CONTINENTAL/UNITED MERGER’S REAL STUMBLING BLOCK IS THE 50 SEAT RULECONTINENTAL/UNITED MERGER’S REAL STUMBLING BLOCK IS THE 50 SEAT RULE

Flight crew will start “informational picketing” today against what they see as efforts by management to expand the use of regional partners for commuter flights, a move the pilots’ union said violates their existing labor contract with Continental Airlines. United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL), the parent of the merged carrier formed is trying to forge new collective bargaining agreements with unions representing staff across the group. While talks with management continue, flight crew representatives said the merged airline was violating the Continental pact by seeking to put its “CO” code on services flown from its Houston and Newark hubs that