In my conversations with many of you during my recent domicile visits, you expressed a great deal of curiosity about the proposed Low Cost operation. I know there has been much speculation about how this concept will be integrated into United's current structure, and I suspect there is also some anxiety as many of us wonder what affect it will have on our work lives. Although these, and many other questions, have yet to be answered, Tuesday's NewsReal provided us with our first glimpse into the plans for the Low-Cost Operation, or LCO.

What we've learned so far is that the LCO will serve key leisure markets and will be operated by United employees, consistent with the new collective bargaining agreements. When fully operational, the LCO will operate a fleet of approximately 40 aircraft. Current plans are to launch the LCO sometime during the first quarter of 2004.

Employees representing key organizations and divisions will be dedicated to the development of the Low Cost Operation. This "Launch" team is comprised of 11 individuals who will be responsible for key decisions about route structure, aircraft schedule, product and brand and marketing strategy. Their responsibilities also include selecting the appropriate aircraft type from United's existing fleet. Onboard has a representative on the Launch team.

United also plans to involve front-line employees through an employee advisory council. Participants will come from a variety of locations and will represent a cross-functional mix of work groups. The LCO launch team will regularly solicit feedback from the council on everything from the LCO business plan to other matters integral to this project.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the council and would like to know how to apply, additional information will be available in NewsReal before the end of September.
In addition, I'll provide that information on my update.

Big news for our company this weekend is the culmination of the Pepsi "Play for a Billion" promotion. United's relationship with Pepsi has provided the company with valuable promotional opportunities. As the official airline of the sweepstakes, United will be featured prominently during a special on The Warner Brothers (WB) Television Network. Comedian Drew Carey will host the live, two-hour TV show which will air this Sunday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Look closely to see if you recognize any familiar faces.

United's brand image is present in all advertising and media publications surrounding the promotion. The company garnered invaluable exposure and free publicity as both the Pepsi and United Web sites were electronically linked during this promotion. In fact, there were more than 30 million online "hits" and e-mail collections during the contestant sign-up period, which represent potential revenue opportunities. Best of all, Pepsi has absorbed all costs associated with this promotion. In return, United will fly most of the eligible contestants, and hundreds of paying guests to and from the show's Orlando studio. My thanks to the crews who will help make this event a success. Their participation is a tangible way to affect our revenue and help the airline position itself for emergence from Chapter 11.

I am pleased to tell you that Worldwide Catering has begun to revitalize over two-dozen menu options for United Economy meals. The new entrees will rotate among the U.S. domestic and international outbound markets. In addition even more menu changes are planned for early October. We welcome your feedback on these new offerings via DIS * 123.

Before I go I'd like to express my gratitude to several Chicago-based flight attendants for providing life-saving care to a customer during a flight from Minneapolis to Chicago. Thanks to their quick response and collaboration with two air marshals and a doctor onboard the flight, our flight attendants provided care to the ailing customer and they are credited with saving his life through the use of AED equipment. Not only did the hospital follow up with news that the customer was stable, they commended the crew for doing a great job handling the situation.

So, to the crewmembers of Flight 334, Rebecca Beld, Carrie Kozloski, Linda Humke, and commuter Sandra Chering, please accept my heartfelt appreciation for your heroic efforts to save the life of this customer. I'm sure that none of you will forget this flight.

Well, that's it for this week. Take care of yourselves and have a safe and enjoyable weekend.