If you are awarded a captain spot as a new hire (initial class bid drop) then you will start being paid as a captain at 350 hours, but will still need to complete your full 500/off probation and you will get the standard amount of OE. The accelerated process is a clause that the company can, but has yet chosen to, exercise.

If awarded a captain vacancy during a bid while still on probation you will still need, as usual, to complete your 500 hours of time at UAL and get off probation.

You will eventually be tagged with an “imputed effective date”. This is the date where you complete probation and log 500 hours of flight time at UAL, whichever comes later. Then, at the start of the second bid period following your imputed effective date you will become pay protected at the captain rate.

Ex. You start class Oct 7, 2025 and get awarded a captain vacancy on the December bid. If you complete your 500 hours and complete probation on time, you will have an imputed effective date of Oct 7, 2026. You will start being paid as at the captain rate at the start of the December bid period - Even if you are still flying as an FO.