Originally Posted by
Swindler128
maybe im missing something but since b6 doesnt have all the problems that NK has with its GTF engines why would they be offering VILS. they should be flying max capacity atm.
NK is another story alltogether.
Lots of reasons, I will probably miss some of them.
JB plans staffing a year in advance. They planned for XX number of Airbus deliveries, they only got X. Slightly overstaffed in some seats.
Some GTF engine issues of our own, but not nearly as much.
When they created a bunch of MCO/FLL vacancies on the last system bid, they were hoping most would be filled by guys leaving the NE bases to fill them. That generally didn't happen, and those FL vacancies were filled by upgrades, which left them with more NE CAs than they expected. Again, leading to some overstaffing.
NYC ATC flight reductions, which were imposed (highly suggested) by the FEDs left us with fewer flights.
The NEA draw down had some network reshuffling, not sure if that had an impact.
Some domestic revenue weakness, which I think led to a small reduction in schedule.
As was stated they only offered a small number of VILs. For many of the factors stated, I think it's possible they offer more VILs in the future. Not an emergency, but it is a tool to handle the overstaffing surgically in certain bases and seats.