HELL NO! Oberstar comes out swingin!

[North by Northwest]

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflas...htm?chan=search

Yet, I refuse to believe more mergers are the answer. Mergers may mean short-term profits for investors, but they inevitably mean long-term losses for workers and consumers. The merged carrier is never greater than the sum of its parts. It is always less, often much less. As the executives planning these mergers are polishing their golden parachutes, employees of the affected airlines are worrying about the potential loss of their pensions, their seniority, even their jobs.

This is not what we were promised when we deregulated the airline industry in 1978. If Transportation and Justice will not act to cool this merger mania, then Congress should.

We should just say no. Hell no!

Representative James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) is Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. He has been directly involved in the oversight of the airline industry since 1987.

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflas...htm?chan=search

Yet, I refuse to believe more mergers are the answer. Mergers may mean short-term profits for investors, but they inevitably mean long-term losses for workers and consumers. The merged carrier is never greater than the sum of its parts. It is always less, often much less. As the executives planning these mergers are polishing their golden parachutes, employees of the affected airlines are worrying about the potential loss of their pensions, their seniority, even their jobs.

This is not what we were promised when we deregulated the airline industry in 1978. If Transportation and Justice will not act to cool this merger mania, then Congress should.

We should just say no. Hell no!

Representative James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) is Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. He has been directly involved in the oversight of the airline industry since 1987.

North, from what I read there's not much he can do other than use delay tactics. I wish I could remember where I read this but an interview was conducted with a former DOT official and he basically said they don't put much stock into all the political blustering. He said the case would be reviewed on its merits alone.
Also, that article you posted...did you take a minute to look at the comment section? Very interesting..most employees who commented seemed to be for it. In other words, if things stay the same, we're just going to get more of the same roller-coaster ride. All airlines lost $$ in the last quarter of 07. I'm not saying these mergers are the answer but what's going to happen otherwise? Greenspan himself admitted that there is now a 50% chance that the country is going into recession. (Airline employees have been in one for the past 3 years! 😉 )
For him to say that is a lot...he's Mr. There's No Problem Here.
Where was Oberstar when our pensions were either being turned over to the PBGC or being frozen? Does he want more of the same or worse?

 

[PurduePete]

Where was Oberstar when our pensions were either being turned over to the PBGC or being frozen? Does he want more of the same or worse?

2008 is an election year - Oberstar is only speaking out now in order to get reelected.

 

[groundcontrol]

2008 is an election year - Oberstar is only speaking out now in order to get reelected.

You got that right Pete...Look at what this dim wit has to say...

Senate President James Metzen said he wouldn't hesitate to use subpoenas to get answers about a potential combination of Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

"This scares the dickens out of me," he said, noting that 2,300 jobs are tied to Northwest's suburban Twin Cities headquarters. He added, "This thing is steamrolling."

Metzen, a Democrat from South St. Paul, said he'd hold the hearing of the Senate Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs he heads as soon as next week -- "at midnight if we have to" -- although he didn't set a date.

How many mechanics in the MSP area were displaced? These politicians must have thought the desert rat trplacements were gonna set roots/votes in his district. Ass wipes........ :down:

 

[North by Northwest]

If you read the whole article...he lets it be known that he was behind the death of the Ual/US deal way back...and that he intends to kill this one the same way.

People can say what they want about his power, a deal has to pass muster with the DOJ, and the DOT...congress controls both departments.

I could swing with it either way. Frankly, there isn't much difference in US airline companies nowadays...except some have good management and some have scumbags.

As groundcontrol states above..where were these folks when rat face was setting NW people into the streets by the tens of thousands ...prepping it for sale.

Now that their HUB is threaten...they are ready to fight.

 

[UAL_TECH]

Where was this buffoon when the NWA AMFA strike happened?

Chomping the Chunk .

B) UT

 

[North by Northwest]

I say make a condition for the merger...EVERY NW mechanic (and FA that supported them) that was fired be reinstated with pay and senority (for those that would even want to return)

That'll kill the fight mode of the politicians.

 

[metopower]

I say make a condition for the merger...EVERY NW mechanic (and FA that supported them) that was fired be reinstated with pay and senority (for those that would even want to return)

That'll kill the fight mode of the politicians.

Even the ones senior to you ?

 

[tech2101]

Edited by a member of the 444.

 

[North by Northwest]

Even the ones senior to you ?

Yes..


And yes...if it entailed a FA senior to me...cause I have NEVER, will NEVER cross a picket line.

I am not sure where you think you are taking this...Beware.

 

[North by Northwest]

Edited by a member of the 444.

DITTO..as I've already been banned once... (you get the message.)


FAKE.

 

[metopower]

Yes..


And yes...if it entailed a FA senior to me...cause I have NEVER, will NEVER cross a picket line.

I am not sure where you think you are taking this...Beware.

Sorry ..but beware of what? Asking questions . I find your statements interesting because you have such a love of an airline that is your second airline ......I have freinds at many ailines most have been at more then one and you have the most loyalty of anyone of them. Did you strike when the mech. struck? did any unions at NWA honor those picket lines ? You can answer if you like...I'll beware
PS If you want to check blood lines WAL was founded in 1925..merged into DAL in 1987..therefore they can make a claim of being the oldest airline in the USA....

 

[North by Northwest]

FYI ...

There were MANY NWA FA that refused to cross a NWA mechanics strike (they were FIRED) . THAT is all I will say about that.

Litigation has a LONG MEMBORY.

MY conscience is clear.

And I am still prepared for litigation...the ones that I haven't won....me 3- oponent 0

 

[metopower]

FYI ...

There were MANY NWA FA that refused to cross a NWA mechanics strike (they were FIRED) . THAT is all I will say about that.

Litigation has a LONG MEMBORY.

MY contentious is clear.

Thanks for clearing that up

 

[North by Northwest]

p.s.

I will NEVER cross a STRIKE .................EVER!!!!!!!!! (no matter how much money, career, or BS)