90's tech
United's code is ANCIENT and a carryover from a much smaller airline they merged with several years ago: Continental. The spectacularly failed integration of their two systems is considered the primary reason that American Airlines, in its merger with US Airways, is now working almost exclusively on a slow cutover to the reservation system of the *larger* airline (American, in case you were wondering).
What's worse is that United actually has much bigger problems than just its IT infrastructure and code. They were absolutely HEMORRHAGING cash, for example, before the economy recovered and oil prices dropped, to the point that investors were beginning to talk of ousting the CEO. They have a company culture problem, too, and old (read: inefficient) planes with poor on-time performance. And all this with the largest international network of any US airline. *sigh*
Anyone else here find it interesting that WorldMate is the company finding these bugs? I didn't even realize they were large enough to have a security officer. lol Srsly, though, if you travel a lot, check out their product.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
