Originally Posted by
2StgTurbine
They assume they can get pilots to be more productive in the future and they also think the training department can handle more events than it actually can.
Actually pilots easily CAN be more productive (GS, GSWC, rolling thunder) if we wish, and the training department can easily handle whatever surge the company asks of them. 85 hours a month pay at whatever you can hold system wide (that NYC base has made a lot of money for a lot of instructors who wouldn't dream of ever commuting there) plus more events above the norm if needed, allows for a lot of training center "flex" capabilities.
This old urban legend of "the training department just can't handle xxx new hires and yyy retirements a year" has never been proven correct. It's almost some strange "wishful thinking." In 23+ years here, I'm unaware of a single instance where lack of training capacity has ever been a reason to deny network plans. If indeed we are going to be "a smaller airline" then it certainly won't be a problem in the future.