The Company was recently informed by US Airways that US Airways will recall all pilots which were previously made available under the “jets for jobs” program. The Company currently employs approximately 80 pilots under this program in its US Airways operations. The Company now anticipates that all of these employees will be recalled back to US Airways between November 2007 and April 2008.
Consequently, commencing in the fourth quarter of 2007 and extending into the first quarter of 2008, the Company will spend approximately $3 million to train new pilots to replace those that are recalled. To the extent the Company is unable to train replacement pilots at a rate faster than it loses recalled pilots, the Company may have to temporarily reduce its US Airways operation. The Company currently does not know the extent, if any, of such reduction. The Company expects to update this guidance, if necessary, during its 3rd quarter 2007 earnings call which is anticipated to occur before the end of October 2007.
Another reason to expect upgrades to decrease in time.