United CEO Says Beware Flying Airlines Without a Vaccine Mandate
Photo Caption: United CEO Scott Kirby warns travelers to beware before they buy tickets on an airline without a Covid-19 vaccine staff mandate. Denver International Airport
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United CEO Scott Kirby warns travelers to beware what airline they are booking on after his carrier's successful Covid-19 vaccine staff mandate. But for all his boasting, more than half of United's domestic flights are flown by airlines that have no such mandate.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby may not want the carrier's successful Covid-19 vaccine mandate to be a competitive advantage. But when it comes to promoting his airline over others he says to travelers, "caveat emptor" — or "let the buyer beware" — when it comes to booking flights.
"Customers can book with confidence on United ... but if you're booking on an airline that doesn't have a vaccine requirement, they've got government rules they have to follow and caveat emptor," he said during a third-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. Kirby outlined the possibility for large-scale operational meltdowns if unvaccinated staff who are required to submit to regular Covid-19 tests test negative and cannot work.
In citing potential operational disruptions, Kirby was indirectly pointing the finger at Southwest Airlines. The Dallas-based carrier has said it will allow unvaccinated staff to continue working if they seek an exemption and submit to regular testing. South
