405 -

Ok - you're refuting my claim that we traditionally staff heavier on Captains than FOs. The numbers don't seem to add up in my favor, but we've always had more CAs than FOs. Could it be the average longevity at the airline is dramatically lower than has been tradition? Perhaps. Or the fact we've just DOUBLED our size in the most unprecedented growth Mesaba has seen in its long history.

Do you honestly believe though, that what is going on right now, as in this latest buzz is normal ops? Come on man, I don't know how long you've been at XJ, but pull your head out of the sand and look at the facts. I don't claim to know EXACTLY what is going on, as in the number of planes and which kind. But I do know how to read and comprehend numbers. They're adding up and equaling MORE GROWTH.

- Dramatic increased hiring in pilots
- Hiring ground and sim instructors
- Hiring LCAs for all fleets
- Increased FA staffing numbers - beyond the normal revolving door staffing

These sorts of things don't happen to an airline that is coming to the tail end of growth and virtually zero attrition. So again... something big is happening. Until it's announced all we can do is look at the facts and get ready to ride the wave.

BTW - we have 17 200s of which all are delivered, not 18. Also, the FO numbers on the last 2 vacancies are increased to prepare for backfilling as FOs go to upgrade. It's really not that complicated.