APC225

This is a very good sign I think. Maybe someone has gotten a clue that when they take care of us, we take care of the customer. A looong way to go, especially with the pilots, but this seems like a leading-edge thinking type of decision, to make something better, not because its failing (like they usually do), but just because it can be made better. Of course, they might think of getting them a contract sometime soon.

United Airlines Bringing Apple's iPhone 6 Plus On Board for Flight Attendants

CHICAGO, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced the carrier will equip its flight attendants with Apple's iPhone 6 Plus, putting important safety and service information at flight attendants' fingertips while enhancing their ability to meet customers' needs.

The airline will begin distribution to its more than 23,000 mainline flight attendants during the second quarter of 2015. Upon introduction, the devices will have the ability to handle most onboard retail transactions and will enable access to company email, united.com and the company's Intranet as well as policies and procedures manuals.

Future enhancements include replacing the flight attendants' printed safety manual with an electronic version on their iPhones and providing real-time reporting and improved follow-up on aircraft cabin issues and repairs. Additionally, United plans to develop a number of customer-focused tools for the device.

"We are thrilled to make this investment in our flight attendants," said Sam Risoli, United's senior vice president of inflight services. "iPhone 6 Plus will enable them to deliver an even higher level of flyer-friendly service and will offer our flight attendants simple, one-touch access to valuable work information, enabling them to better serve our customers."

The deployment of iPhone 6 Plus for United flight attendants follows the airline's deployment of iPads to pilots beginning in 2011, in a move toward creating paperless aircraft and flight decks. United has renewed the iPad pilot program with iPad Air 2.

awax

A very good sign if you're the crew desk, 23,000 flight attendants will soon be persistently phone contactable. I hope the union does a good job in showing it's members where the OFF switch is!

News from other industrialized countries: Annoyed by off-hour work emails? They may soon be illegal in Germany. - CSMonitor.com

APC225

Oh, well! .......

flybynuts

This is forward moving on part of the company. While our iPad and technology integration has been below average, this is good for them. We were the hardest group to get a lot of technology to replace our traditional systems while also being the test group. The company is really trying to invest into the product and make the tools available because they are starting to realize that we are part of the product we sell. Not defending Jeff here, but his lame IT with wings comment was based on all the "planned" IT changes that are,where and bent planned for the customers, employees and company. He just can't communicate like a leader but there was/is excitement with all that was being pitched from IT to the new planned United. Of course their 3 year plan will be the 5 year plan.

oldmako

Huge can of worms. If they were concerned with "making an investment" in the flight attendants, perhaps they could stop dragging their feet and give them a contract? Etc etc etc.

Could this be a good thing? Sure. But I'll believe it when I see it. I'm with Awax.

flybynuts

Mako,
Not disputing that one bit. I'm only talking about IT and needed changes to all work groups and the product. I agree 100%, the best morale improver is a good contract. However, I'm not gonna crap on the goodnews either.

awax

Good News?

You mean United IT is incapable of producing it's own products, so the only solution is to buy proven consumer tech off the shelf? I'm not sure that qualifies as good news.

see CCS
see also Shares
see also PBS
see also Trip Trading

IT cost the company millions in real (and good will) dollars in the shares implementation (we're ready!) meltdown and still hasn't produced IT REQUIRED by the UPA two years after signing. We're the product?! I don't think so.

globalexpress

That's the one with the bigger screen, right? That's good. Now they can show each other extra large pictures of their cats.

flybynuts

Yes it is good news. All that you cite above is FINALLY starting to be fixed, completed and delivered. Tech off the shelf is part of the IT plan. You have an iPad right? Again not defending the company but pointing out that this is one of many IT pieces that are needed to make us better, I.e. Finally starting to see progress with IT and product development. Gotta start somewhere no matter how far behind they are.

SurfnFlyer

I prefer cat pictures to photos of grandkids. And great-grandkids.