(April Fool's Day) "Secret memo" reveals "interim" merger plan.
Apr 1, 2013, 2:49 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
(April Fool's Day) "Secret memo" reveals "interim" merger plan.
Apparently, airline executives anticipated the problems involved in merging two brands, both of which commanded considerable loyalty. A leaked memo reveals an "interim" phase originally planned for the merger that would have "acclimated" customers of both airlines to the merger. It included the following:
- The airline would operate for 18 months as "Continited" and "Unitenental."
- Livery wouldn't be changed, but boarding passes and marketing collateral would include the new names.
- Gate and check-in desks,club rooms and airside customer service positions would be re-flagged to the new names.
- The starboard side of each plane would carry United seats in United's colors and seating pitch. Aft would be Continental. Economy Plus would be found only on the United side. UA PS flights would be 3-class on the starboard side, aft would be CO Business First and coach, only.
- Crew would wear the uniforms of the airline for which they had previously flown pre-merger. Where possible, crew would be requested to "favor" the side of the plane that matched their uniforms.
- Flight numbers would be assigned a UC prefix, base upon resistance from air traffic controllers to using two separate call signs for aircraft operated by a single carrier.
Though the interim plan was never implemented, the memo provides interesting insight into the thinking process of the executives for the new airline. You can see it here: "Secret memo" reveals "interim merger plans
- The airline would operate for 18 months as "Continited" and "Unitenental."
- Livery wouldn't be changed, but boarding passes and marketing collateral would include the new names.
- Gate and check-in desks,club rooms and airside customer service positions would be re-flagged to the new names.
- The starboard side of each plane would carry United seats in United's colors and seating pitch. Aft would be Continental. Economy Plus would be found only on the United side. UA PS flights would be 3-class on the starboard side, aft would be CO Business First and coach, only.
- Crew would wear the uniforms of the airline for which they had previously flown pre-merger. Where possible, crew would be requested to "favor" the side of the plane that matched their uniforms.
- Flight numbers would be assigned a UC prefix, base upon resistance from air traffic controllers to using two separate call signs for aircraft operated by a single carrier.
Though the interim plan was never implemented, the memo provides interesting insight into the thinking process of the executives for the new airline. You can see it here: "Secret memo" reveals "interim merger plans
Apr 1, 2013, 2:53 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
I don't get why so many people need to post things like this. We had one early today, that really should be enough.
Apr 1, 2013, 3:07 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
I thought the secret plan was calling the airline CON-U?
Apr 1, 2013, 3:09 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,305
Apparently, airline executives anticipated the problems involved in merging two brands, both of which commanded considerable loyalty. A leaked memo reveals an "interim" phase originally planned for the merger that would have "acclimated" customers of both airlines to the merger. It included the following:
- The airline would operate for 18 months as "Continited" and "Unitenental."
- Livery wouldn't be changed, but boarding passes and marketing collateral would include the new names.
- Gate and check-in desks,club rooms and airside customer service positions would be re-flagged to the new names.
- The starboard side of each plane would carry United seats in United's colors and seating pitch. Aft would be Continental. Economy Plus would be found only on the United side. UA PS flights would be 3-class on the starboard side, aft would be CO Business First and coach, only.
- Crew would wear the uniforms of the airline for which they had previously flown pre-merger. Where possible, crew would be requested to "favor" the side of the plane that matched their uniforms.
- Flight numbers would be assigned a UC prefix, base upon resistance from air traffic controllers to using two separate call signs for aircraft operated by a single carrier.
Though the interim plan was never implemented, the memo provides interesting insight into the thinking process of the executives for the new airline. You can see it here: "Secret memo" reveals "interim merger plans
- The airline would operate for 18 months as "Continited" and "Unitenental."
- Livery wouldn't be changed, but boarding passes and marketing collateral would include the new names.
- Gate and check-in desks,club rooms and airside customer service positions would be re-flagged to the new names.
- The starboard side of each plane would carry United seats in United's colors and seating pitch. Aft would be Continental. Economy Plus would be found only on the United side. UA PS flights would be 3-class on the starboard side, aft would be CO Business First and coach, only.
- Crew would wear the uniforms of the airline for which they had previously flown pre-merger. Where possible, crew would be requested to "favor" the side of the plane that matched their uniforms.
- Flight numbers would be assigned a UC prefix, base upon resistance from air traffic controllers to using two separate call signs for aircraft operated by a single carrier.
Though the interim plan was never implemented, the memo provides interesting insight into the thinking process of the executives for the new airline. You can see it here: "Secret memo" reveals "interim merger plans
Perhaps you'd better not read them, then.
Apr 1, 2013, 10:55 pm
#7
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
Apr 1, 2013, 11:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago USA
Programs: *A Junkie, SQ PPS, Skywards Gold, 2 Million Mile Flyer;*wood LT Plat, BA MM
Posts: 1,762
Apr 1, 2013, 11:03 pm
#9
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
April Fool's Day is about over most everyone so we'll close this.
l'etoile
UA moderator
l'etoile
UA moderator