Dear Dani and Saab Driver,
If, thanks to the wet-lease, the staffing «seems normal» and if, thanks to a reduction from 500 to 300 lay-off, Swiss has everything under control, then please explain me why the company is desperately seeking 50 to 60 pilots (up to 90 according to the Swiss Pilots Association) from November to March?
I'd bet the staff cutting goes beyond the real restructuration need, so Swiss can get ride of the 50 to 60 «mercenaries» in Spring, when it comes to a further shrinking of the continental network. No fees, no hasle and the share holders are happy.
Dani wrote:
[quote]: Also A318 would have to be flown by Ex-Crx, at least according to the contract. [quote]
Correct until Oct. 05. Since A318 are most unlikely to fly under Swiss colors before Oct. 05, it makes the garantee offered to the Swiss Pilots (ex-CRX) void.
There also a number of reasons speaking against the A318. Not the least: Swiss cannot afford them now. Not even as a consideration for renegociating or cancelling some of the Embraer orders.
It's much more likely that the Embraer deal will be downsized in view of a further shrinking of the continental network in Spring. This is at least the latest and more credible explanation I heard today.