UAL 70 Seat Bid

[taxicabdriver]

I thought I remember a bunch of regionals putting in bids with UAL for additional 70 seat flying back in Dec. Any idea when they will announce who all got a piece of that?

 

[I.P. Freley]

Sweet avatar.

 

[Dutch]

Thought they had 30 days, which would be Jan 15 but were able to extend an additional 30. Should hear something in the next few weeks.

 

[I.P. Freley]

I believe that Shuttle America was awarded around two dozen E-170's. Actually, I'm rounding up, I think the actual number was 22.

But don't tell anyone, that's a secret. A little birdie told me... They were waiting for certain people to leave the seniority list before they announced this.

 

[Beechnut]

"I thought I remember a bunch of regionals putting in bids with UAL for additional 70 seat flying back in Dec. Any idea when they will announce who all got a piece of that?"

That bid was to replace Air Wisconsin. The bid is still being worked out. Anyone getting a "piece of that" will result in Air Wisconsin pilots losing their jobs.

Don't sound so excited when you look foreward to getting your piece of it.

S.

 

[tranceport]

although the pilots know that more domestic flying is being given away, it's not a smooth public relations move to announce this until after they get all of their employees to agree to more wage and benefit concessions.

 

[taxicabdriver]

I didn't know it was to replace AWAC, I thought they were just putting a few 73s to rest.

 

[tranceport]

uhm, is not just 'putting a few 73s to rest".

United announced this past fall (04) that they were shifting their efforts to more lucrative international flights. (or less money losing, however you want to look at it)

Here is a quote copied from a popular business rag. It pretty much jives with what friends that work there have to say. I believe even with this decrease in aircraft numbers, they are utilizing remaining a/c and pilots more.. as well as implementing pref. bidding for pilots systemwide this year. The total reduction in capacity was gonna be 4% for the number crunchers from summer '04 to '05.

October '04 announced '05 plans:

"United also said it would reduce its fleet to 455 aircraft, 68 fewer than it flew in August. Officials said the airline had already reduced its fleet by 112 aircraft, or nearly 20 percent, since 2002."

total decrease = more than just a few. Let's hope they announce it soon.

 

[I.P. Freley]

One can only hope that they'll retire more small a/c from the United fleet and replace them with big RJ's. Those fat cats at Big U have had it too good for too long... This'll show 'em!

 

[AWACoff]

That reduction of mainline flying domestically may be old news. The latest lie/rumor/etc. from management is that United changed their business model yet again. The new model may not need the same number (read: LESS RJs) of Express aircraft they currently have aka less Express jobs. Of course we'll see which is true given enough time.

 

[tranceport]

It may be old news but parking of aircraft is reality. They don't want to pay for major maintenance on aircraft, that's how low cash is. Just remember, they may be able to change their model again and again but the fact remains that they will continue to lose money when the combination of low yeilds and high oil prices is around. Make no mistake, their only plan is the one that attempts to lose the least amount of money, ie strictly defensive. It's been 2 years and 2 months and they have yet to come out with something. The announcement will come and it will NOT be beneficial to mainline (I'm not a doom and gloomer but it's just a sad reality.)

In the meantime, guess who is going to maintain market share at their hubs? (hint: not mainline) If you were a betting man or woman, what would you put your money down on? For example, if mainline United pilots were able to 'bid' on their own flying against the RJ providers, do you think they'd have a chance? The contract says unlimited 70 seaters, right?

Heaven forbid that mainline wants some of that flying back....boy, that will be just like stealing, right?