joethepilot

I disagree... the 200 is severely overstaffed on the FO side. There are 89 M6F's in the bid packet and 20 reserve lines plus another 10 build up lines. That means 1/3rd of the FO's on the 200 are on reserve, and if you talk to a lot of those guys many of them are not flying much. 1/3rd reserve coverage is just utterly ridiculous, and yes, enough to justify displacement (considering on most of the other fleets there is between 1/6th - 1/12th coverage, that means the 200 FO side has as much as 4x the reserve coverage as some of the other positions.)

I don't think Mesaba will push any instructors back to the line, besides what they did a few months ago... they really didn't convert any more line pilots to sim instructors for the a/c that were supposed to show up.

You are correct about the Saab captains... I highly doubt that anyone will "withdraw" from class and return to their previous position as management has suggested. If you voluntarily go back you lose all the rights you would attain if you were to be displaced.

So I think the first displacement you will see will be for Saab CA's and 200 FO's. Look for that to come out sometime next week (The deadline for voluntarily dropping out of Saab CA training was yesterday and the decision on who is included in this program is supposed to come out today.

joethepilot

People that become FTI's (Full time instructors) Still get to bid a/c and seats per their seniority, but because they are not actually flying a line, and therefore not bidding a line, they are classified as "Phantoms". I.e. they hold a spot on the seniority list, and their pay is in accordance with that seniority, but they can continue to teach on the a/c their currently teaching.

IBPilot

The same guys that call the -900 "the Nine" have decided to nickname the airplane "phantom." It brings back their memories of flying in 'nam. oh wait they weren't born until 15 years after it ended...but the chicks at the bars won't realize that.

Lighteningspeed

Another one who thinks he knows everything.

This info was quoted from several different aviation articles, not a "useless rumor." Your negativity stifles any thread you participate in. Get over yourself.

Lighteningspeed

I am in agreement with Ftrooppilot. Merging Comair with Mesaba seems unlikely at best.

Looking at Feb bid, an airline would not be adding more destinations to its route structure when it's going to shrink. So, no is my answer to those who ask whether XJ will furlough in 2009. XJ management type told us that 5 being initially based out of SLC is a beginning of further growth into the West by XJ. Take it for what it's worth.

Diver Driver

I hope so... just sharpened my pencils, I'm ready for class.

Schwartz

Well, post the article then. Just because a company owns options on new a/c does not mean they can violate DAL scope. There is quite a bit of room for growth in DCI for a/c up to 70 seats but not 71 to 76. I guess it depends on if DAL wants to put CRJ-900s or E-175s in service with only 70 seats and then reconfigure them when scope allows. I don't think 405PA was being negative, I think that more DCI aircraft is a negative.

Lighteningspeed

The base manager said XJ also might get more Saabs for ATL flying. I hope you get your class date soon too. I feel bad for those of you who got your class date canceled. The upside is you will be in the pool and will be the first ones to be hired on the next round since you already passed the interview. If I had to take an educated guess, it will be in few months, according to a base manager.

Lighteningspeed

You really need to learn to read the entire progression of the post before jumping the gun. My post clearly stated that I wasn't sure about the numbers. If I had the articles, I would have posted it and clearly stated as such.

Never said getting more aircraft at regionals is a good thing. I was responding to someone who asked me if there were more aircraft out there in the DAL system for bidding.

I am one of the many who wants to get hired by a major. I certainly do not plan on being a regional lifer. I do hope DAL and other majors will expand their mainline fleet so there will be hiring instead of furloughing but right now it seems unlikely majors will be hiring anytime soon.

tcraft

Care to expand on this one?