PilotBases

Aren’t we still going to have AEs in 2023?

Scoop

Yes but we don't need two threads on the same topic and training for any subsequent AEs will be in 2024 so why not get an early jump on it? We did start the 2023 thread in the fall of 22 setting precedent.

Scoop

PilotBases

Perhaps, but when the 22 thread was created, they said no further AEs for the year, which held true. Now we’ve got monthly AEs for last half of 23.

Nick Bradshaw

Oh for Pete's sake. Flex got the WB award. Last class trained in 2023. Drop the mike. Close the thread.

#GoFlex congrats, man!

PilotBases

I yield to the majority! Congrats flex.

Ill ask again, SLC330, BOS320?

Jaww

MIA/FLL320 is coming. Already have Nassau flights from Miami on mainline. LATAM JV is ramping up. Gotta feed the beast. Need a base to join arm in arm with FAs. One can hope.

FangsF15

Hope is not a COA.

FWIW, I seem to remember Flt Ops saying somewhere recently they have zero plans to open a Florida pilot base "for the foreseeable future".

PilotJ3

I think they just got tired of us asking about BOS and FL base. With the amount of pilots and planes we will be, it would only make sense a new base somewhere.

Maybe open a base, not because they want, but because they need to attract people and keep the upgrades at a certain level.

Jaww

They say a lot of things. Like opening Boston or a LAX220 base. They are keeping FLL on the down low while they acquire a pilot lounge there during construction. It’s super hush hush.

Nick Bradshaw

There isn't going to be a MIA base any time soon. They've proven that by running BOS as a virtual base when every indication to us laymen says it would be more efficient to open it as a domicile.

The company told us back in 2015 that they wanted to have virtual bases. ALPA agreed to it, then reneged when they realized the company wasn't going to do it the way they wanted. So the company moved forward with their version virtual base plan anyhow. They just deadhead and overnight everyone there. This is a bean counter's airline, and I'm sure they've run the numbers and found it's cheaper to buy hotels and DH people than renting space, installing another layer of management, and the massive training churn that opening a new base creates. Look how they did the 320 SEA addition. They put 15 people, then put the rest after the contract "new base" provision had lapsed. They will always save a buck on our backs.

No, they'll continue to run MIA as a virtual through the other bases, with a lot of DHs and layovers. Just like the BOS virtual base, which proved the concept. Expect to see this trend continue in the "focus cities".