Originally Posted by
MoonShot
Crew resources has stated in the past that they can under fill vacancies (remember when they posted 744 slots that they never filled due to aircraft changes after the AE came out), but they can't fill more than posted (and backfill).
It's a fairly good gauge to look at open spots after an AE IMO. They'll still probably send the most folks to the more junior positions, but it gives you an idea where they need bodies. The NYC narrow bodies are revolving doors of the system so they always have a ton of spots posted (more than they really probably need).
The verbiage from the PWA explains why Crew Resources sets the AE numbers so as to end up with unfilled slots. All pilots on property
must have the
opportunity to bid on an available position. If there are leftover (unfilled) positions on an AE, the company can verify that
all pilots had that opportunity, and then fill the slots the way they choose (i.e. keep the training pipeline flowing).
PWA language
If no pilot bids on a First Officer category vacancy, the Company may assign an entry level pilot to fill the vacancy.
a. Such pilot will be selected among the pilots in the most recent new hire class. If no entry level pilot is available, such pilot will be selected from the subsequent new hire class.
b. The vacancy will be proffered to entry level pilots in seniority order. If no pilot accepts the proffer, the selection will be made by assignment in inverse seniority order.
“Entry level pilot” means a pilot who has not completed his initial OE at the Company.
'b.' describes the indoc drop/bid process. In theory, a pilot sitting in class
could 'pass' on his/her opportunity to select position (not accept the proffer), at which point the assignment would be made in inverse seniority order. (I wonder if this has ever happened. ??)
I think 'a.' allows the company to reassign a pilot to a different category before they complete IOE. i.e. hiring stops and the company decides to reassign the bottom several pilots to a different category to fill a shortage. (I can't imagine this clause would be exercised as long as hiring continues, but every clause in a contract is there because a situation in the past needed to be covered)