Bidding for the Early Out Program closed this morning at 0800 Central Time. The preliminary number of Flight Attendants who placed a bid on file is 1,282, including 382 who are currently on Voluntary Furlough. These numbers need to be verified for accuracy and eligibility, and the final award will be published no later than June 7, 2012. The list of those who bid for the program is available on our website.
Each Flight Attendant awarded the Early Out will be paid a lump sum payment of $2,400 per full year of service to the company as a Flight Attendant, up to a maximum of $60,000; subject to applicable taxation, withholding and arrearages. The lump sum will be paid within 30 days of separation from United, in the normal distribution method for which you currently receive your pay.
Those who chose to participate in this program will receive the financial lump sum incentive, with some pass travel and health care benefits. The success that this program achieved, is intended to allow a benefit to those who wish to leave, and some relief to the immobility of our seniority list and United’s staffing issues.
Based on the Early Out bids received, United has confirmed there will be no recall for those Flight Attendants on Voluntary Furlough.
As a result of the program, it is possible that the Partnership Program may not be continued beyond the currently scheduled Program, which ends in August. United will review the viability of this program going forward for the fall schedule. We should also expect to see higher line averages going forward beginning in September, following the departure of the participants at the end of August.
For those Flight Attendants who made the decision to participate in the program, we thank you for your years of service with United and your dedication to our profession. We wish you success and good luck in your future beyond United Airlines.