NOTE 10—SPECIAL ITEMS

Special Charges. For the three months ended March 31, special charges consisted of the following (in millions):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Merger integration-related costs	$	70		$	134
Voluntary severance and benefits		14			49
Charges for temporarily grounded 787 aircraft		11			—
Gains on sale of assets and other special items, net		(3	)		(19	)

Subtotal special charges		92			164
Income tax benefit		—			(2	)

Total special charges, net of income taxes	$	92		$	162

Merger integration-related costs include compensation costs related to systems integration and training, costs to repaint aircraft and other branding activities, new uniforms, costs to write-off or accelerate depreciation on systems and facilities that are no longer used or planned to be used for significantly shorter periods, relocation costs for employees and severance primarily associated with administrative headcount reductions.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded $14 million associated with a voluntary program offered by United in which flight attendants took an unpaid 13-month leave of absence. The flight attendants continue to receive medical benefits and other company benefits while on leave under this program. Approximately 1,300 flight attendants opted to participate in the program. In addition, the Company recorded $11 million associated with the temporary grounding of its Boeing 787 aircraft. The charges are comprised of aircraft depreciation expense and dedicated personnel costs that the Company continues to incur while the aircraft are grounded. Also, the Company recorded a $5 million gain related to a contract termination and $2 million in losses on the sale of assets.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded $49 million of severance and benefits associated with two voluntary employee programs. In one program, approximately 400 mechanics offered to retire early in exchange for a cash severance payment that was based on the number of years of service each employee had accumulated. The other program is a voluntary Company-offered leave of absence that approximately 1,800 flight attendants accepted, which allows for continued medical coverage during the leave of absence period.

In March 2013, the Company agreed to sell up to 30 Boeing 757-200 aircraft to FedEx Corporation beginning in April of 2013. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated 133 such aircraft. Given the planned sale of up to 30 of these aircraft, the Company evaluated the entire fleet and determined that no impairment existed. However, the Company adjusted the salvage value of the aircraft designated for sale to its sales price and will record additional depreciation from the agreement date to the date of sale. This additional depreciation is not classified as special. The additional depreciation in the first quarter of 2013 totaled $12 million and approximately $80 million for the full year 2013.

Accruals

The accrual for severance and medical costs was $62 million as of March 31, 2013. In addition, the accrual balance of future lease payments on permanently grounded aircraft was $5 million as of March 31, 2013.

The severance-related accrual as of March 31, 2013, which primarily relates to the Merger, is expected to be paid through 2014. Lease payments for grounded aircraft are expected to continue through 2013.

At March 31, 2012, the accrual balance for severance and medical costs was $90 million. In addition, the accrual balance of future lease payments on permanently grounded aircraft was $23 million as of March 31, 2012.