Part of the problem with us is there is far too much middle management that has nothing better to do than harass us and implement inefficient policies. I see that trend will carry over to the new UAL. 17,000 VP's and no one can figure out that an in-range report means there should be a ground crew waiting to catch us when we arrive. It shouldn't be a surprise when we show up.

Hopefully they'll stay just long enough to cash in their millions and move on. The biggest problem with Fred is his minions who will continue to infest the CPO for years to come, (see FMR's).

Fred Abbot as VP of combined pilot group! That takes vision Sismek. Granted convoluted and dark vision, but vision nonetheless...:eek:

+1! . . . something we agree on.

This is quite possibly the very worst news the merger has created so far. At least UAL's Flight Ops people remember that they're still Pilots. Ours have forgotten that little fact decades ago.

I would say the UAL pilots are in for one heck of a rude awakening. Non-contractual policies will more than likely follow the CAL model. Gate agent's authority, jumpseat access, conditions of the crew area restrooms, Captain's authority issues, on it goes, wow. This shapes the pilot's day-in day-out existence future more than anything we've heard yet.

Nothing should give pilots more pause to insure the JCBA covers every conceivable area, with iron clad "company must" language, than this announcement.

Oh, come on now. The longer Fred stays the more pilot friendly things become and the easier all of our commutes become. Remember, they are pilot advocates after all. :D

New VP's
 

************************************************** ********
Well Here it is guys,

By now, you probably have seen the announcement about the selection of senior vice presidents for the new company. They include the following leaders selected as senior vice presidents in Operations:

·Fred Abbott, Continental; Flight Operations
·Scott Dolan, United; Airport Operations
·Jim Keenan, United; Technical Operations
·Alex Marren, United; System Operations Control and United Express

I also want to let you know that this Operations senior leadership team and I have chosen the rest of the officer team. We expect the board of the new company will name the following officers as vice presidents at the closing of the merger. The officers, their company affiliations and responsibilities at the new company follow:

Reporting to Scott Dolan:

·Robbie Anderson, Continental; Cargo
·Terry Brady, United; O’Hare Hub
·Stephanie Buchanan, Continental; IAH Hub
·Jon Roitman, Continental; Newark Hub
·Cynthia Szadokierski, United; Airport Operations Planning
·Fernando (Fernie) Lopez, Continental; Airport Operations Line Stations

Reporting to Alex Marren:

·Don Dillman, United; System Operations Control
·Tracy Lee, Continental; Operations Planning
·Toby Enqvist, Continental; Environmental and Security

Reporting to Jim Keenan:

·Joe Ferreira, Continental; Line Maintenance
·Ken Burtt, Continental; Technical Services
·Manny Naeem, Continental; Maintenance Planning

In addition to the senior vice presidents, the following vice presidents will report to me:

·Kate Gebo, United; Real Estate
·Sandra Pineau, Continental; Catering
·Mike Quiello, United; Safety
·Sam Risoli, Continental; Inflight

As you know, United and Continental will be operating as two separate carriers until the FAA issues our single operating certificate (SOC) in late 2011 or early 2012. Some officers will continue to work for us until that time. They are:

·Mark Moran, Continental’s executive vice president and chief operations officer, who will oversee the issuance of the SOC.
·Don Gunther, staff vice president Safety at Continental, will remain in that position and help oversee the issuance of the SOC.
·Jay Ellzey, Continental’s vice president of Operations Administration, will head Continental’s System Operations Control Center until the co-location of United’s and Continental’s SOCCs.
·Howard Attarian, United’s vice president of Flight Operations will lead United’s Flight Operations reporting to Fred Abbott until the issuance of a Single Operating Certificate. Howard will also be United’s Director of Operations.

Additionally, Joanne Calabrese, United’s vice president-Hubs, will stay in her position to assist in transition until sometime in 2011, when Joanne will retire.

We know you want to know how you will be affected. As Jeff has said, we expect the merger will have minimal impact on frontline employees. Any change in the leadership reporting structure in current organizations will not determine which co-workers are selected for individual salaried and management positions. For those positions, we will follow the talent selection process that is being developed and expect to select a reasonably balanced mix of salaried and management employees from United and Continental. We will keep you informed as we progress.

I have confidence that this group of officers will be a driving force in helping us turn the new United into the world’s leading airline, with the industry’s strongest, most reliable operation, best customer service and most professional men and women in the industry. I’m looking forward to working with the new team.

Pete

Is this really a surprise? Why wouldn't the company pick the best people for them and not the pilots? This merger is NOT going to help any employee group. It's about consolidation and profit for stockholders and management.

Agree Bligh. UAL types are in for a rude awakening.