They used to offer a specific “X” number of positions in specific base/equipment combos. When the last of X DTW 320’s was ‘taken’, for example, that was off the table for the rest of the class. They no longer do it that way. Optimistically, it’s so that they can try to give more people a higher choice from their list. Pessimistically, it allows them more flexibility if they have a large number of people who want/are willing to preference a particular Base/Equipment they need filled.

They are not going to give a whole class the same BES - they spread it out amongst their needs at the time. In your example, they probably won’t even hand out all 63 possible vacancies across multiple classes. But the general ratio of available unfilled vacancies is probably roughly similar to what is ‘awarded’ to NH’s in a given month.

Said another way, given that there are huge numbers of DTW 320, ATL 320, and ATL 73N on this bid, and that many of those will go unfilled by pilots on property, that is where the majority of NH’s will probably go initially in late Feb and early March classes. Also, a lot of 73’s will be awarded spread across the other bases as well. 320/73 had roughly equal number of totals. Remember, if you are on property the day the AE closes, you can bid to change base.

Hope that helps.

Edit: +1 to what Moose said.

 

BES = Category

 

Base, Equipment, Seat for those unfamiliar or who are coming from the mil/corporate world.

 

The weekly update that came out today has the first hard number I’ve seen in a while. They say they are targeting 700 new hires in the first half of 2026. No mention of anything for the second half but all signs point to steady hiring throughout the entire year so 1200+ seems very realistic.

 

Yep. Clearly things are revising upwards. Also interesting they said the next few AE cycles will have growth across most fleets. Very non-standard from historical norms to ramp UP in Feb/Mar/Apr...

And what is that nonsense about NH's "primarily assigned to narrow body fleets?" More like, exclusively...

 

But, but, but... EXCESS TLV!

 

Unless they expect so much WB growth that pilot bidding it would have a seat lock and theeen NHs might get it.

Aluminium hat off…

 

Mid-December interview and CJO, got the email today for an April 7 indoc class date.

 

Is it true there are no classes after summer?

Asking because I’ll be reapplying beginning of summer.

 

Nothing has been announced but all signs point to steady hiring throughout the year.