Source in XJ HQ today told me with the 5 new 900's we are 100 pilots fat right now.....anyone wonder what is coming next??

 

the sky is falling the sky is falling!

 

It helps when you're young and just don't care. GoJet is it... otherwise, for many, it's the end of the road - out of currency means more difficult to find a job.

Sad...

 

Well, we need to deal with it and keep it positive! I hope we can find jobs flying guys - any chance to even get in some sort of IFR environment and log it is sometimes the only thing we can do. Keep your heads up and don't give up! It will get better and its not far off - 2009 is here and it should be a better year

 

We can't be 100 pilots fat... the numbers just don't add up. 10 planes = roughly 50 new FOs. We have, from what I've heard, over 50 in the pool now. You do the math.

 

Doesn't 10 new airplanes=110 new fo's? I agree that we're not overstaffed if we get the 5 planes that are supposed to be here next month.

Here's the math:
M9C 122 18 airplanes
M9F 81
D9C 99 17 airplanes
D9F 84
E9C 55 9 airplanes
E9F 44
Total= 485/11=44 airplanes/instructors
M6C 92 17 airplanes
M6F 90
Total=182/11= 17 airplanes
M3C 108 17 airplanes
M3F 78
D3C 97 17 airplanes
D3F 87
E3C 71 12 airplanes
E3F 61
Total= 502/11= 46 Airplanes

Captains:637
1ST OFC: 525
Total=1162/11=106 airplanes (36+5+17+49=107)(Mesaba fleet)

 

No... 10 planes is roughly 50 new crews (50 Ca and 50 FO or about 100 pilots), not roughly 100 new FOs. We likely have all the captains on the property to staff the 5 extra planes. We also likely have all the FOs on the property for the 5 new planes, be it in training or on the line. The way I figure, which doesn't mean a whole lot, by just stopping the hiring and pooling everyone that was planned to be in class between Jan and June, we won't be overstaffed.

If anything, I would bet there would be a realignment to bring the sizes of the bases in line with what will be the new staffing requirements. Perhaps if they find that we've over on one fleet and under on another, they'll open up seat locks and retrain pilots into positions that are necessary. In other words... they can work with the pilots on property and properly staff the airline that way.

What do I know? Nothing. I don't work in planning, but it doesn't take a degree in crew planning to figure out the basics.

 

Those numbers are off. Don't count instructors or management in those numbers as they are not regular line holers/flyers.

 

I was also in the March 30th class. S.T. told me..

"Dear Pilot,

Recently, you have been selected as a First Officer with Mesaba Airlines and are awaiting a class date. Due to a reallocation of aircraft by Delta, all pilot classes and dates are being reevaluated.

Therefore, at this time we will be pooling all candidates who have been offered a First Officer position, such as yourself. At this time we have no further information as to when or if new hire classes will be initiated in the future. We will certainly be in touch with you once more information is available to us. And, when line positions become available and classes are scheduled you will be contacted and assigned a class.

Because of the relative uncertainty of our industry during these turbulent times, we suggest that you maintain your current position and lifestyle until we contact you to confirm your final class date.

We appreciate your understanding and we hope to see you on board in the very near future. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at _________"

 

JR came into our class on Tuesday and told us that with the loss of those 10 planes, Mesaba is overstaffed by 100 pilots. He said they are considering offering early retirements, voluntary leaves, and line reductions and really don't want to furlough anyone.