Originally Posted by ARL120384

I've been hearing the wide body rumor forever too, but I think now is the time it has the potential to grow legs. I have heard from several people that the XLR is having some serious problems meeting its promises, and that they're having trouble cutting weight and meeting their numbers. I've heard that Airbus can only promise a 30 minute fuel reserve with what we want to do with it. One rumor I've heard is swaping the XLR orders for 330's that are available now, instead of an unproven airframe that is years away.

I'm not sure how many seats they plan, but our current LR's have 138 seats. I just don't see how we would make money doing Florida to Europe, or BOS/JFK to deep Europe and make any margins without the capability of taking cargo. I have heard several times that Robin likes the 787. We'll see, but I think for once this is a serious possibility. I know one of the good things that came from the NEA, is that we had the ability to access AA's reservation system and gather a lot of data as to where people are flying. I can only assume we took detailed notes, and can do that flying for a much better price.

Originally Posted by nuball5

I know there’s more to it, but it seems like you would want to fill as many seats as you can with those slots.

Originally Posted by ARL120384

. I've heard that Airbus can only promise a 30 minute fuel reserve with what we want to do with it..

Originally Posted by RemoveB4flght

That’s all that is required if your dispatch under ICAO rules

Originally Posted by Noisecanceller

Plus 10% if the trip fuel 😉

Originally Posted by Bluedriver

I get, from the other forum why you're asking these questions. Just understand that they will say anything they need to to get the merger approved, but after it's approved they will do whatever they want/need to do as long as it wasn't a written commitment to do otherwise. Counting on ORD to stay a base for Blue forever, with what we know now, is a risky bet. There could be a large gate acquisition in ORD, and honestly I hope it happens, and think it should, but unless and until it happens, it's unlikely.

And how's your seniority gonna look when many JB dudes who live in Chicago or commute from the Midwest get their opportunity to bid it?

Use your upcoming ORD legacy interview accordingly.

Originally Posted by Swindler128

yeah fair enough, actually i dont need to be in ord for forever but certainly lets say the next 5 years. apparently NK is moving over to the G gates so combined with JB it should make 6.5 gates.
Seniority atm is pretty good in chicago as an FO. I mean im a few years in and people have left in front of me.

unfortunately ive already got a class date with UA which kinda sucks as by now what was assumed was that a new contract was going to be out there. Now on the UA boards they are saying a new contract is going to be 1-2 years away.

yeah the choice is not easy.

Originally Posted by AR1978

Any updates or rumors on ORD at this point? Gate purchases or sales or anything like that or is it pretty much radio silence until after the court case for the merger?

In my first year with Spirit and am debating on moving to Chicago at some point. Some good information on this forum about ORD which I put in the above 2 quotes.

Originally Posted by Flyby1206

Even if JB/NK keep an ORD base it would likely be around 100-200 crews max. Compare that with UA and how many different fleets/crews based there? I’d go with UA offering a massive base and variety of flying. There’s no way UA is ever leaving ORD vs JB where you could flip a coin to predict the future.

Originally Posted by Bluedriver

Yeah, but does United even have culture?

Originally Posted by RemoveB4flght

That contingency fuel is only required at dispatch, not on arrival or even at takeoff. NK dispatchers and most pilots think they cannot touch it for some reason.