I think you really mean why is B-737 in the list of NB aircraft at the top of the NB pay rates. You make it sound like you're seeing a separate 737 pay rate.

Well, the easiest explanation that I can offer you is: it was in our current contract and they chose to keep it.

When I saw it back in 2006, I assumed it was basic contingency thinking by both sides. There are only so many possible aircraft types available for use as a freighter.

The 737 is one of the most prolific narrow body jets ever produced and there's already an "F" model. It's doesn't seem that far out in left field that the company may decide they could work in a system form of the future. 5 extra characters on a few pages of the the contract versus having to deal with putting out an LOA and jumping thru lots of hoops later.

What's actually more interesting to me is the fact that the DC-10 is still in there. We still own enough in the desert that some zombie apocalypse lack-of-lift scenario has the company bringing that out of retirement to fill the gaps? Or, did they delete B-727 and just forget the DC-10?

Also, it would appear that the A330 rumor is dead. I was half expecting that to make the WB list just to cover other future contingencies. Looks like we're on our way to a pure Boeing fleet someday.