Originally Posted by
80ktsClamp
We're also down 45+ airplanes since the merger.
Exactly. Maybe the 717 shift from the 50 seaters will rebolster our ranks to some degree, and great if it happens. But I'm confident the company is still looking to mine more productivity from us in a number of ways. Heck if they simplified a few fleet types that would reduce many hundreds of pilot positions. A work rule change here or there, another couple hundred. Shifting ER flying as those are parked for much larger planes will save many, many hundreds of pilot positions. And if they can find a net loss of pilot positions in the new FTDT regs as some have suggested, there goes some more. Then there's the 88 fleet, which can begin to be replaced pretty quickly. But with what? Much larger 737-900's or A321 NEOs? Hundreds less pilots once again. Especially with continued "capacity dicipline" but even without it.
Even with the 717's we could shrink a thousand or more over the next 10 years. Easy.