Originally Posted by
Riddler
Let me get this straight... keeping 50 seat scope would "destroy" the new UAL? From my perspective, 70+ seat scope is what ruined the current UAL. Just think, after the CAL/UAL merger, the new UAL will be nearly as large as it was 10 years ago.
I value your right to free speech... but seriously, do you THINK that the new UAL will maintain 70 seat scope, or do you HOPE that the new UAL will maintain 70 seat scope? There's a huge difference between the 2.
Personally I think that UAL will keep what it has as fas as RJs. I know the UA pilots are fed up with out-sourcing, and obviously the CAL group has one of the best major scopes.
The managers would have a real battle on their hands if they tried to further erode scope.
But by the same token, the pilots would be hard pressed to roll back UAL's 70 seaters, slappy is right in that the 70's are a key anchor of their current business model.
I would imagine the path of least resistance is status quo, keep what they have but no more large RJ's. The only way UCAL is going to get more 70's is by taking another quick trip through the BK drive through.
Alternatively, the pilots could bring all of the 70's back in house, but only if they are willing to fly them for near-regional rates.
But even adopting a regional pay scale might not be enough...competitive regionals not only have low rates, they are very low on the longevity scale. After 5-8 years, they are routinely replaced by startup or growth regionals with 1st. year FO's and 2-3 year CA's.