LCC Proposes $8B merger with Delta

[aquagreen73s]

The one (and only) thing I find amusing about this is how HP employees will now view their seniority. After going on and on about how it relates to US East, far more Delta employees have been around for a FAR longer time than any of us in CLT, PHL, PIT, BOS, DCA or LGA. In short, Doug doesn't give a rat's arse about any of us. We are Joseph and he will sell us into slavery so fast we won't know what hit us.

DAL doesn't have 17 year pilots on furlough. There has never been an airline in history as overbloated and overfat as the former U. Think about the furlough numbers: they're unprecedented.

Gameplaying the pilot integration a little, this isn't going to help the U negotiators. DAL has a lot of pilots hired in the 90s who all would be hundreds of numbers down on the furlough list at U. Don't think for a second DALAPA will sit idly by and support DOH. Not for one second. If anything, they too will be fighting for relative seniority for the active seniority list.

 

[wildirishrose]

Gee, I wonder what computor system we'll go to now?!

 

[aquagreen73s]

Where the F is United when U need them?....UA would be a better fit for either of these carriers....this has got to be the worst case scenario for all employees on both sides, as well as CLT & PIT.

UA, NWA...even CAL or ALK. WTF??? DAL has to be the WORST fit. But it's not about a functioning airline. Rather, it's all about refinancing and extracting billion of $$$ from Wall Street. I guess we're nothing more than pieces of a Monopoly board game.

 

[Singleflyer]

While I completely agree Delta is a far better brand name, I would have like to see the press release state they are thinking of using USAirways name, but that could change down the road to Delta. The look on many Delta's employees face would have been priceless, working for the Evil Empire.

Also, the computer system would be Delta's. This merger is not about building routes, its about getting an IT system that works.

 

[ClueByFour]

Now here is an educated unemotional guess that is funny and sad. People are so cynical, but then again this is an airline sorority.

The only uneducated and emotional remark was yours, as I don't work for an airline, zippy.

 

[Seatacus]

But it's not about a functioning airline. Rather, it's all about refinancing and extracting billion of $$$ from Wall Street.

Mergers are where the real money is.

 

[ClueByFour]

Also, the computer system would be Delta's. This merger is not about building routes, its about getting an IT system that works.

Despite the fact that the Tempe boys and girls have proved they can't boot a Playstation, much less do IT with any acumen, I don't think even Parker would pay 8 billion for an IT architecture.

 

[Prince of PAWOBs]

I wasn't sure if I wanted to post, but the idea of a merger suddenly pushes more important things to the side. Like a smoke screen, this discussion supplants problems that US already has by diverting our attention toward combining operations with an airline that (in some cases) treats its employees worse than US does.

We have stalled contract negotiations, a poor baggage record (especialy in PHL), labor infighting and a few holidays approaching with their threat of impending meltdown. Now, we have an over-reaching CEO who is trying to acquire YET ANOTHER airline, or at least the appearance thereof.

I could speculate all day as to why Parker is doing this, but I would rather deal with what I know, which is that this announcement will create more problems than he ever dreamed of during the last quarter of this year.

Perhaps he's taking a chance while he still has time to go after more assets and routes, but sometimes it's simply better to wait things out. Delta could emerge from bankruptcy and than find themselves back in it in a year's time. Why not fix what you have first to make it viable, then go after what you want to acquire?

Doug's posturing is either a feint or simply a poorly-timed bid for more Christmas gifts for the board of directors at US and Delta.

US employees must stick together on this issue either way. The thought of having Delta Global Services determine the fate of many ground employees turns my stomach. It's the "fast food worker" fix that Doug and crew having been dreaming about since they merged US with HP.

And I'm sure Delta employees have their own set of angst-laden concerns over what will happen to their jobs and corporate culture.

Folks, I may not be on the sideline per se, but I know over-reaching when I see it, and this example smacks of ulterior motive and gratification.

 

[aislehopper]

I know that they automatically upgrade non-revs to first for free.
Their planes are immaculate.
My friends at DL say that there is rampant favoritism and unfairness due to lack of unions.
Ground employees can transfer into INFLIGHT and maintain HALF of their seniority.
Their crews think that their **** don't stink.

1. Yes.
2. No, but getting better.
3. No.
4. No. They go to the bottom for bidding seniority. They lose half of their pay seniority. I think that they keep their number of vacations and their DOH for bidding vacations.
5. Low blow. Be nice.

 

[jimntx]

While I completely agree Delta is a far better brand name, I would have like to see the press release state they are thinking of using USAirways name, but that could change down the road to Delta.

It just occurred to me. The US/AWA/LCC problems have not been poor management or jammed hubs or union mergers, you've had the wrong name all along. This is bound to solve all the problems.

 

[N924PS]

DAL doesn't have 17 year pilots on furlough. There has never been an airline in history as overbloated and overfat as the former U. Think about the furlough numbers: they're unprecedented.

Gameplaying the pilot integration a little, this isn't going to help the U negotiators. DAL has a lot of pilots hired in the 90s who all would be hundreds of numbers down on the furlough list at U. Don't think for a second DALAPA will sit idly by and support DOH. Not for one second. If anything, they too will be fighting for relative seniority for the active seniority list.

Let me guess. You are a pilot for America West, are between 30 and 40 years old. You are a Captain with a DOH after 1989.

The USAirways/America West Pilot seniority list integration will be completed per ALPA Merger Policy by mid 2007. It won't be interrupted on the possibility of a merge with DL.

In fact, with a DL merge possible, a DOH list makes even more sense. But, don't get all in a lather, since the US/DL deal is a LONG way from reality, don't let it be a distraction to the current joint negotiations.

Here we go again.......

 

[PITbull]

Mergers are where the real money is.

Yea, the execs end up with millions of $$ payday once a merger goes through....employees....they are just to remain gleeful that they have a job, and that their superiors have come into the "millionaire's club".

 

[superG]

What about the fleet.....a nightmare....

 

[PHX-F/A]

Parker said in conf. call this morning that both CLT and ATL would be hubs for the "new" Delta. Probably makes sense, even if only for defensive purposes. May also make sense to alleviate some of the congestion in ATL.

Out west, I thought it was interesting that the presentation included PHX and SLC as hubs -- no mention of LAS. Read between the lines and that probably means it would be reduced to a focus city - a la DCA or LGA.

Parker also talked about having to divest the DL shuttle (obviously). I thought it was interesting that the issue of DCA and LGA slots didn't come up. I can't imagine that the "new" Delta would be allowed to have such a large presence in both of these slot controlled airports.

It probably means this would be the final nail in the coffin for ops at PIT. DL has a hub in Cincinnati. They also might need to sell off part of the shuttle ops. Both carriers operate the NY, BOS, DC shuttles

 

[jimntx]

QUOTE(etops1 @ Nov 15 2006, 09:27 AM)

"i am floored. i just hoep that we intergrate the f/a date of hire .it's the only fair way. even if they are not unionized. stapeling people to the bottom is just not right ."

I'm guessing that this would not be possible. Considering the seniority of DL's f/a corps (I have a friend there who has almost 40 years on the line), how could AFA allow DOH for a non-union workforce and avoid a DFR suit from the junior US/AWA flight attendants who would be furloughed to make room for the DL f/as? (And, you know that would have to happen.)

The AFA's first responsibility legally is to protect the jobs of its current members.