Originally Posted by
Dave Fitzgerald
Yes, block hours. # of airframes, sort of. When management says they will replace with the 777-300er's, they order the minimum necessary. If anything goes wrong, unplanned MX, let alone an engine change, the schedule will fall apart. The way I see it, even with 18, it's close to bare minimum to operate just what the 747 is flying now, plus a few that should have been larger metal all along.
Financial benefit? Efficient yes, but we've been down this road before with inadequate resources. As an employee, I wouldn't be arguing managements side. They will hose us every time.
It is their job to operate the airline with the minimum. We couldn't compete otherwise.
The 777's will be vastly more reliable than the 400's. That is one of the reasons to get rid of the 400. 4 engine airplanes just have too many parts to break. They tried for years to get the reliability up. They finally, wisely, gave up.
I love the airplane - it is an icon of aviation history. But, it is history.
Bring on the 300ER's. And my profit sharing check.