Rumor mill has it that the company is regretting closing CHI. I wouldn't be surprised if it opened back up. And, in the past, it was labeled CHI to accommodate both ORD and MDW. I would find it hard to believe those who were based there prior would have too much heartburn w/ a dual base.

They are also ailing wrt the non-Spirit merger. Of course, they'd never admit it and are continuing to try and make moves that help (ala cadet programs and bonuses) but overall, it seems like our mgt staffed is overmatched. Every airline that ever failed had a CEO at the time (making millions I might add) trying their best. I'm not so sure BB and BL are up to the task. Stock holders aren't stupid. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the CEOs who make the most videos and/or seem to be the most vocal (BB, Kirby, etc.) are the ones who are trying the most spin. If things were going well, all the extra trying wouldn't be necessary.

Somethings gonna give sooner or later...

What about a reserve pilot that had no expectation of living within two hours of both airports in a given city.

FWIW, the vp of network spoke with our RGS recently and poured cold water on any consideration of MDW being a base after the numbers from fall came in.

And therein lies the problem w/ our mgt...

ONE fall shouldn't be the reason for closing/not opening a base. We have seasonal bases (Miami), smaller bases (Tampa) and will probably open up a base in CVG or CLE which certainly aren't traditional base types (all the majors left them).

Bases should be based on volume of flying over a given period of time (longer than a few months).

Southwest probably noticed us over in the corner doing more flying and decided to stomp its foot down to scare us. We then think the sky is falling and take our toys and go home (or to DFW, PHX, and SJU)

BTW, how many VPs do we have? I've actually looked for an org chart to no avail. You would think we're some HUGE airline. We have less than 200 planes and 2000 pilots and probably have 6 to 9 VPs.

WTF does the VP of networking do? Run the tiny, low traffic website? And why would he/she have a RGS speaking part?

There are so many bizarre/non-standard things about this airline, I'm kinda wondering....what do we do WELL?

Pretty sure that’s “network” as in our flight network, not playing on the internet.

Yeah. D.S. His title used to have the word "Network" in it but now he's the VP Commercial. I think he's in charge of both planning the routes/ city pairs and how to make money. He spoke a lot about generating revenue and ancillary revenue. It's a big job for him.

Why anyone from upper management comes into our ground schools is beyond me. I like when they do but it makes little sense

So when they get home and grab a beer they can come on here and have a good laugh.

I do think they probably find it entertaining. I think BL kind of likes the occasional hostile questions. I was in a class a couple years ago and he really got beat up by my class. He seemed to enjoy it

See above. 20 a day, mas or menos, for any base.

10 at HOU, 10 at IAH, maybe

5 and 5? no

Yeah my recurrent was pretty much like that. BL got flamed by some older guys and then VP comes in, guy asks about ORD, VP tells him it isn't viable, but it isn't completely out of the question..... only out of the question for AT LEAST 2-3 years. Yeah, the ORD guy who asked that wasn't too happy with the answer.

Yrwh, I was joking. I’m sure this is the guy tweeking the algorithm that tells us which city pairs are most underserved and have the greatest profit potential. I suppose this is a pretty cool job - show up in new cities with a giant pair of scissors to cut the green ribbon on a new gate. The people of Cheyenne, Wy and Lubbock, Tx and the like must have this guys # on speed dial.

So what is BLs job then? Is it to just plan the aircraft to show up and depart from wherever the VP of networks tells him?

More importantly, why do we have so many VPs but only 2 ground training schedulers?

I think we often forget that we are a SMALL airline. There are a few regionals that are bigger…

Suppose CVG could be an attempt for pilot recruiting as well. Could be some Atlas, Allegiant, and ABX guys that want a change of pace...

ask him about ALASKA 😂🤪🤣😂😂😂

I noticed the FFTpilots got updated to include the CVG/CLE rumor. Is there any news or additional rumors going around about it?

On the last CP town hall an executive mentioned they had plans to fill out DFW, MIA, and PHX before announcing any new bases. With the reduction in class size and delivery delays from Airbus I would guess it’s going to be a while before anything is officially announced.

Heard a MDW base restart rumor recently as well. That would be my hope for those that got the shaft but I have my doubts.

Got it, thanks!

PHX seems to have the people. Like 45 of us on reserve in May, but for reasons beyond my bank account’s balance there are about 20 fewer captains than FOs. Gate crowding is pretty bad some days (unfortunately I’m numb to it from my last operation). They seem to have a lot of us based here yet many of us just sit around on reserve. I take it as a good sign of things to come, I just wonder when.

Not working on rsv is the best ever (for those living in base). I like how on the FFT page you can see the block hours per base / “focus cities “ and add one and one for which next base would make sense. I am worried for my Miami people though that city seems to have less block hours / departure’s than RDU

Also makes me wonder if they will ever make SJU a FA only base

MIA will just stay small until SA expansion, which will happen at some point.

XLR launch pad.

XLRs are “options”. Interpret that as you will….

Thank you for the clarification. I thought it was rock solid like everything else around here.

No kidding.

I got the distinct impression in RGS recently that there is little chance of the XLR's actually showing up. I believe DS said that the XLR has a grand total of 150 miles range farther when flying out of Denver.

While I know range numbers are inflated and we stuff the aircraft with so many people it hurts range and the spinal column that statement sounded incorrect. But then I did a little digging and sure enough the 321NX is advertised as 3500 mile range in a standard config. Airbus is advertising 4000 range for our configuration for the XLR. I guess we will have to wait a couple of years to find out.

Probably wouldn’t be flying out of Denver but still. Thanks for bringing that info to my attention.

Hmm yes indeed. I see about the same number when looking at Flica though. Actually about 10 apart. Looks like some in training and a few extra No Bids for the month than the FO side screwing the numbers a bit.

Hopefully it’s home for you and you can just sit and enjoy your time on reserve. I see open time is proving difficult to pick up extra with 0 trips available currently.

I don’t know if reserve has always been this way at F9, but so far so good. It’s that mythical “reserve isn’t bad and can even go pretty senior.” It’s not going senior, but it has seemed akin to that legacy reserve rumor we’d hear during our daily dose of regional abuse. Even if it’s only transitory. Years at a regional, ya know? Helps me appreciate a lot.

To substantiate this, I’ve heard from a VP that they won’t be announcing the next crew domicile until “3rd or 4th quarter.”

DS also was very quick to stomp HNL-Dublin-Lima rumors.

Wait till you upgrade :p

I did that before, I’m in no rush haha

You mean the routes that the company is actively advertising to sway pilots decisions as to whether or not to work here?

“You sure about that? You sure about that?”

Yeah.... Hilarious they put that in a recruitment "ad" just like the recruitment posters still show that we have the highest compensation and quickest upgrade.

Please tell me this is a "I think you should leave" quote.
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https://www.aviationpros.com/airport...-and-charlotte

More flying out of CLE make me believe that it's probably going to be the next base. Time will tell. I was in the training house last month and the VP of Commercial said that the next base will definitely be in Ohio.

Well CVG is not in Ohio, so welcome to CLE…

Heard from a FA that CLE was listed as a base in Wikipedia. I didn’t check myself but that def means it’s official….

This means absolutely nothing. We’ve operated all of these routes at one point in the last 6-7 years. Nothing new. They’ll disappear in no time. Don’t overthink this.

I couldn’t help myself and read the page. The Wikipedia page lists CLE as a “focus city”. The same page tries to imply the fan cowling in Vegas got ripped off by FOD so…grain of salt