Wow... United and US Airways to Merge

[PCL_128]

Yes, even the -700s are a problem. When I was first hired at Pinnacle just a little over six years ago, Northwest was still flying around about a dozen DC-9-10s. Anyone remember how many seats those had? Yep, just 78 seats. But the Captains were making about $180/hr to fly them. Kind of shows you just how far we've fallen, and just how damaging the RJ outsourcing can be.

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by UPSpilot

It is!!! My avatar proves it!!!

haha very true!

[FrankiegPilot]

I think if things dont get better soon, we are all going to be coworkers.
" mammm how can I help you? Oh you want to buy a ticket, well PCL_128, UPSpilot, meyers9163, BobDDuck, or myself would be happy to assist you."

[ZapBrannigan]

Anybody know if Bob Johnson still wants to run an airline?

http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=132

News Releases
Press Statement by DCAir CEO Robert Johnson About United, USAirways Merger Agreement


The following statement by DCAir CEO Robert Johnson concerning the United and USAirways merger agreement was released today:


I am pleased that United Airlines and USAirways have agreed to submit to the Justice Department for full review the proposed merger of the two airlines.


The merger, if approved, would create DCAir, a major new airline operating out of Reagan National Airport, serving 45 cities, flying 3 million passengers and generating over 460 million dollars in annual revenue. In addition, DCAir will become the nation's first African-American owned airline of this magnitude and scope. DCAir will have as a minority partner American Airlines, which will strengthen its ability to compete against other airlines as a cost effective and low fare carrier.
I believe that the merger as presented is in the best interests of the flying public, and I urge the Justice Department to approve it.


Equally as important, I urge the Bush Administration to recognize this unique opportunity to bring about minority ownership in the nation's airline industry in the form of DCAir. DCAir has the support of elected officials from both political parties and the unanimous endorsement of the Congressional Black Caucus.


In addition, I am announcing in the form of a letter that has been sent to the Mayor, DC City Council and delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton that DCAir will locate its corporate headquarters in Washington, DC. This will result in the majority of over 1,200 DCAir employees working in the District of Columbia.

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by UPSpilot

It is!!! My avatar proves it!!!

Is that you in the avatar?

[FrankiegPilot]

With all these mergers, the pax announcements will sound a little somthing like this.. " thanks for flying delta-west airlink operated by mesaba" or "thank you for flying United Airways express operated by ASA, a subsidiary of Skywest"

[mattp1803]

Originally Posted by UPSpilot

It is!!! My avatar proves it!!!

You seem so familiar....

[granlistillo]

Originally Posted by FrankiegPilot

With all these mergers, the pax announcements will sound a little somthing like this.. " thanks for flying delta-west airlink operated by mesaba" or "thank you for flying United Airways express operated by ASA, a subsidiary of Skywest"

Been that way for a long time. Only a couple or 3 wholly owned regionals now. I know an ex Mesa capt who told me he had to write it down so he wouldnt dork the announcements up.

[scramjet]

Originally Posted by PCL_128

I'd just like to point out that I called this merger yesterday after the UAL/CAL deal fell through. Just wanted to pat myself on the back real quick.

I called it a couple months ago and I'm not even an airline pilot.

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by Maurus

I am waiting for American Airlines and Continental to start talking about mergers. Why not?

Well, maybe American will but not Continental.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1209...hps_us_pageone

Abruptly ending talks with United Airlines parent UAL Corp., Continental Airlines Inc. said it would stay independent for the time being despite efforts by rival carriers to merge.

The Houston-based airline didn't disclose details of talks in its statement late Sunday and didn't name potential partners. But its move was seen as a rebuke to Chicago-based UAL, which has been trying to interest Continental in a marriage for years.

UAL had recently entered formal merger talks with Continental, said people familiar with the matter, giving UAL the impression that it had the inside track on striking a deal with one of the U.S. industry's healthiest carriers.

In a bulletin to employees, Continental Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner said Continental has "significant cultural, operational and financial strengths" that "would be placed at risk in a merger with another carrier in today's environment."

As far as United and US Airways goes, it didn't pass muster the first time, so why do they think it will the second time around? And why would US Airways be so stupid as to try to undertake a new merger when they are nowhere near close to realizing the synergies they thought they'd see from the first one?

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by mattp1803

You seem so familiar....

brand X, brand y, brand Z!

[FrankiegPilot]

Originally Posted by granlistillo

Been that way for a long time. Only a couple or 3 wholly owned regionals now. I know an ex Mesa capt who told me he had to write it down so he wouldnt dork the announcements up.

Yea it has, but not names like delta-west (meaningdelta/northwest) and United Airways (meaning united/us airways).
Its gonna be very interesting to see what happens the rest of this year.

[granlistillo]

I was pretty sure that Delta NW was going forward with Delta. Is that not right? I am guessing that United would have higher name recognition and would make better biz sense.
Although I personally am biased towards US Airways.

[Bog]

Originally Posted by ZapBrannigan

Anybody know if Bob Johnson still wants to run an airline?

http://bet.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=132

News Releases
Press Statement by DCAir CEO Robert Johnson About United, USAirways Merger Agreement

Yeup. Take One. Didn't work out too well.

Seems like so long ago.

[WestIndian425]

You know with all the struggles and potentials for consolidation in the news lately, I wonder how the upstart air taxi companies like DayJet are doing, or for that matter, Eclipse, who manufactures the 500's.

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by WestIndian425

You know with all the struggles and potentials for consolidation in the news lately, I wonder how the upstart air taxi companies like DayJet are doing, or for that matter, Eclipse, who manufactures the 500's.

I dont know anything about those.... but first thing would be are they fuel efficient and then secondly are people paying actually what the service is worth? If so I bet they are alright.... But too many people pay far too little for their airfare.... I mean hell even myself and my lady going to Cancun in June is going to cost me a little. For a little more my cousins are going for nearly the same (and i work at an airline wtf). All I am paying is international fees.... think i'm kidding? not at all... its messed up!

[fly4food84]

2008 is going to be truly Insane. I can't keep up with these "mergers" and bankruptcies.

[WacoFan]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Next thing you know there will be one oil/gas company "ExxonMobileChevronShellBPSunoco" and gas will be $100.00/gallon. The government having a say in this sort of thing is good for consumers in general.

Tried that already - it was called Standard Oil, which belonged to JD Rockefeller. Teddy Roosevelt's administration broke up the monopoly (they controlled an insane amount of the oil - like 80%. The company was split into several regional companies - Standard of New Jersey (became Exxon), Standard of Indiana (became Mobile or Amoco - can't remember), Continental Oil Company (Connoco), Standard of California (SoCal - became Chevron), and a couple others. All of those companies used to represent one company - Standard Oil. That is where the Rockefeller money came from.

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by WacoFan

Tried that already - it was called Standard Oil, which belonged to JD Rockefeller. Teddy Roosevelt's administration broke up the monopoly (they controlled an insane amount of the oil - like 80%. The company was split into several regional companies - Standard of New Jersey (became Exxon), Standard of Indiana (became Mobile or Amoco - can't remember), Continental Oil Company (Connoco), Standard of California (SoCal - became Chevron), and a couple others. All of those companies used to represent one company - Standard Oil. That is where the Rockefeller money came from.

The good ole history of the oil companies!

[Velocipede]

As long as PCL is posting, there's not much more that I can add.

If I were UAL/AWA pilots, I'd petition for a representation election the day this is announced. At that point, USAPA becomes the answer to a trivia question.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by WacoFan

Tried that already - it was called Standard Oil, which belonged to JD Rockefeller. Teddy Roosevelt's administration broke up the monopoly (they controlled an insane amount of the oil - like 80%. The company was split into several regional companies - Standard of New Jersey (became Exxon), Standard of Indiana (became Mobile or Amoco - can't remember), Continental Oil Company (Connoco), Standard of California (SoCal - became Chevron), and a couple others. All of those companies used to represent one company - Standard Oil. That is where the Rockefeller money came from.

That was my point . The government watches out for consumers, and won't allow one big airline or even just a few.

[WacoFan]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

That was my point . The government watches out for consumers, and won't allow one big airline or even just a few.

Yes - I know. Interesting thing hapened though...JD Rockefeller was the majority shareholder of Stadard Oil. When they broke the company up (Actually, it was a Trust - the Standard Oil Trust), they created all of these smaller companies - and JD got stock, proportional to his ownership in each of them. When they each started trading, his wealth literally doubled. Kind of like the Mother of all Stock Splits.

Also, even though Teddy dismantled the Standard Oil, they are getting back together - Exxon/Mobile, etc.

[PCL_128]

Originally Posted by tonyw

And why would US Airways be so stupid as to try to undertake a new merger when they are nowhere near close to realizing the synergies they thought they'd see from the first one?

Doogie isn't interested in synergies. Synergies benefit the shareholder, and he's not concerned about that. He's concerned about his own ego. He's a megalomaniac. He won't stop merging until he's CEO of the world's biggest airline. If synergies never materialize and the investors get screwed, that's not really his concern.

Originally Posted by Velocipede

At that point, USAPA becomes the answer to a trivia question.

And what a glorious day that will be!

[SmitteyB]

Originally Posted by Airdale

Of course you'd be interested, because you don't like the fact that RAH flies 170/175's. We already have 170's in service for UAL and 175's for Airways. I doubt any scope would change.

Airdale- I don't like that RAH flies the 170/175 either. I think it is a mainline airplane that belongs no where near a regional. I think it has taken mainline jobs, just like the RJ and Q400 has.

But....


I don't want to see good pilots lose their jobs.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by PCL_128

Doogie isn't interested in synergies. Synergies benefit the shareholder, and he's not concerned about that. He's concerned about his own ego. He's a megalomaniac. He won't stop merging until he's CEO of the world's biggest airline. If synergies never materialize and the investors get screwed, that's not really his concern.

Today, US Airways, tomorrow.....THE WORLD! MWUHAHAHAHA!

<cue creepy castle and music>