RORWIZARD -

The idea is NOT to have a balance between FOs and CAs. There is usually always more CA positions than there are FO positions. That's why it's roughly 5 CAs and 4 FOs per plane. CA's get more vacation time and go to training twice a year, therefore requiring the need for more of them.

As far a reserve goes... not every pilot is on reserve at the same time. Some have days off, some have vacation, some have training etc... You have to look at how many people are on reserve for any given day and within which windows to determine if there are too many reserves. The whole point of a reserve is just that... to have them has backup. If reserves are flying very little, while frustrating, shows that the airline is properly staffed and not experiencing daily meltdowns.

A DTW base makes ZERO sense, given the fact we have only 17 -200s and on a given day only 2-3 are flying in DTW. Without growing the fleet, this would create havok, since the most junior -200 pilots would be displaced to the new DTW base. IF we were to have our -200 fleet grow, then it might make sense to open a DTW base.

I maintain that the added -200 positions are to backfill the FOs that will leave the -200 to upgrade. Despite what people may think, planning doesn't throw darts at a wall in the dark to plan the staffing of the airline.

Something BIG is happening kids... something BIGGER than we ever imagined. Something Mesaba has never seen before. Hold on folks, you thought the last 1.5 years was a ride? Strap in and get ready for this one.