Originally Posted by
LeeFXDWG
As one working for the SSC during that time, I can tell you the company was warned numerous times regarding the aggressive summer schedule that was built on the hopes of pilot "good will" in picking up flying during the summer. When I say "warned", it wasn't a threat made to the company. It was rather a statement of fact considering that they were relying on a percentage of flying above the then CAP that went light years beyond historical averages.
They were warned that expecting more flying than the 78 hour line build was not a good idea.
I remember quite well the company being advised to not expect "extra help" due to their planning an overly aggressive summer schedule, especially considering the mood of the pilot group. And I do recall the SSC advising them, just as you have stated above, several times. As you say, not a threat, just a real world assessment which the company, with their usual great lack of wisdom, choose to ignore.
Its very easy to put the blame on the pilots, which management loves to do, but they needed to look inward for the root cause.