MEC President Letter to Sean Donohue
PDF Version 
December 8, 2006
Sean Donohue, Senior Vice President
Onboard Service and Flight Operations
United Airlines
P. O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
Dear Sean:
It is important to recognizing the realities of today’s commuting Flight Attendant workforce and the ever increasing need for enhancements to Worldwide travel benefits.
As we continue to meet and confer on this issue with United management, we are writing to enlist your support and advocacy for Reciprocal Cabin Seat Agreements with other airlines. In addition to the airlines and other employee groups who we have previously identified as having reciprocal cabin seat agreements, attached is a model agreement from Air Wisconsin (while the actual agreement uses the term “Reciprocal Flight Attendant Jumpseat Agreement” please refer to the letter date June 19, 2006 – Jane Allen for further definition).
"Our advocacy has been focused and clear with regard to this issue, it is imperative that United take immediate action, and not ignore the needs of Flight Attendants who are critical to the transformation of our Company."
As you know, Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation (AWAC) operates as the largest privately held regional airline in the United States. Founded in 1965, AWAC schedules nearly 500 departures per day system-wide to 26 states and two Canadian provinces. With service to 68 cities throughout North America, primarily in the Northeast, carrying nearly 7 million passengers per year, with a load factor of approximately 70% on Canadair 50 seat Regional Jets.
Our advocacy has been focused and clear with regard to this issue, it is imperative that United take immediate action, and not ignore the needs of Flight Attendants who are critical to the transformation of our Company. The benefits of enhanced travel benefits will have a direct impact on operational integrity, as well as employee engagement at United Airlines.
Flight Attendants have proven to be trustworthy, and we say what we do, and we do what we say; in short we can be counted on. Flight Attendants have been respectful and we recognize the values, ideas and contributions of other United employees. Over the course of United’s Restructuring we have been responsible, and have been accountable for our actions. We have made prudent, sensible and sound decisions in our conduct. We have proven to be adaptable, are continually responsive to United’s ever-changing business environment, all in support of our goal to be recognized as the leading airline in United States and around the world. We strive to be innovative and creative, in our efforts to increase Flight Attendant engagement.
Reducing hassles for Flight Attendants commuting to work will benefit our airline as more employees will have the ability to focus on the success of the company rather than expending time, energy and compensation on getting to and from work. Recognition of the realities of today’s commuting workforce is a tremendous step in the right direction, and simply just the right thing to do. In order for us to turn our complete focus on a profitable, sustainable, and reliable Company it is time to recognize and implement Reciprocal Cabin Seat Agreements.
We continue to stand ready work with United on implementing enhanced travel benefits. And look forward to your support.
Sincerely,
Greg Davidowitch, President
United Master Executive Council
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