Are they decommissioning their 747 fleet? I didn't see a single dep/arr of 747s at either ORD or IAD today?

I thought they are basing them out of KSFO now. Maybe they are only for transpacific routes?

Last I heard, they were moving them over to SFO for maintenance/dispatch reliability or something like that. I don't remember.

They are now totally based at SFO to make it easier to carry out maintenance; rather than have 744 mx guys and equipment littered around the US, they keep it all at SFO. The only route outside SFO is LAX-SYD, but I don't know how long that will last.

 

UA don't seem to get the 744 reliability that NW (and now DL) seemed to enjoy, probably because a bunch spent good few years languishing in the desert. Also NW were launch customers and based most of their longest haul routes around the 744 for a good 20 years.

 

Whatever happens UA have a very capable fleet of 772s, for which they were launch customers, and it has been a stalwart of the fleet constantly since '95. It has now taken over LH from IAD and ORD, supported by 767s and even the 75' for thinner EU routes (courtesy of CO at EWR).

 

Any corrections would be much appreciated!

Rashid

Talking about United.. What happened to their channel 9 where we can hear the cockpit talk?

I am now flying every week from Dallas to Boise via Denver and back.. and I tune to to channel 9 and I have heard the ATC/Pilot talk and was really enjoying them. Its like sitting in the cockpit for me to follow ATC. But now I am realizing not all their Airbus A3xx aircrafts, they turn on the channel 9. Bummer.

Also I hate Direct TV. They have taken over United's 737s and hijacked channel 9. No one pays for Direct TV. yet they have taken the audio hostage! I hate you Direct TV! When I realize that my flight is a 737.. I am now disappointed its not an airbus.. and then even Airbus they do not put out ATC on channel 9.

Also I hate Direct TV. They have taken over United's 737s and hijacked channel 9. No one opays for Direct TV. yet they have taken the audio hostage! I hate you Direct TV!

Well, United's 737 were former Continental, so they didn't have channel 9 installed in the first place.

 

 

Well, United's 737 were former Continental, so they didn't have channel 9 installed in the first place.

 

Ah! Interesting. 

Ah! Interesting.

Well, I mean, channel 9 was a United thing, and of course, Continental and United have merged. I don't know if they plan on putting Channel 9 on the former Continental planes, but even then, it wouldn't be something that happens overnight.

Also I hate Direct TV. They have taken over United's 737s and hijacked channel 9. No one pays for Direct TV. yet they have taken the audio hostage! I hate you Direct TV! When I realize that my flight is a 737.. I am now disappointed its not an airbus.. and then even Airbus they do not put out ATC on channel 9.

 

I know the feeling. Last year, I had the pleasure of flying all 737 800s/900s on a vacation to Honduras, and I was so looking forward to flying on the type since I use the PMDG NGX extensively in FSX. But I was bummed when I saw the seat back display stuck on Direct TV, basically trying to get you to pay for the service. No moving ground map or flight stats, which I was expecting, just a stupid recurring ad for Lincoln automobiles. I also heard great things about channel 9, so that was also a disappointment that I couldn't partake in that experience. I don't think United had any success in upselling pay tv service to most passengers in coach, at least on my flight. But given a choice, I'd probably still prefer the 737 vs the airbus, as I'm a Boeing person first and foremost, and I have a soft spot for the type due to my enjoyment of PMDG NGX.

Very interesting stuff guys, thanks for the input. In this case I am now more eagerly waiting for the PMDG's T7 since I'm based out of ORD,

The deal with United today is its what's left of what was once a great airline. Now all it is a ghost with horrible managment that treats the employs like crap. Trust me I know this as my dad lost his pension, but the CEO got a 65 million dollar bonus. They were rated the worst major airline in the nation but the CEO still got a bonus. Somthing is very wrong with that company as a few years ago I was in Denver and saw the planes they all looked so run down and dirty with tons of paint missing. It almost made me cry to see the company is such a state they couldnt afford to clean the jets but Tiltion still got his bonus.

The deal with United today is its what's left of what was once a great airline. Now all it is a ghost with horrible managment that treats the employs like crap. Trust me I know this as my dad lost his pension, but the CEO got a 65 million dollar bonus. They were rated the worst major airline in the nation but the CEO still got a bonus. Somthing is very wrong with that company as a few years ago I was in Denver and saw the planes they all looked so run down and dirty with tons of paint missing. It almost made me cry to see the company is such a state they couldnt afford to clean the jets but Tiltion still got his bonus.

 

Their customer service sucks as well. I had to pay 75$ to get out of Midland 5 hours early last monday (on a 145 with less than 15 people) back to home (IAH) when round trip was only 160 to begin with. I basically bought another ticket...

 

I loved Continental, but I doubt I fly UA again unless I don't have any other choice. SWA for me here on out.. IAH is 20 minutes from home which is convenient, but I'll start driving the 50 minutes to get to the south side for Southwest after that.

This used to be a 744,

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL895

Can't wait for PMDG 777.

This used to be a 744,

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL895

Can't wait for PMDG 777.

This one was too (UAL879 PHNL-RJAA UAL880 on the return) up til a few days ago, (May 7th) but it looks like this one's gone to the 777 also!!

 

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL879