Originally Posted by Coto Pilot

The company will have no control over retirements, In December of next year, the flood gates will again open and just to maintain the same number of pilots, both companies will be hiring. United has 263 mandatory retirements in 2012 and 235 in 2013, Continental has 7 and 183. This doesn't include forced retirements due to health and people just leaving. Continental is supposed to be growing, especially if the 787's ever arrive. With 1437 United pilots on furlough, Continental will have no problem getting United pilots to fill classes, my guess is that you will have guys get hired at Continental, get a base they don't like and then quit and wait for the call to return to United. I agree that many will not go to Continental that have better positions, but my guess is at least a 1/3 to 1/2 will. Managements goal of an integrated company by late next year might be very optimistic based on recent progress, not to mention the inevitable lawsuits over the SLI.