Don't know about increased hiring. We've been at 500 pilots for about 12+ months now. No way to staff any more flying. We need more incentives to attract people, everyone is offering short upgrades now. We either need brand new 70 seaters or some kind of hiring agreement.

Like I said, it's a rumor. But it's only a rumor because it hasn't been made public.;)


ALPA is doing great! More jobs at mainline where total compensation is much higher is 100% the right direction to take things. Of course, there will always be regional airlines to fly some 200s to Minot and Podunk. So no need to worry about your Skywest going anywhere. Anyone with a plan b of going to mainline will be ok. But it's always good to have plan c outside the industry. That's what gives me the warm fuzzy feeling, not having all my eggs in the regional basket.


Ok, I see what you mean. Our management says they are making good progress of extending our current fleet of 145s through 2019. But I won't believe it until it's in an SEC filing.

Have heard this from several folks as well. As you said, not made public yet so I guess we shall see.

Not sure what his crystal ball says, but mine says UAX will be at 250-300 hulls in the next 5 years. Mostly of the 70/76 seat variety. Next up for UAL, since our TA passed this morning, will be securing a 100 seat jet with an announcement sometime in '16. For you regional ALPA pilot groups flying UAX, I would expect to see deals worked out a'la Commutair in the near future. We currently have 12,500 pilots and the company wants to be at 16,000 by 2020.

Every regional will eventually have some sort of deal for a preferential interview or flow to a mainline partner... The problem is, what happens when by the end of 2016 and into 2017 when there are even less pilots coming to regionals?

Skyw had even more 700s than posted above come off contract for United at the end of 2015. They could easy be all SKYW planes getting parked. Most of them are still flying on short term extensions for United, while a few will be rebranded for American flying.
I'm guessing United wants to keep some around on a short leash so a.) They want to see how staffing shakes down and b.) they may be playing plane-and-pilot keep away from their competition.

Excuse my ignorance... XLJET? What's that?

They'll just reduce flying, it will be like Great Lakes.

I honestly think preferential interviews won't solve anything, not many want to do this job anymore. I think we were the last gen that grew up thinking being an airline pilot is cool. It's not even a highly rated job anymore in career rankings. They'll get coverage for sure but not what they would like.

What do you mean everyone is offering short upgrades??Is xjt, RAH, Envoy, AWAC, or Skywest all quick upgrades?