March 19, 2014
PHL Update - E190 Captain Vacancies
ITS SIMPLE ECONOMICS
When have you ever heard of a major airline not having enough of its pilots wanting to bid Captain? Well, thats exactly what just happened when the Permanent Bid 14-03a was published yesterday. Out of almost 1,500 First Officer Positions, US Airways couldnt find 113 pilots to bid Captain. Thats right; the largest airline in the world could only fill 101 of 113 E190 Captain Positions.
The reason for the lack of interest is simple. Many pilots can earn considerably more money as an A330 or B75/76 FO, than they can as an E190 CAP, not to mention they will have better scheduling flexibility. Undoubtedly, neither the Company nor APA ever anticipated this situation when they negotiated the abysmal E190 pay rates....