Makes sense to me. Looking at the 2016 Annual Report - we had 152 Airbii as of 31 Dec 2015. The 2017 Annual Report showed 158 one year later and says we might accept delivery of as many as 14 more Airbii between 2018 and 2021. Tuesday's release showed 166 Airbii.

Another possibility for the level number this year is the return of any leased aircraft being offset by induction of the used Airbii. I seem to recall we bought a bunch of 737s last year which were coming off lease, so our end of year numbers could turn out to be higher.

 

While your in your executive level meeting, can you ask the following:

1. “How come the 757’s are being replaced with the 737-900? The 757 carries much more cargo and has better range.” (they love aswering this question).

2. “When I commute between (fill in the blank) and Newark the planes are always full. Shouldn’t we be upguaging this particular route?”

3. “My friend at Delta just bought a brand new double wide with his huge profit sharing check. Can’t you make some more profit so that I can get (fill in the blank)?.

 

Your delta buddy lives in a trailer park?

 

No, that guy just bought another trailer park as an investment. Think he just bought his third double-wide trailer park.

 

They are pretty good at answering it. Usually with dollar signs.

I don't think there's some ulterior motive involved, like they have a fetish for making us fit into tight cockpits. Much as I like the 757, it was never a hot seller. Too niche.

Plus, coming from an RJ, that guppy cockpit is yuuuuuuge.

 

Yes, the 737 is much more profitable for the airline. But that doesn’t mean that pilots shouldn’t ask this question at every opportunity. Especially if they have operating experience as 757 Captain and “know what it can do.”

 

I flew it as a 757 FO.....is it different from the left seat?

 

It’s ok, as long as your are in upgrade charm school!

 

If it's "much more profitable," then you've already answered the question.

Wait for it... You'll be flying the MAX to Manchester UK soon enough!!

The premium pax will love it

 

From time to time we like to share comms from around the system on topics relevant to our council. We hope you find these updates useful.

LC 171 Chairman’s Update

(reprint from C171)

January 26, 2018

Kirby Talks Scope

This week during the investor update an analyst threw a predictable question at UAL President Scott Kirby. He asked “…How do you put a dollar amount on the amount that you’re going to have to pay for likely scope relaxation, unless you reject the premise of the question that you don’t need scope relaxation?” Buried in Kirby’s protracted answer is this little gem: “…it’s not about buying scope relief.”

It’s hard for many of us to shift our mindset to the current paradigm. Many of us remember being burned by scope language changes in the past, whether we voted on them willingly or were forced into them during bankruptcy proceedings. Some suffered furloughs due to poor language, and many of our newer pilots spent a decade longer at regionals than they would have liked. We have seen the playbook of the past. When we listened to the investor update, we listened through that filter. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. We have to change that way of thinking, and I would argue that we already did that with the current UPA language. Scope choke is working.

Kirby said a lot of things in that investor update, and, quite frankly, I agree with most of it. We have to grow and strengthen our hubs, take back market share, provide a quality product, increase connectivity, fly high yield passengers from small markets, etc. 50 seat jets are not the answer. Airbus/737 jets are the answer in some markets, but not all. An opportunity exists in many markets between those aircraft, but United is rightfully and contractually scope choked. This was not only for our own good, but for theirs as well. The answer exists in our current UPA language and requires no scope relaxation.

Option 1

New Small Narrowbody − UPA 1-C-1-g allows a limited increase in 70/76 seat aircraft at express if the company operates CS100, E190 or E195 aircraft. Limitations still exist, and the company would still have to operate within a defined box.

Option 2

Buy ‘em and fly ‘em − Nothing prohibits the company from purchasing any aircraft they desire and having those aircraft flown by pilots on our seniority list. As with any mainline aircraft, there would be no limitations on how many can be flown, where and when.

Those are the options. It’s very simple. Houston, we do not have a problem.

In unity,

Brad Hutchens

LC 171 Chairman