This United A320 was recently painted into the new colors of the merging carriers. Photo: Bernie Conaway - OPShots Contributor
Pilots at United Airlines lost on Thursday in their bid to postpone the integration of flight operations with Continental Airlines, an essential step to completing the 2010 merger of the two carriers.
U.S. District Judge Sterling Johnson denied the request by the Air Line Pilots Association ALPA.L, the union representing United’s pilots. Johnson said ALPA had failed to prove its claim that implementation of revised flight operation procedures on Friday would pose safety hazards.
The pilots’ argument that the training shortfall would endanger the public was “too speculative” to justify pushing back the deadline, Johnson said in an eight-page ruling.
United bought Continental last year in a $3.17 billion all-stock deal to form United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL.N), the world’s largest airline company. The two airlines continue to operate separately while they integrate operations.
