Sadly United is in a bigger mess than ever. Goodwin has nothing at all positive to show for his two years in the seat - except the UAL pilots got a fair contract last year. The stock is appallingly low; we are embarked on competing with Warren Buffett on Biz Jets, and we are on a road to disaster with Useless Air. They will self distruct shortly anyway. Everyone in the industry inside and outside United think he is a goon. When will the BOD replace him?
The 747-400's are now the big bargaining chip with the pilots. They pay huge bucks compared to any other equipment on the property. United wants out of 4 engined planes, as does Boeing.
The majority of pax couldn't give a stuff what they fly on as long as it is cheap and they arrive alive; we don't make money with coach pax, we pay the rent on the equipement with the advanced purchase fares; the biz and first tickets plus cargo are the serious money spinners. Interestingly the 400 goes out of JFK most days at MTOG - ergo no more seats to fill anyway, but lots of nice cargo down below. As mentioned, the 777 has better IFE in steerage. United could have changed that on the 400 if they planned to keep them.
Dark times ahead.
[This message has been edited by Oilhead (edited 27 June 2001).]