Where were you this Summer? CAL was cancelling flights all Summer due to lack of crews. Training was cancelled so instructors and those who were scheduled for recurrent simulators could cover the schedule. This weekend they are offering 150% pay for anyone on the 756 to pick up a trip. This bid should have come out a year ago so this Summer would have not been what it was but no, nobody wanted to stand up and admit how understaffed CAL was. This Summer, with the aircraft redeployment forcing more 4 and 5 day trips from IAH and EWR, staffing was hurt by a single sick call now wiping out 5 days vs. a 2 day trip a year ago etc.

Is the answer to park these new planes instead of flying them as they are delivered? You guys at L-UAL have vacancy bids each month. We have vacancy bids twice a year. The numbers were high but you have to put them in the proper context.

If I were king, we would already have a SLI and contract so people could plan their lives over the long term. A bid like this on the CAL side only gives pilots expectations that might change dramatically once a SLI is complete. Those new captain positions will not last forever if there is an integration etc. You guys are getting our 737-900ER deliveries next year as 757's are parked. You don't see outrage on the CAL side over that. We hate that the 757's are going to be parked over the next few years as an older 757 beats the heck out of a brand new 737 any day of the week.

Let's not get too emotional over this bid announcement.