When I talk to mainline UAL guys they mostly say "nah, seems to run well" after I explain how the express side gets such horrible service from all of these outsourced providers. Most of those stations have maybe 1 mainline flight a day.
PNS=all express(I am almost 100% sure on this one)
SLC=not sure, but I think a ton of express
CLT=again, not sure, but mainly express
DTW=same, but mainly express
DSM=I think 1 mainline flight a day, the rest express
Now I am not asking mainline pilots to demand better service for the express operation(it would be nice, but I dont see them giving any negotiating capital to this), but these ground stations are abysmal at best in the service they provide and, even if its just express serving there, having good ground handling helps out. I cant tell you all how many times we have gone out late simply due to lazy or understaffed ground handling(and of course when you look at the delay its generally on flight crew). I also love seeing UAL give its money to AA through Eagle(envoy) or Delta through DGS(Delta Global Services) which are the two entities that have seemed to take over all the ground handling contracts. Nothing like giving your money to your competitor.
