Respectfully I think you guys look at everything as being static.
I get that you can only plan for "knowns" but a contract will be here and it will increase our QOL. That was the point of a union vote. From some of the leaks and talking to a few union people our reserve rules will be much improved. This guy will also be living in base. Many of the jr guys in MCO have lines because the senior guys bid reserve to stay home.

Anyone who told you that the CBA was “just around the corner” 2 years ago has no experience with airline negotiations.

The CBA had just begun to be negotiated 2 yrs ago. It was far from right around the corner.

Thanks for all the info. Helps a lot.

Are there ways to improve your schedule if your commuting? Like starting with a DH to MCO and you just skip the DH. Or trip swaps etc.?

Maybe the new terminal will help with MCO growth.

I dont know if its just me but I get the feeling the LCC and the like are gonna get a wakeup call when the pilot squeeze hits them. It's bound to domino from what the regionals are feeling now. Maybe that'll be more motivation to finish a CBA.

In 2020.

Filler.

What will most likely happen is we will have to slow or stop growth because there are not enough pilots, and those that are qualified will go to companies who pay much better, have higher paying widebody aircraft and metric tons of retirements.

Then our already slowing growth will be non-existent.

Is it gloomy weather where you are today bluedriver :)

I know you're just giving me crap but when the market tightens for pilots I just do not see how we compete. What do we offer that a guy can't get from at least the big 3 much better?

You're assuming that pilots looking for a job qualify for the big 3. I don't have a college degree, and likely will never be competitive for a job there. So while I'm looking for better employment (from where I'm working now), and looking to get back into 121, places like JetBlue, Spirit, Allegiant, and others appeal to me because, realistically, I could be somewhat competitive to get a job there. So while most pilots probably have a bachelors or higher degree, some of us don't. And we have other expectations and aspirations.

My guess is your education level will become more the norm than the exception for new hires in this industry at every airline very soon in the future.