Soxfan1

I few thoughts on this...Squib can come off as very negative on here but he isn’t usually too far off base. So just wanted to add what I’m seeing.


I am also hearing that the training time on sims and IOE for upgrades is raising just as it has been for new hires. And a few have not made it through. As a relatively senior FO line holder in a hub I almost also fly with very senior CAs. When I do fly with new CA I have personally not found any that I wouldn’t fly with again. But small sample size. So there could be some truth here.

Planes break everyday: This one for me goes in waves. There are trips I have with no issues and think all is well on that front. But just last week there was a massive amount of OOS ac all at the same time one day. The departure board at ORD had only about 10-15 total delays on it for all of United - and most were us due to mx. Crew room was packed. Lots of reroutes and extensions. So I’m 50/50 on this one but do see it as excessive from time to time as well.

Junior manning. See number 1, as a relatively senior FO I have not been junior manned in over a year. But can’t speak for others. CA has been short since the fall so there very well could be JMs in that seat. I dont believe based of FO reserve grids and the lack of FO critical time outside a few days a month that there could be much if any in that seat currently. But just because it’s not happening to me doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

New hires being bottom of barrel: no idea. Don’t fly with them.

IAD closing. This one I have to 100% disagree on. The public comments from United on future plans for IAD all support the need for us there or even growth. I have not heard any solid evidence from anyone on this rumor or anything to back it up.

Here is UALs plans and what it means for us:

They are considering adding a 5th or 6th bank. IAD has a ridiculous amount of unused gates and runways outside of 4 one hour periods per day. And room for new 60 gate terminal if they needed more. They announced their intent to eliminate ALL uax flying at ewr and de hub and spoke that airport in favor of IAD.

So in the next 5 years - uax flying will shrink in ewr and grow in iad. Yes uax ewr based carriers with move their lift south but both express jet and cummutair who have a strong amount of ewr flying are currently short like us and are not flying all their contracted aircraft - like us. I just don’t see UA not needing or wanting us there as they grow it.

So with that all said I just don’t see or understand the IAD closing rumor.