leadership
letter
14
DECEMBER2015
•
HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
BRETTHART
ActingCEO,
UnitedAirlines
AMESSAGEFROMBRETTHART
Holiday
gatheringswith
friends and
family, great
food, gifts, and
traditions are
thingsmanyof us look forward to
this timeof year. For otherswho
maybe less fortunate, this can
be adifficult time, and I’mproud
toworkwith somany employees
that help tomake theholiday
season a littlebrighter for those
inneed.
Giving back to the communities
where our customers and
employees live andwork is an
important part ofwhowe are
at United, and thismonth,
we kick off an annual and
belovedUnited tradition called
Fantasy Flights.
We’ll host Fantasy Flights at
11 airports across our system
this December, and it’s truly a
magical day for children and
their families. To tell youmore
about these events, I’ve asked
threeUnited employees and long-
time Fantasy Flight volunteer
leaders at our ChicagoO’Hare
(ORD) hub—Jeff Brick, PegBucaro,
and FinolaWagner—to share a
few thoughts.
I, alongwith our entire
United family, would like to
wishyou andyour family
a veryhappy andhealthy
holiday season and safe travels
throughout the year.
’Tis theSeason
WELCOME ABOARD
“A
t several of our airports each year, United flies
deserving children—many of whom are battling
life-threatening, chronic, and terminal illnesses—
and their families on a one-of-a-kind trip to the ‘North
Pole.’After a quick flight, the plane returns to a different
gate, where our special passengers experience a magical
wonderland full of gifts, food, and entertainment, thanks
to our ‘Santa’sVillage’ of employee and retiree volunteers.
At our ORD hub and other participating airports,
volunteers work year-round to raise money for gifts and
fuel, bake cookies and prepare food, decorate gate rooms
and hangars, and don holiday costumes—all to host these
Fantasy Flight events for children in need.”
—Jeff Brick,
Ramp Service Lead
“For many of these children, it is the first time they have
been in an airport, let alone an airplane.We can all identify
someone who is going through a difficult time—someone
with a child battling an illness or struggling financially—
and being able to volunteer and touch people’s lives in a
positive way, even for one day, is an honor.”
—Peg Bucaro,
Global Services Customer ServiceRepresentative
“Our customers often seewhat we are doing and askhow
they can help.The positivity and excitement is contagious,
andweareproud tobepart of a company that supports sucha
heartwarming and impor-
tant event.We’re looking
forward to our next 12
years together planning,
participating, and watch-
ing all involved enjoy
an unforgettable day.”
—FinolaWagner,Customer
ServiceRepresentative
SEASON’SGREETINGS
From left: ORDemployees
andFantasyFlight volunteers
PegBucaro, JeffBrick, and
FinolaWagner
Bringingthe
FantasytoLife
We’re excited to be celebrating the 30th
anniversary of the ORD Fantasy Flight event
and our 12th year together as a team
