Originally Posted by
AerisArmis
Here's a question that maybe JetJok can answer. In the current DC-10 bid pack, there are 53 flying lines and 69 S/O reserve lines ( I can't remember how many VTOs). I think we can all agree that makes that seat waaaaaaaaaaay overmanned. In fact, there is a persistent rumor of an excess bid this summer. However, if you look at the DC-10 training letter, there are currently 10 over 60 guys starting S/O training between now and November. So here's the Q. Why doesn't the company tell these guys that the 727 is the only seat available to them? Why is it more important to overman a seat so that these guys get what they want, vice manage the fleet manning efficiently? Sometimes I think that if we just had one DC-10, we'd have 75 crews to fly it.
If the hiring or growth stagnates for a while, the situation you mention will change (in my opinion).
Although there currently does not have to be a Bid for a 60 Pilot to bid back to S/O there does have to be a seat. My meaning is as the DC-10 fleet continues to shrink, MGT will not let every over 60 Pilot return to the DC-10 S/O seat because there aren't any more openings........almost all DC-10 S/Os will be over 60...........so they must go to the 727 S/O seat.
In theory if we don't hire for the foreseable future......and the AGE 60 stays the same there will be NO vacancies on the S/O seats of the DC-10 & 727.
If there are no vacancies there is no place for an over 60 Pilot to go except out to pasture.
Historically this has never happened because we have always been growing and the company has never prevented an over 60 pilot from taking a back seat so to speak. That situation could change very soon. I guess we will see on any upcoming BID, especially if there is an Excess DC-10 bid.
It could be an interesting couple of years.