United Airlines recruiting for a public relations manager

The job ad reads: "The pace is fast, our standards are high and the opportunities are boundless." United Airlines is recruiting for a public relations manager. Photo / AP

The job ad reads: "The pace is fast, our standards are high and the opportunities are boundless."

The position sounds like an exciting step for a public relations professional with the "courage, the creativity, agility and leadership" it demands, especially when you consider the opportunity the listing boasts to be part of a "big transformative moment".

Until you get to the employer.

But what could possibly be the problem? Being part of a major brand looking to overhaul its communications strategy is exciting, right? Who wouldn't want to be a spokesman at such a critical "moment" for a big company?

It all makes sense when you realise that company is United Airlines.

Since last week's incident that saw a passenger unceremoniously dragged from a domestic flight, United has been mercilessly mocked, lost billions in business and company value, and is looking to become the subject of a few more law suits than it started the month with.

The job of Public Relations Manager has been advertised on United's website since the start of April, but popped up on external jobseeker websites last week in the days after the incident and subsequent public relations disaster.

The successful applicant, according to the listing, will be responsible for "creating and maintaining a favourable image and brand reputation for United" while "serving as company spokesman".

A brief look at the company's communications over the past week indicates the new PR manager would certainly start the gig with a heavy workload.

In his initial comments about the incident, United chief executive officer Oscar Munoz said the passenger, David Dao, had been "disruptive and belligerent" on the flight and was unapologetic.

The embattled airline boss later issued a grovelling apology and followed up with a morning television appearance in full corporate damage control.

"You saw us at a bad moment and it can never and will never happen again on a United Airlines flight and that's my promise," he said on Good Morning America.

Asked what he thought when he first saw the footage, he said: "The word shame comes to mind. That is not who our family at United is."

In the wake of the incident, the company has been forced to rethink the way it does things.

Mr Munoz has announced United would no longer use law enforcement officers to remove passengers from overbooked flights.

The airline yesterday announced it had changed its rule on commuting employees.

Crew members and staff taking a United flight to get to another city for work - the cause of Dr Dao's removal - will now be required to check into their flight an hour before departure.

Overnight the airline has found itself with a fresh passenger removal incident to deal with.

A bride and groom headed for their wedding in Costa Rica were booted from a United flight after switching seats when they found passengers sleeping in the spots where they were booked.

The airline has addressed the incident saying the passengers "repeatedly attempted to sit in upgraded seating which they did not purchase and they would not follow crew instructions to return to their assigned seats".

The passengers described United's handling of the incident as "absurd".

Who ever is game enough to take on the advertised public relations manager position - good luck.