Originally Posted by
Neosporin
We have a full pool as mentioned by the company. We will hire regardless of the merger status. We will have to have more vacancy awards for the deliveries of 787s. 330 pilots will transition to the 787 especially the ones that fly BOS, JFK. There will continue to be vacancies beyond the merger day 1. We may have just the minimum to fly 7 freighters already awarded. As we get the remaining 3 next year plus 3 or 4 787s, we'll hire, just maybe not interview.
The pool means nothing if BLOCK HOURS are not increased fleet-wide. New 787s are great, but if those 330s are PARKED after being canned from BOS and JFK it's a FLAT BID. I admire your optimism.
I HOPE that you are right. The quintessential pesimest in me though does not think the 78s are going to come at the rate planned (more delays), same for the freight 330s, now toss in the simulator issue mentioned by Moonwolf. What are we going to do with the 330s replaced by the 787s? Add new flying or return them to the lessor? What's it going to be???
My money is on a reduction bid this fall. If the merger does not go through, it's a full on displacement while the wagons are circled for restructuring. The WILD CARD, is that the merger goes through and Alaska JUMPS deciding the HA operation should become profitable then adds more wide-body orders and GROWS the airline by adding new routes.
Please. I honestly HOPE that you are right, but I've been doing this since well before 9/11 and have a really bad feeling right now. OK, I've hit my two posts every six months limit. Check back this fall. We will see. I was wrong about Amazon, Hope I am wrong here too. Good luck to everyone.