United & US Airways?

[UPNAWAY]

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles...agFees0514.html

In addition to this, a few weeks ago it went almost completely unnoticed but United and US Airways completed a big IT project to give each other real time Fare buckets, Availability & seat assignments in each others DRS systems.

Lots of aligning going on; just Star Alliance stuff or something more?

 

[crusher]

With any luck it is a precurser to other things , like emptying out the litterbox at the Sandcastle and a much hoped for merger. Time will tell. Any improvement to our pathetic IT dept and the useless Qik/Shares would be welcome. After 2 years we still don't have anything close to our yugo version of pre merger sabre. Amadeus would be a huge improvement. Why do we continue to spend untold millions on this useless system. At this point with all the money already flushed into qik/shares it would have been cheaper to keep sabre. The closer we get together , the easier it will be to "get together".

 

[nycbusdriver]

Third time's a charm, as they say.

God help us!

 

[hp_fa]

The one thing that may be keeping any merger from happening is the pilot labor/union issue. Adding another layer of complexity and potential animosity to a new merger could be keeping any potential merger party away from US Airways.

 

[ChockJockey]

The one thing that may be keeping any merger from happening is the pilot labor/union issue. Adding another layer of complexity and potential animosity to a new merger could be keeping any potential merger party away from US Airways.

Or it could be just the thing to force the pilot issue out of our collective colon. Yes, there would be added complexities but also new opportunities for solutions.

Whatever happens at least it won't be boring.

 

[USA320Pilot]

On April 28 US Airways president Scott Kirby spoke to a group of pilots at the CLT Training Center in a Crew News session.

Regarding the Star Alliance Scott indicated Continental’s acceptance in Star required “unanimous†airline support and US Airways voted “(yes) because it’s a good thing for US Airways.†In the short-term US Airways’ Star membership has been extended for 5 years.

In the longer term Scott said after United and Continental complete their antitrust review there will be “more opportunity (for US Airways) to work with Continental†and US Airways will become more “deeply embedded with United and it commits them to the domestic portion of the alliance.†Scott continued, “it means it will have more opportunity for us†and “don’t believe everything you read (in the media).â€

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[US1YFARE]

US is really the bottom of the barrel. Some people say NW is worse...well, I fly NW and US is no NW....they are much worse. I'd hate to see CO in an alliance solely with a company run by US management. I am in a Delta Club today and one of the Deltoid Sky Club people commented on how "pathetic" (her words, not mine), Doug Parker is.

 

[US1YFARE]

Duplicate post.

 

[DCaf]

I am in a Delta Club today and one of the Deltoid Sky Club people commented on how "pathetic" (her words, not mine), Doug Parker is.

Talking about US in a Delta Club? You're really obsessed. Plus, the Deltoid agents comment on DP was cheap, unworthy of a Delta agent.

 

[USA320Pilot]

If US Airways and United attempted another merger this would be the fifth attempt that the business partners tried to execute a corporate combination.

There was the 1995 attempt between Seth Schofield and Gerry Greenwald that was complicated by United's now defunct ESOP, the 2000 attempt between Stephen Wolf and Jim Goodwin, the 2001-2002 attempt between Dave Siegel and Jim Goodwin code worded "Project Minnow", and last year's failed attempt between Doug Parker and Glenn Tilton.

For more information on "Project Minnow" where US Airways tried to acquire United click here and here.

And, to read about last year's merger discussions between the parties click here, here, and here.

Meanwhile, United Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Mikells was recently interviewed on CNBC. During the interview a point was made that United has downsized significantly and out of the nine largest U.S. airlines United was the only major air carrier with no aircraft on order. Mikells stated, "It's been known for years that United is up for sale and new aircraft orders could impede a buyer (paraphrased)."

I have no reason to believe one way or another that the two companies may try to merge once the economy improves and credit begins to flow, but I did find Kirby's comments that US Airways will become more “deeply embedded with United and it commits them to the domestic portion of the alliance" and “it means it will have more opportunity for usâ€￾ curious. Another words, what does "deeply imbedded" mean?

Finally, by not having US Airways a part of the United/Continental/Star anti-trust review US Airways could have an easier time merging with United and then tackling anti-trust hurdles, which would likely then only be DCA-IAD that could likely be handled similar to what the DOJ proposed with divestitures to AMR in 2000.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[Dog Wonder]

Look for CO and UA to treat US like a red-headed stepchild.

 

[USPHX]

Look for CO and UA to treat US like a red-headed stepchild.

If only the rest of us could have your inside knowlege, not to mention your analytical and clairvoyant skills.

 

[USA320Pilot]

The East-West banter about who saved whom serves no useful purpose. In fact, without the merger both companies would likely have been insolvent.

As 700UW indicated John Luth of the Seabury Group, hired by Bruce Lakefield, orchestrated the outside financing that permited the corporate combination. Neither comapny bought the other company and outside capital from companies like ACE Aviation Holdings, the parent of Air Canada, PAR Investment Partners, Peninsula Investment Partners, Air Wisconsin, Wexford Capital (Republic Airways), and Airbus permitted the merger to proceed.

Without this outside capital neither company could have acquired the other company. According to Doug Parker America West woud have likely entered bankruptcy and US Airways liquidated.

I firmly believe instead of fighting one another employees need to embrace the new airline and stop the bickering for the good of all stakeholders.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[Poug Darker]

...Finally, by not having US Airways a part of the United/Continental/Star anti-trust review US Airways could have an easier time merging with United and then tackling anti-trust hurdles, which would likely then only be DCA-IAD that could likely be handled similar to what the DOJ proposed with divestitures to AMR in 2000.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

Dude, the anti-trust issues in the DC Metro area have been solved! All DC Metro flyers have a low-cost alternative choice in SW in BWI. The DC Metro area was the big concern in the early 90's attempt because USAirways and United had all three airports sewn up. Not so today - USAirways gave Baltimore to Southwest. There should be no anti-trust hurdles in the DC Metro area.
Cheers

 

[beachboy]

I had the PRIVALAGE of having a former USAir CEO on one of my flights. He remembered the gal in the backs NAME from 1989!!!! Total nice guy and class act. In his words, "Mr. Parker better start showing some dividends to the shareholders. He is not doing a very good job" .