Originally Posted by
FlyZ
I had a couple questions after reading SD's update.
1) Does "ramping up mainline flying" generally result in the displacements we expect to see in most categories during the upcoming bid?
The potential exists. Increasing the mainline fleet with 70+ NBs over 3 years likely will result in displacements. I wouldn't be suprised to see the B717 be filled by mainly AE awards and very few displacements.
Originally Posted by
FlyZ
2) The party buzzphrase seems to be "new captain positions." Does displacement from WB FO to NB capt equate to progression?
Absolutely. And it likely won't be a displacement. That's the typical path for a lot of people. NB FO to WB FO to NB CA to WB CA. Displacements are typically from a NB CA seat to a WB FO seat. Unless we are talking about the DC9. Then all bets are off.
Originally Posted by
FlyZ
3) I figured out what the company means by up gauging the flying. That means 50 seats to 76 seats. From the latest Crew Planning update, I'd say most of our pilots are in fact being down gauged. How many people think they will move to a bigger (higher paying) airplane during the next year? How about a smaller airplane?
Mainline fleet being increased by 70+ airplanes over 3 years. 88 B717s being added. 50 seaters being parked at a rapid rate. Without attrition, Pinnacle will need to furlough 1500 pilots over the next several years as they have a net loss of over 100 RJs. I'd personally call that upguaging to mainline.
Originally Posted by
FlyZ
4) Most of our payates change by 6-9% going from one airplane down to the next one. So if a displacement eats up your 8.something% January 1st pay increase, and the efficiencies in the TA helped create that displacement, was the TA still a good idea?
How would efficiencies create a displacement? If anything, it's delivery of lower paying 737-900ERs that will replace B757s. But they'll also replace some A320s that pay less. So for many pilots it will be a raise, not a pay cut. It will vary greatly throughout the pilot group.
Originally Posted by
FlyZ
5) I didn't know you could discuss pilot staffing while being very careful to never utter the word hiring. But as always, "bid what you want and want what you bid." (Because you're going to be in that new, lower category or the one below it for the next 3-5 years.)
Just some food for thought.
I bid a higher paying airplane last year. I actually did a voluntary displacement to a higher paying airplane. I'm an 2008 hire, and likely will remain on that category until I want to leave. Many people are up in arms because we aren't hiring. My question to them...."Who is?" I can think of two....JetBlue and UsAir. Both pay less. Anyone is free to leave Delta.