UAL question - flight numbers

[aa73]

Ual pilots, why do you guys have radio call signs such as "United 8152" when the actual flight number is, say, UA 450? Is this because there are two flights with the same # flying at the same time?

Thanks
73

 

[banned username 1]

Call Signs

Yes, the call sign in the 8000s is a radio call sign they use when another flight with the same number is still in the air- or sometimes if a UA flight is in the area with a similar call sign to help stop confusion- ie UAL 540 or UAL514, etc.

And yes, UAL does codeshare.

UAL78

 

[Mach 80]

Happens at many airlines.

 

[aa73]

Thanks, I was just curious because most other airlines add a letter to the flight #, ex. AA 123Q... the so-called "stub flight", when two aircraft with the same # are in the air.


73

 

[ss278]

Back in the 1960's when 3-number flights were the norn, UAL used to add a code number in front of each flight number to designate the type of airplane being used and the whole 4-numbers would be the callsign.


IIRC, the numbers were: 2=Viscount; 3=CV340; 4=B720; 5=Caravelle; 6=DC-6; 7=B727; 8=DC-8. So UAL flight #160 operating with B720 equipment would be United 4160.

 

[fracflyer]

Back in the 1960's when 3-number flights were the norn, UAL used to add a code number in front of each flight number to designate the type of airplane being used and the whole 4-numbers would be the callsign.


IIRC, the numbers were: 2=Viscount; 3=CV340; 4=B720; 5=Caravelle; 6=DC-6; 7=B727; 8=DC-8. So UAL flight #160 operating with B720 equipment would be United 4160.

Great info.

The 727 and 720 types also explain why United uses the second two numbers to refer to Boeing types (twenty-seven,thirty-seven,forty-seven,etc) Instead of the first two that everyone else uses (Seven-Three, Seven-four, etc). UAL couldn't use the frist two numbers a tell the diference between the 727 and 720.