United

[Flyingdutchman]

So, did United recall 150 pilots? In that case, I guess they have to start hiring again in 2027.

 

[Rogue5]

A good start, but...

United recalls 150 pilots

[font=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]United Airlines said Wednesday it will recall 150 pilots from furlough to cover its scheduled flying for the remainder of the year.

Los Angeles International Airport's largest carrier said it is taking the step to offset anticipated pilot retirements. United said it anticipates recalling 75 pilots in the spring and 75 later in the year.

Citing more international flights, United Airlines recalled 40 pilots in September. United then said projected early retirements and normal attrition factored into that decision. It also recalled 375 flight attendants who were on voluntary furlough to work during the fall of 2004. The Air Line Pilots Association International then said it hoped United would recall the nearly 2,200 of the remaining furloughed pilots.

When the Chicago-based UAL Corp. (OTC BB: UALAQ) unit filed for bankruptcy protection in Dec. 2002, it was the largest Chapter 11 filing in aviation history. United operates more than 3,500 flights a day.

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[pilotyip]

Another sign of the coming June 2007 hiring boom, all those recalled UAL pilots will ceate jobs when they go back to UAL.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

So, did United recall 150 pilots? In that case, I guess they have to start hiring again in 2027.

Hey Kit-

Better start marketing the big pilot shortage, especially since your pay has gone down so much recently.

Maybe he could start marketing this to kids! "Hey kids, when you grow up United will be hiring like crazy! Either that or be out of business, but you should be ready. Here, buy my coloring book that shows you all the inside secrets on how to get an airline pilot job and I'll give you a FREE lollipop!".

Actually wonder how many pilots on the list will be contacted before they get 150 to come back.

Cheers!

GP

 

[VABB]

So, did United recall 150 pilots? In that case, I guess they have to start hiring again in 2027.

By 2027 it will be United #3, similar to what they did with Pan Am and Braniff. And, probably consisting of a fleet of 15 737-200's.

Seriously though, is this a company worth going back to? Over 2 years in bankruptcy protection, court-approved cost cutting measures, changes in management, and this airline still can't turn a profit. The only way UAL is going to make it is by remaining under the veil of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Myself and some analyst friends of mine agree that there is one way UAL may make it. They would have to severely downsize and concentrate mainly on international flying. This means they would concentrate on maintaining a small fleet of widebodies and mainly fly USA to Europe, Asia, and South America. The vast majority of the domestic network would have to be contracted out to the regionals or through code-share with smaller LCC's. Some transcon flights would be flown with UAL equipment but that would be it. The airline would be approximately 1/3 of the size it was. They would then just concentrate on making money and growing on the international side, similar to what Pan Am was, but a lot smaller.

But, UAL has to make money first. They have to get out of bankruptcy, they have to consistently earn a profit, and they are going to need a competent and energetic management team. If this is possible, it could take years.

 

[Peanut gallery]

This may be the most uninformed post on the board

Cost is the way to profit, not eliminating feed for international. Pan Am is a prime example of international with no feed. Cost control and stratigic placement of assets and energy has always been and will always be the key to profits. While the international is important the transcon is just as impostant to the bottom line. A comprehensive plan to build flying that actually relates to demand on a daily basis would be much more likely to suceed.

 

[VABB]

Cost is the way to profit, not eliminating feed for international. Pan Am is a prime example of international with no feed. Cost control and stratigic placement of assets and energy has always been and will always be the key to profits. While the international is important the transcon is just as impostant to the bottom line. A comprehensive plan to build flying that actually relates to demand on a daily basis would be much more likely to suceed.

Pan Am indeed had a domestic feed, it started when they purchased National Airlines. The big reason Pan Am went under was due to some heavy lobbying and politics on the part of Delta Air Lines.

An extensive international network is UAL's final hope for survival. They would still have feed, but it would be in the form of code-sharing and high utilization of it's regionals. Some transcon flying would still be done economically by UAL using equipment such as 757's. But, UAL cannot afford to compete domestically given the current economic status of the industry.

I agree with your statement regarding a comprehensive plan related to daily demand. The problem with this statement wth regards to UAL is that they can't afford it right now. Their high-debt load and inability to successfully control costs is just the tip of the iceberg. Many other carriers can offer the same product for less and still meet or beat their expenses. Passengers have placed cost of travel ahead of brand loyalty. Their is no end in sight as to who can apply to start an airline here.

International is where the money is for them. People who travel on trans-oceanic routes still will pay more for the amenities offered to them on long trips. There also isn't as much of an LCC factor on those routes either.

 

[pilotyip]

That’s right, to be ready for the UAL hiring boom in 2027, a child born to day at age 22 by skipping college and going straight into the on-demand cargo business could have the hours to be very competitive for jobs being created by all the pilots going to UAL.

 

[thruthemurk]

The big reason Pan Am went under was due to some heavy lobbying and politics on the part of Delta Air Lines.

So all we have to do is get our respective airlines to "heavy lobbying and politics" and our competition will go out of business?

Who knew it was that easy!