Holly Hegemen passes on the rumor du jour about United’s plans to downsize in the face of record fuel prices.

1. Culling the B737 fleet (94 airplanes) by Fall 2009.

2. Selling off 7 B747s by Fall 2008.

3. 25 percent staff cuts by Fall 2008.

4. Death to TED (quickly but painfully).

Small city domestic mainline flying pretty much goes away. Reduced frequency on more major routes currently served by the old 737s which guzzle gas. Presumably free up the TED Airbus aircraft to replace some of the 737s which are only losing a little money in hopes that reduced fuel costs can turn around the route economics.

Speculation at this point, and the specific numbers may change, but it seems a good bet that we see the 737s going away.