Originally Posted by
Sunvox
I'm getting lazy in my old age otherwise I'd look it up myself. The question as to whether or not Scope Choke is working centers on the number of seats and/or the Max Gross Weight of the planes being used. So who can answer with links as proof as to what the seating arrangements and Max Gross Weight is for the new EMB-175s being pressed into service. If they have more than 70 seats and/or weigh more than the defined 76 Max Gross Weight defined weight then they are counting towards the Scope Choke Clause. If they have 70 seats or less and/or weigh less than the defined weight then Scope Choke is not working.
It's not about routes . . . it's about reducing the number of planes in service. If the company flies planes with more than 70 seats they incur major "Scope Choke".
Joe,
Yes and no...
In order to catch up to Delta's advantage in having 76 seaters flying already, the first batch of 76 seaters for UAL do nothing to choke. They are allowed a max of 130 76-seaters right off the bat. (Inclusive of the q400 which numbers 28) and then up to 153 after January 1. 2016. If the company wants to increase past that number of 76-seaters, they have to order a new small narrow body for mainline.
1-C-1-a-(2)-(c) Up to a total of 255 76-Seat Aircraft plus 70-Seat Aircraft (“76/70-Seat Aircraft”), of which up to 130 may be 76-Seat Aircraft, and then, on or after January 1, 2016, up to 153 76-Seat Aircraft.
Per the Jan 2014 fleet plan, there are 153 70-seaters flying. That leaves 102 spots for 76-seaters. Minus the 28 q400's leaves 74 76-seaters available to be flown. 27 of those planes will be flying by the end of this year.
The 255 is a hard cap, if the company wants to increase the 76-seaters they will have to reduce the amount of 70-seaters. Unless they add a new small narrow body to mainline (Defined as the CS100, Emb190/195) then:
1-C-1-g Number of 76-Seat Aircraft
If the Company adds New Small Narrowbody aircraft to the Company Fleet, then on or after January 1, 2016, the number of permitted 76-Seat Aircraft may increase from 153 (as permitted under Section 1-C-1-a-(2)-(c)) up to a total of 223 76-Seat Aircraft, and the number of permitted 76/70-Seat Aircraft may increase from 255 (as permitted under Section 1-C-1-a-(2)-(c)) up to a total of 325 76/70-Seat Aircraft, except that once the number of 76/70-Seat Aircraft exceeds 255, then the number of 70-Seat Aircraft may not be more than 102. 76-Seat Aircraft (above 153 such Aircraft) may be added on a one 76-Seat Aircraft for each one and one quarter New Small Narrowbody Aircraft (1:1.25) ratio (rounded to the closest integer). In addition, in the event more than 153 76-Seat Aircraft are in United Express Flying, the Company shall remove from United Express Flying a number of 50-Seat Aircraft determined as follows
The ratio between express flying block hours and single aisle block hours can be up 120% for the first 153 76-seaters.
Number of 76-Seat Aircraft Operated In United Express Flying Max. % of UAXBH to SBH
1. Zero to 153 9. 120%
2. 154-163 10. 111%
3. 164-173 11. 104%
4. 174-183 12. 97%
5. 184-193 13. 90%
6. 194-203 14. 83%
7. 204-213 15. 76%
8. 214-223 16. 68%
So no choke yet or anytime soon sad to say. IMO we won't see anything, if ever, till the next contract. With the plan to keep 75%+ of the Airbus Fleet until 2025 now, and with the amount of money earmarked for new 737/787/a350 for the next decade, not sure where the money is to order a new small narrow body.
G