MrMarky
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Hi Chip,
Very interesting stuff you have posted. Several months ago I posted my own conjecture about the possibility of the ATSB facilitating a merger between UA and US. As I recall, most replies poo-poo'd the idea. In any event, I have posted some thoughts in bold below, on a few of your points and I'd be interested to hear your response.
Thanks,
Marky
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Since the merger termination the two carrier's have completed most of the planned post merger heavy restructuring. The airlines have:
1. Aligned their fleets to be identical by type, except for nine A-330s, which can easily be returned to the owners per the bankruptcy code. Each company operates B-737s, A-320 family, B-757, and B-767 aircraft. No other major airlines have virtually identical fleet types.
Well that takes care of types but what about those pesky subfleets? AA determined they were better off getting rid of the TWA 757/767 aircraft rather than deal with a fleet using different engines. I have the impression that engine differences can be a biggie in terms of fleet incompatibility as far as maintenance, spares and perhaps some crew training. The US A-319/320's use CFM-56 engines. The UA 319/320's use IAE V-2500 engines. The US 757's use RR engines, while the UA 757's are Pratt & Whitney powered. The US 767's use GE engines and the UA 767's use Pratt.
9. On Wednesday, August 27, US changed its ticketing policies, domestic consolidators, corporate discount programs, paper ticket charge, and pricing changes. Less than 24 hours later, UA announced similar plans. Could UA have known about the changes, to be the first airline to match the US program, or was it coincidental the partners implemented their changes within 24 hours of one another?
I believe any collusion in this area would be illegal under US anti-trust laws.
...there is ATSB language to force consolidation...
Will the Board elect this option? I do not know, but they have the power to force a merger...
Can you please share the relevant language regarding the ATSB's authority in this area? I did not know it existed. In my post of several months ago, I was operating on a what if basis. I don't recall seeing any language in the ATSA legislation granting such power to the ATSB, but I could be wrong.
Thanks, Chip
Marky
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[/blockquote]
Very interesting stuff you have posted. Several months ago I posted my own conjecture about the possibility of the ATSB facilitating a merger between UA and US. As I recall, most replies poo-poo'd the idea. In any event, I have posted some thoughts in bold below, on a few of your points and I'd be interested to hear your response.
Thanks,
Marky
[blockquote]
----------------
Since the merger termination the two carrier's have completed most of the planned post merger heavy restructuring. The airlines have:
1. Aligned their fleets to be identical by type, except for nine A-330s, which can easily be returned to the owners per the bankruptcy code. Each company operates B-737s, A-320 family, B-757, and B-767 aircraft. No other major airlines have virtually identical fleet types.
Well that takes care of types but what about those pesky subfleets? AA determined they were better off getting rid of the TWA 757/767 aircraft rather than deal with a fleet using different engines. I have the impression that engine differences can be a biggie in terms of fleet incompatibility as far as maintenance, spares and perhaps some crew training. The US A-319/320's use CFM-56 engines. The UA 319/320's use IAE V-2500 engines. The US 757's use RR engines, while the UA 757's are Pratt & Whitney powered. The US 767's use GE engines and the UA 767's use Pratt.
9. On Wednesday, August 27, US changed its ticketing policies, domestic consolidators, corporate discount programs, paper ticket charge, and pricing changes. Less than 24 hours later, UA announced similar plans. Could UA have known about the changes, to be the first airline to match the US program, or was it coincidental the partners implemented their changes within 24 hours of one another?
I believe any collusion in this area would be illegal under US anti-trust laws.
...there is ATSB language to force consolidation...
Will the Board elect this option? I do not know, but they have the power to force a merger...
Can you please share the relevant language regarding the ATSB's authority in this area? I did not know it existed. In my post of several months ago, I was operating on a what if basis. I don't recall seeing any language in the ATSA legislation granting such power to the ATSB, but I could be wrong.
Thanks, Chip
Marky
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