Originally Posted by
Half wing
Huh? Wall street considers planes painted like United but operated by others as “growth”. Both Mainline and Express are growing currently. Obviously, United pilots care about growing mainline.
Prediction: Kirby will try to get the weight changed to allow the 175-E2 at Express. There will be a nice pay raise offered and the promise of CS-100’s/300’s on property. For me, it’s a hell no. Put the 175-E2’s here. I’ll fly that MFer.
Mainline flying is growing at about 4% but we are doing it by using the aircraft more and utilizing our reserves more. The newhire training pay being correctly implemented summer 16, ATL SAV JAX CHS BOS... all coming back to mainline, the 50 hr floor for drops being implemented, accelerated short call and fsb usage (abuse), and the lack of newhires all point to running a leaner ship. They are hell bent on meeting Delta's profit margin and with Delta loading up on new airplanes with hefty lease payments they are aiming to match it in about 2-3 years or a year ahead of what they announced this summer to the investors. Delta invested in less fuel efficient, used airplanes right before gas prices dropped and they have reaped the benefits but we have a pretty reliable fleet right now that has a useful lifespan well into the 2020's. 75 and 76 replacement is the next reason for us to outlay big dollars in capital expenditures.
Kirby is sniffing glue if he thinks scope is going anywhere but towards mainline. There are too many ex-regional scum running around now to let that pass.