Schedule/fleet reductions
 

Any armchair quarterbacks have theories about how the fleet reductions, both UAL and UAX, will look for the next couple of months, and also as we pull out of this? Any ideas on the future of our fleet? When the max is available will we take deliveries, or postpone to conserve cash? What about express? Will the 50 seaters find renewed demand, or will they decide to park most of them and let the 70/76 seat jets handle the regional feed at a reduced schedule? We have over 300 of the 50 seat jets spread fairly evenly between the two models and they are getting tired.

United will realize the great value of having 50 seat jets during economic downturns. Cheaper to fly a 200 or a 145 with 20 passengers than a 737/320. Will bring them all mainline, while firing all the Express pilots to prevent them from getting that dream legacy job. Mainline pilots will refuse to fly the older smaller jets, and United will go bankrupt. United will ask the government for another bailout as they try to figure out the problem.

I can’t imagine us taking any MAX planes. Because they are new the capital expenditure and debt loading to the balance sheet would be too much. I’m sure we have an out contractually with Boeing to not take them, and even if we don’t, we just won’t take them. It makes no sense to take new planes. My guess is with diminished loads, the 777s are toast. The 757s and 767s are fully paid off, have a very low cost per seat mile (especially 757-300), and despite them being older planes, they are the cheapest things we have going. I can see those staying around along with the Airbus and NG planes. The 787 is a no brainer, its going to be the new International everything. We just may not take new ones going forward.

That's an odd question coming from the guy or gal who made this comment just last week......

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Holy cow that’s funny

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that.

That is freaking funny. Well done.

Nice catch! I have my guesses about what we might do, which are little better than that. But it is generally not worth the time posting them because rather than someone pointing out what I may not have considered... someone inevitably chimes in with a put down more than a point. Kind of takes the fun out of a conversation to have to be on guard.

Fleet moves that reduce the number of jobs at Express and grow mainline instead sound mostly good to me.

In addition to mainline aircraft being put into temporary storage, there are also RJs going into storage so this is also going to impact the regionals.

YOU’RE ON GUARD!!!!!! Couldn’t resist....(cat noise)