United banks on Aviate pilot pipeline

United Airlines’ Aviate career pipeline program is key to the airline’s effort to build a pipeline of pilots and increase diversity in the cockpit. The airline plans to hire pilots “predominantly” through that program. “We really feel good about our ability to select talent early, develop it, and kind of ‘Unitedize’ people early on and make sure that fit is good,” said United Capt. Curt Brunjes.