Vacancy 26-04
#21
On Reserve
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 6
There will undoubtedly have to be others going forward, but when and how many is the wild card that took us from unfilled NBCA and WBFO vacancies to the complete other side of the pendulum with unusually ultra-senior awards in those categories.
About a month ago crew resources had an update that implied this might be the only vacancy until next year. Shortly after, they sent out a message clarifying that there would be more, but they seemed to be aiming for more consolidation of the bids rather than the monthly bids of the last few years.
Before, bids were happening every month and most people just put off bidding up as they simply assumed it would be there next month. Then industry and economic events happened which slowed the vacancy bids. That was combined with a new contract that improved reserve rules and things began shifting more towards more uncertainty to how things would be going forward. Many people have stopped putting off vacancies based on assumptions and began bidding for what they want when the opportunity becomes available.
About a month ago crew resources had an update that implied this might be the only vacancy until next year. Shortly after, they sent out a message clarifying that there would be more, but they seemed to be aiming for more consolidation of the bids rather than the monthly bids of the last few years.
Before, bids were happening every month and most people just put off bidding up as they simply assumed it would be there next month. Then industry and economic events happened which slowed the vacancy bids. That was combined with a new contract that improved reserve rules and things began shifting more towards more uncertainty to how things would be going forward. Many people have stopped putting off vacancies based on assumptions and began bidding for what they want when the opportunity becomes available.
Could just be mgmt is playing it a bit safer this time around, and this is their "big" initial guaranteed vacancy. Enough to fill up TK through early-mid 2026 and reassess the delivery pace. Likely some lingering heartburn after more than a few excess CA's (and 787 FOs) when deliveries screeched to a halt in 2024.
#23
Line Holder
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 925
Likes: 22
Agreed, this CA vacancy doesn't cover all the projected Boeing 2026 deliveries. Add retirements in as well (most of which are CA's) and seems light. What is it, 6-to-1 CA-per-NB and something higher for WB for approximating staffing needs?
Could just be mgmt is playing it a bit safer this time around, and this is their "big" initial guaranteed vacancy. Enough to fill up TK through early-mid 2026 and reassess the delivery pace. Likely some lingering heartburn after more than a few excess CA's (and 787 FOs) when deliveries screeched to a halt in 2024.
Could just be mgmt is playing it a bit safer this time around, and this is their "big" initial guaranteed vacancy. Enough to fill up TK through early-mid 2026 and reassess the delivery pace. Likely some lingering heartburn after more than a few excess CA's (and 787 FOs) when deliveries screeched to a halt in 2024.
#24
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 579
Likes: 63
From: 73FO
I guess it's a good sign that this is a "disappointing" vacancy.
I feel like it is not unreasonable for the company to be deeply skeptical of Boeing delivery timelines, and probably sees ample time to meter out WB upgrades as the situation change.
I feel like it is not unreasonable for the company to be deeply skeptical of Boeing delivery timelines, and probably sees ample time to meter out WB upgrades as the situation change.
#25
New Hire
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Any thoughts on why United didn't post any Airbus Captain vacancies? Doing the math between 737 FO to CA ratio, they're currently at 1.003 and trying to get to 1.047. Meanwhile the Airbus is at 1.109 and trying to get to 1.271. Why are they stacking so many more FO's per CA in the Airbus than the 737?
#27
Thread Starter
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 312
Snapshot out. Was posted and then pulled back because its obviously not showing all the awards. This was what was on it for the 20 minutes it was available.
Numerous 15XXX seniority pilots in CA slots on the 737 in LAX. 2023 hires. Junior WB CA is 4,8XX seniority. WBFO down to 14,XXX.
Next month is the big Airbus CA bid plus more WB bids.
Numerous 15XXX seniority pilots in CA slots on the 737 in LAX. 2023 hires. Junior WB CA is 4,8XX seniority. WBFO down to 14,XXX.
Next month is the big Airbus CA bid plus more WB bids.
#30
Thread Starter
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 312
Funny that a few months ago the guys claiming there were "hundreds" of pre-Covid hires that hadn't had a chance to upgrade that were waiting for a vacancy and yet 80% of the awards on the 737 are post Covid hires, some have only been on the property only 2 years.
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