United Airlines Station Manpower Planning System

United Airlines has developed and implemented a computerized station manpower planning system for scheduling shift work at its reservations offices and airports. The system utilizes integer and linear programming and network optimization techniques and encompasses the entire scheduling process from forecasting of requirements to printing employee schedule choices. Since its implementation in 1983, it has been used to develop work schedules for 4,000 employees on a regular basis and is eventually expected to schedule 10,000 employees or 20 percent of United's total work force. The system has produced direct labor cost savings of over $6 million annually while earning rave reviews from United upper management, operating managers, and affected employees.