United Airlines has begun training its pilots to transition between aircraft flown by its Continental subsidiary and United subsidiary, the latest step in its slow integration of the two carriers.
Pilots from the Chicago-based carrier’s United subsidiary began training on its Continental subsidiary Boeing 737 aircraft in Houston during the week of 13 January, according to an employee newsletter today.
The move is called one of the “last steps” in integrating its flight operations departments, says United.
“We are one team and now that much closer to one, end-state airline,” says Kerry Boltinghouse, Houston Intercontinental 737 fleet training senior manager at United, in the newsletter.
Pilots from both subsidiaries have also begun cross training on United’s fleet of Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 aircraft. The training covers cockpit configuration differences between the two subsidiaries.
Training on the 737 will take place in Houston and Miami, according to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents pilots at United.
The union completed integration of the seniority lists for both subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of 2013. Pilots at United ratified a joint labour agreement in December 2012.
United and Continental merged in 2010.
ALPA was not immediately available for comment on the training.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
