Originally Posted by
Hoss
Trust me, there hasn't been much (if any) shifting of flying BACK to mainline. The numbers don't lie. At the peak in late 2001, there were nearly 14,150 pilots at AA. The number has dropped to a total of 8,643 with around 7,841 active line pilots. I don't have the eagle numbers in front of me, but suffice it to say that Eagle has increased in size dramatically since 2001. Eagle is recalling and rumored to be hiring next year while there are NO recalls on the horizon at AA. In fact, the latest rumor is 200 additional furloughs. Eagle is also taking delivery of an additional 22 CRSs beginning next year. Do you really think there will be ANY shifting of flying back to mainline?
The numbers from 2001 include TWA, not a reasonable comparison. Find me a legacy airline that HAS grown since 2001 (not from mergers). Want to work for UAL and have Tilton cramming it up your a**? How about USAir, selling their fleet to Republic? Or DAL.. they have over 8 different regional carriers doing their flying in everything from props to E-jets.
Your legacy business model is hurting bad. You can complain and cry about it or lead the industry to some change. The OLD way of doing business wont fly anymore.
This thread has been really constructive and informative. Lets get it back on track with minimal bashing of either AA or AE.