With the various new hire numbers being thrown around of up to 300 pilots from 06 to 07, is seems that most of this hiring is for growth, right?
Mostly yes, but also Age 60 retirements unless the rule changes to 65. In '07 we're slated to lose about 90 pilots to the Age 60 rule.
Could we expect the seniority list to go over 3000 in 2007?
No, not with some over Age 60 people leaving. I would put a guess at 2,950 by the end of 2007
Is most of this hiring actual growth, effects of the new contract work rules, or a combination of both?
Both. UPS, for instance, is very short on crews right now. The lines just came out for November, and (at least in Ontario) they are stuffed to the max. According to our union, the new contract rules will have UPS scrambling for crews for the foreseeable future.
I see on UPS's APC page that 10 MD-11's are added in 07 along with the first 4 of the 747-400's. Any more aircraft being added in 07?
Not likely. I expect UPS to announce more aircraft purchases, however.