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    On the Call: United Continental CEO Jeff Smisek

    By The Associated Press | Associated Press – Thu, Jan 26, 2012

    In early March, United Continental Holdings Inc. plans to switch to a single computer system for handling reservations and customer information, including its frequent-flier program. The stakes are huge. The airline carries some 264,000 people every day, worldwide. Its computers have to know where those planes are going and who is on them, and which seats have been sold and which are still available.

    With the date getting closer, J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker asked about the company's preparation for the changeover. "What happens if the cutover doesn't go as planned? I can't help but think of that scene from WarGames, where they can't shut the computer off..."

    Chairman and CEO Jeff Smisek jumped in before Baker finished his question comparing (jokingly) United's crucial computer switch to a 1983 movie about how an out-of-control computer nearly sparks a nuclear war:

    "We've had four full-scale dress rehearsals. ... We also of course, being prudent, have the ability during the conversion itself to roll back. We also have some ability to ... do some postponement if we need to. We've been pretty thoughtful, careful and conservative in this. We are exceedingly well-prepared for it. There are literally thousands of people who have worked on this. ... I'm confident that this will go as planned. But, as you point out, being prudent, we also have scenarios in case we have some unforeseen issues."

     

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