Jeff Smisek hints at major changes for United
03-24-2011 | 01:38 PM
#11
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 0
From: A320 Cap
On my 6th CEO (and 4th paint job) at this company and each CEO has done the quarterly circus side-show act for wall street analysts. In fact look for this song and dance four times per year - one strong forward looking Q1 forecast, and three followups as to why they couldn't "execute on their plan".
This is theater plan and simple. If it was reality, they'd be reporting on what they've actually accomplished, not what they intend to do.
I have my strike fund set aside, how about you?
This is theater plan and simple. If it was reality, they'd be reporting on what they've actually accomplished, not what they intend to do.
I have my strike fund set aside, how about you?
03-24-2011 | 03:15 PM
#15
Widebody
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: 777 CAP
Translation
If this is his "pep-talk", I hate to see the bad news.
Not exactly Knute Rockne...
"SWA, JB, VA etc. will take our market share"
"Why didn't we think of these fees before?"
"Webster's Definition anyway..."
"Delta still Whiskey Tango Airline"
"Can I direct deposit fees to my Swiss bank account?"
"Mileage Plus...uh...still working on it."
"Even more fees, Ha!"
"We changed the name"
"Can you believe it took a year just for this technology?"
"Emphasis on downsize."
"We can park planes sooner!"
"We'll park Airbus soon enough."
"I love lie-flat seats! More than say...pilot pay."
"If I say this enough someone might believe it."
See again: downsizing.
"Don't get too used to being #1, suckahs!"
Not exactly Knute Rockne...
"Travel is an experience, not just a seat."
"Differential offerings for each customer" through specially-tailored options for each users based on "advanced" software that tracks what customers need, leading to substantial revenue increases for United.
Employee morale - not about classroom training, it's about trust of management
Poked fun at Delta - says UA will have a lot more lie-flat seats than "that carrier from Atlanta"
Economy Plus is a moneymaker--upselling is gaining traction
Wouldn't share details about new mileage program, but promised customers and bean counters would love the new product.
Again, emphasized specifically tailored travel options--specifically mentions holding fares
Airline clubs will be enhanced.
Ability to toggle between United and Continental on Easy Check-In Machines at airports coming.
Commitment to A350 and 787 program, though UA can "downsize" if necessary.
"We'll have the 787 years before any of our competitors have it" (and the A350 as well).
"Mixed fleet for a considerable period of time" - No final decision yet on whether United will keep the three-cabin model.
Premium Service (p.s. - LAX/SFO-JFK) service interiors will be upgraded - lie-flat seats will be added (no confirmation that three-cabin service would be removed, but this was during the discussion of three vs. two cabin service)
Repeatedly refers to front-line staff as his "co-workers" not his employees.
Would like to simplify fleet over time, though that's a "decade long" project. Wants a fuel-efficient fleet
Must be disciplined in capacity - "We don't have anything to prove in terms of size--we're the world's largest airline now...but we're here to make money...We're very focused on making money."
03-25-2011 | 05:36 AM
#18
On Reserve
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Furloughed
I'm twice furloughed and second generation UAL. While I sit out here banging away, hoping for a call, I have been watching events and I am struck by something that I think is our core problem.
I don't think the problem is Smisek. In the end, It wasn't even Tilton. The problem is how we (our leadership) are approaching this. Now I'm not for one minute saying management has been angelic. At the same time, when our leadership keeps jamming a sharp stick in their eye, what reason are we giving them to even try to find common ground with us?
Look at what just happened with the mechanics. In the past year, they were able to bring back outsourced jobs from Asia, beef up the SFO maintenance facility, get guys back from furlough and end the disciplinary program that looked like Lorenzo created it.
Have you seen what they just got in their new TA? Nothing but improvements. They even got back two non union bases. Lifetime recall rights. The company has agreed to never close the SFO maintenance base. And they got raises and bennies.
And they didn't give anything away for it.
Where are we? Spinning our wheels.
So what's the difference? From what I've heard from maintenance guys I've known since I was a kid; they learned how to talk. They got the leader from the IBT in to talk to Tilton. They said that he was told he'd get 15 minutes. He got three hours. And I guess it went from there. They figured out how to talk and work out problems without either side acting like prima donnas. They had disagreements, but they got a deal.
And where are we? Why are the leaders we elected writing letters like I got the other day from my LEC reps? Why is ALPA National not trying to broker a meeting. Or finding an acceptable third party to act as a facilitator?
What are they really doing to get me and so many others recalled? And securing a good contract and QOL for each and every one of us?
We can let our leaders keep poking management in the eye. Or we can demand that they and ALPA National start earning the amazingly big paychecks that our dues make possible.
I understand they can’t give us a play-by-play, but I’m not seeing one result. Nothing…
I don't think the problem is Smisek. In the end, It wasn't even Tilton. The problem is how we (our leadership) are approaching this. Now I'm not for one minute saying management has been angelic. At the same time, when our leadership keeps jamming a sharp stick in their eye, what reason are we giving them to even try to find common ground with us?
Look at what just happened with the mechanics. In the past year, they were able to bring back outsourced jobs from Asia, beef up the SFO maintenance facility, get guys back from furlough and end the disciplinary program that looked like Lorenzo created it.
Have you seen what they just got in their new TA? Nothing but improvements. They even got back two non union bases. Lifetime recall rights. The company has agreed to never close the SFO maintenance base. And they got raises and bennies.
And they didn't give anything away for it.
Where are we? Spinning our wheels.
So what's the difference? From what I've heard from maintenance guys I've known since I was a kid; they learned how to talk. They got the leader from the IBT in to talk to Tilton. They said that he was told he'd get 15 minutes. He got three hours. And I guess it went from there. They figured out how to talk and work out problems without either side acting like prima donnas. They had disagreements, but they got a deal.
And where are we? Why are the leaders we elected writing letters like I got the other day from my LEC reps? Why is ALPA National not trying to broker a meeting. Or finding an acceptable third party to act as a facilitator?
What are they really doing to get me and so many others recalled? And securing a good contract and QOL for each and every one of us?
We can let our leaders keep poking management in the eye. Or we can demand that they and ALPA National start earning the amazingly big paychecks that our dues make possible.
I understand they can’t give us a play-by-play, but I’m not seeing one result. Nothing…
03-25-2011 | 06:17 AM
#19
Thread Starter
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 15
From: 737 CAPT
Originally Posted by EWR73FO
Thought they had already said they were keeping the 3 class and that they were going to start adding it to CAL aircraft.
CAL has two classes:
First/Economy or BusinessFirst/Economy
UAL has either two or three class airplanes:
First/Economy (some of the economy seats are Economy Plus) = 2 class
First/Business/Economy (again some seats are Economy Plus) = 3 class
Any United guy want to chime in to clarify if I got this wrong?
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