Future class dates/expected drops? Any fleet movement projections now that everything is combined?

 

Expect the mainline fleet to continue to shrink while the number of RJs increases.

 

Care to add more details to that comment? AA is getting rid of 80's and 75's but bringing on a bunch of 738's, A321/19's, ABneo's and 350's with 789's. I don't have the exact numbers but I say it is maybe shrinking 2017 but going to grow from 2018 and beyond.

 

I don't have the fleet plan in front of me but AA is parking all the 80s and190s, some 320s, some 75s, some 330s, some 76s, and some 73s. I think the fleet bottoms out in 2018-19. However, I have absolutely zero confidence this management team plans to keep a 900 mainline aircraft fleet with 14,500 pilots in the future. My prediction is a steady furlough from the top.

2 out of the last 3 new hires I've flown with have class dates somewhere better. I'm actively trying to follow them out the door. The ONLY thing AA has to offer is the number of retirements. The management team is horrible, the contract is complete garbage(I don't care what slice says about it), and the product is inferior to DL and UA.

 

Someone posted the lastest 757/767 retirements. Total shows 18 for next year. If all S80's would be retired it's another 42. Total of 60. Latest delivery schedule has 68(?) new jets next year. Some A320 retirements. I thorough the net total fleet change at one point was +/- 3 for the year.

Total projected 757/767 retirements for 2018-2020 in the list posted was 16. 2018 has 54(?) new deliveries. That would be offset by any additional A320 retirements and perhaps any early 737 (21 yrs old so still have useful life left) retirments.

Based on fleet dynamics and current orders I'd think that fleet expansion would start up again in 2019.

 

Well I hope you the best at your next airline. I hope in 10+ years the next airline you go to still has the same or better contract and a good CEO and no major incidents. People keep comparing AA with Delta and UA and I get it. However, AA came out of bankruptcy in 2013 vs Delta in 2007. Ask Delta pilots how happy they were in 2007 and look at their contract then too. Sure 2016 is a different economy then 2007 but still we are competing very well as an airline and only 3 years after bankruptcy. Regardless how good the economy is you still have to give an airline time to complete a merger, get everyone moving in the same direction and then assess. In 2022 we will be 9 years post bankruptcy and I guarantee you we will be as happy as Delta is now. We are ONLY one contract in post bankruptcy and we made the BIG mistake to vote in a 5 year contract. In 2020 I bet we will do a whole lot better.
My really good friend was hired in 2008 at Delta and it wasn't a great contract, both my parents have flown for Delta since before 1996 and 1985, I have first hand knowledge they weren't ALWAYS the best. Everyone wanted SWA between 2003-2010 and look at it now. Who knows what it will be 2020-30 or 2030-40.
Best of luck though in your career. I think all 4 Major Airlines are a great deal and will be good over a career👍

 

I am a recent OTS interview... and if hired... I am absolutely going and staying at American.

 

I am in my fifth year here. If I were in my first or second and Delta called I'd be gone in a second. The problem here isn't just the management. In fact it's not really management at all. They are just doing what they do. The problem here is the pilot group. This pilot group consists mainly of older, close to retirement, beat down with no fight left in them pilots. Add in the fact they we are sharply fragmented in multiple directions due to previous mergers and a completely incompetent union who only cares about the senior nAAtives. The chances of us securing a contract that's worth the paper it's written on is nill. That being said, as far as the day to day stuff goes it's a great job with lots of great people to fly. Every airline has its turn at the top but if I were a betting man, I'd say the chances of overall having a great career are much better at Delta. My only hope here is that I'll spend the majority of my career senior enough to be insulated from out terrible contracts.

 

Think this will change? I think we're going to have a pretty tight group in not too long.

 

Do I think that in the future we will be a much more unified voice? Yes. I'm sure we'll speak loud and clear when we vote in our next sh!tty contract. IMO, the only hope we have is that the nAAtives will be so fed up in 2020 with being number last that they actually stand up and say no. And then walk away. Just like every other pilot group has done before they secured a good contract.