Integration Time: Look Out For Major Schedule Changes

On March 3 is the "targeted" date for "Becoming United", a single platform operation that will integrate passenger service, reservations and the single license. You will no longer see "CO" "005" from that date going forward on new transactions. "Inventory Suppression", code word for schedule changes, changes in flight numbers and other miscellaneous changes will not be easy as the two carriers fully merge their operations. If history is an indicator, this will be at least a cumbersome process. Ticket holders on both carriers might see changes on their flight numbers, flight codes, terminal and schedule changes. The last one is always a major concern, as we have seen that revised schedules may cause mis-connects and/or longer layovers. For a limited time, United has authorized waivers for changes and cancellations to accommodate passengers that may be impacted by this integration. The notification process by United is not full proof as these changes continue to be work in progress. Some deadlines have come and gone or have been extended. We highly recommend that you check and re-check your flight schedules until your date of departure. Airline mergers and acquisition are never easy. It involves multiple levels of integration: 1) New Schedules 2) Single platform reservations and inventory. 3) Accounting system single platform 4) Customer Service 5) Loyalty programs 6) Efficient planning of maintenance of aircraft 7) Streamlining multiple suppliers and vendors 8) Diverse and different cultures of employees 9) Re-negotiating thorny labor contracts www.premieretravel.com