I do think he is doing a good job. He doesn't seem to be bowing down to the investors and he is upping mainline flying on RJ routes. He is opening up new routes both domestically and internationally. I like that UA is finally competing again and not running and hiding. The airline seems to have new life breathed into it and other than a few of the constantly unhappy *cough 757Driver cough* we seem to be turning a corner in customer service.

I do think that he is going to ask for concessions when the contract comes due and I will tell him to pack sand, but we all already know that is going to happen. It is going to be a fight and Im ready for it. Just because I think he is running a good airline doesn't mean Im going to let him walk all over during negotiations.

Im not sure how much time you have left 757Driver, so you may be playing the short game. I understand your frustration at seeing aircraft deliveries pushed out, it prevents you from moving up the food chain. I get it. However I have a long time left and I like the way the long game is playing out. Buying 61 old generation 737-700 when we really need a 100 seater is pointless. Why make a 20 year investment at teh end of an aircrafts shelf life? Burning more gas on a heavier plane just because they were cheap? I have no idea what the break even is between a $20mil NG and a new -7max or 319NEO or NSNB but why break even when you can make a profit? The long game with aircraft orders and replacement strategies looks really solid to me. Its not rose colored glasses I have on, its written down and in action. I get that things can change but until they do Im happy.

More 50 seaters are gong away next year and a ton went away this year the Air Wisconsin RJs are not a significant add, I don't consider being flat a loss for us. Some of the routes we are now flying, especially out of ORD, would never survive without a 50 seater and Im even shocked they can support that much. It appears the 50 seaters are transitioning to the markets they should be in.

We replaced the 747s with 777-300s and ordered 4 more for next year so we didn't need the A350. We have now defined that mission as a replacement for 777-200s. Makes sense. I can't even list the amount of NEW and I mean entirely NEW, to either airline, routes we have started thanks to the 787. All 30 of them have been for growth and new opportunities, Many have been announced under Kirby.

We shut down hiring for 5 months . 5 months and the sky is falling? That is an insignificant blip on the radar of a 30 year career. We will hire again so Im not sure what the panic is. Who cares if they hire 1200 a year or 1 a year, as long as were not throwing people out the back I'm happy. My seniority will come soon enough Iv got time to wait. Kirby is completely changing the operation of United it takes time, there will be some stumbles but overall the trajectory is positive. Again if you are in the short game this looks like a **** sandwich but the long game looks good.

Don't mistake my positive outlook for weakness, I just see the future different than you and I like what I see, is that ok with you? Can I have an opinion or do I need to run it by you first to make sure I interject the proper amount of cynicism?

By the way ever single SkyWest pilot I have flown with and spoken too has been top notch...... I also think we should get a 100 seater even though the pay rate blows and fix it in 2019