United Airlines slashing staff, planes and (thankfully) Ted

More not-so-good news out of the travel sector today. United Airlines announced they are axing around 100 fuel-guzzling airplanes and up to 1,600 total jobs in efforts to cope with their out-of-control fuel costs. United currently flies around 450 aircraft to 200+ destinations and employs approximately 55,000 employees worldwide.

So, yes, these cuts are significant.

I do have to admit that I was especially please to see the long-overdue funeral of Ted - United half-assed low-cost experiment. I hated every time I had to fly one of those stupid yellow jets. It had no first class seats for upgrades and the overhead bin space in the forward seats was pathetic. Talk about the odds of gate checking your luggage? On Ted it was always a near certainty that you would.

Sure, I understood the purpose of Ted when United had two pricing structures - one for the low-cost competitive markets and one for the "traditional" markets. But, when United rightfully went to one overall fare structure a few years ago, I scratched my head why Ted stuck around.

Thank God someone had the good sense to kill Ted. Thank you.

In other airline news, Sprit Airlines issued the required "heads up" to their unions yesterday that they may furlough up to 50% of their staff (they employ around 2,500 folks). I would personally read the "may" as meaning "will" - and you can mark my prediction. I guess that pretty much means their $9.00 fare sales are history...bummer.

And, yes, as a traveler you should prepare yourself for higher overall airfares.

Fewer jets = higher prices. It's pretty much guaranteed...and if you live in a small airport city? It's absolutely guaranteed.

Sorry.

United slashes staff, planes as it tries to save money [Associated Press]
Spirit Airlines may cut flights [Inside Bay Area]