Originally Posted by
pilot64golfer
70-80 retirements, but not in LA. So guys aren't going to fill seats in EWR or IAH or ORD. Theyare staying in LA. We've been through this game a few times since 2001. Big bumps, then big movement, then big bumps. So we've all played it and are good at it.
But do not think that these 55 pilots are all retiring in the next 4 months. Maybe 2 of them. The rest....LOOK OUT BELOW...
Also LA 777 is getting big because the SEA pilots who bumped there, so that base will get a bump as well. All of them are in the top 6,000 on the seniority list, so they can go about anywhere.
You keep saying that you have played this game before. What you fail to realize is that the game has changed. At old United, bumps were part of an overall reduction in pilots and most recently happened during a period of time with very few retirements. Today, you have bumps taking place at the same time as massive retirements, as well as a time with slight growth in overall staffing.
The playing field has changed dramatically. The company can ill-afford an all out bump-a-thon. Here is my prediction:
20 747 Capt bid wb Capt in either LAX or SFO
3 747 Cap bid Den 756 Capt.
2 bid LAX 737 CA.
747 FO's:
18 bid LAX 737 Capt.
20 bid LAX 777 FO
15 bid SFO 747 FO
7 bid SFO 777 FO
This distribution, coupled with retirements will not necessitate further bumps.