RM, they weren't exactly struggling to find crews, they were working to a self imposed, very low, crew required number, about 4.5 crew per aeroplane and yes this lead to crewing problems. Actually there has never been a shortage of CV's for EXT to sift through. How do you think they covered the exodus' of the last 2 years?
Yes options have may been exercised but that is because Flybe expect to be able to crew the new hulls with BACon pilots. If you all leave, or don't turn up, then they will simply delay the options. The proposed fleet size of 40 Q400 and 28 E195 leads to an extra 15 Q4 and an extra 12 E195 above today's level. Working on 5 crew per aircraft that works out at 270 crew. Over the next 3 years that's 90 pa.. Not really a big deal when you think about it. They employed 130 odd new joiners last year.
Those who continue to spout off about being knights in shining armour coming to rescue BACON jobs will antagonise so many
Why are you so hung up on this "rescue BACon jobs" business? I've never mentioned it because like I've already said the seniority situation wont affect me either way and I think this is a good thing for the Flybe company and BACon pilots. How many people do you think are antagonised at Flybe with the BACon lot saying, nee demanding, that they are not going to the bottom of the seniority list?
Wouldn't it be interesting to see what Those That Spout Off About Not Needing Rescuing would be doing this time next year if it wasn't for Flybe?!