awax

I think that was Steve Forte, but he's at Virgin now.

SONORA PASS

Steve,

If a UA merger with F9 were to ever happen, including pilots would be the right thing to do. When UAL was buying Aloha, it was with the pilots and a fair merger policy.

If we don't value pilot's careers, how can we expect management to?

SP

bearcat

there was an end to this....67% thought otherwise

jsled

Whatever. Bearcat. 63 RJs going away this year. And we ended the Ex-Con seniority grab.


Proud 67%'er

strfyr51

Even if they were the CFM56-5's We can work that engine in our shops at SFO. To carry a separate engine type as a problem" is a myth.
We Already fly the CFM67-7 and we've already handled the CFM56-2 and -3 I'm not worried because it's just not that serious.
We can Overhaul whatever Engine they drag through the doors and we have the test Cells to put them through their paces before we hang them back on the airplane.
Don't sweat it. If you can fly it? We can fix it!!

Andy

There's a lot more to carrying another engine than just repairing/maintaining the engine. You've got to have some bench stock for that engine type in several hubs. You've got to have a CFM-56 simulator. You've got to do some differences training for every pilot.
At my previous airline, we flew both V2500 and CFM-56 engined aircraft so it can be done but it wasn't optimal.

Given the number of airbii available on the market today, it wouldn't make sense to buy CFM engined aircraft when there are more than a few V2500s available. Having written that, I'm sure management will prove me a fool yet again (not hard to do) and will buy CFM airbii.

Plus, as pointed out by someone else, Franke and Indigo are getting F9 ready for an IPO. It's more profitable for them to IPO the company than to sell it in a private transaction.
Just look at Virgin America's IPO. The insiders made much more money by IPOing the company than they would have made in a private sale.

As far as the poster (Captain Carrot) that suggested United was buying F9,
1) It's a new APC account, only opened this month.
2) The profile says CRJ 7/900 FO; F9 doesn't fly CRJs. (upon further investigation, neither does Republic)
3) The poster stated 51 F9 airbii; their fleet count is higher than 51.

While it's possible that United would buy F9, I don't see it as a likely solution to simply adding airframes to the fleet.

Andy

Here's what's out so far in the initial earnings release:
Complete the removal of more than 130 50-seat aircraft from its schedule by the end of 2015. UAL will remove additional 50-seat aircraft in 2016 and beyond as aircraft come off lease.
Exchange 10 787 orders with Boeing for 10 777-300ERs for delivery beginning in 2016. The new 777-300ER aircraft will provide attractive upgauge and range opportunities to the company at competitive economics.
Extend the life of 11 additional 767-300ER aircraft. The company now plans to extend the life of all 21 767-300ER through investments in winglets, reliability improvements and interior modifications, which will improve financial performance and make the aircraft more customer pleasing.
Reconfigure and transition 10 777-200 aircraft currently used in international markets into the domestic network, and position a number of its trans-Atlantic 757-200 fleet into the domestic and Latin markets, with the extension of the 767-300ER aircraft.
Acquire additional used narrowbody aircraft. The company is in final negotiations regarding the lease of 10 to 20 used narrowbody aircraft for delivery over the next few years. In addition, the company plans to continue to seek other opportunities to acquire used aircraft to meet its needs as market conditions allow.


United Announces Record First-Quarter Profit - MarketWatch

SpecialTracking

Yes, 67% put an end to something else.

Andy

Here's a quote from the press release that I like:
"These changes are part of our strategy to improve operational reliability, grow capacity with demand, and enable us to achieve our long-term goal to improve margins and return on invested capital," said John Rainey, UAL's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Customers tell us they prefer larger aircraft, and these fleet modifications will provide more opportunity for our customers to travel on the type of aircraft they prefer."


In other words, customers hate RJs. No kidding.



There's a 'new' investor update on the united website, including the fleet plan. As of now, there are no changes to the January fleet plan.

jsled

Ha! Check that. 130 RJs heading out this year! Scope Choke??