United to park 20 more 737/500's

[BigMotorToter]

I just got off the phone with my United buddy. He said 20 more 737-500's going to the big sand lot. But no more furloughs because they are short of crews already. Anyone else here this, and is this a move so to show the Gov. they are still trying to cut expenses in order to get the Gov. loan?

 

[meanstreak]

No, Chataqua will replace those flights with the EMB-170. Bummer for the UAL guys and this whole F-ing industry.

 

[nimtz]

No, Chataqua will replace those flights with the EMB-170. Bummer for the UAL guys and this whole F-ing industry.

Don't forget to mention the amazing pay package for those 170 pilots! Over the past two years, we as regional pilots collectively have disgraced this profession with our overwhelming desire to get bigger airplanes regardless of the pay/benefits. But, you're just building time in order to move on to the majors one day and then everything will be grand.

 

[ampropilot2b]

The 737-300/500's are pretty cheap to operate if I remember correctly (mostly paid for and owned instead of leased). Of course I don't really know the details for sure, but remember hearing something to that tune. If the company parks them, they need to pick up the flying elsewhere. The E170's at Republic aren't enough to do it as much of that lift if going to pick up former ACA flying. I suppose with the addition of the CR7s at Mesa and Skywest, some of the capacity can be covered, but not all I don't think.

I've heard rumors about additional Airbus' upon exit from bankruptcy, perhaps the two rumors fit together. Either way, traffic forecasts are on the up as is the economy-more people are flying more often. Whether current aircraft increase frequency or additional planes are acquired, I don't think this should negatively affect the number of pilots significantly in the near term. Possibly once things really pick-up and the company needs lots of capacity quickly, this could prove a blunder...we shall see. You never know what they've got planned.

 

[Goose17]

737-500s!

I'm sure FedEx would LOVE to buy them. The 737-500 has been in a lot of rumors inside of FedEx.

Goose17

 

[NoName]

The E170's at Republic aren't enough to do it as much of that lift if going to pick up former ACA flying. I suppose with the addition of the CR7s at Mesa and Skywest, some of the capacity can be covered, but not all I don't think.

where have ya been? mesa, chataqua, shuttle, republic etc etc all have aircraft deals to cover aca flying...its not just republics 170s and skywests cr7s.

 

[General Lee]

Goose,

I think you're talking about the USAir 737-400s. The 737-500 is a 737-200 with -300 engines. I think FedEx would like all the room they could get, and a 735 doesn't have a lot.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Goose17]

rumors galore!

I have heard the gamut of 737 rumors here at FedEx. Some of which include the -500.

When it comes right down to it. If Fred can get his hands on cheap planes, consider it purple.

Goose17

 

[skykid]

Certainly not news - United will eventually operate the Scarebus on all the short haul routes. It will be a fairly slow process to get rid of the 73s and a sad one in my opinion since it is a great plane to fly.

 

[ThomasMore]

by Nimtz:

"Don't forget to mention the amazing pay package for those 170 pilots! Over the past two years, we as regional pilots collectively have disgraced this profession with our overwhelming desire to get bigger airplanes regardless of the pay/benefits. But, you're just building time in order to move on to the majors one day and then everything will be grand."

Not to put too fine a point on it, but you are accusing "we as regional pilots [of disgracing our] profession" over a matter we do not control.

We regional pilots do not go to major airlines' managements and offer to buy or fly airplanes. Regional airline managements are the ones who contract with major airline managements. Both managements' jobs are to make the most money they can for their shareholders.

As regional pilots, we have the following options:

1. We can fly the airplanes we are given to fly,
2. We can strike (when the RLA lets us), or
3. We can quit.

When a regional pilot group negotiates for higher pay to fly an airplane, we make it more expensive (all other things being equal) to operate that airplane, and we thereby make our airline incrementally less competitive. That fact should be more-or-less incidental to our primary concern: what should be most important to us is to be paid what our skills, experience and judgment warrant -- at ANY level in this profession.

But to accuse "we regional pilots" of wrongdoing over a matter we have very little control over is, at best, fuzzy thinking.

 

[Lequip]

Good Point ThomasMore. The bashing from mainline and the airlines not getting the growth is nothing but Sour Grapes. I sure hope the parking of these planes doesn't result in more women and minority furloughs.

 

[pilot141]

Lequip why don't you run along back to your Econ 101 class and let the adults discuss things?

Ignore his "women and minority furloughs" flamebait, folks.

 

[Mr.B]

Sour Grapes? Your projecting. (Go to Psych 101 too.)

 

[potrack]

737-500

piece of junk....good riddance. Dump the -300s too and get more 320s.

 

[SkywayFO]

It's kinda a funny rumor. I happen to now a very Sr. Ord 73 Capt. He said that the last 6 months he has been called at least once for "Sr. Manning" to see if he would pick up a trip. So they are short Capt's. And he said for June there are 40 more lines. I think the average was 92 hours a month. His said " And they wonder why sick calls are up so much." I told him welcome to the regionals. At 55 years old he said "he is too old for this $hit, like I'm going to go fly on a day off." Looks like they are starting to run themselves just like a regional. Manage from crisis to crises.

 

[Boeingman]

I sure hope the parking of these planes doesn't result in more women and minority furloughs.

Yes you're right. You are talking about these same women and minorities at UAL that were hired with less than stellar qualifications right? Maybe they can furlough out of seniority to cut them a much needed break in this industry.

Would that be acceptable?

 

[MW44]

I don't see why mgt hasn't parked more of their narrowbodies already. They have done an extremely good job of spreading out their express flying among contract carriers resulting in a massive difference between mainline and express crew costs. Obviously if one of the express carriers gets a Comair-like contract then they can be easily downsized or replaced. However, I don't think the blame lies with the regional pilots, I believe the mainline MEC's are responsible for the loss of their own jobs because they have allowed the sweatshops to operate under their banner. I seem to remember all this rhetoric that 70 seaters would never make it to the regioanls. Ten years from now the line in the sand will probably be 757's.

 

[nimtz]

When a regional pilot group negotiates for higher pay to fly an airplane, we make it more expensive (all other things being equal) to operate that airplane, and we thereby make our airline incrementally less competitive. That fact should be more-or-less incidental to our primary concern: what should be most important to us is to be paid what our skills, experience and judgment warrant -- at ANY level in this profession.

But to accuse "we regional pilots" of wrongdoing over a matter we have very little control over is, at best, fuzzy thinking.

Make-up any excuse you want about how you have to stay competitive to get the airplanes, but the fact remains that the current pilot groups at the regional level has made it clear through collective bargaining that we are willing to fly DC-9 sized aircraft for ERJ/CRJ wages. So then how are we being paid for what our skills, experience and judgement warrant? I guess the guy over at Northwest is just way better then you! Due to piss poor logic like that we have collectively failed. We face a long and ardous uphill climb to ever get paid right in the 70 and 90 seaters and we have only ourselves to blame for this.

BTW, lequip keep flaming away at everyone cause you're so special at Jetblue! Best thing about this business is that turnabout is fair play for POS like you. Here's hoping you walk the furlough line one day!

 

[SWAdude]

Here's hoping you walk the furlough line one day!

Is that really neccesary?