United Airlines: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

United Airlines traces its origins to 1926, making it one of the oldest commercial carriers in the United States. The airline was formally established in its current form through a series of mergers, including its 2010 merger with Continental Airlines, which created one of the world's largest airline networks by passenger volume.

United Airlines is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol UAL. The carrier operates major hub airports including Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Newark Liberty (EWR), Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Denver International (DEN), Los Angeles International (LAX), and San Francisco International (SFO). From these hubs, United serves more than 300 destinations worldwide and is a founding member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline alliance.

The company's workforce spans a wide range of functions including flight operations, cabin crew, ramp and ground operations, customer service, aircraft maintenance, and corporate and administrative roles. With a workforce exceeding 100,000 employees, United Airlines represents a significant source of aviation employment across the United States and internationally.

Company culture and employee programs:

Yes. United Airlines conducts background checks for all positions, not just flight crew or operations roles. Aviation security regulations require that any employee with access to secure areas of an airport or aircraft obtain TSA security credentials, which involves a TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA). This federal requirement means background screening is a standard part of the United Airlines hiring process regardless of job function.

Standard background checks typically take three to five business days to complete. However, aviation roles that require TSA Security Threat Assessments or federal employment history verification may take longer due to the additional layers of federal review involved. For more context on timing, see background check turnaround times.

Factors that can affect turnaround time include:

A United Airlines pre-employment background check may include several types of searches depending on the role. Common components include:

For standard criminal history checks, most searches cover a seven-year lookback period in accordance with applicable state laws. However, federal aviation regulations may require United Airlines to verify up to 10 years of employment history for certain roles, particularly those involving FAA or TSA credentialing. State "ban-the-box" laws may also affect when and how criminal history is considered during the hiring process depending on the candidate's location.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report background check information. Under the FCRA, candidates must provide written consent before a background check is initiated. If United Airlines intends to take an adverse action based on background check findings, the candidate must receive a copy of the report and a summary of their rights before the final decision is made. This provides candidates with an opportunity to review findings and dispute any inaccuracies.

Yes. United Airlines is a DOT-regulated employer, and pre-employment drug testing is required for all safety-sensitive positions under DOT and FAA regulations (49 CFR Part 40). The standard DOT drug panel tests for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP. In addition to pre-employment testing, DOT regulations require random drug testing, post-accident testing, and reasonable suspicion testing for employees in safety-sensitive roles. It is important to note that marijuana remains a federally prohibited substance under DOT regulations regardless of whether it is legal in a candidate's state of residence. A positive result or refusal to test may disqualify a candidate from safety-sensitive roles.

The United Airlines flight attendant hiring process is structured and competitive, involving multiple evaluation stages before a final offer is extended:

United Airlines evaluates candidates with criminal records on a case-by-case basis and considers factors such as the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. However, certain felony convictions may disqualify a candidate from obtaining the TSA Security Threat Assessment credential required for unescorted access to secure airport areas and aircraft. TSA regulations specify categories of disqualifying criminal offenses, including crimes involving aircraft, airports, and explosive devices, as well as certain violent felonies committed within defined lookback periods. Candidates with such convictions may be ineligible for roles that require airport security badges regardless of United Airlines' own hiring discretion.

For non-flight-crew positions, the general United Airlines hiring process follows these steps:

Candidates who want to review their own background information before applying to United Airlines or any other employer can do so through Checkr. Checkr Personal Background Checks allow individuals to see what may appear in a standard pre-employment report. Checkr Profile lets candidates create a portable background check they can share with potential employers.

Candidates with questions about an in-progress background check can log in to the Candidate Portal or visit the Checkr Help Center for support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.