You are deluded. If it made financial sense it would have already happened. The current pilot shortage and associated increased costs at the regionals is making it closer but be realistic. United owns the planes. It pays the regional staffing companies to staff them. Why in the world would they bring that in house and pay 3-5 times the amount they presently pay?

Deluded is probably a little strong. I don’t see us flying 76 seat jets any time soon, but I can see a realistic situation where we end up with 100 seat jets, small 737’s, or 319’s and drastically shrink the regionals. Express flying a few 50 seaters and the 70 seaters that they already have with mainline flying the rest on 100+ seat jets would be a good product. It’s contract negotiating time now anyway. You can’t believe anything you hear until a contract is signed and aircraft are ordered.

I just don’t know if 100 seats is the tipping point that makes it worthwhile to pay mainline pay and benefits. If it is -awesome. I think we are on the way there but I don’t think it’s there yet.

United alpa has put the numbers to Kirby on the table and yes
It’s cheaper to fly the 100 seat aircraft with United seniority pilots

Kirby may lose his job over his scope relief dream

UAL contract has provisions for more 76 seaters if he brings 100 seat aircraft in house for United seniority pilots to fly it

The 550 BS may be the nail in the coffin for Kirby
He had one screw up with the dream to fight LLCs a year ago that was scrapped quick

That’s not for us to decide. We just give them the hourly rate and work rules. With scope maxed out and the 50 seat jets getting long in the tooth, they will have to come up with something. They must realize that scope isn’t going to bend by now. I don’t know where the break point is either. Deal with the expense of adding another fleet type but unlock more rj’s, or buy 319’s or 737’s and lug around some empty seats. Either way, they won’t be looking to APC for guidance.