While the aircraft forecasts above I believe are accurate, looking at company manning documents and fleet info, I believe we currently have 10,400 active pilots, and about 680 aircraft (not sure if the 757-200 and 737 numbers I got were current).

That is a pilot/aircraft ratio of 15.3.

Adding these 59 aircraft would add about 900 pilots (using this ratio), but that is a far cry from 16,000, even including that our total seniority list is about 12,500.

I too have heard the 16,000 rumor. It is either just a wild rumor, or it would require the addition of 163 MORE aircraft, using the same manning ratios.