UAL requested a clarification from its pilots.

UAL Inc. Chairman Richard J. Ferris said a letter from pilots offering $4.5 billion for its United Airlines subsidiary is “unclear.” In his first public statement since the offer was made 10 days ago, Ferris, in a letter to the pilots union, said the union letter making the offer was “in conflict with some of your recent statements to employees and the press.” Ferris added that UAL’s investment adviser had been instructed to “seek further clarification” of the offer from the pilots’ investment adviser.