^ Many will have their own speculations with regard to my post..
But put yourself in Managements shoes for a sec.
A NSNB order allows them to increase the number of 76 seaters which is good in many aspects. Better for the Regionals as far as staffing (park 3 50 seaters, get 2 76 seaters). Allows for us to compete with the likes of AA and DAL, and gets modern (better) fuel efficient aircraft. More Profit overall!
Problem is, they have the issue that they can not put the 76 seater on line without parking the 70 seater at the same time! No one can do a straight swap on a day to day basis when you're dealing with numerous RJ companies. Doesn't work for the Regionals Planning, doesn't work for our Schedule Planning, and there are already (probably) contracts in effect with our Regional Partners that would be tough to change (though, not impossible).
I'm gonna guess that they (the company) would like some relief in the form of allowing a gradual reduction of the 70 seaters down to 102 while increasing the 76 seaters.
New aircraft orders take time so I don't expect this to happen overnight.. probably looking at the latter part of 2016 into 2017.
But I think this discussion is only one of the major issues this extension has.
The company NEEDS relief on FRMS for the ULH flying. That is (probably) what really spurred these talks. Throwing the bait that "We will order a 100 seat aircraft" is there to tease the pilots, while selling it to Wall Str and the Public that it hinges on the "Pilots".
Someone posted that the Union will not discuss Section 1 with regards to these talks. But I have not seen that in any official BlastMail.
I expect this issue will be brought up by the company at some point.
Again, if we have no deal on 1 Jan 2016.. life goes on. Company can STILL order these aircraft and we can still operate them.
If/When that time comes, without a new Payrate for these aircraft.. we will see pilots hired in 2012-2014 becoming Captains. I can not nor will not bid it. Pay cut for me and more work! And almost every FO (Legacy CAL or UAL) has stated the same thing~
Interesting times we are in
Always
Motch