Originally Posted by
akulahunter
Sooo, at what point did anyone say we were recruiting more than anyone else or that we weren't having issues getting people (just like every other regional). The whole point of the discussion is that if new flying isnt announced the pilot group will probably be sold vice shutting the doors. No one even mentioned PDT except you and the discussion was that PSA would be an easy transition 'IF' AAG bought AWAC.
The doors here aren't going to just be chained shut. Almost every regional out there could use 700+ pilots. Who isn't having issues recruiting in this environment? If you can guarantee that most of your growth goal is met by one acquisition (probably a cheap one at that), why wouldnt you explore that instead of hoping that if an airline closed down that some percentage of them MIGHT go to a company you want to grow?
Like I said earlier, this might not happen. Hell, we could announce new 767 flying for amazon tomorrow. None of us knows what will happen... However, Billy, I'll bet you one adult beverage that we don't just close down. We'll either be merged, acquired or stay in business past this contract.
I definitely don't think AWAC will have it's doors closed so I won't bet you on that one. But I will tell you that if you are acquired then you'll probably take concessions. Then what? Do you take them or stand firm? Envoy is overstaffed but that will change really soon. PSA isn't doing to bad. Piedmont is a different story because I'm not sure if they can handle all the change going on. That's why I figured a AWAC/Piedmont thingy might be better.
I'm just going by what happened at Piedmont and it seems to be close to the same situation. We had a senior group, old planes and senior guys that weren't going anywhere because they were making great money and had a good schedule plus a nice vacation bidding (many like me were even living in base loving it) and a upgrade time of over 5 years. Sound familiar to you? Then we started having FO's leaving and nobody wanting to come here. Sound familiar? We had Captains flying with Captains everywhere. Have you guys got to that point yet? If not then you guys are better off then what we were 7 years ago.
AWAC like Piedmont were probably 2 of the better regionals for a long time. Honestly I'd like to see something done. Both Companies fly in the Northeast for American. Bases will soon be much the same also.
I agree PSA would make more sense, but then again it would make sense also on the Piedmont side as they are gearing for tons of growth this year.