UA A-320 That Looks like its 20 years old

[N790SW]

hey guys

I came across this picture of a UA 320 that seriously to me looks like its about 20 years old - and people may flame me for this but for a machine made in 2000 it looks like garbage lol - along with the rest of the old colored planes.... I know their in chapter 11 or getting out of it , but i am sure they can try to keep a good image.??? could they......

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5782073

[Alex T]

It does look a bit old but compared to some US Airways 734's this is clean stuff!

Alex

[T-Bird76]

Some A320's are coming up the their 20 year mark, plus UAL is no-longer in Chap 11. The plane is prob nearing a C check and they don't want to spend the money on cleaning it since it will more then likely get repainted.

[LGA777]

I have always liked this United 320, please excuse the (cough) plug.

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5643421

LAG777

[N790SW]

I have always liked this United 320, please excuse the (cough) plug.

just the way everyone wants their A320 =P

[DHG750R]

Aircraft exist in a pretty harsh environment , from a 90 degree ramp like in PHX, 20 mins later at FL350 at -25 or so for 4 hours.headed to PIT After sitting on the ramp and collecting snow, a nice bath of deicing fluid heated to 180degrees.... then , onto FLL with a tropical rain shower during approach at 200 knots... Plus many airlines dont wash the aircraft nearly as often as in the past . Unless of course there is an economic benefit to it (fuel savings). If it's done at all , it gets done during an A check ( every 600hr's)

How many times have you seen an airliner get waxed or polished ? Apart from a finish that requires it ( the downside of a bare metal finish )

Most paint jobs such as blue (UA or US) or red (NW) etc will show fading or lose their shine pretty quick within about 4 or so years unless attention is given regularly( I think LH keeps their aircraft looking amazing). The White fuselage resists fading a bit longer.

When aircraft are repainted by the airline using 3rd party vendors , as they saying goes , "you get what you pay for" . Airbus , Boeing 's paint jobs are superior to most MRO( Maintenance Repair Overhaul ) facility's

When USAir became USAirways the quality of the paint we were getting was awful in some cases. You all have seen some of the results.
:oops:

In my own experiences with my present job, Some notable high quality 3rd party MRO's are Lufthansa Teknic , KLM , EVA and China Airlines ...