Originally Posted by
bigtime209
Just to be clear, they don't need that many to avoid being "in big trouble." They don't need that many to maintain the current operation. That's more of a figure to achieve their goals of growth and expanding into other parts of the country and opening/reopening bases. Plus, you've got the very beginning of the big wave of 2016 new hires approaching 1,000 hours. Sky is definitely not falling. They may not be able to expand and grow back to 3,000 pilots as quickly as they'd like, but I don't think any of us could care less.
If they are staffing for the hope of growth (if you build it, he will come) then you are correct.
If they promised AAG that we would cover this flying/growth/base expansion, then some lucky manager will have the pleasure of telling AA that we failed and can’t make it happen. The number one rule of business: Never overpromise and under-deliver (especially not will major $$$ on the line). That type of stuff can be a career killer.