Originally Posted by
sailingfun
True and a valid comparison when looking at SW. Not so valid when looking at AMR or UAL who have multiple fleet types like Delta. If they are doing less training it's because of contractual differences like pay banding and length of freezes.
AA and UA have less fleet types than we do, and AA is agressively getting rid of 88's (or wonder 80's or whatever they call them) and will soon have even less. Even now I think we lead the industry in fleet types, including types with significant operational and marketing overlap. All that needs to be backed out and credited for the marketing premium.
As for pay banding, even if we go to 3 bands there's major debate as to how much training that would really save. Unless we're talking increased freezes or whatever, which I'd hope wouldn't be in a TA. For a few years banding would probably cause as many moves as it saves. People don't just bid around for the relatively small hourly differentials between most categories as much as they do for relative seniority, bases, upgrades, types of flying and other factors. Change the game mid stream and you will create bidding in an attempt to save bidding.