Saw this article about a new QF program posted at the AA forum, and thought it might be a model relevant to UA as well. Details somewhat sketchy, but it seems like there will be some system for passengers rating FAs and other service personnel, with cumulative ratings resulting in bonuses. The core of the piece is as follows:

"The airline is trialling a system that allows 12,700 frequent travellers to rate the service they receive from flight attendants and other staff from zero to 10.

There are plans for this ''net promoter score'' measurement system to be introduced across the company next year, with a view to ultimately rewarding staff based on how they are ranked by travellers."

The entire article:

http://www.smh.com.au/business/qanta...#ixzz1waEBgkHL

This does sound something like what some of us have advocated from time to time.

Having posted this, a few observations:

1. IMHO the big problem with UA these days it the management, not the employees.
2. In fact, I really admire the way that most employees have handled the system-generated messes they've repeatedly had to clean up.
3. Still, this kind of system could prove useful in rewarding and providing incentives for good service and, even though QF is not pitching it this way, weeding out the poorer performers and supplementing/replacing seniority in awarding perks.
4. I realize the chances of a lousy management introducing such a rating system to resistant unions is low.
5. Still, we can dream, can't we?