^^ this !! :)

And, we can only hope that the reason is they will use 737-700s instead of regional partners....thereby making that scope limit moot.

So there are 312 737s on the property with 3,724 737 CAs and FOs. So the extra 65 jets represents another 21% growth of that fleet and possibly another 775 mainline pilots to fly them. Great news.

Last year, and projected for this year, hiring was far in excess of attrition from retirements....by about 500-600 pilots, each year, more than retirements.

I think this has been in the works for a while.

Makes me wonder if we're positioning to focus more and more on domestic and slow the growth of international, ceding it to Emirates and others whose government-subsidized airlines are growing by leaps and bounds. Fighting this is ALPA's top priority but maybe the company sees writing on the wall.

We still have 50 A-350s and 25 ish firm 787s and 10 773 on order, though...

Since it has always been about consumer votes and not "market fairness," you are probably correct. "Made in America" does not apply to air travel...just price and convenience.

With their state subsidies, their internal company costs are cents to our dollars. We wouldn't hold up for long. When the polished cabin service is added in, the disparity becomes even more pronounced.

However "fair" or "unfair," the market always wins. It is unlikely to be held off for very long.

That's what the guys at Pan Am thought...:eek:

I just took a look at the newly posted UCH Annual Report (10-K). Most of the document frightens and confuses me, but it appears that Aircraft Operating Leases for 2016 and 2017 are projected at 1.3 Billion each year followed by steady decline to 700 million by 2020 (page 98). So, it seems that UAL might indeed be buying to replace aircraft coming off of leases that won't be renewed. Roughly two thirds of our 700/800s (99 aircraft precisely) are leased and have an average age of about 15 yrs (pg 22). So, I am not at all sure that these latest purchase announcements in themselves amount to very much end growth. But hey, I got to fly a shiny new ER the other day with the new hot mic switch. Beats a rubber band!

More A319's and B737-700's
 

We're modifying the first of the A319's from China.. Could be up to 25 that I've heard coming with the Nose Numbers of 48XX All are A319-132's with the V2527 engine.