Dash,

I think there are lots of SLC refugees are in the same boat as you. I am thinking of bidding back to SLC on 737 or 320 reserve because as you've mentioned, the amount of reserve in MSPM88 is just plain unfathomable!

I think most of us that got MDed out of SLCM88 are getting very frustrated because we didn't have a choice to time our arrival in this new base, and the trips just aren't as commutable as SLC used to have. I hope there's a way to tell when they'll actually increase the number of lines, but as fall/winter schedules befall us, it could only mean at least 6 more months of reserve for us all...

Yeah that does blow in that ya'll really didn't have a choice.

I'm thinking you'll see some relief in at least 3 months. I don't know where you sit on the list, but even if you were at the very bottom and couldn't count on more conversions coming in beneath you I think there were 18 vacancies for MSP 88 in the Aug 16th class and there's 15 for the the Sept 6th class. In both classes it's been one of the largest numbered positions available which tells me they want guys in those seats. A steady flow of padding for you all should start hitting the line by NOV for bidding purposes. It is possible for for some of the Compass/Mesaba hold backs to be bidding some of those positions, so that might hurt things a bit, but I think they'll keep posting big numbers either way.

As far as bidding out to SLC is concerned I'd seriously think twice about that. Remember 767 to 7ER is in the works out there and has the potential to shake things up quite a bit. Before I went and seat locked myself on a more senior aircraft I'd want to see the results of the upcoming bid. I would imagine both DAL North and South guys not currently holding those seats will be interested which will trickle down to make everything that more senior/ stagnate out there depending on whether they open up SEA a bit more.

Reserve in MSP definitely sounds like it's a totally pain for some of you in the short term, but big picture is getting seat locked in the 320 or 737. Those seats are senior in any of the bases it sounds like you'd be interested in taking (LAX,SLC...or even back to MSP). You might end up locking yourself into guaranteed reserve for 2 years.

I'd think about waiting at least 1 AE regardless of what is published on the next one unless reserve out west is more attractive overall.

It is not necessarily just an age thing. There are a few cost prohibitive items that will hit a few jets in five to seven years or so. I was talking to one of the Tech Ops tech wizards. This is what he/she was stating. Not my words, theirs.

Given what they are saying this is great advice. From all of the public stuff, this AE will be big, but the Jan one could be bigger than a few of them combined.
I know I will try to sit this one out if possible.

The interesting part of this AE is the SLC 767 to ER conversion.

That is what the gentleman from "planning" told us.

TYG

I heard the AE will be out the first week of September. Any idea how "big" it will be???

I didn't even know there was one scheduled for January....

Reference this earlier post.......

So essentially if you thought the first couple were big, then you ain't seen nothing yet. ;)

Maybe I'll switch to MSP M88. This month and last on DTW 320B I broke guarantee and ended with a RAW of 170+ !!! :eek:

I'm tired..... :o

This is exactly why I'm staying put in MSP for now - even with the longer commute to reserve, there is light at the end of the tunnel. As tempting as it would be to bid to the 320 in SLC, it would probably take a few more years to get off of reserve there.

Got you beat, and I still have a few days left in the month.