Hey, I resemble that remark ! (At least the favorite Captain part.)

 

I don't know the exact target that they plan to use reserves, but they do have a target. It is higher than you might think. There is always flying that doesn't get assigned by PBS, and pilots call in sick at a predictable rate. JR and SR manning are for when the "sheet hits the fan."

Probably the reason we stopped hiring this year, is that we had so many bodies in the wrong places, being underutilized. Forcing those bodies out through displacements will eventually have the same effect as hiring new pilots.

Or maybe they will screw it up even worse. MP is a moving target. I don't think I would want their job.

 

Though i agree with your sentiment; the reason they pushed new hires starts to NOV was that the training dept is swamped. That is not an exaggeration. They need to get thru this summer firehose and they'll be able to handle the rest of the strong demand during the fall/winter. I think proper manning is when they are a bit tight during the summer and holidays. If they have to do some SRM during that time, then our staffing is fine. When they have to JRM, then you have an issue, but that has mostly gone goodbye. By the end of the summer, SRM will be basically done for the long haul. look at the trends of SRM from last year to now, and you'll see there is barely any of it left. We are finally getting staffed the right way. L-UAL, which i am, always wanted too many pilots which was ridiculous. Keep the manning tight, and it limits the number of furloughs IF WE EVER NEED THEM. Go too fat on pilots, and it's easier to cut a lot more, since the cost isn't much more. Too many L-UAL guys want more pilots and want work rules that allow more pilots on the lot. That's old school and they need to move on and realize we are not being competitive. Keep manning tight, and if we have to do some senior manning for 4 months, then we save money not being overmanned the other 8 months. And realistically, if you look at SRM numbers, it is prevalent anymore. So it's really minimum 3 months of limited SRM to offset 9 months of good staffing.

 

Agree, like some other companies have been doing for a long time.

 

If you can't take a joke, then you better find another profession, or at least hide your sour demeanor well in airline interviews.

 

I agree with EMBskillz observation. It's one of those things that those people say as a joke, but at the same time not really a joke. The people that use that phrase a lot tend to be more self absorbed than the average pilot, while at the same time less skilled and more afraid of the airplane.

 

Seriously what is it with the new balance shoes??? Why in the world are these guys wearing white new balance shoes, white tube socks, cargo shorts and a tucked in polo? Its fascinating to see how many pilots look just the same on trips. Hell I can pick out a pilot in the middle of KIX.

 

Not much to be afraid of in a commercial setting.. Night carrier landings, now there's something to be afraid of . Do airplanes scare you?

 

Maybe it's a Costco thing, pick up some stupid looking shoes while buying a cheap box of wine for that special occasion.

 

That is haute couture compared to layover outfits of the past: Garage Mechanic shoes with white socks, high-water pants, and a Hawaiian shirt that would get you thrown into a volcano over there. Personally, I preferred Red Wing clodhoppers, Osh Kosh B'gosh bib overalls, and a plaid lumberjack shirt.