Originally Posted by
Fritzthepilot
The head of the new United Airlines said Friday union rules are hampering the company by preventing it from flying larger regional jets, a key headache as the world's largest carrier starts an integration process expected to last up to 18 months.
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The old Continental had one of the industry's most restrictive pilots' deals, effectively barring it from operating regional jets with more than 50 seats, while the legacy United was able to outsource flying of larger 70-seat aircraft. Hundreds of 50-seat jets have been taken out of service across the industry as high fuel prices made them uneconomic.
"We have been hampered and competitively disadvantaged," said Smisek of the 50-seat rule at Continental, where he was chairman and CEO. "This has not been for us a competitive product."
This man continues his less than truthful statements to reporters...or should I say lack of full disclosure?
There is absolutely NOTHING in the CAL pilot contract which prevents CAL from flying 51+ seat jets. He always makes it sound like we won't let passengers fly on those planes. Guess what Mr. Smisek? You can fly as many of those planes as you want with Continental pilots at the controls. As someone said above, are you the CEO of an airline or a travel planning company?
The 50-seat jet may not be a competitive product, but over the past 10 years CAL has managed to lose less than the big competitors and has been managing to make money at the same time our competitors have started to make money.