Merger talks could resune in 2009

[ebwgs]

"US is so terminal that the employees yearn to be bought by ANYBODY."

Hey jeffster:

I feel your pain and your frustration man. For heaven's sake the likes of you and other employees and management at other airlines--Delta even based an earlier business plan on US's demise much to their chagrin--have been dumbfounded by US Airways's survival instincts in spite of all our attempts to be the Plexico Burress of the industry. And despite of all of the times we've shot ourselves in the foot....er....the thigh: Thanks to Plexico even the sins of futility and stupidity have ascended from the foot to the thigh--like the Jefferson's stupid and futile are now singing "We're Moving On Up"--we're still here in business and still flying and still keeping you industry vultures drooling at the prospect of our demise and of acquiring our assets. Look, it hasn't happened and it ain't gonna happen. We are a lot of things man, good and bad. But we are also resourceful, gritty, and survivors. So, you keep pontificating, wishing and hoping that we drop off the face of the globe. And when you leave this earth, among the other other items you bequeath to your loved ones, bequeath your wish that US Airways continues to die its slow death. Because you probably will have died your death before US Airways does. Happy New Year!

 

[NoMoreKoolAid]

Ouch! 😱 That had to hurt.

 

[N965VJ]

LOLZ

Cross-Slapâ„¢!

 

[aafsc]

"US is so terminal that the employees yearn to be bought by ANYBODY."

Hey jeffster:

I feel your pain and your frustration man. For heaven's sake the likes of you and other employees and management at other airlines--Delta even based an earlier business plan on US's demise much to their chagrin--have been dumbfounded by US Airways's survival instincts in spite of all our attempts to be the Plexico Burress of the industry. And despite of all of the times we've shot ourselves in the foot....er....the thigh: Thanks to Plexico even the sins of futility and stupidity have ascended from the foot to the thigh--like the Jefferson's stupid and futile are now singing "We're Moving On Up"--we're still here in business and still flying and still keeping you industry vultures drooling at the prospect of our demise and of acquiring our assets. Look, it hasn't happened and it ain't gonna happen. We are a lot of things man, good and bad. But we are also resourceful, gritty, and survivors. So, you keep pontificating, wishing and hoping that we drop off the face of the globe. And when you leave this earth, among the other other items you bequeath to your loved ones, bequeath your wish that US Airways continues to die its slow death. Because you probably will have died your death before US Airways does. Happy New Year!

The only reason US is still flying is because of the fact that the employees work for pay and benefits that are at the absolute bottom of the industry; just as the TWA employees did. I have no doubt that US will continue to fly as long as the employees are willing to do whatever it takes (in terms of pay) to fund operations.

 

[aafsc]

AA has no interest in US or their Shuttle. The value of the Shuttle has diminished considerably since the successful advent of Acela, and, quite frankly, the revenue potential of the Shuttle is no longer what it was when AA was first interested in it back in the early 90's.

Witness DL's outsourcing of the LGA-DCA shuttle market to Shuttle America. Once one of the crown jewels, revenue potential-wise, of the DL purchase of Pan Am's assets and authorities, the Shuttle is no longer a money-making proposition for DL. The DL LGA-BOS shuttle is next to be outsourced.

The only talk I ever hear of AA's interest in US and the shuttle comes from US employees who, on one hand, like the poster above, malign AA but, on the other hand, in private, secretly yearn for somebody to come along and buy their dying carrier. While they would probably like to be bought by anybody BUT AA due to AA's historical treatment of acquired carriers and employees, at this point, it appears that US is so terminal that the employees yearn to be bought by ANYBODY.

Wishful thinking on the part of US employees, whether they like to admit it or not, because an AA deal, for good or bad, represents their only chance for continued longevity.

If any deal were to be done, Shuttle or otherwise, however, it will not include employees, IMHO.

Bullseye!!! With the DL/NW merger now a done deal and UA/CO getting very close; that leaves US as the odd man out. This naturally leads to speculation of US and AA. Comparing the route systems, AA's is far superior and can easily stand alone; US's is second rate at best and would be of no substantial benefit to AA or anyone else. It seems to me that the US people are doing what the TWA people did; work for wages that are at the bottom of the "legacy" (in some cases lower than the national carriers) industry to sustain the company until a sucker, er, I mean a merger (or acquisition)partner comes along.

 

[ebwgs]

The only reason US is still flying is because of the fact that the employees work for pay and benefits that are at the absolute bottom of the industry; just as the TWA employees did. I have no doubt that US will continue to fly as long as the employees are willing to do whatever it takes (in terms of pay) to fund operations.

There is no doubt we took some hits during our Chapter 11 episodes. Ouch! They still hurt. But, "the absolute bottom of the industry?" Now, if you're talking about the legacy carriers I won't dispute that we have some catching up to do. We're negotiating to do so. But, as far as the industry is concerned you're wrong. Happy New Year!

 

[aafsc]

There is no doubt we took some hits during our Chapter 11 episodes. Ouch! They still hurt. But, "the absolute bottom of the industry?" Now, if you're talking about the legacy carriers I won't dispute that we have some catching up to do. We're negotiating to do so. But, as far as the industry is concerned you're wrong. (Deleted by moderator.) Happy New Year!

Technically you are correct. "Industry" would include the likes of Mesa, you obviously make more than Mesa. I should have said "legacy carriers" although many of the "national carriers'" employees make more than those at US.

 

[jeffster]

Ouch! 😱 That had to hurt.

No, actually, the funniest part of the US employee circle jerk in response to my post is that I don't even work for AA.

Your collective defensiveness reveals your true demons.

You don't have to be an airline employee to know that US is terminal.

Have a Happy New Year!

 

[jeffster]

Bullseye!!! With the DL/NW merger now a done deal and UA/CO getting very close; that leaves US as the odd man out. This naturally leads to speculation of US and AA. Comparing the route systems, AA's is far superior and can easily stand alone; US's is second rate at best and would be of no substantial benefit to AA or anyone else. It seems to me that the US people are doing what the TWA people did; work for wages that are at the bottom of the "legacy" (in some cases lower than the national carriers) industry to sustain the company until a sucker, er, I mean a merger (or acquisition)partner comes along.

Very true on all counts.

I know a number of US employees and while, as the other posters in this thread, they claim hatred of AA, they always seem to bring up the possibility of a merger.

Funny, I never hear my AA friends talking about that possibility.

US, indeed, has few prospects as a standalone carrier.

 

[aafsc]

Man I have to give it to you. I'm amazed at how much knowledge you have about the salary and benefits of all of the legacy and national carriers. And the ability you seem to possess in crunching all of those numbers and discerning who has the best and the worst of the industry. Wow! You are a veritable airline employee salary and benefits clearinghouse. It makes me second guess my determination to have a life outside of the industry. What am I thinking? Just to think if I choose to take your route and forget about having a life I just may find that vehicle to lift my self esteem and actually feel good about myself. I'm probably asking you a really dumb question but, what are your hobbies?

I'm not a "clearing house" for airline compensation; if one wants to find facts on this subject all they have to do is know where to look. It don't know the exact details of every contract but I can easily find (most of the time) the major components.

A little comparison:

From airlinepilotcentral.com:

Airtran 717 and 737 topped out captain.....$153/hr
US 737 topped out captain.......................$125/hr

Jetblue A320 topped out captain...............$147/hr
US A320 topped out captain.....................$125/hr

Jetblue topped out E190 captain................$110/hr
US topped out E190 captain.......................$95/hr

All it takes is a few minutes to do some research. Yes, US employees do make substantially less than the other legacies as well as some of the nationals. Not only pilots, but rampers, A@Ps, and everyone else as well.

As for my hobbies: debating, flying small aircraft, skiing, traveling.

 

[Ralph]

:cop: The personal comments/attacks stop now! :cop: Either stick to the issues or the thread will be closed. The posts that have devoted themselves strictly to attacking another member will be deleted.

 

[wings396]

Very true on all counts.

I know a number of US employees and while, as the other posters in this thread, they claim hatred of AA, they always seem to bring up the possibility of a merger.

Funny, I never hear my AA friends talking about that possibility.

US, indeed, has few prospects as a standalone carrier.

Unless any of your "AA friends" are in HDQ, it doesn't much matter what they say or think. I can't recall any major corporate decisions being bounced off the workforce before being acted on. What does or doesn't make sense to the frontline people is irrelevant when the Boys at the top play their "Chess matches". Who ends up being the biggest kid on the block, and how much competition can be eliminated are the bottom line. Do you really think the CEO's care about who gets cut or furloughed, or A/C fleet matches? Look at DL/NW with the mix and match fleet they are going to have. I have been thru a few mergers already, and as long as my paycheck continues to show up, I could care less who's name is on it. Maybe US will merge with someone, maybe not. Get a bunch of investors together with a few bucks and a few drinks, and who knows where it will go. The DL/NW merger was pretty much along those lines as well.

 

[jeffster]

Unless any of your "AA friends" are in HDQ, it doesn't much matter what they say or think. I can't recall any major corporate decisions being bounced off the workforce before being acted on. What does or doesn't make sense to the frontline people is irrelevant when the Boys at the top play their "Chess matches". Who ends up being the biggest kid on the block, and how much competition can be eliminated are the bottom line. Do you really think the CEO's care about who gets cut or furloughed, or A/C fleet matches? Look at DL/NW with the mix and match fleet they are going to have. I have been thru a few mergers already, and as long as my paycheck continues to show up, I could care less who's name is on it. Maybe US will merge with someone, maybe not. Get a bunch of investors together with a few bucks and a few drinks, and who knows where it will go. The DL/NW merger was pretty much along those lines as well.

I don't think "biggest" is something that is valued any longer in the airline industry. "Biggest" means nothing. "Most profitable" does.

As far as competition goes, eliminating US as a "competitor" is not applicable here. I don't think that AA is worried much about US as a "competitor." Any assets AA would be interested in would be better acquired through a sale of those specific assets or in a bankruptcy auction. Hopefully, they have learned the lessons taught by the TWA debacle, which my brother, who is employed by AA, reminds me of every time I say something good about AA's management.

 

[PHLfa88]

The only reason US is still flying is because of the fact that the employees work for pay and benefits that are at the absolute bottom of the industry; just as the TWA employees did. I have no doubt that US will continue to fly as long as the employees are willing to do whatever it takes (in terms of pay) to fund operations.

Where DO you get your information from?

 

[ebwgs]

Where DO you get your information from?

His Wheaties box.