Supply and demand... I doubt they'll send him through Q class until his year is up because they would loose a Saab FO for another month to learn a whole new airframe. I doubt new hires will get the Q anytime soon anyhow because these vacancies are contigent on our pref bid meaning, senior guys dont start transition training until 2012. Once transition training starts new hires should get those few Q slots that open up unless a more senior Saab FO bumps them.

My best guess is that it has to do with the company opting not to fill as many secondary vacancies as they could have due to the size and complexity of this bid, and having to do it by hand.

Thanks, that helps me understand.

I'm assuming that the company is treating the new hire as not actually being displaced due to the fact that they were awarded their initial position without all senior pilots getting a chance to bid on the position they were in training for. The result of vacancy 11-08 was that their class should have started as a Saab class. As they do not have displacement reinstatement rights, they are subject to the training freeze for a new first officer of 1 year.

Section 24.C.3.:
3. First Officers
a. A First Officer may bid and be awarded a change of Domicile at any time.
b. A First Officer may not be awarded a change in Category (status and/or equipment) until:
i. Upgrade to Captain; or
ii. One (1) year after date of hire, to attain another First Officer position.
c. Following an award to a different aircraft as a First Officer, the Pilot may not be awarded a Captain position for twelve (12) months or a new First Officer category for twenty-four (24) months.
d. A Pilot subject to a First Officer freeze will be released from such freeze to prevent the hiring of a Captain off the street

Unless he gets real lucky and takes a voluntary displacement

I doubt anyone is going to get displaced from the Saab anytime soon as all the Saab bases that were going to close have closed (at least for now). Plus, someone senior can always assume the displacement from him if there is a reduction.

Looks like everyone is on the Saab. Any training gouge out there?

The electrical system was designed by drunken apes? Not sure if they'll accept that on the oral though.

Unless things have changed, you should get a packet in the mail letting you know what to bring for class, and it should have some limitations for the Saab. Know those cold, everything else they'll give you in class.

Welcome aboard!

+1. Don't sweat it too much before you get to training. Like etflies said, know the limitations information by heart as you will probably be tested on the material the first day. Enjoy training! You'll have fun flying the saab aka. the majestic beast.

And welcome.

Sounds good thanks. I wonder when they are going to send the package. Class is in 6 days..