United pilots Ask Obama To Delay Immunity Grant

Pilots at United Airlines asked the White House Wednesday to delay expected government approval of an application by the carrier and Continental Airlines for immunity from some antitrust law provisions.

The Air Line Pilots Association union is seeking protections as part of any immunity package that would permit the airlines to share pricing, scheduling and other information within the Star Alliance.

"We are requesting a delay or an approval with conditions to the application, union chief Steve Wallach wrote in a letter to President Barack Obama. "We are not opposed to the alliance itself. However, we are concerned that this application does not adequately address the very real threats to American workers' jobs."

United disputed the pilots' contention in a statement. "This is about adding an American company into an immunized alliance that will continue to protect American jobs - to suggest otherwise is a mischaracterization of the facts," the company said.

An immunity grant would bring Continental into the alliance, which includes US Airways, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Air China, Singapore Airlines and several other carriers.

The Transportation Department earlier this year granted provisional approval to the United and Continental application, pending review of public comments. The agency is expected to render a final decision soon.

On Monday, influential senators on antitrust matters urged Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Attorney General Eric Holder to delay a decision until antitrust enforcers had a full opportunity to review the matter.