I am looking at the RTP pipeline and had just a couple of questions regarding the slow down of FO hiring and the timing of new hires right now:

1. Reserve coverage/time at LGA: Does the focus on DECs for training slots and the slow down of FOs result in a longer time on reserve or possible slower movement for new hire FOs since less are coming on than in the past few years?

2. Backlogs in training: Due to my age I will most likely get the 145 in LGA. There is supposedly a pool after completing the time at coast, but once in training is it continuous without significant bubbles between phases? The last post I could find was back in January saying it was pretty efficient and was just looking for the most up to date info.

3. Actually flying as a FO: Some posters are talking about sitting reserve in LGA and not making the 100 hours in 3 months off IOE, is this a typical experience? If willing to use trip trade etc, can this be avoided?

4. Upgrade timing: From what I have heard and read, upgrades are happening right at the 950/1000 mark. Due to the large number of FOs and the new FO development program am I behind the wave where a surge of FOs hired in 2016-17 are about to hit the window and the instant upgrades will begin to slow?