[QUOTE=newKnow;1336672]
Originally Posted by
sailingfun
Sailing,
So, you don't think it was reasonable for pilots to look a that memo assume that we would be hiring by now? The distinction between "in class" and "hiring process" is something trained lawyers should catch, not pilots.
At any rate, it's interesting to note that this "unanticipated event" that caused them to delay the hiring process, happened sometime between June - when the memo was posted - and October - when the hiring process was forecast to possibly start. What happened in those 3 months that was unanticipated and caused them to change their minds?
Finally, at the time, I don't remember anyone saying the company only planned on hiring 150 pilots based on a model that they would get 300 early retirements.
1.) How do you know this?
2.) If I'm right, why do you think they left this important detail out?
I bet a lot of yes voters might have thought differently if they knew the company was only going to hire 150 pilots at best. Maybe even Bill Lumberg would have toned it down a little.
There were two events that stopped hiring. The ER program ended up with only 196 pilots however overall the result is better long term because of the demographics of who took the program. Then we had a large surge of Military leave pilots coming back after seeing our terrible contract. The had anticipated 300 ER pilots. There are 100 bodies right there. They did not plan on 150 mil leaves coming back. The 150 number was straight from crew planning in discussions in the last summer. We are and have been overstaffed with FO's. The 717's will be staffed with current FO's initially. Even with what I posted above flight ops still wanted to hire to smooth out the training flow. You might recall last month they stated they were not funded to hire additional pilots. The request to hire was denied above their level.
One other thing to keep in mind. When retirements kick in they will need a additional 500 pilots because of training constraints and the loss of pilot availability when large numbers of training cycles are needed. They will have to prime the pump at some point.