Originally Posted by
WidgetDriver
Looks like the American pilots are trying to capture all of their RJ flying. What is DALPA doing? This could be a huge game changer.
From the APA SCOPE Committee
Many of you have seen the recent announcement by the corporation regarding the purchase order for 90 new 76-seat aircraft. Although this order has aircraft that are allowed under the current Scope Clause and appears to be in compliance with the restriction on these types of aircraft, APA has made it known to the "New American Airlines" that we are ready to resume talks for APA flying the E175 aircraft at the mainline. By bringing the E175 to the mainline, AAL will help bring our fellow pilots flying at the regionals to the mainline in a more expeditious manner. The pilot shortage is coming, and AAL has in its hands the ability to get ahead of the industry and secure a pilot force while the other airlines will lack the ability to man their regional feed as those pilots start to leave in droves for the majors.
Reasons for the flying to come to the mainline:
Pilot shortage
Ability to up-gauge A/C to >86k lbs and add seats
EMB Gen 2 E jets will add seats and weight
One-time hire for the mainline reduces churn and enhances pilot progression
Forward-looking has ability to lock up pilot stream
Keep it attractive to sustain the flow of pilots
More flexibility for AAL more seats on same a/c, APA flown
Goodwill building airline of the future
Get ahead of the industry in the present instead of playing catch-up later
CASM reduction revenue generator, more seats on same a/c
I sincerely applaud their efforts here, but we all know the ink is already dry with multiple ACMI labor buster virtual airlines to do this flying. While what they say makes sense, to any manager minion with a puppy mill MBA and an eye on their next bonus based on some snapshot out of context cost metric, long term thinking doesn't matter one bit. Flunky airline managers have proven time and time and time again they will blow many billions on failed outsourcing schemes just to save projected block hour costs in the short run. They all know by the time the future comes where long term thinking would start paying off, they will be long gone flaring their golden parachutes to a soft landing on a white sandy beach somewhere.