NOTE 10—SPECIAL ITEMS

Special Charges. For the three and six months ended June 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions):


	Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
	2013		2012			2013			2012
Merger integration-related costs	$	45	$	137		$	115		$	271
Additional costs associated with the temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft		7		—			18			—
Voluntary severance and benefits		—		76			14			125
Gains on sale of assets and other special items, net		—		(7	)		(3	)		(26	)

Subtotal special charges		52		206			144			370
Income tax benefit		—		—			—			(2	)

Total special charges, net of income taxes	$	52	$	206		$	144		$	368

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 six months ended June 30, 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 $18 million associated with the temporary grounding of its Boeing 787 aircraft, $7 million of which was recorded during the second quarter of 2013. The charges are comprised of aircraft depreciation expense and dedicated personnel costs that the Company incurred while the aircraft were grounded. The aircraft returned to service in May of 2013. 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 and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded $76 million and $125 million of severance and benefits associated with three voluntary employee programs, respectively. During the first quarter of 2012, 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 Company also offered a voluntary leave of absence program that approximately 1,800 flight attendants accepted, which allows for continued medical coverage during the leave of absence period. During the second quarter of 2012, as part of the recently amended collective bargaining agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants, the Company offered a voluntary program for flight attendants at United to retire early in exchange for a cash severance payment. The payments are dependent on the number of years of service each employee has accumulated. Approximately 1,300 flight attendants accepted this program and the Company estimates the amount for this voluntary program to be approximately $76 million.

In March 2013, the Company agreed to sell up to 30 Boeing 757-200 aircraft to FedEx Corporation beginning in April 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 six months of 2013 totaled $40 million and is estimated to be approximately $80 million for the full year 2013.

Accruals

The accrual for severance and medical costs was $38 million as of June 30, 2013, compared to $153 million as of June 30, 2012. In addition, the accrual balance of future lease payments on permanently grounded aircraft was $3 million as of June 30, 2013, compared to $8 million as of June 30, 2012.

The severance-related accrual as of June 30, 2013 is expected to be paid through 2015. Lease payments for grounded aircraft are expected to continue through 2013.