United Airlines speaks to its 'clout' in intensifying battle with American Airlines

United Airlines looks determined not to allow American Airlines to get the upper hand in the battle for O’Hare Airport. The two have been locked for 2 weeks in an increasingly fierce fight over gate allocation at O’Hare. American cried foul after the carrier allegedly found out just days before the unveiling that United had — unfairly AA says — been unilaterally awarded 5 gates. United insists American is lying, while AA unveiled a dedicated website that lays out its side of the story and the reasons why a reconsideration of the announced gate allocation at O'Hare will be good for Chicagoans. Meanwhile, United has launched another salvo. Late last week, United COO Greg Hart sent a memo to some 15,000 Chicago-based United team members indicating the carrier is on board with the O’Hare expansion plan. <br/>