7 new aircraft equals how many new crews?

I've heard on average it takes 10 pilots to staff an airplane. But I may be off.

10 is on the low side. Each airline is different. Average about 11 to 14 depending on the airline.

10 is the target per aircraft. Straight from Foley's mouth.

The actual numbers could be above that since the pipeline for making a CA and certainly an FO isn't overnight and they want to staff before they bring aircraft on property, or if there is an anticipated uptick in attrition, or an anticipated drying up of the applicant pool, all applicable to the current situation for most regionals.

"At the discretion of the Company, a pilot may be granted a leave of absence without pay for a period not in excess of twelve (12) months. The pilot shall retain and shall continue to accrue seniority but not longevity, during such leave of absence, provided that during such period the pilot maintains his airline pilot’s certificate or certificates required for his status. Such leave or leaves may be extended for additional periods of not to exceed twelve (12) months for each such leave when approved in writing by the Company. "


Does this mean you could in theory be on leave for your 12 month probationary period maintain your seniority and come back off probation? although unlikely and probably almost impossible?

No

• “Probation Period” means a pilot’s first twelve (12) months of active service as a pilot with the Company (exclusive of time spent on furlough or leave of absence).

I was talking with a captain the other day about staffing and he said Mesa usually runs about 3.5 pilots per seat. What have you guys heard about this. Whatever the staffing levels...I haven't been able to drop a trip for months!!!!

That would mean there would only be 600 pilots for 97 planes. I've heard mesa now has 1,000 pilots. That's 10.3 pilots per plane.

Not once you know how to handle Mesa it isn't. Send in the paperwork, wait for Mesa to deny you FMLA, call the dept of labor in AZ and tell the lady about it, she calls Mesa, minutes later, you get an email from Mesa saying you are approved for FMLA, and next time to follow the appropriate channels. You did follow the channels and got it approved. :D

1000 pilots on list is not 1000 pilots on line. Military, medical, loa mgt, training etc are all counted in the 1000 but not online