I think airbus is running about 15 to 20 percent for new hires, and about 100 percent at Frontier and Spirit.

 

In answer to your question, I think there was 10-12 open AB slots on the last "quarterly bid" that was supposed to go to new hires. The reason why you aren't getting a straight answer is because they don't tell us which class will fill that up. Right now they are in the process of transitioning all the BLI crews to AB, half the FLL crews to AB, and they have some IWA crews that were awarded AB. So if they don't have room to fit a few new hire in the training program the Nov. class may be all 80 with the December class being some AB. On the other hand, the 80 program is backed up with new hires, so the AB slots may go to the Nov class. So all we can tell you is that your chances may be higher if you are #1 in your class, but we don't know what the breakdown of each class will be.

If you want to fly Airbus, I'd go to Spirit. If you want Allegiant, expect the 80 and remember to "be flexible!"

 

Haha! Yes.

 

In response to clmp revolving door comments:

Unfortunately as long as pilots keep opening that door there really is no impetus to change....if you had an MBA and accounting degree you'd see there really is no labor problem.

Mgmt has really created the super regional because the types are more valuable the regional pilot will suffer and pray to get picked up by another carrier that respects it's labor.

It's like a battered spouse of a drug abuser moves out and into a bad relationship with a battering alcoholic that has some money.

 

It's not all that bad. They come but they don't stay. An MBA will eventually figure out the training costs are worse than a proper contract.

 

Best case scenario is that no newhire makes it to their first anniversary. Leaving right after the type ride would be ideal.

 

This is true, especially now with the pic type requirement. And doesn’t affect the march towards an impasse. New hires will mostly be mute and compliant with a lockout.

 

Sorry for being slightly off topic. They are still recruiting simulator instructors and I was curious if that end of the house is treated any better than the line pilots? Any insight as to terms and conditions?

Thanks,

Jim

 

It looks like the majority of Captains are 06-07 hires with the best seniority for bidding ending in mid 05 hire. With that much time invested when do the 06-07 hires consider going to another LCC if none of the big 3 are calling? I don't see myself ever cracking the top of the seniority here. I will always be outside of the top 15% or so, at least for the next 20 years, but that holds true anywhere I would go. Wish I would have left years ago.

 

That’s one of the issues a robust contract would address. The theory of one day you will get yours, is regional mentality.