Here's a recent update from the UAL MEC on the UAL/CAL ATI. You'll have to insert your own grammar and punctuation corrections for this to make any sense.
This week, the MEC conducted its quarterly meeting in Chicago. A great portion of the five-day meeting was conducted in closed session so the MEC could be briefed by its financial advisors and other parties in advance of United’s quarterly earnings report scheduled for Tuesday, July 21. A webcast of United’s quarterly results will be made at 2 p.m. EDT that day. Only after United’s 2nd Quarter results are announced publicly will the MEC be able to address its members of the concerns we all share. In the meantime, the MEC has been kept apprised and will continue to be informed of United's financial situation through its interactions in these closed sessions with its financial advisors and from other available sources.
As most pilots are now aware, Continental Airlines President and CEO Larry Kellner decided to return to private business at year’s end. He will be replaced by CAL COO Jeff Smisek. UAL MEC Chairman Captain Steve Wallach was contacted by CAL MEC Chairman Captain Jay Pierce after Kellner's announcement.
Also during this week’s meeting, the attorneys briefed the MEC on the recent Final Order from the Department of Transportation on United’s Antitrust Immunity Application with Continental and on our conversations with the Department of Justice. In essence, the MEC is disappointed the final ruling did not include labor protection provisions. Our discussions with the DOJ indicate that it will not follow up with any action specifically related to United’s application or our concerns. Legislatively, there will be hearings initiated as early as next week looking at the process for approving ATIs. Though some changes in regulations are possible, it is unlikely that any of them will have an impact on the recently approved United-Continental ATI application. The MEC will continue to seek legislative changes to protect our pilots from other ventures that may harm our careers.