For those interested in the fate of us UA 1Ks -- it looks like UA listened to the complaints about the CR1 earnings reduction and the new rules now only apply from 2012 onwards:

"1K members: During 2011, if you are a 1K member based on 2010 activity, you will still be eligible to earn two Regional Upgrades per quarter as you did before. In addition, under the new program changes announced on Nov. 17, you will also receive two more Regional Upgrades when you reach 75,000 EQM/90 EQS and two at every 25,000 EQM/30EQS after that. The quarterly earning process will end on December 31, 2011, and then the new rules will be in effect for 2012."

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53656,00.html

This change makes the whole set of changes more fair as customers who acquired 2011 1K status under the assumption of the current rules get what they expected and paid for. But more importantly, it also shows that UA (new and/or old) is listening to complaints/concerns.