JoeyMeatballs

not a feeling, it's a fact according to Smisek

Dear co-worker:

We have decided to merge with United. We made this decision after extensive and careful consideration about what we need to do to succeed and thrive in the changing and competitive global airline industry. We believe this decision, which was unanimously approved by our Board of Directors, is in the long-term best interests of our co-workers, our customers, our stockholders and the communities we serve. Ever since Sept. 11, 2001, our future has been unstable and uncertain. We’ve lost more than $1 billion since then, and every time we’ve made progress, something bad has come along to set us back. This merger will help us break this cycle. This will be a merger of equals. We will keep Continental’s logo, livery and colors, and our Working Together culture, and I will lead the company as CEO. We will keep the United name, which has strong global recognition, and the headquarters will be in Chicago. We will, of course, continue to have a large presence and major employment in Houston. Glenn Tilton will serve as non-executive chairman of the board for two years, after which I will also become executive chairman. The board of directors will consist of equal numbers of directors from Continental and United, along with two union representatives required by United’s charter. Our combined airline will have the most comprehensive network in the industry with 370 destinations. As the world’s premier airline, we will have an unmatched scope and scale that will allow us to generate more revenue and operate the combined carrier more efficiently. This will help us achieve and sustain profitability, which will permit us to improve career opportunities for co-workers of both airlines. We’ll have 10 hubs, including hubs in all four of the nation’s largest cities, and Houston will remain the airline’s largest hub. We will continue to have the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet (adjusted for cabin mix), and the best new aircraft order book, among major U.S. network carriers. Although this merger will greatly improve the future of our company, I know this will be a big change for all of you. I also know that you have many questions and concerns. One of the toughest things has been not being able to talk to you when the press kept reporting about merger discussions. I hated being muzzled by the lawyers. Now that we’ve made this announcement and I’m free to talk to you again, you’re going to hear from me directly, openly, honestly and regularly, just like you did before this whole process started. We have put out a Q&A that will answer some of your questions, and I will be going around the system soon to meet with groups of you and answer your questions directly. While we don’t have all the answers to every question you may have now, we’ll keep communicating with you openly and honestly as this long process unfolds. This merger will not have an immediate effect on you or your job. The regulatory review process takes quite awhile, and even after the merger occurs (which we expect to be in late 2010), it will take us until the first half of 2012 to operationally merge the two carriers. As always, however, I want to be upfront with you. Mergers do result in some job losses, particularly in non-operational positions. That part is painful, but in the long run, the merger will allow us to grow and prosper as a strong competitor, providing opportunities for advancement and the creation of new jobs. As always, we will do everything we can to mitigate job losses and work with those affected by the merger. Open, honest and direct communication won’t change as a result of the merger, nor will our Working Together culture. You know how important I believe our culture is, and as CEO of the merged company, I will do everything I can to make sure that our Working Together culture becomes a fundamental part of the combined airline. I know this decision is emotional for all of us, but it’s the right thing to do for our future. So while many things will be changing, two things aren’t going to change: our dedication to running a clean, safe and reliable airline, and our Working Together culture of treating each other, and customers, with dignity and respect, and open, honest and direct communication. These two things have gotten us through tough and uncertain times before, and they will get us through this merger and out the other side, where we can become a strong, growing and profitable carrier, with great service, a great culture and a great future.

Jeff