SpinDoc:
SpinDoc said: "I agree Captain. I'm positive the investor who forms the holding company will probably merge both carriers into the US brand, but HP management will probably prevail and US non-airport management will most likely be severed."
USA320Pilot comments: I agree with you regarding the holding company, the US brand, & HP senior management. I believe the holding company will be formed with a number of investors, there will be a very large equity investment into the combined business entity, and some of US Airways' senior and middle management will remain with the new US Airways. One person who has intimate knowledge of both companies is Andrew Norcella, US Airways' senior vice president of planning (he worked at HP prior to joining US), and I suspect he will be part of the new management team.
In my opinion, the $55 million in severance payments are required for people in middle to lower MSP ranks such as clerks, accountants, analysts, planners, secretary's, travel office representatives, legal aids, sales, consumer affairs, purchasing, IT personnel, etc. Many of these people will not leave CCY, presuming the headquarters is moved to Tempe, and they need severance or furlough pay just like any other employee.
Union employees deserve severance pay and so do management employees.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
P.S. By the way, JetBlue has inquired about obtaining US Airways' LGA terminal again, but apparently Bruce Lakefield told David Neeleman and the Port Authority the company no longer has an interest in leaving its current facility.