This is Sean Donohue with a message for Wednesday, December 20th.

I'm recording a joint message today for both pilots and flight attendants to discuss the value, importance and expectation of our top customers.

For the past year, we've talked a great deal about the value of premium customers to our business strategy.  Those customers that fly in the front cabins, that fly us frequently and that often pay a premium fare, contribute to higher margins and increased profitability for United.

In November, we announced that after months of negotiations Motorola selected United as its primary global carrier.  Despite Motorola's 14-year history with American Airlines, we won this business.  It's one of the largest corporate account wins in United's history, and the benefits are significant – more than 100,000 flight segments out of O'Hare alone, including 3,500 business class seats between O'Hare and China and close to the same number between O'Hare and London Heathrow.

Motorola is only one of several recent accomplishments we've had on the corporate account front.  The latest is Baxter International, an account that gives us the opportunity to add thousands of elite fliers with the largest number flying between O'Hare and Brussels, routing through Dulles.  Taking into account Motorola, Baxter and recent agreements with Allstate, the Wrigley Company and Sears, we will add more than 150,000 flight segments from O'Hare, including more than 30,000 new business travelers and more than 15,000 premium customers.  In total, this business represents nearly $100 million in corporate travel from Chicago-based companies. 

We have earned this business.  Now we need to demonstrate that we can meet or exceed these customers' expectations.  Starting January 1st, we'll begin serving a large number of these customers, including Motorola employees.  It's an opportunity at every point at which we touch the customer to reinforce Motorola's decision to switch to United.  And just as important, it's an opportunity to gain these customers' loyalty for all of their air travel business and motivate them to recommend United to their family, friends and colleagues.

As a member of our pilot and flight attendant crews, each of you play an important role in building loyalty among these customers.  Customer research and letters tell us that your recognition of our Global Services and other premium passengers has a positive impact.  Our customers appreciate pilots who communicate effectively during the flight, particularly in the event of a delay or irregular operations.  And the service provided by our flight attendants can clearly distinguish United from other airlines these customers may have flown in the past.

Earlier this month, we unveiled details about our new First Class Suite, which will debut in the fourth quarter of 2007 on international, wide-body aircraft.  It's an exciting new product designed to provide optimal space for customers to work, sleep or relax while enjoying the latest entertainment and exclusive amenities. It's a great example of how we're working to make the First Class cabin experience on United industry-leading among our North American peers and competitive with major global carriers.  Look for another announcement on our new Business Class product soon.

I hope that each of you gets a sense of all the work that's going on in the company to improve the customer experience, particularly for premium customers.  But at the end of day, our people can make the biggest difference of all.  As we enter the homestretch of the busy holiday travel period, it's important to recognize that these busy days are opportunities for us to strengthen the loyalty of our existing customers and win new ones among those who don't regularly fly with us.

That's all for this week.  Thanks for the very good work you're doing.  I know many of you will be flying through the holiday and into the new year.  I appreciate your efforts, and I sincerely wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season.