All quiet on the western front as far as I can tell. I have two friends who were hired and are waiting for class dates. I would love to get a domicile transfer so I can live in base but nothing is really moving.

 

Any news? Many people leaving for the majors? I heard no classes until after summer unless attrition picks up.

I see ASA ramped up hiring again all of a sudden.

 

No news. But there are persistent E-175 rumors which IMO have reached the threshold of credibility. This may not indicate a done-deal on more flying but rather might be the company deciding to obtain a couple, get them on the certificate, and train a core instructor cadre. This would enable the company to respond rapidly to new opportunities (we may have lost one recently because we couldn't ramp up a new type quickly enough).

 

The main reason SKW and other did not get the AA flying was RAH's willingness to underbid everyone and assume most liability for the aircraft. It was spelled out in court yesterday, other factors were as you stated, ability to deploy rapidly but the bottom line is exactly that the bottom line and BB is on the record Saying he was going to win this RFP and AMR stating that RAH proposal came under cost.

 

"C. Selection of Republic

10. After careful consideration and analysis of each of the submitted bids in view of American’s business objectives and requirements, American selected Republic and commenced negotiations with Republic in December 2012 for a capacity purchase agreement relating to 53 Embraer E-175 76-seat aircraft. Unlike the other operators, Republic had the ability through aircraft options with Embraer to deploy 24 mostly new E-175 aircraft by the end of 2013 and all 53 aircraft by the first quarter of 2015. The E-175 product was determined by American as best suited for the highly competitive market in Chicago with a product experience that is more similar to a narrow body aircraft versus the CRJ-900.

11. Republic is also not restricted from operating on behalf of American at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of American’s primary hubs for which regional feed services are critical to American’s operations and strategy. Republic's economic proposal was slightly better than the cost assumption in the Debtors’ business plan for large regional jets. Additionally, Republic will acquire, finance and/or own all of the aircraft without any financing or underwriting by AMR or any other Debtor. In sum, Republic was essentially the only operator that could meet all American’s criteria and still be able to provide the required services at better than average costs. "

http://amrcaseinfo.com/pdflib/7044_15463.pdf

 

Are they thinking of adding the E170 as well as the MRJ?

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article....-01-528498.xml

 

Yes. The ERJ would be in response to specific requirements from mainline partners. Near-term need to win RFPs.

The MRJ is a longer-term thing, essentially a potential long-term replacement for the CRJ fleet.

SKW could end up with one, the other, or both. I seriously doubt we'll end up with only Bombardier products in the future.

 

I've known a few people who have left for the majors recently but not very many. My seniority number has gone up about 20 in the last two months.

We've been told recently that we're overstaffed, and our block hours for this summer won't be as high as expected. They're offering unpaid vacation in most domiciles. I wouldn't expect any classes for a while.

 

Why the concern? I thought you were a big proponent of Gojetssss?

 

I'm a big proponent (whatever the F!#k that means) of whoever is going to hire me right now. I'm in the pool at Skywest but I can't wait forever, so if there's no hint of upcoming classes, I will target everyone on airline apps who owns an airplane. GoJetsssssssssssss included!