Well after united.com refused to allow me to sponsor a CR1 to a friend I went to the MEL CTO the other day to athorise it (since the phone agent reminded me it was still open). It was quite sad actually. I went in there, and transacted my business quickly enough and gave thm a box of chocolates and told them I would miss the CTO and was sad they were all going. They thanked me and gave me one of those "Come fly with me" CD's as a gift which was nice (pity I already have one, courtesy of FT many moons ago) but it was apprieciated.

Interestingly they had 2 model UA a/c in new livery sitting on the counter, and I said "gee, the company closes you down but sends you new livery models? how does that work?" - and I was told - oh no, WHQ didn't send them. SYD didn't send them. A PASSENGER gave them to the office! I guess I'm not the only one who will miss them all.

Farewell MEL CTO and the great staff there. I'm sad to see you guys go. R.I.P.

(incidently the phone agent said that another way to authorise upgrade transfers rather than going to the airport was to FAX an authorisation over, which is a new one for me - might come in useful for some folks).