FLIGHT OPS FLYER November 6, 1998 **************** **************** Recent United Shuttle Changes ----------------------------- Effective immediately, Shuttle by United becomes known and referred to as United Shuttle. United customers say that they want the Shuttle brand to be closely associated with the United master brand. The name change allows United to align the Shuttle identity with the coordinated family of sub-brands that are being implemented under the United personality. Those include: United Cargo (formerly Worldwide Cargo); United First (formerly First Class); United Business (Formerly Connoisseur Class); and United Economy (formerly United Coach Class). Another United Shuttle change is the modified overhead bin test on two Shuttle aircraft. The bins, which have been extended four inches deeper, provide: 4 to 5 percent more overhead space; a safer, more snug stowage of bags; and the allowance of 26 extra bags when they are stowed correctly. Since surveys indicate that carry-on space drives customers' intent to repurchase, United implemented the extended bin modification test to provide carry-on space for the eight seats added to the reconfigured Shuttle fleet. The bins will be monitored for maintenance and operational reliability for two months; if the test is successful, the bins will be modified on the rest of the Shuttle fleet by mid-1999. A Clarification: Pit Loaded Crew Baggage ----------------------------------------- The policy concerning pit loaded crew baggage was misstated in the October 23 "Flight Ops Flyer." This is the correct policy, as stated in the FOM: "Ramp access is authorized for crewmembers in uniform who display a United ID badge and stay in the shadow of (near) the airplane." United's Self-Defense Spray Policy Remains Unchanged ---------------------------------------------------- Although the FAA recently revised its policy regarding self- defense sprays -- also known as mace or pepper spray -- United's policy remains unchanged. As an international carrier, United is required to operate under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations which forbid the transport of these sprays in either carry-on or checked baggage on either domestic or international flights, explains Senior Staff Representative- Environmental Safety Carl Kole, who also serves as administrator of dangerous goods. The FAA announced on Aug. 28 that it had adjusted its regulations to permit carriage of self-defense sprays as checked baggage only on domestic flights. "As an ICAO carrier, United will continue to follow the IATA/ICAO regulations which forbid the transport of disabling devices such as pepper spray and mace," Kole emphasises. "The continuation of this policy will apply to both checked and carry-on baggage on both domestic and international flight segments." A Dec. 11 FOM revision is slated to address this issue in both the Security chapter and the Dangerous Goods section. Open Enrollment Deadline Approaching ------------------------------------ The deadline for making 1999 benefit choices is Wednesday, Nov. 25. Please take time to review your Open Enrollment materials and make your choices by calling the voice response unit at 1-800-648-0151./ MIA Reminder ------------ United Medical has contracted with the Sunshine Medical Group to perform company flight physicals for Miami-based pilots. In order to receive a company physical from Sunshine, you must be domiciled at MIAFO. Welcome Aboard -------------- Twenty-one new-hire pilots began training at the Flight Center this week, bringing the 1998 total to 455. The latest assigned pilot number was 9705. The assignments are: 10 B727 S/O 4 to ORD, 3 to JFK, 3 to SFO 3 DC10 S/O 1 to ANC, 1 to SFO, 1 to LAX 3 B300 F/O 2 to SFO, 1 to LAX 3 U30 F/O 2 to DEN, 1 to SFO 2 B737 F/O 2 to ORD ************************************************************ Flight Operations Communications, WHQVF 847/700-7288 "Flight Ops Flyer" also is available in the United Airlines section of CompuServe under "Pilot Information." ************************************************************