So let me get this straight, you work for UAL where it's not OK for the company to determine how they communicate to you or to other internal/external groups. However, ALPA works for you, and it's OK to tell the union "...what it needs to be doing..."?

You realize how that comes across, right?

 

So we're relying on "stories" to sell our product? How's about not wasting over 4 billion on stock buy-backs and actually using theat large chunk o' change to improve the infrastructure? You'd have a self-explaining story at that point and no need for some Oprah Winfrey has-been.

 

Your world view probably won't change reality. But, have fun storming the castle my friend.

 

Out CapEx for 2016 is already at 2.3B.

This chart shows us at #1 on CapEx growth among airlines in the US by %. I don't like buybacks but we ARE spending money on the operation. The whole terminal in LAX in under renovation, we have over 50 widebodies coming and at least 200 narrowbodies on order. I foresee an 7.5% pay increase Jan 1 for us pilots.

Here are two cool financial pages to see our expenditures.
United Continental Holdings, Inc. Capital Expenditures Growth Rates TTM from third quarter 2016 to third quarter 2015, Stock Research Fundamentals - CSIMarket

United Continental Holdings, Capital Expenditures Growth Rates (UAL), Current and Historic Growth - CSIMarket

Shows we spend 689 million last quarter and around 800 the first two this year.


Finally, I think Oscar HAS to give the shareholders some value to keep a free reign on actually improving the quality of our product, as he has stated is his #1 goal. So, I think that having a good share price and happy investors will allow him more leeway on his path towards being the #1 airline globally.

Of course, I'm just a pilot so I'm probably wrong!

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Definition | Investopedia

 

Sure, but what have they done for us lately?

 

Not to beat a dead horse but here is an article explaining how the street views our spending and business plan.

Mentions:
737s vs 50 seaters
Stock buyback
CapEx
Polaris
773s
Fuel costs
Operational Improvements

Fitch Upgrades United Airlines to 'BB'; Outlook Stable | Business Wire

 

That's a good snapshot - all in the right direction IMO. To bad the stock will tank when the street gets word of UAL hiring a story teller.

 

I am not sure we are on the same page. I think we, as members in good standing clearly have the right, and if you are assertive, an expectation to communicate with ALPA and tell them the good, bad, and the ugly. I would assume that since ALPA has an inverted pyramid whereby the MIGS are on "TOP" and not on the bottom that is exactly what the membership should be doing. However, I don't recall addressing ALPA communications in a company only chief story-telling thread.

As it relates to corporate communications, if our company was accurate, brief, and clear that would be just fine with me. At every dog and pony show I seem to see our big chiefs coming out with "handlers" and "interpreters." I sincerely hope I don't see the Greg Hart and Tom Stivala again. It was like watching a rerun of the Andy Griffith show. Poor Sheriff Taylor and his side-kick Deputy Fife.

 

I was just wondering. What about the story-telling story makes you optimistic, or happy? Is it a "good thing" in your opinion to have the story-teller position? And, secondarily, is it good for our business?

I don't think comparing anything to Oprah is relavent to our business. Customers don't care to hear a story, heck they can't even pay attention during the safety demo. And, really, our history is so confusing it's like trying to keep up with the Kardashians, Beverly Hill Billies, and 21 Jump Street all at one time. We don't know who shot the sheriff and the people watching it take place couldn't tell the difference between a six foot four black man and a three foot four one eyed midget woman.

Oprah was great because she was authentic. Her story was relevant because she was poor and from Mississippi and she made it on her own. The story is good, and she is a good person to boot. We are a corporation, that lacks a soul, and can't vote. The customers only care about the ticket price, the time they got to their destination and how much it cost to get them there.

I am willing to listen to you, but from where I am calling balls and strikes that's how I see it.

 

One thing we can agree on is that we're clearly not on the same page.

The point you're side-stepping in this thread is that in ALPA we have the ability to address gross negligence and deficiently in our communications structure and we collectively we choose not to.

As an employee of UCH, you don't have a voice at the table. You're simply an employee, like it or not, you have no influence.