I believe the Lady is thinking that Skywest will need some pilots who actually fly the 550 in order to make the transfer seamless. Maybe they don't, I don't know what it takes to go from flying a 700 to flying a 550, is it 2 days of training, a week? IOE or just a couple of landings? You are probably right and she is probably wrong.

It was not United that figured out the pilot hiring problem was over but Hulas who went back and showed United that they could renegotiate the deal so that TSA pilots would not have to go to ExpressJet but Expressjet could get pilots at year one captain pay instead of 5th year captain pay and save money each year for 15 years.

Is the 550 even needed now? I thought the 550
was United’s way of skimming through scope contract without technically violating it.

I assume the scope isn’t still being maxed out??

Also no IOE or landings for the 550, probably 1 day of ground and 1 simulator lesson. It’s nothing but a CRJ700 with 50 seats.

United really likes the 175’s, but that sized plane is scoped out. To get more 175’s, they had to either park, or convert the 700’s since they don’t want to add another NB fleet type. They know that the 145’s and 200’s are a poor product that generate the majority of the negative customer feedback. By converting the 700’s, United can replace those hulls with 70 seat 175’s, plus the resulting 50 seat product offers a dual class cabin that the premium customers wanted. From what I understand, UAX flying is currently maxed out due to the more restrictive rules that came with the LOA.

Sounds good, makes sense to me. Scope is probably being negotiated as we speak, 2021 will be an interesting year to say the least.

I have a better chance of my wife giving me a hall pass than Kirby does of getting any type of scope relief. As the 145’s and 200’s get older and more unpopular with our customers, he can either replace that lift with a new NB fleet and a few more 175’s, or replace that flying with the current fleet and and no additional 175’s. Its up to him now. Should be interesting.

Agree to disagree. United (granted I’m flying for FREE) was the worst. I’ll say it was a close tie to last place with American.

not counting the “seatbelts sold separately spirit”

I would not pay $20 to fly United. Delta was amazing, inflight entertainment, food, service. 12/10


The best airlines I zed on for international (top 3)

1. Qatar, worth the DOH layover. Amazing everything
2. Emirates
3. Turkish

Best International Airlines that don't treat their staff like crap,

Singapore Airlines, Eva Air, Japan Airlines/ANA, Lufthansa.

short list isn't it?

Go work for any of those airlines and you’d be begging to put up with the working conditions and pay of American, Delta, Southwest, United, FedEx, or UPS.

What are you on Hedley?

Those airlines I mentioned are well respected and treat their staff well. Pay at US Legacies may be higher but I am more talking of the experience of the passenger in flight. Emirates and Qatar have excellent service but treat staff poorly. My list have great service and treat their staff like humans.

The inflight service of American and United etc is appalling compared to other countries major airlines.

You’re right, the inflight service on every one of those airlines blows any US carrier away. There’s just no comparison. As far as being a pilot goes, I’d take any of the US big 3 over any of those that you listed, as a passenger, I’d buy a first class ticket on your list.