glFusion Site

First Preliminary November Shift Bid Posted

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:41:49 -0500

Today I have posted the Preliminary November Shift Bid online.

It will posted in the office next week.

It can be accessed via the main menu on the top left of this page.

2010 Vacation Bid

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:15:03 -0500

Our 2010 vacation bid is quickly approaching and everyone should begin planning on which weeks they are interested in taking. Today I have posted a list showing the base vacation weeks for each employee in our work group.

We will be holding our first round of vacation bidding on Wednesday, October 7^th with the each subsequent round being held on the following Wednesday. All bids must be in by 8pm on each Wednesday with the results being posted on the Thursday afternoon immediately following the bid day.

A breakdown of the bid dates are outlined below.

ROUND 1 10/07/09 Results Posted 10/08/09

ROUND 2 10/14/09 Results Posted 10/15/09

ROUND 3 10/21/09 Results posted 10/22/09

ROUND 4 10/28/09 Results posted 10/29/09

ROUND 5 11/04/09 Results posted 11/05/09

ROUND 6 11/11/09 Results posted 11/12/09

ROUND 7 11/18/09 Results posted 11/19/09

As was the case in previous years, there will be no trading or changes of 2010 vacation weeks until all of the bidding rounds have been completed. Additionally, any and all changes / trades require supervisor approval and must be submitted in writing on the approved trade form no less than 45 days prior to the earliest date involved in the request.

November Shift Bid Announced

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:19:37 -0500

We will be conducting a shift bid which will be effective 11/01/09. Below is the proposed time-line leading up to our bid.

Please make sure that all of your training material and must-read items have been taken care of prior to the bid.

09/23/09 - Preliminary bid posted

10/12/09 - Final bid posted

10/22/09 - Bid date

11/01/09 - Effective date of bid

Larry Kellner to sept down as CEO

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:00:12 -0500

HOUSTON, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) announced today that Jeff Smisek , 54, Continental's president and chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors, will become chairman and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2010. Smisek will succeed Larry Kellner , 50, who has decided to return to private equity at year-end after 14 years with Continental, the last five of them as chairman and CEO.

"It has been a great honor to lead the professional men and women of Continental and be part of the premier airline in the industry," Kellner said. "I have worked closely with Jeff throughout my tenure, and he is a strong and effective leader. I am confident Jeff will maintain Continental's unique culture and successfully lead the Continental team through these challenging times.

"While I will deeply miss my co-workers at Continental, it is the right time for this transition. Continental has gained approval from DOT of our Star Alliance application, which will allow us to continue as an effective global competitor," Kellner added.

"The Board thanks Larry for his tremendous leadership of Continental during some of the most challenging times this industry has faced," said Henry Meyer , lead director for Continental. "The Board has consistently focused on succession planning, and Jeff's experience, skills and long partnership with Larry make him the ideal executive to succeed Larry as chairman and CEO. We look forward to working with Jeff as he continues Continental's industry leadership."

"Although I am saddened that Larry has decided to move on, I respect his decision and wish him continued success," said Smisek. "Over the next several months, Larry and I will work together to ensure a smooth transition. Our entire team will remain focused on returning our company to profitability, and Continental's great culture will continue to be the driving force of the company's long-term success," he added.

Houston-based board member Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell noted Kellner's civic contributions. "The Houston community has been blessed with having Larry as both a leader at Continental and a leader of our community. Continental has been a tremendous partner to the Houston community and we look forward to working with Jeff as he assumes his new role," said Pastor Caldwell.

Continental was named Fortune magazine's No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline in each year of Kellner's tenure as chairman and CEO. He fostered Continental's working together culture, while leading the carrier's expansion into London Heathrow, China and India and focusing the company on fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Kellner will head Emerald Creek Group, LLC, a new private investment firm based in Houston.

Jeff Smisek biography

Jeff Smisek is president and chief operating officer of Continental Airlines and a member of the Board of Directors. He is responsible for airline operations, including flight operations, inflight, airports, catering, cargo, maintenance and technical operations, and also human resources and labor relations, global real estate, security and environmental affairs, corporate communications, federal affairs, and international, state and local affairs. Over the course of his tenure at Continental, he has also overseen sales and marketing, technology and legal affairs.

Smisek joined the airline in March 1995 as senior vice president and general counsel, and has since held positions of increasing responsibility. He became president in December 2004 and president and chief operating officer in September 2008. Prior to joining Continental, Smisek was a partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP, where he specialized in corporate finance and securities law.

Smisek graduated from Princeton University, A.B. summa*censored*laude in economics, in 1976, and Harvard Law School, J.D. magna*censored*laude, in 1982. He also serves on the board of directors of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. Smisek and his wife reside in Houston and are long-time supporters of numerous charitable and civic organizations.

Larry Kellner biography

Kellner joined Continental in 1995 as chief financial officer. In May 2001, he was elected president of the airline and to the Board of Directors, and in March 2003, he was named president and chief operating officer. He became chairman and chief executive officer in December 2004.

Prior to joining Continental, Kellner was executive vice president and chief financial officer of American Savings Bank, owned by The Robert M. Bass Group. Prior to that, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Koll Company, a private real estate investment and construction firm.

Kellner graduated magna*censored*laude with a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of South Carolina, where he served as Student Body President. In addition, the University of South Carolina presented him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998.

Kellner is active in numerous community and civic organizations. He currently serves on the board of directors for Marriott International and the Air Transport Association. On the civic front, he is a member of the board of directors for the Methodist Hospital, YMCA of Greater Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Spring Branch Education Foundation, and Central Houston, Inc., and is a member of the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board. Kellner also serves on the advisory boards of the March of Dimes and Teach for America, and is on the development board of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He resides in Houston with his wife, Susan, and their four children.

SOURCE  Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines Receives Final DOT Approval to Join Antitrust Immunized Alliance With United, Star Carriers

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:46:47 -0500

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today approved the application for Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) to join the existing antitrust immunized alliance including United Airlines and eight other Star Alliance member carriers.

"We are pleased to receive final approval from the Department of Transportation," said Larry Kellner , Continental's chairman and CEO. "Continental is working to provide a seamless transition for its customers from the SkyTeam alliance to Star Alliance this fall. The DOT decision greatly benefits our customers, employees and shareholders. It ensures global competition with other antitrust immunized alliances while encouraging the retention and growth of open skies between the U.S. and other nations."

"Today's decision from the Department of Transportation facilitates the development of a competitive partnership that is good for consumers, our employees and the communities we serve," said Glenn Tilton , United's chairman, president and CEO. "United, Continental and the Star Alliance carriers will be able to compete more effectively in an increasingly global air travel market, while providing our respective customers with improved access to more of the world and creating opportunities for our employees."

Continental and United expressed their appreciation to the numerous community and civic parties whose enthusiastic support has been critical to the airlines' efforts to secure this approval. The airlines also thank their employees, their millions of customers and the travel professionals, congressional, state and local government representatives and business partners who urged timely approval of the application.

Continental and United also expressed their appreciation for the efforts of DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and his staff who have worked diligently to protect the needs of consumers, communities and airline employees by finalizing its order with modest adjustments while recognizing the issues facing the industry.

In addition to United, the eight Star Alliance members who have been granted DOT approval for antitrust immunity are Air Canada, Austrian, bmi, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), SWISS and TAP Air Portugal.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,750 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 132 international destinations. With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 67 million passengers per year.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For the sixth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 World's Most Admired Airline on its 2009 list of World's Most Admired Companies. For more company information, go to continental.com.

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates over 3,100 flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance , which provides connections for our customers to 912 destinations in 159 countries worldwide. United's 48,500 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.

*Based on United's forward-looking flight schedule for July 1, 2009, to July 1, 2010

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect the company's current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include receipt of various regulatory approvals, successful negotiation of documents implementing the planned alliances, Continental exiting certain of its current alliance relationships, and other approvals. Please read Continental's current report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2008 for additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE
Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines Simulator Engineer Employees Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:57:42 -0500

HOUSTON, July 6, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that its simulator engineer employees ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. The new agreement provides a 2.5 percent increase in base pay rates each year over the next four years, a company matching contribution to the 401(k) savings plan and the addition of two floating holidays. "We are pleased that our simulator engineers voted to approve this new agreement which provides pay increases over the next four years," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and chief executive officer. "We are operating in a very tough economic environment and are glad that we are able to work together to reach this agreement."

Continental's simulator engineer employees are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 541. The previous collective bargaining agreement was amendable on Dec. 31, 2008.

SOURCE Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines Reports June 2009 Operational Performance

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:56:25 -0500

HOUSTON, July 1, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today reported a June consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 84.8 percent, 1.1 points above the June 2008 consolidated load factor, and a mainline load factor of 85.2 percent, 1.0 point above the June 2008 mainline load factor. The carrier reported an all time record domestic mainline June load factor of 88.1 percent, 2.2 points above the June 2008 domestic mainline load factor, and an international mainline load factor of 82.5 percent, 0.1 points above June 2008. During the month, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on-time arrival rate of 80.5 percent and a mainline segment completion factor of 99.8 percent.

In June 2009, Continental flew 8.1 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 9.5 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a consolidated traffic decrease of 6.5 percent and a capacity decrease of 7.8 percent as compared to June 2008. In June 2009, Continental flew 7.2 billion mainline RPMs and 8.5 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic decrease of 6.3 percent and a mainline capacity decrease of 7.5 percent as compared to June 2008. Domestic mainline traffic was 3.7 billion RPMs in June 2009, down 6.5 percent from June 2008, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.2 billion ASMs, down 8.8 percent from June 2008.

For June 2009, both consolidated and mainline passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) are estimated to have decreased between 19.5 and 20.5 percent compared to June 2008. For May 2009, consolidated passenger RASM decreased 19.9 percent compared to May 2008, while mainline passenger RASM decreased 19.1 percent compared to May 2008.

Continental ended the second quarter 2009 with an unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balance of approximately $2.77 billion.

Continental's regional operations had a June load factor of 81.5 percent, 1.8 points above the June 2008 regional load factor. Regional RPMs were 846.5 million and regional ASMs were 1,038.8 million in June 2009, resulting in a traffic decrease of 8.2 percent and a capacity decrease of 10.3 percent versus June 2008.

Continental Airlines Receives High Marks In Annual J.D. Power and Associates Study

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:55:18 -0500

HOUSTON, July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that it received the highest possible "Power Circle Rating" on the annual J.D. Power and Associates 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Study. This achievement indicates that consumers rate Continental "among the best" of all airlines in the study.

Continental was one of only three airlines, out of a total of 13 in the study, to receive the top rating of 5 Power Circles. Continental ranked higher than any other carrier in several categories measured, including Inflight Service Experience. Additionally, for the fourth consecutive year, Continental was the highest-ranked major global network carrier on the study.

"This achievement underscores the consistent hard work and superior service that my more than 43,000 co-workers provide to our customers every day," said Jim Compton , Continental's executive vice president of marketing. "Despite the difficult industry environment, we remain committed to our corporate culture of teamwork, listening to our customers, and investing in our product."

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,750 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 132 international destinations. More than 750 additional points are served via current alliance partners. With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 67 million passengers per year.

SOURCE
Continental Airlines

Continental Pilots Send Message at Continental Stockholders Meeting

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:42:12 -0500

June 10, 2009 HOUSTON, TEXAS—The Continental Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), conducted informational picketing today at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Houston, site of the Continental Airlines annual stockholders meeting. Capt. Jay Pierce, chairman of the ALPA chapter for the Continental pilots, led the 260 pilots in attendance into the stockholder meeting, where he addressed management, Continental’s Board of Directors and stockholders.

In Capt. Pierce’s statement, he said in part, “Continental Airlines has gained a reputation as a leader in the industry and a leader in its treatment of employees. I come before you with one simple demand: show us that you are willing to be a leader when it comes to dealing with your pilots. One year ago, we made it clear that we expected you to develop a business plan that fully recognized and addressed the concessions we have endured, the purchasing power we have lost and the uncertainties we have faced.

“Five years ago when you came to us insisting that our very survival as an airline depended on concessions, we completed a deal in a matter of months. From that point on, we have suffered through massive concessions and givebacks of over $200M per year, plus all of the problems that a rushed contract has brought. Just as we focused then on the efforts needed to help save Continental, it is now time for you to focus the same energy and resources toward negotiating a return on our investment.

“The deadline to reach an on time contract came and went with the passing of our amendable date 161 days ago. Even though you have been willing to meet with us regularly, our proposed changes so far have been met with numerous and time-consuming counter-proposals. This has resulted in tentative agreements for only nine of the more than 30 sections of our contract and has delayed discussion of the economic sections. Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to state: the loan is not just due, but past due – by 161 days and counting.”

Capt. Pierce also emphasized the core areas of the contract that must be addressed in the pilots’ contract: compensation, retirement, work rules and scheduling, and job security.

The purpose of the pilots’ presence at the stockholders meeting and the informational picketing was to remind Continental management that the sacrifices made by the Continental pilots in their last contract, in which they agreed to annual concessions of over $200M, is a “loan” that is due. The contract became amendable on Dec. 31, 2008. At the date of the stockholders meeting, June 10, the pilots’ contract was 161 days past the amendable date.

The Continental pilots and Continental management entered early negotiations in July 2007. Legal notice to enter formal negotiations under Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act was given by the union to Continental Airlines on April 7, 2008. The parties have completed tentative agreements on nine sections of the contract, each of which was relatively minor, but was preceded by multiple counter-proposals from the Company that required considerable time to reach agreement. Dozens more sections remain untouched, including prime issues such as pay, work rules, benefits and retirement.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union representing nearly 54,000 *censored*pit crewmembers at 36 airlines in the U.S. and Canada, including the 5000 Continental pilots. For more information, visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

Source - ALPA

Continental Airlines Voted Best Domestic Airline by TravelAge West Readers

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:32:55 -0500

HOUSTON, June 9 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that it was voted "Best Domestic Airline" by the readers of TravelAge West, an industry magazine for travel agents. The TravelAge West Reader's Choice WAVE (Western Agent's Voice of Excellence) award was voted on by travel agents in the western United States.

"We are very proud of the entire Continental team and the great product and company culture as recognized by the travel agencies who voted us No. 1," said North America Sales Staff VP Monisa Cline. "We continue to invest in our product through expanded inflight entertainment options, and are focused on the fundamentals of clean, safe and reliable air transportation."

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,750 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 132 international destinations. More than 750 additional points are served via current alliance partners. With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 67 million passengers per year.

SOURCE
Continental Airlines