US Airways' merger glow dims

[AIRWOMAN]

I just read the article.........I really, really thought the "Save Dave" campaign was innovative.

 

[IpourNotCan]

LOL! Are we still kicking that same dead horse? 😛

I saw that article this morning and had to wonder how many of us are brawling with each other? It's not something I've seen at any of our van pickups.

I haven't noticed anything different on the west side either. As a matter of fact, I've been to the US East crew lounges and it hasn't been that bad. US East crews chat with us in the van and hotel layovers.

Just to show how much the Media likes to stir the pot and create drama.

I hate the news especially USA Today.

 

[Dog Wonder]

Just to show how much the Media likes to stir the pot and create drama.

I hate the news especially USA Today.

When will the corporate mouthpiece come out with a statement about the "accuracy" of the article? Or maybe they won't since the article quoted the corporate mouthpiece.

 

[PITbull]

Everyone,

I read that article as well.

I have not, however seen ANY arguements or any kind of strife between US/wst and US/east employees. As a matter of fact, as a west F/A/ I have been traveling quite a bit on east metal and have had nothing but friendly interactions with both gate/ticket and inflight staff!!! I alos have had a number of /east folks on our a/c and there have been no problems at all.

I think all-in-all most everyone is happy to be seeing this merger progress so well...in comparison to some past ones we could think of.

There are a few issues with transition agreements and the like that are unresolved and there is a bit of back and forth between a few of the unions. True. I would also agree that there are a few extra issues with uncompleted /west contracts that have those groupsa bit annoyed.
Also,Parker should really try to get those done as quickly and quietly as possible...I think he has been lacking a bit on that front.

I don't think the article paints a very accurate portrait of what is actually going on. Just normal "housekeeping" in a merger in my view. But, the press has to have something negative to report....don't they????

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!! 😀

The issues are not West employees vs. East employees. The main issue is West employees VS. Management with regared to all the section 6 negotiations...wages, benefits, workrules.

Do you folks read???

 

[OldGuyinPA]

This is .. and will be for a long time..two separate airlines.

Divide and conquer....

 

[a320av8r]

I've been flying all over the system too. I have not seen or heard of anything in this article. On the contrary, the Cactus folks I've run into have been fine and cordial.
Over the years I have found that the "news" papers are really
just an advertising machine. They'll print anything if it sells a paper. Don't believe them, the real reporters are a generation ago. These guys today just write what they're told to write, "fair and balanced" news. :down:

 

[l8rd8r]

Show me the money!!!!This joint venture secured alot of $$$. HP nor USeast could have done that ALONE. Some of you are soooo stubborn. The street says they like it the stock is going up. It took two and it will take two to keep it going. Talk about fights. I've seen more in flight between the flight attendants just working. HEEHEE don't mess with the PITSTERS they'll kick your Buuutt. Here's to the new U. HAPPY MERRY HOLIDAYS.

 

[AIRWOMAN]

When will the corporate mouthpiece come out with a statement about the "accuracy" of the article? Or maybe they won't since the article quoted the corporate mouthpiece.

This was from the US Daily today. The company has never taken a hard stance and rebutted what the media writes. All I can figure is that if they do, it'll just keep dragging on in the media.....just my opinion.

MEDIA REPORTS UNREST
This morning's Arizona Republic ran a story regarding the America West/US Airways merger, focusing on employee integration. This is obviously a hot topic among the media and an even hotter topic among employees, so we want to be sure employees aren't alarmed by media speculation.

Today's story focused on the tasks facing employees, unions and management: contract and seniority integration, which are all in progress. But, the fact that they're not "done" led to speculation among the reporter's sources. These types of comments can fuel anxiety among employees.

The entire US management team realizes the urgency of key issues at hand, including seniority, pay, benefits, work rules and travel privileges; also, merging the teams in shared stations naturally requires an adjustment period. Unfortunately, resolving these issues can be a long process. In the meantime, management is committed to working with labor leaders to the extent they can, to identify solutions that will allow us to move forward together.

 

[VOR]

Looks like you guys are getting this thing back on track...a320av8r and l8rd8r are right on. It took both to save 30K+ jobs and it will take both to keep 30k+ jobs. Wish I had the stuff to save the jobs and a Fortune 500 company in one act, maybe I'd have gotten a pay raise and maybe not.

I am no cheerleader but I am proud to be part of the xHP team being allowed to work to make the new US a great place to work, but who knows for how long.

 

[EricLv2Fish]

Flew US East from PHX to SRQ Thur and flying back to Phx tomorrow. I've seen nothing but good things (except for some of the US East aircraft needing painting). Small glimpse, but a postive one so far. It's been reassuring the merger was the right thing to do.

 

[NCFL]

I don't recall which analyst or news publication referred to the two airlines merging as "two drunks holding one another up," but one did and it was a spot-on.

I hope all works out in the end, but I have serious doubts. US East employees, for the most part, are merger-savvy, having been through how many? Empire, Piedmont, PSA, Mohawk, Lake Central, blah blah blah. US West ain't seen nothin' yet.

Or maybe that term should be "scarred" instead of "savvy."

 

[Snafu]

Flew US East from PHX to SRQ Thur and flying back to Phx tomorrow. I've seen nothing but good things (except for some of the US East aircraft needing painting). Small glimpse, but a postive one so far. It's been reassuring the merger was the right thing to do.

Please expand on your post. Are you saying that because you have taken a flight that you are now reassured that the merger was the right thing to do?? I hope not becasue if that's how you decide that this was the right thing to do, you better re-examine your thoughts. Your experience shouldn't be the deciding factor.

 

[UWCactus]

LOL! Are we still kicking that same dead horse? 😛

I saw that article this morning and had to wonder how many of us are brawling with each other? It's not something I've seen at any of our van pickups. Working in CLT and with so many Piedmont people gives you a true fear of mergers. There are sure to be bumps in the road, but all in all it hasn't been too bad. (So far)

I agree...may have been one situation involving some agressive types that made it's way into the paper somehow...probably through the HP F/A union.

I am not looking to get into a battle over this issue. I have read alot of posts on here over the past 6 months on how AWA is the savior, that was never the case. Both airlines needed this merger, although most of the former AWA employees didnt seem to think so. There it is, it is what it is, and we now all have to live with it or move on.

One thing that US East has not known is after the merger announcement was made...he made it clear to employees that "America West needed this merger". Some employee groups chose not to believe this...but it was out there for all to understand.

One of the big differences is old US had Glass and the gang HP did not. Now the new US has Glass and the gang HP kept them. Noting new their deja vou.I think we are down the road now.

Please remember...Jerry Glass was with America West previous to the old US Airways. I just can't remember timeframe he was there.

Everyone,

I read that article as well.

I have not, however seen ANY arguements or any kind of strife between US/wst and US/east employees. As a matter of fact, as a west F/A/ I have been traveling quite a bit on east metal and have had nothing but friendly interactions with both gate/ticket and inflight staff!!! I alos have had a number of /east folks on our a/c and there have been no problems at all.

I think all-in-all most everyone is happy to be seeing this merger progress so well...in comparison to some past ones we could think of.

There are a few issues with transition agreements and the like that are unresolved and there is a bit of back and forth between a few of the unions. True. I would also agree that there are a few extra issues with uncompleted /west contracts that have those groupsa bit annoyed.
Also,Parker should really try to get those done as quickly and quietly as possible...I think he has been lacking a bit on that front.

I don't think the article paints a very accurate portrait of what is actually going on. Just normal "housekeeping" in a merger in my view. But, the press has to have something negative to report....don't they????

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!! 😀

The only battles I've seen are on these posts....not in person and not in the workplace.

I really have to disagree with this. I think the combining of these 2 airlines could be one of the best things to happen to this industry. If everyone would just give it a chance, we really could come out on top with one hell of an airline. I have had nothing but positive encounters with Uwest f/a's. I think if there are any hard feelings as the article states, they are very far and few in between.

I tend to agree with this statement...thank you. The facts are this...US West was not in financial dire straits at the time of this merger announcement. However, they were unable to generate the revenue on a consistent basis to stay afloat for a long time. With fuel prices on the rise and competition heating up in leisure markets, which tend to be low revenue yield...ie, phx, las..etc, something had to be done before US West ended up in a difficult situation. This merger was right for BOTH carriers....and it certainly made sense....unfortunately employees of the two carriers don't seem to be convinced of this and its unfortunate. I have to say...US East definitely has the more negative outlook on this and with management than West has ever felt under Doug Parker.

Please give this merger time before you write it off, it's too important for so many employees..that this work.

 

[EricLv2Fish]

Please expand on your post. Are you saying that because you have taken a flight that you are now reassured that the merger was the right thing to do?? I hope not becasue if that's how you decide that this was the right thing to do, you better re-examine your thoughts. Your experience shouldn't be the deciding factor.

Obviously one or two flights is only a glimpse, but it was positive. I feel better having at least a glimpse.

 

[a320av8r]

After flying the LAS/CLT, PIT, and PHL trips lately, I can tell you from my viewpoint that this is going to work.
Our customers like it- thats what counts.