Originally Posted by
webecheck
I don't understand how that is possible. If less airplanes fly the same block hours, isn't it irrelevant since staffing is dependent on block? One could even argue its a financial benefit to the pilots in terms of profit sharing to have the minimum # of planes necessary and not a single one extra.
Yes, block hours. # of airframes, sort of. When management says they will replace with the 777-300er's, they order the minimum necessary. If anything goes wrong, unplanned MX, let alone an engine change, the schedule will fall apart. The way I see it, even with 18, it's close to bare minimum to operate just what the 747 is flying now, plus a few that should have been larger metal all along.
Financial benefit? Efficient yes, but we've been down this road before with inadequate resources. As an employee, I wouldn't be arguing managements side. They will hose us every time.