It’s a simple fact that UAL mainline capacity is growing faster than DAL, AMR, or SWA. By quite a bit.

You’re looking at “pilot hiring” as “growth”. They aren’t the same thing. We didn’t hire much the last few years because we were fat on pilots and the new administration wanted us to get leaner: same number of pilots doing more flying. It appears by the rapidly accelerating hiring that we have reached that target. As of now; we have over 175 narrowbody aircraft inbound with no stated plans for any of them being replacement. Same for several more 787’s. That’s by design, as a change in the economy will certainly bring about older aircraft being sold or lease returned.

If I’ve learned anything in my 25 years here it’s that I don’t put one ounce of belief in any “growth plans”. Any airline pilot at any airline should feel the same. I’ve watched them announce 100 aircraft parkings in a single day.... more than once.