Airline Executives Meet

[767jetz]

USA320pilot,

Here is some more accurate information from UA's MEC for you to chew on:
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" Representatives of the DCI lobbying firm working with the United MEC on pension reform legislation told the MEC that it expects the Conference Committee working on a final pension bill to complete its work in the next two weeks. They believe once the Conference Committee reaches consensus on outlaying issues, the bill will move quickly through both Chambers of Congress. They also said they don’t expect President Bush to veto the legislation.

Mark Anderson, United Airlines’ Washington lobbyist, believes United’s application for an Air Transportation Stabilization Board loan guarantee this year is far different from the earlier application that was rejected in 2002. He said a “different dynamicâ€￾ exists this time around.

Anderson said the differences in the ATSB application United filed in 2002 from the one filed this year are “night and day.â€￾ He told the MEC United is making progress in the loan application process. Pension reform is a major hurdle to clear before going forward."
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As I have said before, you are putting way too much emphasis on the rumors that are flooding the news media, and the halls of Crystal City. Speculation is heating up because US is barely keeping it's nose above the water line, and they are holding their breath to see what happens at UA. I understand that this is a source of great frustration for you, but constantly spinning rumors and speculation, and hoping things will pan out the way you wish them to, will not have any effect on the outcome of UA's future.

UA will delay it's process until there is a pension resolution. Until then everything else, from the 1110 process, to costs, to exit financing will be fine tuned.

So just chill and let the cards fall where they may. Trying to effect the outcome from the left seat of your Airbus, or from behind your computer screen is like spitting into the ocean. B)

 

[NeedForSpeedNFS]

After all, two weeks ago in prepared comments and then in an WSJ interview US Airways chief executive officer Dave Siegel said his focus is on fixing the company on a stand-alone basis, "so we're a more attractive partner" when the "necessary, logical and inevitable" consolidation occurs.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

I've noticed many posters' to these boards dont particularly care for what USA320Pilot has to say, but................ This last statement says it all, regardless if you agree with his many posts or not. People, This IS the BOTTOM LINE!! We at U ARE being prepared to be sold/merged/aquired! It WILL happen. When, is anyones' guess. GOOD DAY.......MORE LATER

 

[avek00]

One could also contend that Wolf & Gangwal got it right the first time around when they said that there is no Plan B for US Airways...

 

[colorado_cowboy]

If US can get it's financial act together and beat back the SWA challenge and generate profits at the same time they could easily become the aquirer instead of the aquiree.

Thats an awfully big IF dontcha think Bob?

 

[USA320Pilot]

767jetz:

Why do you not debate United issues on the United board? This discussion, although it involves United, is more about US Airways and its interests.

My interest in United is simple: How could it affect US Airways? That's why I post information on the subject -- no more, no little.

Furthermore, if US Airways dumps United and moves onto lets say Northwest or American, which I desire, than my focus will shift to that carrier. (By the way, the reason I desire US Airways to terminate its relationship with United, which I am lobbying for, is that I am no longer confident the Chicago-based airline will survive and I want US Airways to have a stronger business relationship than what it has with United).

In regard to PineyBob's comments about management or others providing certain employees information that is absolutely true. But, it only works if the receiver does not understand the motive and lets them self be maniuplated. The key is -- information is knowledge and thus power.

What I like about my "rogue" reporting is that I talk with senior management, top ALPA and other union officials, members of the news media, analysts, industry consultants, and government officials.

It's sort of cool and when I post information, the reader has the right to believe or not believe the material. It really doesn't matter and it's all been made possible by the internet.

With that said, 767jetz I understand your sentiment, but you are badly, badly mistaken and your views are not supported by key industry observers.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[EyeInTheSky]

USA320Pilot, come on. You start 99% of the rebuttals, so don't get your panties in a wad when the UAL employees dish it back at you. Don't you think it's time to get real with everyone on here. You've worked for both airlines. So, what's your objective with this merger mission?

 

[ual777fan]

I believe that United will survive. Their costs are under much better control- and their route network is still intact. With the new ad campaign targetted towards business travelers, I think that clearer skies are ahead for United.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Eye:

My information comes from other sources who I believe. Take it for what's its worth.

Regardless, I will say it again, I do not want to have a merger with United and I have repeatedly said I would like to remain independent. If a corporate transaction occurs for US Airways and its employees, I would rather have the corporate combination be with Northwest.

Yes, there would be anti-trust issues, but I understand those could be worked out.

United had a operating loss of $6 million per day and a net loss of $8 million per day in January. I understand United's February and March numbers will be about the same before traffic seasonally picks up this spring.

After all of their cuts and problems, the Chicago-based airline continues to lose millions of dollars every day, cannot articulate a POR, and it does not have a business plan that works, thus my interest to move on to another carrier.

It's that simple, US Airways should dump United now. Another words, when would now be a good time to do that?

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I believe that United will survive. Their costs are under much better control- and their route network is still intact. With the new ad campaign targetted towards business travelers, I think that clearer skies are ahead for United.

ual777fan, I think you're right. Still, you have to admit there's a lot more work to be done for UAL to stay in the competive skies. I truly wish everyone at United the best. I hope you feel likewise for your friends here at US Airways.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Eye:

My information comes from other sources who I believe. Take it for what's its worth.

Regardless, I will say it again, I do not want to have a merger with United and I have repeatedly said I would like to remain independent. If a corporate transaction occurs for US Airways and its employees, I would rather have the corporate combination be with Northwest.

Yes, there would be anti-trust issues, but I understand those could be worked out.

United had a operating loss of $6 million per day and a net loss of $8 million per day in January. I understand United's February and March numbers will be about the same before traffic seasonally picks up this spring.

After all of their cuts and problems, the Chicago-based airline continues to lose millions of dollars every day, cannot articulate a POR, and it does not have a business plan that works, thus my interest to move on to another carrier.

It's that simple, US Airways should dump United now. Another words, when would now be a good time to do that?

Regards,

USA320Pilot

USA320Pilot, I am going on record: The biggest mistake this company did was to end its alliance with American Airlines. Every frequent flier loved having these two airlines tied together. Both companies know it was a good network. Therefore I wouldn't rule out another hook up of the two carriers in the near future. Whatever that is...

 

[ual777fan]

It is sad when anyone loses there job, esp. when management is ripping off the company.

Both airlines have gone through Wolf for the worse in both cases and are still trying to undo the damage. For example if one looks at all the widebodies Wolf purchased and United never took up or grounded- like who needs 44 747's?

United is fundimentally a stronger airline than US Air. It's route structure is much more diverse with a huge presence over both the Pacific and the Atlantic. However the airline has suffered from a lack of vision for the few past years, as has US Air.

If you look at a map of the country one can see how United and USAir would be a good fit, I would love to combine my miles...

I don't work for either airline but I fly them frequently... I have never had a bad experience on either.

 

[PITbull]

Eye,

AA may be a good business move for USAirways...but it would surely be the demise of the majority of U employees.

 

[colorado_cowboy]

about the size of Colorado and they would have to climb the Front Range as well

LMAO... thanx for the chuckle

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Eye,

AA may be a good business move for USAirways...but it would surely be the demise of the majority of U employees.

PITbull, true. American has a horrible habit of disposing the senority (or the employees outright) of its acquired carriers. You can't think Arpey isn't watching what's going on over here. The threat of a US Airways acquisition could be used as a tactic against AA's unions. PITbull as you are fully aware every airline employee at the legacy carriers is scared to death at what is happening at US Airways. Like I've said in notes before, if Dave & Dave get their way, US Airways could in effect become impossible to compete with. Essentially, every employee at the other legacy carriers hopes US Airways or United goes belly up so they would have more leverage. We all know what Siegel's plan is: We become a big Mesa Airlines. We all know how adored Mesa Airlines is (not).

 

[diogenes]

Only because labor is a means, not an end.

I don't think hammering labor was the sole end, but it is one of them.

U labor proved they were willing to give for the company's survival; that good will was abused.

Management could have retained the good will had they so chosen.

And there's no question in my mind that there is an industry-wide, and nation-wide assault on labor.