6% over staffing formula in 2012. That means we are overstaffed by about 100 more pilots now than in 2010.

The number of aircraft is not the defining metric, it is the amount of block hours they generate. For instance, a DC-9 produced much lower block hours per aircraft than a pretty new MD-90 does. I am not knocking the DC-9, but it should be no surprise that they were older aircraft that required more spares and more maintenance down time. Also, owning aircraft and having them in service are two different things. The 757 fleet especially has flexed up and down to cover other aircraft changes. We have over 100 more A-320 pilots now than we did in 2010 without purchasing one aircraft.

So what you call "goofy" I call facts. We are not slowly liquidating. We are not growing. Mainline block hours for the Summer of 2012 are 1% below 2011 plan which amounts to 110 pilots difference. The entire industry is adjusting to higher fuel prices and the fact that in order to cover fuel costs and make a profit, they have to charge higher fares. I think anyone who took Econ 101 can understand what happens to the demand curve as you have to raise prices.