Once Woke, United Airlines Congratulates Trump On “Historic Victory” – View from the Wing

United Airlines supported affirmative action in California, adopted speech codes; committed to choosing board members on the basis of race; and encouraged the use of pronouns by employees. They’re making big bets on biofuels and electric planes. And they imposed vaccine mandates on employees during the pandemic, before the Biden administration attempted to do so. The airline’s narrative is crafted by President Obama’s press secretary, Josh Earnest.

Despite all of this, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby wrote a letter to once and future President Trump, as reported by Live and Let’s Fly. The upshot is, ‘I went to the Air Force Academy [so forget all that woke stuff], I like economic growth [if I do well, you do well], and air traffic control needs more money’.

Scott Kirby’s letter begins, “On behalf of United Airlines, I extend my congratulations to you on your historic victory.” And it concludes, “I look forward to working with you and your team.”

November 6, 2024

President Donald Trump & Vice President-elect JD VanceOffice of the Presidential Transition1100 S Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480

Dear President Trump and Vice President-elect Vance:

On behalf of United Airlines, I extend my congratulations to you on your historic victory. I wish you and your incoming Administration success in addressing our nation’s vital needs.

Over the course of the campaign, you have expressed optimism towards the next chapter of our American story. We could not agree more. United is a proud American company. As the largest airline in the world, we fly to all corners of the globe and represent the United States everywhere we fly. Our dynamic workforce of over 100,000 is made up of people from all 50 states and all walks of life. We provide lasting careers with industry leading wages and benefits for people and families across the economic spectrum. Our extensive network is not just good for United and our customers – our presence brings new economic growth and career opportunities to communities large and small, all across America.

United’s optimism for the future is reflected in our continued investments in the American economy and infrastructure. Since 2021, we have invested more than $32 billion back into our business, including the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history. And more is on the way. We are creating the biggest, best and most innovative airline ever, and as such, a powerful engine of economic growth and job creation across the U.S. economy. I look forward to participating in this journey with you and your Administration.

As your focus turns to policies and personnel, I ask you to consider the role the federal government plays in realizing this vision for economic growth. For example, urgent improvements to the nation’s air traffic control infrastructure (including investments in people, facilities and technology) are central to enabling, instead of hindering, economic growth and customer service delivery. We at United stand ready to help you and your team achieve this success.

In closing, I was inspired by the promise of America’s greatness after spending time recently with the cadets at my alma mater, the United States Air Force Academy. For me, these brave young men and women serve as a living example that the United States is the greatest country in history. With that front of mind, I look forward to working with you and your team.

Sincerely,

Scott

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby

This is a good reminder that airlines are one of the most heavily regulated businesses in the country, despite ostensibly having been deregulated. All deregulation really meant is that the government stopped telling airlines where to fly and how much to charge, and that regulation of airlines became primarily the province of the federal government. Airline futures are very much influenced by the whims of the executive.

So Captain Renault said to Major Strasser in Casablanca, “I have no conviction, if that’s what you mean. I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy.”

During the pandemic, the Trump administration funneled tremendous subsidies to airlines. The Biden administration’s infrastructure bill poured resources into airports. And the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization increased subsidies for air service to small communities – a program that was supposed to be temporary with the passage of deregulation, sunsetting in 1988.

At the end of Casablanca, Bogart joins the fight against the Nazis, teaming up with Victor Laszlo, and Claude Rains’s Renault advises him to get out of town, “There’s a Free-French garrison over at Brotherville. I could be induced to arrange a passage.” Renault finally stakes out his position, joining Rick in the fight. And Bogart’s Rick ends the movie famously, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

In the airline industry, CEO Louis Renault sticks with blowing in the wind. That flight out of Casablanca to Lisbon with Laszlo and Ilsa Lund on board, by the way, was on Air France. It turns out that the French carrier moved its operation to Casablanca during the war when the Germans marched in. So this wasn’t always so.