Full Name
Robert Thomas
Job Title
VP, Flight Ops Planning & Development
Office
United Airlines
Speaker Bio
Captain Rob Thomas is Vice President of Flight Operations Planning and Development for United. Rob oversees the Flight Training Center, Aviate & Pilot Strategy, crew scheduling and resourcing functions, and ops product delivery in support of worldwide operations.
An accomplished aviation professional, Rob brings a wealth of experience with his diverse background in aviation and safety. His previous experiences as the Managing Director of Flight Standards, Managing Director of Aviation Safety, Co-Chair of the FAA Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC), and roles like pilot instructor, CRM/TEM facilitator, courseware developer, LOSA observer, and base Chief Pilot make him uniquely qualified to lead Flight Operations at the world’s largest airline. He is respected in the industry and is a former member of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) Executive Board, STAR Alliance Safety Committee and IATA Safety Council.
Rob’s professional pilot career route to United Airlines included graduation from Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as a CFI, CFII, MEI and a 2-time flight instructor of the year, followed by stops at Colgan Air, Pinnacle Airlines and Air Wisconsin, where he served as a Chief Pilot. Rob also served in union leadership positions for ALPA at multiple airlines and
led the Human Factors and Training Group for ALPA International. Rob currently flies as a Captain on the Airbus A319, 320, and 321 at United. He previously flew the Boeing 787.
An accomplished aviation professional, Rob brings a wealth of experience with his diverse background in aviation and safety. His previous experiences as the Managing Director of Flight Standards, Managing Director of Aviation Safety, Co-Chair of the FAA Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC), and roles like pilot instructor, CRM/TEM facilitator, courseware developer, LOSA observer, and base Chief Pilot make him uniquely qualified to lead Flight Operations at the world’s largest airline. He is respected in the industry and is a former member of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) Executive Board, STAR Alliance Safety Committee and IATA Safety Council.
Rob’s professional pilot career route to United Airlines included graduation from Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as a CFI, CFII, MEI and a 2-time flight instructor of the year, followed by stops at Colgan Air, Pinnacle Airlines and Air Wisconsin, where he served as a Chief Pilot. Rob also served in union leadership positions for ALPA at multiple airlines and
led the Human Factors and Training Group for ALPA International. Rob currently flies as a Captain on the Airbus A319, 320, and 321 at United. He previously flew the Boeing 787.
Speaking At
