On the 200, it’s rare we get weight restricted. We only get weight restricted if we need lots of fuel for alternates or they tankered us to a location that’s just barely at max landing weight as it is. We usually will find a way to get a jumpseater on unless it’s showing we are landing way over the limit and need to take pax/bags off.

 

That’s good to hear you’re big SWA guy, because that’s the only option you’re about to have. Hopefully SWA doesn’t decide to “shift” flying around like every other airline does consistently.

 

What are you even talking about? United still goes to the same places and so far the weight issue hasn’t come up. The reason that I go for SWA when I have the option is that I’ll be getting in. My last commute is a prime example. After 30 minutes of holding we got in while my CRJ 200 backup flight left the gate 5 hours late due to flow restrictions. SkyWest 200’s seem to be frequently late. Lots of late starts for crew rest, maintenance, or weather. When flow gets restricted, they’re the first to take the hit. United isn’t abandoning markets, they’re adding seats through bigger aircraft.

 

Right so UA is sending clapped out POS 200’s because they think so highly of the market you commute out of.

 

No, United is sending a clapped out 200 with higher frequency because that’s all they have since they waited so long to improve their product. The better equipment is serving other markets that make even more money. My hometown supports larger aircraft. Southwest is packed. Delta is full to their hubs with the 220’s. American goes out full with nothing smaller than a 175. United is playing catch up. It won’t happen overnight, but hopefully before too long the market demand is met with a mix of 175’s and mainline aircraft. If not, we can continue to send in our junk to pick up the scraps of our competitors.

 

What airport are we discussing? MKE? You made it sound like SWA was your only other option.

 

Not giving the city since I’ve bashed my employer on here and I’d rather not risk jeopardizing anonymity. Fairly large market with a surrounding metro population of about 1.5 mil. SWA is definitely not the only option, just the most reliable. I hope that changes going forward.

 

Most reliable? Southwest have been the least reliable this summer, regional airlines included.

 

They’ve been more reliable for me. A 737 can land in visibility that makes a rj divert. I sat in a CRJ in DEN following sim training waiting out a snow storm while SWA and United were able to depart. They aren’t frequently delayed for crew rest (this one is SkyWest fault and not the aircraft because they schedule min rest overnights and don’t have a pad if the crew gets in a little behind). When ATC starts restricting arrivals, the small rj’s are the first to get cut, while the 737 gets to go. On a recent commute I got to work because I went on SWA departing about the same time. There were thunderstorms affecting flow and all of the United 50 seat rj’s were severely delayed and I wouldn’t have made it if I relied on United. Southwest isn’t without their faults, but they’re more reliable than tired old 50 seaters when things go south.

 

It's pretty obvious who you work for just by looking at your post history and fascination with the regional carriers who work for them!