FLIGHT OPS FLYER June 11, 1999 **************** ************* 1999 National Merit Scholarships Announced ------------------------------------------ Four children of Flight Operations employees were chosen as 1999 National Merit Scholars, joining nine other children of employees from throughout the company. The employees' children will receive their scholarships from the United Airlines Foundation, one of more than 600 independent sponsors including corporations, company foundations, business and professional associations, unions, trusts and colleges and universities. Winners are selected based on their Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) scores and high school class ranking. "On behalf of everyone in Flight Operations, congratulations to our winners," said Sr. Vice President-Flight Operations Captain Steve Forte. "We're proud of you, and wish you the very best of luck as you continue your studies." The four students and their parents from Flight Ops are: Student Parent Position ------- ------ -------- Brook Senft Michael Senft, DCAFO B767 Captain Sarah Struthers William Struthers, ORDFO A320 F/O Claire Sulmers George Sulmers, ORDFO A320 Captain Derek Williams Dan Williams, ORDFO B300 Captain Cell phones -- OK on the Ground, Not in the Air ----------------------------------------------- More and more customers are carrying cell phones, and it's important that they understand when cell phones can and cannot be used on board United aircraft. United's policy, which was implemented in January 1998 based on recommendations of the On-time Perception Team, is as follows: Cellular phones may be used on board the aircraft while it is on the ground and the doors are open before departure. They may be used on the ground, after the doors are closed, only with specific permission from the Captain of the flight. This permission normally will be granted only during irregular operations. While in flight, cellular phones may not be used at any time. Pilots should be familiar with the policy and in particular, may want to encourage cellular phone use by customers while on the ground with the door open. Captains should be aware that they will make the decision, followed by an announcement, when allowing cell phone use on board during irregular operations. This policy is printed in the "Travel Information" section of Hemispheres magazine. ATC Delays ---------- One of the restrictions being imposed by ATC during the transition to the Display System Replacement (DSR) in the Centers is "miles-in-trail" between departures. This results in taxi-out delays which are often misunderstood by customers as being caused by United. Pilots should be sure to inform customers of the reasons for any delays encountered, clearly identifying the FAA Air Traffic System as the cause when that is the case. Baggage Templates Modified to Accommodate Garment Bags ------------------------------------------------------ In late May United began modifying the dimensions of the templates that screen carry-on baggage to accommodate most garment bags. The change allows garment bags to be placed flat on the belt at the security checkpoint and pass through the template without having to be rolled or compressed. "We listened to our customers, who emphasized the importance of getting reasonably-sized garment bags through the templates without having to maneuver them to fit," says Chris Bowers, Senior Vice President-North America. "We enlarged the templates and reviewed the new design with some of our best corporate customers, who were very supportive. As a result, we believe this modification will not only satisfy our customers, but also allow United to continue its efforts to improve on-time performance, reduce the hassle of the boarding process and reduce the risks of cabin injuries from oversized carry-on bags." Since the introduction of the stainless steel templates at 23 airports in North America last November, delays attributed to cabin-checked bags have gone down 72 percent. Countdown to Y2K: DENTK Works to Ensure Simulators Ready --------------------------------------------------------- Simulator Services employees at the Flight Center have worked with the Year 2000 Division since 1997 to ensure United's more than 30 simulators will be ready for the next millennium. The two groups compiled an inventory of 1,800 items that would need to be checked. Those items were packaged by like equipment into 160 work packages, each of which was evaluated for Y2K impact. Of the 160 packages, less than 0.005 percent are left to be completed. The goal for package completion is Sept. 1, 1999. United received signed contracts from its two simulator suppliers -- Thomson Training and Simulation and CAE -- to ensure that their simulators are Y2K compliant. Thomson checked compliancy on 11 simulators, while CAE checked nine and Simulator Services employees checked the remaining 20. Welcome Aboard -------------- This week's New Hire class has 25 new flight officers, bringing the total number of new hires for 1999 to 313. Their assignments are: 2 B727 F/O 2 to JFK 6 B727 S/O 4 to ORD, 2 to DEN 10 B300 F/O 10 to SFO 6 B737 F/O 6 to ORD 1 DC10 S/O 1 to ANC Safety Issues ------------- There were no flight safety inquiries this week. ************************************************************ Flight Operations Communications, WHQVF 847/700-7288 "Flight Ops Flyer" also is available in the United Airlines section of CompuServe under "Pilot Information." ************************************************************