Program Guide

Last published: June 8, 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Introduction to AviateSM ...................................................................................... 2

Chapter 2: Aviate Eligibility Requirements .......................................................................... 5

Chapter 3: Application Process ............................................................................................ 8

Chapter 4: Aviate Compliance..............................................................................................13

Chapter 5: Transitioning to United ......................................................................................16

Chapter 6: Program Disclaimers ..........................................................................................25

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 Chapter 1:
Introduction to AviateSM

A. AviateSM Background

AviateSM is United Airlines, Inc.’s pilot career development program offering both aspiring flight
students and commercial pilots a defined career path to United as a First Officer. United’s goal
is to attract outstanding people who want to join the very best team of pilots in the aviation
industry. United understands that, in order to do this, Aviate must be flexible enough to
accommodate individuals at every stage of their training and development.

Through its network of participating universities, professional flight training organizations, Part
135 operators, and United Express carriers, United is able to offer Candidates1 multiple points of
entry into Aviate. Candidates who apply and are selected to join Aviate will benefit from a career
path that is tailored to their current experience level, enabling them to build flight hours and
develop as leaders in preparation for a potential position with United as a First Officer.

United’s success depends upon its ability to attract and retain talented pilots to operate its aircraft
and ensure that its passengers are delivered safely and reliably to the destinations served by
United and United Express. At the same time, United understands that the costs associated with
becoming a pilot are significant. Aviate is designed to ease some of the uncertainty faced by flight
students and aspiring airline pilots by providing a path to potential employment with United, and
clear direction on the qualifications and milestones that must be achieved in order to advance
down this path.

B. Joining Aviate

Flight students and commercial pilots who wish to apply to Aviate have multiple available entry
points into the program. Each entry point has specific eligibility criteria, characteristics, and
requirements that are determined primarily by the Candidate’s experience level and current
certifications. As a result, not all entry points are available to, or appropriate for, all Candidates.
Therefore, it is important that Candidates understand which is best for their respective career
progression.

1. University Entry Point. Candidates who hold a Private Pilot Certificate and are
currently pursuing, or have obtained, a bachelor’s degree from a participating four-year
university that will make, or makes, such Candidates eligible for an R-ATP certificate are
eligible to apply to Aviate through the University Entry Point.

1For purposes of this Program Guide, “Candidate” means an individual that has submitted an application
and is in the screening or selection process for Aviate.

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 2. Professional Flight Training Entry Point. Candidates who hold a Private Pilot
Certificate and are currently pursuing, or have obtained, their commercial pilot certification
and ratings at, or from, a participating professional flight training organization, including,
but not limited to, the United Aviate Academy (United’s wholly-owned flight school), are
eligible to apply to Aviate through the Professional Flight Training Entry Point.

3. Experience-Build Entry Point. Candidates who are building hours towards an ATP or
R-ATP by serving as a CFI at a participating university, participating professional flight
training organization, or serving as a commercial pilot at a participating Part 135 operator
are eligible to apply to Aviate through the Experience-Build Entry Point.

4. UAX Entry Point. Candidates who are currently employed as a pilot at a participating
United Express carrier are eligible to join Aviate through the UAX Entry Point.

5. United Aviate Family Programs Entry Point. Candidates who have one of the following
connections with United may be eligible to apply to Aviate through one of the United Aviate
Family Programs (“Family Programs”): (a) an active or furloughed United employee; (b) a
dependent of an active, furloughed, or retired United employee; or (c) a former United
Flight Operations Professional Pilot Intern that successfully completed such internship
with United. Candidates who have one of the above connections with United should
review the information at https://unitedaviate.com/aviate-program-career-paths/united-
employee-dependent-intern for more details.

Detailed information regarding the University Entry Point, the Professional Flight Training Entry
Point, the Experience-Build Entry Point, and the UAX Entry Point, including information regarding
eligibility criteria and transition requirements can be found in the following chapters of this
Program Guide. A list of participating universities, professional flight training organizations, Part
135 operators, United Express carriers, and Family Programs can be found on the Aviate website
located at unitedaviate.com. United makes changes to the network of participating institutions
that are within the Aviate ecosystem over time, so check the Aviate website for the latest
information to confirm your university, professional flight training organization, Part 135 operator,
or United Express carrier’s participation.

C. Qualifying for a First Officer Position at United Through Aviate

Once in Aviate, Participants2 are expected to pursue any certifications and ratings necessary to
serve as a professional pilot, accrue the hours necessary to obtain an ATP or R-ATP, and
ultimately obtain employment (1) as a pilot with a participating United Express carrier, (2) as a
pilot with a participating Part 135 operator, or (3) with United in a Fleet Technical Instructor (“FTI”)
role. Each of these employment paths will enable Participants to transition to United through

2 For purposes of this Program Guide, “Participant” means an individual that has been accepted into and
joined Aviate by signing the Aviate Participant Agreement.

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Aviate. Detailed information regarding requirements for transitioning to United can be found in
Chapter 5 of this Program Guide.

D. Other Aviate Benefits

As part of Aviate, Participants may also be eligible to receive additional privileges offered by
United. The availability of these privileges and any conditions that must be complied with by the
Participant in order to receive, utilize, and retain these privileges will be subject to United’s
separate policies pertaining to such privileges. Information about such additional privileges may
be found at unitedaviate.com.

UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED HEREIN, ANY PRIVILEGES CONFERRED UPON A

PARTICIPANT BY UNITED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH PARTICIPANT’S STATUS WITHIN
AVIATE SHALL BE ENTIRELY AT UNITED’S DISCRETION, AND MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT
ANY TIME.

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 Chapter 2:
Aviate Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in Aviate, all Candidates must satisfy the general Aviate requirements,
as well as the specific requirements applicable to the Candidate’s entry point into Aviate.

A. General Requirements

Candidates must satisfy all of the following requirements in order to be eligible to apply to Aviate
through any entry point:

1. hold a Private Pilot Certificate;

2. hold a valid FAA medical certificate that was originally issued as a first- or
second-class medical certificate3;

3. have a high school diploma or GED equivalent; and

4. not have exceeded the maximum number of Attempts (as defined in Chapter 3) to
apply to Aviate, a prior pilot carrier path program (each, a “CPP”), or United as set forth in
Chapter 3.

B. Entry Point-Specific Requirements

In addition to the general requirements set forth above, Candidates for Aviate must meet the
following entry point-specific requirements:

1. University Entry Point. Candidates applying to Aviate through the University Entry
Point must:

a. be either (i) a current student at a participating university, pursuing an aviation

degree that will result in eligibility for an R-ATP certificate and having completed
at least two semesters of coursework (three semesters if on a trimester schedule),
or (ii) a graduate of a participating university, holding an aviation degree that
makes such graduate eligible for an R-ATP certificate;

b. in the case of current students, be in good standing with their participating

university;

3Provided their medical certificate is currently valid, Participants are not required to be able to exercise the
privileges of a first- or second-class medical certificate at time of application (i.e., a valid second-class
medical certificate that has lapsed to third-class privileges is acceptable for this purpose).

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 c. have no documented violations of their applicable university’s student code of
conduct (or equivalent policy), or have been the subject of any disciplinary actions;
and

d. have no more than four Primary Training Failures4.

2. Professional Flight Training Entry Point. Candidates applying through the Professional
Flight Training Entry Point must:

a. be receiving flight training at a participating professional flight training

organization, or have earned a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument
rating from a participating professional flight training organization;

b. in the case of current students, be in good standing with their participating

professional flight training organization;

c. have no documented violations of their applicable professional flight training

organization’s student code of conduct (or equivalent policy), or have been the
subject of any disciplinary actions; and

d. have no more than four Primary Training Failures.

3. Experience-Build Entry Point. Candidates applying through the Experience-Build

Entry Point must:

a. be either: (i) currently employed as a CFI at a participating university or

participating professional flight training organization or as a commercial pilot at a
participating Part 135 operator; or (ii) have accepted an employment offer as a CFI
at a participating university or participating professional flight training organization
or as a commercial pilot at a participating Part 135 operator with a verifiable
employment start date that is no later than 180 days after the date of applying to
Aviate (i.e., the date a Candidate submits their application);

b. be in good standing with their participating university or participating

professional flight training organization or participating Part 135 operator, as
applicable; and

4 For purposes of this Program Guide, a “Primary Training Failure” is defined as a failure of any check ride
conducted under Part 61 or Part 141 operations by, or on behalf of, the FAA that, if successful, would result
in the issuance of a private, instrument, commercial, multi engine or CFI certificate/ratings.

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 c. have met acceptable performance standards, as determined by United in its
sole discretion, which may include consideration of a Candidate’s training,
dependability, and disciplinary records.

4. UAX Entry Point. Candidates applying through the UAX Entry Point must:

a. be currently employed as a pilot at a participating United Express carrier;

b. be in good standing with the participating United Express carrier; and

c. have met acceptable performance standards, as determined by United in its

sole discretion, which may include consideration of a Candidate’s training,
dependability, and disciplinary records.

Any Participant that joins Aviate through the UAX Entry Point must transition to United
through the United Express Carrier Transition Point (see Section B of Chapter 5) or the
Legacy United Express Carrier Transition Point (see Section C of Chapter 5), and such
Participants will not be eligible to transition to United through any other Transition Point.

5. United Aviate Family Programs Entry Point. Candidates who have one of the following
connections with United: (i) an active or furloughed United employee, in each case, with
at least two years of service with United; (ii) a dependent of an active, furloughed, or retired
United employee; or (iii) a former United Flight Operations Professional Pilot Intern that
successfully completed such internship with United may be eligible to apply through one
of the Family Programs:

a. United Aviate Employee Program: https://ft.ual.com/Employee-

Services/CareerOpportunities/availableOpportunities/united-aviate-employee-
program;

b. United Aviate Dependent Program: https://ft.ual.com/employee-

services/careeropportunities/availableopportunities/united-aviate-employee-
program/dependent; or

c. United Aviate Intern Program: https://unitedaviate.com/aviate-program-career-

paths/united-employee-dependent-intern.

More information on the United Aviate Family Programs can be found on the Aviate
website located at unitedaviate.com.

For questions regarding the eligibility criteria set forth in this Chapter 2, please contact Aviate’s
pilot hiring support at [email protected].

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 Chapter 3:
Application Process
A. University Entry Point, Professional Flight Training Entry Point, Experience-Build Entry
Point and United Aviate Family Programs Entry Point

1. Application. Candidates who desire to join Aviate through the University Entry Point,
the Professional Flight Training Entry Point, the Experience-Build Entry Point, or the
United Aviate Family Programs Entry Point are required to submit an application to Aviate.
Candidates may apply to Aviate at any time, provided they meet the eligibility requirements
set forth in Chapter 2, subject to the rules for multiple applications set forth in this
Chapter 3.

A Candidate may submit an application to join Aviate by visiting https://united.com/pilots.

United will also provide any additional information regarding the remainder of the
application process.

2. Initial Screening. Following submission of an application, United will conduct an initial

screening of the application. This initial screening will be solely focused on the merits of
the application and will not involve any direct contact with the Candidates themselves.
Candidates that do not pass the initial screening will be notified by email.

3. The “Leadership Inventory” and “Becoming United” Assessments. Candidates who

pass the initial screening will be invited via email to take the “Leadership Inventory” and
“Becoming United” assessments. These will be completed remotely, online.

The “Leadership Inventory” is a computer-based, pre-hire assessment to help determine

a Candidate’s suitability for eventual employment with United. “Becoming United” is a pre-
hire assessment used to determine a Candidate’s fit with United’s values, service culture,
and the core4 qualities: Safe, Caring, Dependable, and Efficient.

4. Panel Interview and Technical Assessment. Candidates who complete the

“Leadership Inventory” and “Becoming United” assessments will be invited via email to
interview with United either remotely or at United’s Flight Training Center in Denver,
Colorado (or other location specified by United), except as otherwise provided below in
this section. Candidates must complete the interview within 180 days after receiving the
initial invitation to interview with United. Candidates may receive multiple invitations to
interview, subject to the limitations set forth in this Chapter 3; however, the 180-day
deadline for completing the interview begins once the first invitation is received.

For Candidates interviewing in person, United will provide round-trip, positive space travel
for the Candidates to United’s Flight Training Center in Denver, Colorado (or any other

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 location specified by United). Candidates will be responsible for all other travel expenses,
including lodging and meals.

Each Candidate’s interview will consist of a panel interview and a technical assessment.
The panel interview consists of behavior-based questions and a technical assessment is
used to determine whether the Candidate has the foundational knowledge required to be
successful as a pilot at United. The technical assessment is calibrated for the Candidate’s
entry point and expected level of knowledge.

Candidates who do not complete their panel interview within 180 days after the date of
receiving United’s initial invitation to interview will be removed from the selection process.
Such Candidates will be required to provide their rationale via [email protected] for not
having completed an interview within such time period, and request approval to reinstate
eligibility.

Candidates who apply to the United Aviate Academy and who do not hold a Private Pilot
Certificate prior to enrollment will participate in a panel interview, which consists of
behavior-based questions, during the United Aviate Academy admissions process. The
technical assessment will consist of the United Aviate Academy leadership team
monitoring a Candidate’s performance during such Candidate’s training at the United
Aviate Academy. Candidates who earn their Private Pilot Certificate at the United Aviate
Academy will be submitted to United’s Acceptance Board of Review in accordance with
Section A.5 of this Chapter 3.

5. Acceptance Board of Review. Once a Candidate completes the panel interview and
online assessments discussed above, the Candidate’s entire application portfolio will be
submitted to United’s Acceptance Board of Review for the final decision. In the case of
Candidates who earn their Private Pilot Certificate while at the United Aviate Academy,
the portfolio will include a performance evaluation from the United Aviate Academy
leadership team. If the United Acceptance Board of Review approves the Candidate,
United will extend an offer to join Aviate to the Candidate by phone or email.

B. UAX Entry Point

Candidates who desire to join Aviate through the UAX Entry Point must first obtain employment
as a pilot with a participating United Express carrier, through such carrier’s application and hiring
processes. Upon hiring of such Candidate by the applicable United Express carrier, the
Candidate may elect to join Aviate by simply opting in during their onboarding process at such
United Express carrier or at any time thereafter. To opt in, a Candidate must submit a request to
join Aviate by visiting https://united.com/pilots. Once approved, United will extend an offer to join
Aviate to the Candidate via phone or email.

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C. Consent to Records Release

By submitting an application, each Candidate consents to (i) United’s receipt of and access to any
of the Candidate’s records that may be necessary or appropriate to verify such Candidate’s
enrollment or employment status, or training, dependability, and discipline at the applicable
participating university, professional flight training organization, Part 135 operator, or United
Express carrier, (ii) the disclosure of such information by such participating institution(s), and (iii)
United’s disclosure of the Candidate’s name, email, address, and other personally identifiable
information to such participating institution(s) in connection with the verification of such
Candidate’s information. Upon United’s request, Candidates will be required to sign the release
described below.

D. Participation Agreement and Verification of Eligibility

1. The Participant Agreement and Required Records. Once a Candidate has received
an offer from United to join Aviate, then, if such Candidate wishes to proceed to enrollment,
such Candidate will be required to execute an Aviate Participant Agreement, which may
include execution of a records release, as described below.

2. Verification of Initial Eligibility to Join Aviate. Candidates who apply to Aviate through
the University Entry Point or the Professional Flight Training Entry Point will be required
to submit any additional documentation that is necessary to verify such Candidates’
enrollment status at their respective participating university or professional flight training
organization, as applicable. United will inform Candidates of the verification procedure
and documentation that will be required.

Candidates who apply to Aviate through the Experience-Build Entry Point or the UAX Entry
Point will be required to sign a release permitting the applicable participating university,
professional flight training organization, Part 135 operator, or United Express carrier to
provide United: (a) the respective Candidate’s training, dependability and disciplinary
records; and (b) verification of such Candidate’s employment through their participating
university’s, professional flight training organization’s, Part 135 operator’s, or United
Express carrier’s human resources or operations department, as applicable. United will
inform Candidates of the verification procedure and documentation that will be required.

If a Candidate does not provide documentation or verification satisfactory to United, as

determined by United in its sole discretion, such Candidate may be denied admission to
or be removed from Aviate.

***See Chapter 4 for additional details pertaining to additional documentation that may be
required as Participants progress through Aviate.

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E. Candidates Who Do Not Receive an Offer to Join Aviate

If at any point in the above process, a Candidate does not meet United’s selection criteria or fails
to follow United’s application guidelines, United will notify such Candidate by email of their
removal from the Aviate selection process.

Removal from the selection process for failure to meet United’s screening criteria or follow the
application process requirements will not be considered an unsuccessful Attempt for purposes of
this Chapter 3.

F. Candidates Who Decline an Offer to Join Aviate

Candidates who receive but decline an offer to join Aviate (either expressly or by failure to accept
such offer and comply with the acceptance conditions set forth herein) will not be eligible to join
Aviate in the future. This rule applies regardless of the Candidate’s entry point (e.g., if a Candidate
is accepted into the Experience-Build Entry Point and declines the offer, such Candidate will not
be eligible to elect to join Aviate through the UAX Entry Point). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Candidates at a participating United Express carrier who have not previously declined an offer to
join Aviate, may elect to join Aviate any time during their employment with such United Express
carrier or choose to apply to United via the traditional pilot hiring process even if such Candidates
did not initially elect to join Aviate when first hired by such United Express carrier.

G. Applying to Aviate if the Candidate Has Previously Applied

A Candidate will only be permitted two Attempts (as defined below) to join United as a pilot,
whether through Aviate, a prior CPP, and/or United’s traditional pilot hiring process, subject to the
following:

1. Candidates5 who have previously Attempted to join Aviate through the University Entry
Point, Professional Flight Training Entry Point, Experience-Build Entry Point, or United
Aviate Family Programs Entry Point but were unsuccessful in their first Attempt remain
eligible to:

a. apply to Aviate for their second Attempt through the University Entry Point,
Professional Flight Training Entry Point, Experience-Build Entry Point, or United
Aviate Family Programs Entry Point, provided that such Candidates wait at least
12 calendar months after their first failed Attempt;

5This Section G.1 applies to Candidates who had not completed their initial operating experience (IOE) at
a Part 121 carrier prior to Attempting to join Aviate and completed a Technical Readiness Review (TRR)
during their interview process but were unsuccessful in their first Attempt.

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 b. obtain employment as a pilot at a participating United Express carrier and opt
in to Aviate through the UAX Entry Point; or

c. apply to United through United’s traditional pilot hiring process, provided that
such Candidates wait at least 12 calendar months after their first failed Attempt;
and

2. Candidates6 who have previously Attempted to join Aviate through the UAX Entry
Point, a prior CPP, or United through United’s traditional pilot hiring process but were
unsuccessful in their first Attempt are not eligible to apply, or opt in, to Aviate but remain
eligible to apply to United through United’s traditional pilot hiring process, provided that
such Candidates wait at least 12 calendar months after their first failed Attempt.

“Attempt” or “Attempted” means completing an interview, or scheduling an interview but failing

to appear for such interview, for Aviate, any prior CPP, or United through United’s traditional pilot
hiring process. Completing the “Leadership Inventory” alone will not be considered an Attempt.

H. Applying Through the United Traditional Pilot Hiring Process as an Aviate Participant

Participants in Aviate are allowed to apply to United through the traditional pilot hiring process,
provided that such Participants will be required to withdraw from Aviate in the event they are
selected for and schedule a traditional interview with United. See Chapter 5 for additional
information.

6
This Section G.2 applies to Candidates who had completed their initial operating experience (IOE) at a
Part 121 carrier prior to Attempting to join Aviate and completed a Technical Skills Assessment (TSA) during
their interview process but were unsuccessful in their first Attempt.

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 Chapter 4:
Aviate Compliance
A. General Performance Standards

Participants of Aviate are expected to maintain high standards of performance while in the
program. Performance measurements will be based on a Participant’s five years of service
immediately prior to transitioning to United, or such shorter period of service as United may
determine in its sole discretion, and will be inclusive of the following six general criteria:

1. Training. Participants are expected to maintain an acceptable training level with no

more than one failure of any Certificated Regulatory Check Ride7. However, without
limiting the discretion of the Transition Board of Review (see Chapter 5), training failures
incurred during captain upgrade training will not count toward a Participant’s quantity of
Certificated Regulatory Check Ride failures. United will make the final determination
whether a Participant’s training history is satisfactory to United.

2. Discipline. Participants are expected to maintain a disciplinary record acceptable to

United. United will evaluate each Participant’s disciplinary actions while at a participating
university, professional flight training organization, Part 135 operator, and/or United
Express carrier and determine, in its sole discretion, how such actions may or may not
affect such Participant’s standing in Aviate.

3. Dependability. Participants are expected to maintain the same dependability

standards as United’s own pilots, meaning no documented and unexcused occurrences
of any of the following, unless such occurrences are considered Approved Leave8:

a. sick call over a company-recognized holiday9;

b. failure to operate an assigned flight or event without notice;

c. notification of sick leave less than two hours prior to a scheduled event;

d. sick call impacting an assigned training event;

7For purposes of this Program Guide, a “Certificated Regulatory Check Ride” is defined as any check ride
conducted under Part 121 or Part 135 operations by, or on behalf of, the FAA.
8For purposes of this Section A, “Approved Leave” shall mean leaves of absence covered by the Family
and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or other legally protected leaves of absence.
9 For purposes of this Section A, a “company-recognized holiday” shall mean any holiday defined in the
pilot contract or any applicable company policy of a Participant’s then-current employer.

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 e. failure of the Participant to be contactable when required;

f. sick call prior to, or following, a scheduled vacation; and

g. greater than four absences in a rolling 12-month period.10

4. Active Pursuit of Requirements. Participants are expected at all times to actively

pursue the achievement of the requirements necessary to transition to United as set forth
in Chapter 5, except in the case of Approved Leave.

5. Regular Reporting. Participants are expected to provide updated records as required

by United, including without limitation, the ongoing reporting requirements set forth in
Section C of this Chapter 4.

6. Coaching & Development Program. Participants are expected to participate in the

Aviate coaching and development program as required by United.

Upon acceptance into Aviate, Participants will be provided a mechanism for submitting to United
mitigating inputs or details for any actions taken by a participating university, professional flight
training organization, Part 135 operator, and/or United Express carrier relating to the foregoing
criteria.

B. University Entry Point and Professional Flight Training Entry Point Performance
Standards

In addition to the general performance requirements set forth in this Chapter 4, Participants who
joined Aviate through the University Entry Point or Professional Flight Training Entry Point are
expected to complete the following requirements:

1. obtain a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating from a participating

university or professional flight training organization;

2. remain in good standing with their participating university or professional flight training
organization, as applicable; and

3. have no documented violations of their applicable university or professional flights

training organization’s student code of conduct (or equivalent policy) or have been the
subject of any disciplinary actions.

After the requirements set forth in this Section B are satisfied, Participants may obtain flight
experience at the place of their choosing, however, Participants are ultimately expected to pursue

10For purposes of this Section A, if a Participant is absent from an assigned flight with multiple legs, the
entire assigned flight will count as one absence, instead of an absence per leg of the assigned flight.

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employment with (a) a participating United Express carrier, (b) a participating Part 135 operator,
or (c) United as a FTI in order to meet the requirements outlined in Chapter 5 to transition to
United as a First Officer.

C. Ongoing Records Reporting Requirements

Participants shall provide any records requested by United, including any documentation
necessary to verify their employment status, training, performance, dependability, and discipline
at their participating institution(s).

Upon joining Aviate, Participants will be given access to the My Aviate mobile application
(“My Aviate”), or such other application or mechanism designated by United. Within My Aviate,
Participants shall:

1. no less than monthly (report by the 15th of each calendar month for the prior calendar
month), log all flight hours, including any applicable flight hour credits (see Chapter 5),
and update their total flight hours to date (i.e., January monthly flight hours must be logged
by February 15th); and

2. within 30 days after any change to the information found in the “Profile” section(s) on
My Aviate, update such information to reflect the applicable change (e.g., a change to
current address).

Participants who do not provide complete, accurate and updated information in My Aviate, or such
other application or mechanism designated by United, as applicable, may be removed from Aviate
as determined by United in its sole discretion.

D. Progression Reporting

Participants will be required to sign a release every time they change universities, flight schools,
and/or employers within the Aviate program (e.g., when a Participant who joined on the
Experience-Build Entry Point and was employed as a CFI for a professional flight training
organization transitions to a United Express carrier, such Participant will be required to sign a
release permitting such United Express carrier to release the Participant’s information to United);
provided, however, Participants who are attending a participating university and joined Aviate
through the University Entry Point or the Experience-Build Entry Point, may not be required to
sign a release until such Participants transition from their participating university to a participating
professional flight training organization, Part 135 operator, or United Express carrier.

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 Chapter 5:
Transitioning to United
Participants can transition to United as a First Officer from a position at a United Express carrier,
a Part 135 operator or from within United as a FTI (each, a “Transition Point”). The requirements
for each Transition Point are set forth below.

A. General Transition Requirements (for non-FTI Participants)

Participants transitioning to United through the “United Express Carrier Transition Point” (see
Section B of this Chapter 5), “Legacy United Express Carrier Transition Point” (see Section C of
this Chapter 5), or “Part 135 Operator Transition Point” (see Section D of this Chapter 5) must
satisfy all of the following requirements in order to be eligible to transition to United as a First
Officer:

1. Participants must Actively Perform Services11 as a Captain12 with the United Express
carrier or Part 135 Operator for 100 hours of flight time within the 12 months immediately
prior to applying for transition to United;

2. Participants must be in compliance with all performance standards set forth in

Chapter 4; and

3. Participants must meet all other United pilot hiring requirements as stated at the United
pilot career website at https://careers.united.com/us/en/first-officer, including without
limitation, proof of U.S. Citizenship or a valid work authorization for employment in the
U.S. and the then-current vaccine requirements.

If a Participant has met the minimum requirements to transition from a United Express carrier or
Part 135 operator to United, as set forth in this Chapter 5, the Participant must provide notice and
submit all supporting documentation to United within 60 months of meeting the minimum
requirements. Participants are required to remain in pilot positions at a United Express carrier or
Part 135 operator, as applicable, during this time unless otherwise approved by United and the
participating United Express carrier or Part 135 operator, as applicable.

11For purposes of this Program Guide, “Actively Perform Services” shall mean that the Participant, during
the relevant period, continuously maintains: (1) an appropriate class FAA medical certificate; (2)
qualification as a First Officer and/or Captain on a type of aircraft operated by the Participant’s United
Express carrier or Part 135 operator, as applicable; and (3) landing currency in the aircraft to which they
are assigned by the United Express carrier or Part 135 operator, as applicable (simulator currency does
not meet this requirement).
12Participants who transition under Section B in this Chapter 5 can count time flown as a First Officer
towards this requirement.

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B. United Express Carrier Transition Point Requirements

In addition to the general requirements set forth in Section A of this Chapter 5, Participants who
are employed as pilots with a participating United Express carrier must fly a minimum of 1,600
flight hours13 as a Captain14 with a United Express carrier after being accepted into Aviate, and
all such flight hours must be logged on or after March 1, 2023; provide that:

1. certain Participants may be eligible for the following flight hour credits, which may be
applied towards this minimum flight hours requirement:

a. Participants who (i) joined Aviate through the University Entry Point,
Professional Flight Training Entry Point, Experience-Build Entry Point, or United
Aviate Family Programs Entry Point and (ii) are in compliance with all performance
standards set forth in Chapter 4 will receive a 400-flight hour credit towards the
minimum flight hours requirement;

b. Participants who are qualified to operate as a Captain and who serve in a

non-flying instructor role are eligible for the following flight hour credits:

i. a 50% flight hour credit for each hour of non-simulator ground instruction
provided by such Participant up to a maximum credit of (A) 600 flight
hours for Participants that receive the 400-flight hour credit described in
Section B.1.a above or (B) 800 flight hours for Participants that do not
receive the 400-flight hour credit described in Section B.1.a above; and

ii. a 100% flight hour credit for each hour of service as a Line Check Pilot
(“LCP”) or simulator flight instruction provided by such Participant;

c. Participants who are qualified to operate as a Captain and who do not bid or
hold a line schedule due to holding (i) a full-time management position with a
United Express carrier or (ii) a full-time leadership position in a pilot union will
receive 70 flight hour credits for each calendar month, in addition to actual flight
hours flown, during which such Participant holds such management position with
a United Express carrier or leadership position in a pilot union, as applicable.
Partial calendar months will be pro-rated based on the number days such
Participant holds such position within such calendar month; and

13All references to “minimum flight hours” in this Chapter 5 exclude simulator time while a Participant is
receiving training.
14 If a Participant is downgraded from Captain to First Officer due to displacements caused by a reduction
in flight operations, and such Participant has completed their initial operating experience (IOE) as a Captain,
then flight hours flown as First Officer following such downgrade will be applied to this minimum flight hours
requirement.

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 d. Flight hours accrued by Participants during Active Duty Military Service15 may
be applied toward their minimum flight hours requirement for so long as: (i) the
flight hours were accrued during the Participant’s enrollment in Aviate; (ii) the flight
hours were accrued on a fixed-wing aircraft or rotorcraft; and (iii) the flight hours
the Participant desires to apply towards the applicable minimum flight hours
requirement do not exceed (A) 600 flight hours for Participants that receive the
400-flight hour credit described in Section B.1.a above or (B) 800 flight hours for
Participants that do not receive the 400-flight hour credit described in Section B.1.a
above; and

2. any Participants that intend to utilize flight hour credits, in accordance with Section B.1
of this Chapter 5, in order to satisfy their minimum transition requirements to United must
advise the Aviate program administrator at their participating United Express carrier and
provide all necessary documentation and records to enable such Aviate program
administrator to verify such Participant’s eligibility for the requested flight hour credits. Any
permitted flight hour credits will only apply to the extent that the relevant service was
performed after the Participant was accepted into Aviate.

C. Legacy United Express Carrier Transition Point Requirements

In addition to the general requirements set forth in Section A of this Chapter 5, Participants who
are employed as pilots with a participating United Express carrier (or a formerly participating
United Express carrier in accordance with the terms of Section G of this Chapter 5), with an
employment start date at such United Express carrier on or before February 28, 2023, are eligible
to transition to United as a First Officer if they meet the requirements of this Section C.16

Participants who were accepted in Aviate prior to March 1, 2023, and who had a verifiable
employment start date with a participating United Express carrier on or before June 30, 2023, will
be allowed to transition under the requirements in this Section C.

Participants who are eligible to transition under this Legacy United Express Carrier Transition
Point received, prior to March 1, 2023 (or will receive shortly after such date), an estimated
transition timeframe (“Transition Timeframe(s)”) from United. Transition Timeframes are a
projection of when such Participants will complete all requirements to transition to United.

To transition to United as a First Officer, Participants must meet the following requirements:

15For purposes of this Program Guide, “Active Duty Military Service” shall mean full-time duty status in the
active uniformed service of the United States, including while on military leave or during mobilization.
16Note, Participants that are eligible to transition pursuant to the requirements of Section B of this
Chapter 5, may elect to do so and are not required to comply with the transition requirements of this
Section C.

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1. Participants must meet one of the requirements set forth below:

a. Participant has a bachelor’s degree; or

b. Participant has flown a minimum of 1,000 flights hours while serving as a

Captain with a United Express carrier (such flight hours may be included in the
minimum flight hours set forth in Section C.2 below).

2. Participants must fly a minimum of 2,000 flight hours with a United Express carrier,
except as set forth below:

a. Participants who serve as a Captain will only be required to fly a minimum of

1,500 total flight hours with the applicable United Express carrier. If a Participant
is downgraded to First Officer, such Participant’s required minimum flight hours will
remain at 1,500, provided, that (i) such downgrade was due to displacements
caused by a reduction in flight operations and (ii) such Participant has completed
their initial operating experience (IOE) as a Captain.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participants who had less than 2,000 flight hours
with a United Express carrier as of March 1, 2023, are required to serve as a
Captain for a minimum of 500 flight hours. However, Participants who received a
Transition Timeframe with a 3-month window starting on or before February 2024
are exempt from this 500 minimum flight hours requirement as Captain.

b. Participants who are qualified to operate as a Captain and who serve in a

non-flying instructor role are eligible for the following flight hour credits:

i. a 50% flight hour credit for each hour of non-simulator ground

instruction provided by such Participant up to a maximum of 750 flight
hour credits; and

ii. a 100% flight hour credit for each hour of service as a LCP or simulator
flight instruction provided by such Participant.

c. Participants who are qualified to operate as a Captain and who do not bid or
hold a line schedule due to holding (i) a fulltime management position with a United
Express carrier or (ii) a full-time leadership position in a pilot union will receive 70
flight hour credits for each calendar month, in addition to actual flight hours flown,
during which such Participant holds such management position with a United
Express carrier or leadership position in a pilot union, as applicable. Partial
calendar months will be pro-rated based on the number days such Participant
holds such position within such calendar month.

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 d. Flight Hours accrued by Participants during Active Duty Military Service may
be applied towards the minimum flight hours requirement for so long as: (i) the
flight hours were accrued prior to or during the Participant’s enrollment in Aviate;
(ii) the Participant was employed by the participating United Express carrier to
which the flight hours requirement relates during such Active Duty Military Service;
(iii) the flight hours were accrued on a fixed-wing aircraft or rotorcraft; and (iv) the
flight hours the Participant desires to apply towards the applicable minimum flight
hours requirement do not exceed 750 flight hours.

Any Participants that intend to utilize flight hour credits, in accordance with this
Section C.2, in order to satisfy their minimum transition requirements to United must
advise the Aviate program administrator at their participating United Express carrier and
provide all necessary documentation and records to enable such Aviate program
administrator to verify such Participant’s eligibility for the requested flight hour credits. Any
permitted flight hour credits will only apply to the extent that the relevant service was
performed after the Participant was accepted into Aviate.

3. Participants must Actively Perform Services as a First Officer and/or Captain with the
Participant’s United Express carrier for at least 24 calendar months total after the
Participant’s date of hire; provided that:

a. if a Participant has been performing regularly scheduled duties with a

participating United Express carrier prior to acceptance into Aviate, then the
Participant can retroactively count their service with the participating United
Express carrier towards the satisfaction of the minimum time of service
requirement set forth in Section C.3 above; and

b. a Participant’s Active Duty Military Service time may be applied towards the
minimum time of service requirement set forth in Section C.3 above for so long as:
(i) the Active Duty Military Service time was accrued prior to or during the
Participant’s enrollment in Aviate; (ii) the Participant was employed by the
participating United Express carrier to which the time of service requirements
relate during such Active Duty Military Service; (iii) the flight hours were accrued
on a fixed-wing aircraft or rotorcraft; and (iv) the Active Duty Military Service time
the Participant desires to apply towards the applicable time of service requirement
does not exceed 50% of such time of service requirement.

D. Part 135 Operator Transition Point Requirements

In addition to the general requirements set forth in Section A of this Chapter 5, Participants who
are employed as pilots at a participating Part 135 operator must fly a minimum of 1,200 flight
hours as a Captain with a participating Part 135 operator after being accepted into Aviate;
provided that:

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 1. certain Participants may be eligible for the following flight hour credits, which may be
applied towards this minimum flight hours requirement:

a. Participants who are qualified to operate as a Captain and who serve in a

non-flying instructor role are eligible for the following flight hour credits:

i. a 50% flight hour credit for each hour of non-simulator ground instruction
provided by such Participant up to a maximum of 600 flight hour credits;
and

ii. a 100% flight hour credit for each hour of service as a LCP or simulator
flight instruction provided by such Participant;

b. Participants who are qualified to operate as a Captain and who do not bid or
hold a line schedule due to holding (i) a full-time management position with a
participating Part 135 operator or (ii) a full-time leadership position in a pilot union
will receive 70 flight hour credits for each calendar month, in addition to actual flight
hours flown, during which such Participant holds such management position with
a Part 135 operator or leadership position in a pilot union, as applicable. Partial
calendar months will be pro-rated based on the number days such Participant
holds such position within such calendar month; and

c. Flight hours accrued by Participants during Active Duty Military Service may
be applied toward the minimum flight hours requirement for so long as: (i) the flight
hours were accrued during the Participant’s enrollment in Aviate; (ii) the flight hours
were accrued on a fixed-wing aircraft or rotorcraft; and (iii) the flight hours the
Participant desires to apply towards the applicable minimum flight hours
requirement do not exceed 600 flight hours; and

2. any Participants that intend to utilize flight hour credits, in accordance with Section D.1
of this Chapter 5, in order to satisfy their minimum transition requirements to United are
required to advise the Aviate program administrator at their participating Part 135 operator
and provide all necessary documentation and records to enable such Aviate program
administrator to verify such Participant’s eligibility for the requested flight hour credits. Any
permitted flight hour credits will only apply to the extent that the relevant service was
performed after the Participant was accepted into Aviate.

E. Fleet Technical Instructors Transition Point Requirements

Participants who are employed as a FTI are eligible to transition to United as a First Officer if they
meet all of the FTI transition requirements set forth in the Aviate FTI Program Guide.

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F. Transitioning to United as a First Officer

A Participant can view their progress towards meeting the transition requirements set forth in this
Chapter 5 in the ‘Flight Plan’ section of My Aviate. If applicable, Participants who joined Aviate
via the University Entry Point and Professional Flight Training Entry Point(s) can also view their
progress towards meeting the additional performance standards associated with those entry
points as set forth in Chapter 4.

Once all transition requirements have been satisfied, Participants shall self-verify that they are
eligible to transition to United via My Aviate. To do so, in the ‘Transition to United’ section of their
flight plan, Participants must click ‘self-verify’ which will notify their United Express carrier program
administrator or Part 135 operator program administrator, as applicable, and United’s Aviate
administrator. By performing this self-verification, Participants attest that the information in their
My Aviate profile is complete, accurate and updated, that they have maintained the standards as
set forth in Chapter 4, and that they meet all other requirements and standards set forth in this
Chapter 5.

The United Express carrier or Part 135 operator, as applicable, will then verify that all transition
requirements have been satisfied by such Participant. FTI Participants will have transition
requirements verified internally within United.

Once all transition criteria have been verified, a summary of the Participant’s flight hours and all
Records Submission Sheets (“RSS”)17 received while in Aviate will be reviewed by United’s
Transition Board of Review. If United’s Transition Board of Review determines the Participant
has completed all transition criteria, has maintained the standards as set forth in Chapter 4, and
meets all other requirements and standards set forth in this Chapter 5, as determined by the
Transition Board of Review in their sole discretion, then the Participant will be approved for
transition to United as a First Officer. United’s Aviate administrator will then coordinate with the
Participant for placement in a United First Officer training course.

United intends to prioritize the hiring of Participants for United First Officer positions over non-
Aviate candidates. Once a Participant notifies United of their completion of all transition
requirements in this Chapter 5 and submits all applicable records and documentation to United,
then (assuming that such Participant is approved for transition to United by the Transition Board
of Review) United shall assign such Participant a United First Officer training course start date
that is no later than 4 months following the submission of all relevant documentation and records
by the Participant. However, a Participant transitioning via the Legacy United Express Transition
Point will receive a training course start date that is no later than the later of (i) 4 months from the

17For purposes of this Program Guide, “Records Submission Sheet” means the standardized document to
be completed by Participants instructing at a participating university, or by the applicable participating
institution’s program administrator for Participants training, instructing, or piloting at a participating
professional flight training organization, Part 135 operator, or United Express carrier, as applicable, which
reflects the Participant’s performance and verification of records at the participating institution.

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start of such Participant’s Transition Timeframe, provided that such Participant is eligible to
transition and has submitted all applicable records and documentation to United before the start
of such Transition Timeframe and (ii) 4 months following the submission of all relevant documents
and records by the Participant.

Participants who have been assigned a start date at United as a First Officer cannot voluntarily
terminate their employment with their United Express carrier, Part 135 operator, or United (in their
capacity as a FTI), as applicable, any sooner than two weeks prior to such start date at United.
Aviate Participants who have been assigned a United start date and resign from or are terminated
for cause by such participating United Express carrier, Part 135 operator or United, as applicable,
prior to such two-week period will not be eligible to transition to United via Aviate.

G. United Express Discontinuation

If a participating United Express carrier ends its flight operations, then any Participants who are
currently employed by that United Express carrier and have not met the minimum transition
requirements set forth in this Chapter 5 will be required to transition their employment to another
participating United Express carrier in order to remain in Aviate.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Chapter 5, if a participating United Express carrier
leaves Aviate (i.e., is still flying as a United Express carrier, but is no longer participating in Aviate)
or begins to provide scheduled air transportation services solely to another airline (i.e., stops flying
for United altogether), then any Participants who are then-employed by such United Express
carrier may continue their employment with such United Express carrier and, upon satisfaction of
all transition requirements, will still be eligible to transition to United, despite no longer performing
regularly scheduled duties flying for a participating United Express carrier, following such United
Express carrier’s withdrawal from Aviate.

H. Part 135 Discontinuation

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Chapter 5, if a participating Part 135 operator
leaves Aviate, then any Participants who are currently employed by that Part 135 operator may
continue their employment with such Part 135 operator and, upon satisfaction of all transition
requirements, will still be eligible to transition to United, despite no longer performing regularly
scheduled duties flying for a participating Part 135 operator, following such Part 135 operator’s
withdrawal from Aviate.

I. Applying to United via the traditional path if a Participant withdraws from Aviate.

Except for Participants who withdraw from Aviate after scheduling an interview through United’s
traditional pilot hiring process in accordance with Section H of Chapter 3, Participants who have
withdrawn from Aviate may apply via the traditional hiring path after a 12-month wait.

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P a g e | 24
 Chapter 6:
Program Disclaimers
A PARTICIPANT’S CONTINUATION IN, AND ADVANCEMENT THROUGH, AVIATE IS
CONTINGENT UPON STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE OBLIGATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
SET FORTH IN THIS PROGRAM GUIDE. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO ANY SUCH
OBLIGATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM
AVIATE. FURTHER, UNITED RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REMOVE A PARTICIPANT FROM
AVIATE AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

IN CONNECTION WITH AN INDIVIDUAL’S APPLICATION TO, PARTICIPATION IN, AND

TRANSITIONING THROUGH AVIATE, UNITED MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS AS NECESSITATED BY LAW, REGULATION, COURT ORDER, OR ANY
GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OR AGENCY FOR PARTICIPANTS
WHO ARE NOT EXPRESSLY LISTED IN THIS PROGRAM GUIDE. THE FAILURE TO ADHERE
TO, OR COMPLETE, ANY SUCH REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL
FROM AVIATE.

ACCEPTANCE INTO AVIATE IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT WITH UNITED OR

ANY UNITED EXPRESS CARRIER. FURTHER, UNITED DISCLAIMS ANY RIGHT OR ABILITY
TO INFLUENCE THE EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS OF ANY PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITY,
PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING ORGANIZATION, PART 135 OPERATOR, UNITED
EXPRESS CARRIER, OR ANY OTHER OPERATOR OF AN AIR SERVICE WHO BECOMES
AFFILIATED WITH AVIATE. ANY OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT RECEIVED FROM ANY SUCH
PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITY, PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING ORGANIZATION, PART
135 OPERATOR, UNITED EXPRESS CARRIER, OR ANY OTHER OPERATOR OF AN AIR
SERVICE WHO BECOMES AFFILIATED WITH AVIATE SHALL BE MADE ENTIRELY
INDEPENDENT OF A PARTICIPANT’S STATUS WITHIN AVIATE. FURTHER, UNITED SHALL
NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SALARIES, WAGES, BONUSES, OTHER COMPENSATION
OR PAYMENTS, OVERTIME, OR OTHER BENEFITS DUE TO A PARTICIPANT AS A RESULT
OF SUCH PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH A PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITY,
PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING ORGANIZATION, PART 135 OPERATOR, UNITED
EXPRESS CARRIER, OR ANY OTHER OPERATOR OF AN AIR SERVICE WHO BECOMES
AFFILIATED WITH AVIATE.

TO THE EXTENT THERE IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THIS PROGRAM GUIDE
AND THE TERMS OF ANY OTHER POLICIES, MANUALS, DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS
(INCLUDING ANY ONLINE MATERIALS) MADE AVAILABLE TO CANDIDATES,
PARTICIPANTS, OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN CONNECTION WITH AVIATE, THE
TERMS OF THIS PROGRAM GUIDE SHALL CONTROL, EXCEPT WHERE UNITED ISSUES
ANY TEMPORARY POLICY TO SUPPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM GUIDE THAT EXPRESSLY
REFERS TO THIS PROGRAM GUIDE AND STATES SUCH TEMPORARY POLICY IS

P a g e | 25
INTENDED TO CONTROL. IN SUCH CASE, SUCH TEMPORARY POLICY SHALL CONTROL
SOLELY FOR THE DURATION OF THAT POLICY AND SOLELY TO THE EXTENT OF ITS
SUBJECT MATTER. ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS, POLICIES, MANUALS,
DOCUMENTS OR OTHER MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY ONLINE MATERIALS), SHALL IN
NO WAY SUPERSEDE, SUPPLEMENT OR MODIFY THE OBLIGATIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROGRAM GUIDE.

UNITED, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, SUSPEND OR

TERMINATE THIS PROGRAM GUIDE AT ANY TIME, WITHOUT NOTICE TO OR CONSENT
OF, ANY CANDIDATE, PARTICIPANT, OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL. FURTHER, UNITED
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WAIVE OR SUSPEND ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS SET
FORTH IN THIS PROGRAM GUIDE FOR ONE OR MORE PARTICIPANTS, AT ANY TIME AND
IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION.

AVIATE IS NOT EXCLUSIVE AND UNITED RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, DEVELOP,
PARTICIPATE IN AND PROMOTE SIMILAR PILOT RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS.

INDIVIDUALS APPLYING TO OR PARTICIPATING IN AVIATE WILL SUBMIT VARIOUS

INFORMATION TO UNITED DURING THEIR APPLICATION TO OR PARTICIPATION IN
AVIATE. UNITED’S COLLECTION, USE, AND DISCLOSURE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION
WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS PRIVACY POLICY LOCATED AT
UNITEDAVIATE.COM/PRIVACY-POLICY.

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