Ladies and Gentlemen:

This morning United management announced plans to reduce the aircraft fleet by an additional 70 planes by the end of 2009, including the entire 737 fleet and six 747 aircraft.  The company also announced the fifty-six A320's currently used for Ted will be reconfigured to include first class beginning in the spring of 2009.  News about the reduction and other changes leaked to the media yesterday and this morning there are many news stories that do not accurately reflect management's plans and can create unnecessary concern.  A thorough review of the facts is included in this letter.

Several months ago United announced it will eliminate thirty 737 aircraft this fall.  Typically, the schedule is reduced after the summer months, as it will be again this year.  In the current economic environment it is expected that capacity will be cut throughout the airline industry.  The industry inertia toward cutting capacity through consolidation contains many of the same forces that suggest capacity cuts for stand-alone airlines. United today announced its long-term plan to further reduce the fleet by cutting the least fuel-efficient aircraft.

It is premature to speculate on the impact of these announced reductions.  Often plans change depending on economic and other industry conditions.  United is still finalizing the aircraft schedule for the fall of 2008, which contemplated the removal of 30 aircraft from the schedule.  They have not sufficiently analyzed with any degree of certainty what routes will be flown in 2009.

Contractual Job Protections

Flight Attendant ranks will naturally decline due to the previously announced halt of hiring.  As Flight Attendants retire or decide to leave United Airlines, our ranks decrease. In addition, Onboard management continues to manage any overage in the Flight Attendant population by offering Special Leaves, awarding ANP and responding to AFA's advocacy by utilizing other Contractual scheduling provisions.  To be clear: the job cuts announced today by United management do not include Flight Attendants.

Management announced it will "determine the number of front-line employee furloughs as it finalizes the schedule over the next month."  Remember that our Contract provides significant job protections.  Prior to any furlough, the Foreign National Letter of Agreement, on page 308 of our Contract, requires that all Foreign Nationals currently based in Singapore and Bangkok be furloughed or terminated.  This in turn would provide a greater number of flight hours for AFA Flight Attendants to help manage any overage in personnel. 

If we find ourselves in a furlough scenario after the release of Foreign Nationals, then Section 21 of our Contract provides us with industry-leading furlough protections.  In summary, voluntary furloughs must first be offered prior to imposing any involuntary furloughs.  Our Contract provides certain incentives for Flight Attendants to volunteer for furlough status such as providing medical, dental and mainline travel benefits along with seniority accrual equivalent to active Flight Attendants.  Full details about our furlough protections may be reviewed in Section 21 beginning on page 154 of our Contract.

Long-Term Advocacy Continues

In addition to our Contractual job protections, AFA continues long-term advocacy for all plans to mitigate furloughs including the development of an early-out program.  Our Central Schedule Committee maintains its persistent advocacy for quality of work life in our schedules along with scheduling flexibility to assist in managing any overage of personnel.

The fleet reduction will naturally affect commuting options for Flight Attendants, which again gives way to AFA's persistent call for reciprocal cabin seat agreements.  Cabin seat agreements have become commonplace across the industry and it is long past time for United to join its competitors in offering comparable benefits and commuting options for United Flight Attendants.  We call on Onboard Vice President Alex Marren to fix this disparity and supply solutions for Flight Attendants.

Management Cuts and Promotions

We have often called for cuts to be shared by management ranks.  As staffing is reduced on our airplanes, we rightly call for a reduction to the management ranks.  Part of the announcement today includes an additional salaried and management reduction of 900 to 1100 employees in addition to the 500 already announced.  Management states this reduction will take place by year end.  Meanwhile, Flight Attendants are already shouldering the burden of reduced staffing on the 757 and widebody aircraft.

United also announced Sean Donohue, senior vice president - Flight Operations and Onboard Service and Bill Norman, Senior Vice President - United Services, will be leaving United.  Along with the departure of these two positions, management announced the promotion of three other executives.  Alex Marren was promoted to Senior Vice President - Onboard Service.  Joe Kolshak, who was previously in charge of Delta's operations will now be United's Senior Vice President of Operations. William Yantiss was promoted to Vice President - Corporate Safety, Security and Environment.  Each of these new appointments will report directly to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Tague.

Remain Informed

As the industry reacts to current conditions management will attempt to capitalize on uncertainty and fear.  We make decisions based on facts.  We do not operate in fear.  Do not repeat rumor and speculation.  Remain informed through official information from your AFA.  Continue your work as safety professionals and take good care of one another. 

In Solidarity,

Greg Davidowitch, President
United Master Executive Council