Originally Posted by
Cyio
Who was it that flowed in 5.5 years? There were some projected flows at 5.5, but it never happened to the best of my knowledge. Keep in mind, that 5.5 year flow projection was during what was arguably the best time for that program, a scenario that no longer exists.
I would find it very unlikely that the government would let AA just close its doors one day due to chapter 7.
Eh, you are almost like THkooj, just on the opposite side of the spectrum. As for the rest, see above.
It was 20 a month you are correct, but it did drop down to 15 and could have gone lower once the last of the Sam P group all got out. They did a fine job of negotiating their way out faster while leaving the rest of us with an algebra equation that only helps the company. I believe we can flow as low as 5, all of which require AA to be hiring.
Exactly, the flow earned its worth when 50% of every new hire at AA came from Eagle/Envoy. A few of those year we even got 60%. People saw that and the word on the street for new pilots was if you weren't friends, family, astronaut, then Eaglevoy was your best way to keep AA as a possible career destination. You could still apply to Delta, United, Fedex, UPS like everybody else, but going to an AAG regional kept AA in play as a backup.
For the ones who never networked, never attended job fairs, never did anything to advance their own career, never did check airman or anything else then it became their primary plan to get to a legacy. The ones who proactively tried to get up and out saw many FO's leave for greener pastures before even upgrading at Eagle.
Lots of guys went to Spirit and Jetblue, and a few to Allegiant and Frontier. All of which are comparable career stops, and by getting in earlier rather than later, they upgraded to Captain sooner and avoided these furloughs.
Flow now is a mere shadow of what it once was. Getting to flow after 9-10 years isn't that great anymore. Network, attend job fairs, and get out at your first opportunity.
It really is amazing looking back at how lousy those regional companies treat their employees. Fighting to get real improvement just gets them to target you, it's not worth it. Focus your energy into getting out of the regionals at your earliest opportunity. Who's Delta, United, Fedex, UPS going to hire first; the regional guy or an LCC/ACMI guy with Airbus/Boeing or global experience? Do the math.
Keep flow as a backup, but don't stop trying to move up and out. The hiring will be picking back up sooner than the doom and gloom sayers claim. Envoy is a decent regional with good training producing a known product. You guys are in a good position.