USA3000 was planning to lease 4 seasonal a/c from Thomas Cook for this winter season, and are now only getting 2. The plan was to have 6 new hire classes this fall, but they have now reduced it to 3, all of which have already been conducted (30 pilots were hired). Attrition will dictate their need for additional classes, but traditionally they have only hired in the fall and winter.

The pilot group now stands at just under 170 pilots, and are represented by the Teamsters (currently in mediation). I believe that with the addition of the 2 seasonal a/c the total count stands at 14. Current bases include BWI, DTW, CLE, FLL, NYC, ORD, PHL, PIT, RSW, and STL. Before the fall hiring, the most junior pilot in PHL was about number 142.

According to a pilot that is involved in the hiring process there, they have not hired a pilot with less than 4,000 TT. I don't know about the new hires this fall, but in the past they have preferred A-320 or similar glass time and have had the luxury of hiring primarily furloughed USAir, United, TWA/American, etc. Here are the published requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Airline Transport Pilot License
First Class FAA Medical Certificate
5000 Hours Total Flight Time
1000 Hours Pilot-in-Command Time
Prior Part 121 Experience
Vision corrected to 20/20
Possess valid passport

The pilots who live in base are much happier than commuters for the most part. I have been told that schedules are difficult for commuters.