Originally Posted by
Probe
787 to IAD looks like a non-event. Same flying, slightly different mix of aircraft. It will be staffed with mostly the same pilots. As long as Manpower doesn't screw the pooch too bad on the transition, no big deal.
Closing the IAH 787 is a bit expensive, but so was a bunch of non-productive trips after LOS went away. Some flying will leave the base as they were doing international trips out of other bases. IAH is still a huge base, with other opportunities for most of the bumped pilots.
Even closing the SFO 400 base doesn't change much. All the flying is still there, on aircraft that pay the same. The new airframes will be much more reliable. Still sad I never bid it.
Other than losing some spots in IAH, really kind of a wash, unless Manpower screws up. Or more likely, changes their mind halfway through the process.
My money is on the latter.
Probe,
I'm not sure how you conclude this will be a non event. I think it's going to cause significant upheaval. Certainly for the IAH guys getting bumped, and everyone junior to them who will be affected as things are pushed downward. (Line-holder to reserve? Nah.
) I don't know how big the 787 base is in IAH, if its tiny that will certainly minimize the hassle.
My guess is a big chunk of them will simply bump to other equipment in IAH as opposed to commuting to IAD. Then what about the 777 peeps in IAD? Why would a 63 year old Capt want to go to school on the 787 for the same pay? Other than the guys who love training and type ratings, I can see a lot of guys trying to avoid the hassle. What are they going to do? We won't know till they come up with the flying for the 777. The FO list on the 777 in DC is pretty big and if they start squashing things on it (pushing more flying to the 787) there will be a lot of sideways movement.
I think this has the potential to be a pretty big deal for the guys on both fleets in both cities.