Originally Posted by
eaglefly
My scenario is no more far-fetched then the blind belief by your little group (and yes, the three of you know each other and now you have a new buddy brought in..........or is he just one of you ?) that what is happening now at Envoy IS the blueprint for the future and Envoy's upgrade and flow suggestions are something to be confident in because of that and are a rock of Gibralter. As for the E-190 issue at AA, that isn't as far-fetched as you claim either. In fact, our CBA has an avenue already available to do that, but it would require some significant twists and turns and yes, that avenue even might involve Envoy. It is simply another reason that to add that the painting you love so much now depicting the present Envoy as the Envoy of the future is no better a bet then my scenario(s).
Sorry, no group conspiracy. I do find your paranoia amusing though. Are you really so beaten down that you find it hard to believe that people can actually be happy at envoy? Anyway, whatever. The only person who is claiming iron clad assurance in envoy's upgrade time is you in an attempt to discredit the whole flow program. Its easier to deal with an adversary when they are an extremist. (which is why I find you so fun to deal with)
The only assurance I have ever affirmed is that AA pilots have to retire, AA will have to replace them, and envoy pilots will get 50% of those new hire spots. Based on current ages of those pilots and AA's hiring projections, every envoy pilot on the seniority list today will flow in about 6 years. I have never affirmed any guarantee about upgrades at envoy. But its a lot harder to radicalize me that way, isn't it. It isn't for me or you to decide for AA flow program is the wave of the future or not. It Parker's cheapest alternative to staffing his regionals. Period. That is why I am confident that HE will MAKE it work. Whatever it takes, because it will still be cheaper than paying his regional pilots a decent wage. Parker has already discussed and has been implementing his plan for addressing his staffing shortages at all his regionals (not just envoy). Beyond his diversification of feed, they are slowing the retirement of the S80 and adding more A320s to the fleet. Not stopping the flow, adding mainline aircraft. Which still works out for envoy pilots because as AA adds more aircraft, they will hire more pilots and we get half.
I don't get to decide if AA flow programs are the wave of the future. Parker seems to think so, and not to bust your bubble, his opinion matters more than yours in these matters. Delta with Endeavor, JetBlue with ExpressJet and United with Commutair seem to agree with Doug. And as much as you like to elude that if a pilot goes to an airline with a flow have locked themselves in for life, envoy pilots can still apply and interview for all the other airlines just like everyone else.