While UAL has a larger Widebody fleet count vs AA & DAL. Something else to consider when one is evaluating all three legacies is the potiential for long term mainline fleet growth. The total mainline numbers below illustrate how far behind in narrow bodies and total mainline aircraft UAL is vs AA and DAL.

We’ve heard rumors from management for years at UAL that we could see 1000 mainline aircraft and 16,000 pilots. Obviously to date with the lack of hiring the past few years at UAL. Most specifically, the fact that UAL has actually hired a third to a half of their own hiring yearly projections. I am in no way predicting that UAL will grow to 1000 mainline aircraft and a pilot count of 16,000 in the medium to long term.

What does look somewhat plausible at some point in the long term. Due to UAL’s large hub structure and network, compared to the current mainline fleet size vs DAL & AA. There is the potiential for significant growth.

UAL mainline fleet - 749
(included 4 777-300’s and 3 787-900’s to be delivered in 18)

AA & DAL fleet count from APC

DAL - 931 (182 more then UAL)

AA - 966 (217 more then UAL)

In summary, my point is IF (big if) UAL grows from its current size to that of current AA or DAL mainline fleet size that’s a lot of potiential growth at UAL that has already occurred at AA & DAL. That could easily offset and surpass the larger retirement numbers at AA.

One final point. A pilot which chooses any of the three legacies, appears to be a great career path. A lot can change over a 20, 30 or 40 year career. Just look backwards to see how much this industry has changed. A lot of great airlines that existed 31 years ago when I was hired are no longer in existence. It’s definately a crap shoot. Once you pull the trigger youvreally can’t look back just move forward.

Like others have said, I can’t say enough about living in base. We are very fortunate for those of us based in EWR and living in base at UAL to have the very best flying in the system on the 757/767 & 777.