Rumor Mill

[jimntx]

by us laws, he can have 49% stock but an american company would have to have the rest plus control i believe. i think that if he brought 49% it may not be effective until after ch11 exit. my opinion only

[post="256693"][/post]​

Two things...

1. Anyone who gains control of more than 5% (might be 9%) of the outstanding shares of a publicly traded company must be made known publicly. And, like a possible suitor for your hand, must make his/her intentions known--honorable or otherwise.
2. You can't buy stock that doesn't exist. The "after ch. 11" issue does not exist until the current stock has been cancelled, and the company has actually emerged from bankruptcy. Neither event has occurred yet.

 

[UseYourHead]

He would have to register with the SEC prior to buying a 5% stake.

I was told today that Richard Branson purchased 49% or US Airways stock yesterday. I would have assumed it would be on here if it were true.
Can anyone verify or deny this rumor?
Since I haven't read it ANYWHERE I would assume it not to be true.
I am sure USA320pilot's "insiders" would have told him before anybody else. <_<

[post="256674"][/post]​

 

[deltawatch]

I think Branson will be the last on board.... but he's coming. Virgin America ='s Usairways + Air Wisconsin + Republic. Most of our mainline equip. will fly point to point between major us cities the rest the Caribbean, Central and South America. RJ operators take over most domestic flying. I predict the name change will be made within three months…

 

[funguy2]

I think Branson will be the last on board.... but he's coming. Virgin America ='s Usairways + Air Wisconsin + Republic. Most of our mainline equip. will fly point to point between major us cities the rest the Caribbean, Central and South America. RJ operators take over most domestic flying. I predict the name change will be made within three months…

[post="257598"][/post]​

Interesting prediction... I am not so sure... Branson is a tough one to read. He wants into the US market, that is for sure. The question is: Is it better to wait out the shakeout and come in later with an all new airline (probably made of parts of the carriers shaken out) or is it better to acquire US Airways, warts and all, just to get in the game? We shall see.

 

[deltawatch]

Just my guess...BUT .... I think he will invest about 100-200 million and get about 25% ownership. He will get the Virgin America name painted on the planes. Lord knows we need an image change. Works for him works for us. Can FLL handle big birds from Europe? Latin America has become a major tourist destination for Europeans. A couple of Virgin wide bodies accross the pond would feed our FLL expansion, would help fill his transatlantic flights too.

 

[airbiiguy]

Interesting prediction... I am not so sure... Branson is a tough one to read. He wants into the US market, that is for sure. The question is: Is it better to wait out the shakeout and come in later with an all new airline (probably made of parts of the carriers shaken out) or is it better to acquire US Airways, warts and all, just to get in the game? We shall see.

[post="257609"][/post]​

I would think it would be better to wait, especially if they go chap7 then all the assests may be sold for below market value.

 

[funguy2]

I would think it would be better to wait, especially if they go chap7 then all the assests may be sold for below market value.

[post="257615"][/post]​

That's my feeling too... But you never know...

 

[RowUnderDCA]

But I think Deltawatch's point is a true observation of the mind of Lakefield, et al. U management is in the mode of attracting Branson-like interest in its assets. I think that's why interest in the U brand is minimal and interest in reducing the seniority of the workforce is maximum. Part of putting together an attractive package for would-be airline executives is to show their potential ability to mold a workforce into a new image and culture. They're not selling U's stellar operational management, since it doesn't exist anymore. They're trying to put together potential value. They're marketing legal, financial, contractual and labor assets. The buyer would bring operational savvy.

I think Lakefield has been brilliant making a financial silk purse out of a sow's ear, but I don't think he ever pretended to know how to run an airline.

The problem is Lakefield (RSA) need to be able to install a vision in the minds of potential buyers..... that is becoming harder and harder as the morass of the airline industry continues and fuel costs make the whole pitch that much more hard to buy (believe).

I think another limiting trend is the so-called walmartization of the US middle class. This tends to make the airline business more and more of a commodity. More and more of these road warriors that expect to enjoy an upper middle class livelyhood are going to be dropped off the new demarcation of wealth in the US as the bushification of the US economy continues. Branson, himself, may be looking more at air taxi, fractional air transport. I don't know how this will turn out, but the upwardly mobile american middle-class propelling demand for higher end discretionary spending is trending into a quaint notion... .like cheap fuel and a viable labor movement in the US.

 

[CynicalResAgent]

At the current prices the man on the corner with the sign reading " Need help, Republicans have put gonorrhea in my sandwichs- will work for food" could probably buy a large percentage of our stock.

Branson could probably buy us out with his personal Amex card. Now that would make for an interesting commercial.