This Does Not Add Up
Impressive statement by GD, however, the facts are:
Around 970 Current First Officers.
Around 300 pilots over the age of 54. (allow 1 yr to train and avg 60 retire)
Aircraft orders over next 5 yrs Max 20 A380, 8 A330 (inc Jetstar 6) 4 737's
Aircraft retirements??????
Assuming 9 crews per aircraft (heavy) = 288 commands
plus 300 retirements
Total 588 new commands.
Again this is does not include 5 747 retirements or 737 or 767 retirements.
I suggest another theory:
Manning is looking at TOTAL commands i.e. including consequentials. Given that there are at least 3 moves for each 744 retirement then maybe with consequentials 900 commands could be achieved, however only 300 of those would be INITIAL commands.
Any other way it does not add up.