United Airlines is a big carrier of Boeing aircraft. It has a large fleet of Boeing planes and has been very loyal to the manufacturer. The airline’s fleet is primarily Boeing jets, especially compared to its competitors. About 80% of the airlines’ operations use Boeing jets.
But there have been many issues with Boeing as of late. Safety incidents have occurred all over the world and there has even been whistleblower controversy. United’s Boeing heavy fleet has put them at a disadvantage. Many of the incidents have even occurred with United’s Boeing planes. So their order of Boeing jetliners for this year and the next is unlikely to be fulfilled in full. The Boeing incidents have added to the order delay, since Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) intervention is likely. These situations have certainly impacted pilots.
As a result, the airline has planned to temporarily reduce pilot staffing levels. This is not the first time that the airline has cut pilots. During the pandemic the airline offered voluntary buyouts and furloughs due to the decrease in demand for flying. Travelers wonder if the Boeing safety issue has become so significant that the pilot cuts are necessary. Learn more about the details with United Airlines and how they are asking pilots to voluntarily take time off.
Boeing Issues and United Pilots
The safety incidents with Boeing aircraft have caused airlines and passengers to raise eyebrows. Since the quality of the manufacturers’ planes are in question, the impact on the overall commercial aircraft industry is unclear. Not only this, but there has been a shortage of Boeing aircrafts.
The manufacturer has fallen behind on delivering aircraft. This has given airlines more reason to switch to Boeing’s biggest competitor, Airbus. United has even made it known that the airline is considering other options since it is unlikely to receive its order of Boeing 737 Max 10 planes. The Max 10 has yet to be approved by the FAA.
Pilot Cuts
Amid recent safety controversies and Boeing order delays, United has faced the harsh reality of having less flight hours available to their staff. So, the excess of staff has led to a decision (or offer) from the airline. The airline is offering voluntary time off. Short time leaves and unpaid time off are seemingly the temporary solutions to the issue. The measures are set to last only for the month of May, but United’s pilot union has informed members to expect additional programs this summer. There may even be other offers which extend until the fall.
Impact on Travelers
With United expecting less flight hours and a halt to hiring new pilots, there will likely be airline wide changes. The hiring halt was announced to last from May to June. But many changes may occur in the following months. The current scramble and pending issues with Boeing have definitely made travelers uneasy. Pilot cuts may mean that travelers will notice flight cuts down the line, but it is hard to say.