PilotAction US Airways & American Airlines Trial & Other News Update

[USA320Pilot]

PilotAction Merger News for US Airways & American Airlines: October 31, 2013

Settlement question tantalizes as airline merger trial nears

See Story: http://www.dallasnews.com/business/airline-industry/20131030-settlement-question-tantalizes-as-airline-merger-trial-nears.ece


Why Reagan National Could Make or Break the American-US Airways Merger

See Story: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/30/why-reagan-national-could-make-or-break-the-americ.aspx


AMR-US Airways Said to Be in Merger Lawsuit Talks With U.S.

See Story: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-10-30/amr-us-airways-said-to-be-talking-with-u-dot-s-dot-over-antitrust-suit


US Airways, American consider merger settlement: sources

The companies' stock prices have climbed in anticipation of a deal, and they rose further on Wednesday after a Dow Jones report on a potential proposal to overcome regulatory concerns.

US Airways' spending on lobbying has surged during the fight to win approval for the merger. The company spent $1.68 million on lobbying in 2011, $2.8 million in 2012, as it was ramping up for the deal, and $4.2 million in the first three quarters of 2013, according to the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act database.

See Story: http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCABRE99T1DR20131031

 

[USA320Pilot]

PilotAction Merger News for US Airways & American Airlines #2: October 31, 2013

A Brief Taste of How the Market May React to a US Airways-American Merger

See story: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/31/a-brief-taste-of-how-the-market-may-react-to-a-us.aspx


Obama allies make plea for airline merger

George Hoffer, a transportation economist at the University of Richmond, said ultimately the force that matters the most is Wall Street, where money has been behind the merger all along. He predicted that the case ultimately would be settled by forcing the merged airlines to give up slots at Reagan National.

See Story: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/barack-obama-allies-airline-merger-american-airlines-us-airways-99140.html


American Airlines CEO Is Optimistic About the DoJ Settlement

See Story: http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/american-airlines-ceo-is-optimistic-about-the-doj-settlement.html/?ref=YF


USAPA's What's Up On The Line?: October 30, 2013

Q - Where are we on the iPads?

A - Negotiations are on-going with the Company regarding an agreement. At this time no iPads have been distributed and we have not been advised of when distribution may begin. The Company has told us if they DOissue you an iPad, they will not require you to sign an agreement because it will fall under the recently implemented Company iPad user policy. As soon as the final language of this policy is forwarded to us, we will post it on the USAPA Web site. Our position is this should fall under a separate agreement to our contract, and not go under the umbrella of a policy that can be changed at their will. Our goal is to ensure that our pilots are not subject to any additional jeopardy due to using the iPad. This issue will be discussed on the upcoming BPR conference call on Friday, November 1. We will keep you informed as to the resolution to this matter.

Q - Are the profit sharing checks calculated off of the gross or net profits of the Company?

A - The profit sharing is based off of the Company’s Net profit. A positive aspect of the merger being delayed is we are still accruing profit sharing and will continue to do so until the POR Effective Date. While it’s too early to say what the total amount will be for 2013 since we still have a couple of months to go, the forecast for this year seems to be on or above that of 2012. As a review, with approximately 4,000 active pilots, 2012 profit sharing checks were a little over $4900 and were paid in March of this year (For planning purposes, keep in mind they are taxed at the federal supplemental earnings rate of 25 percent).

 

[AAviator]

What is PilotAction?
 
Is this another self lauding "Chips Place"  or "Chips Corner"?
 
I googled it to see if there was some group of some kind, and all i could come up with was this:
 

 
Your bias makes you a very UNcredible reporter, but I do give you credit for your Hoover like tendency to sniff out anything merger related.
 
I hope the DOJ is successful in blocking this merger.

 

[USA320Pilot]

PilotAction Merger News for US Airways & American Airlines #2: October 31, 2013

US Airways pilot union adds its name to the ‘friends’ list in American Airlines-US Airways case

See Story: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/us-airways-pilot-union-adds-its-name-to-the-friends-list-in-american-airlines-us-airways-case.html/

 

[AAviator]

So when does PilotAction attempt to add its name to the friends of the court?
 
What is PilotAction ?

 

[traderjake]

What is PilotAction ?

An East pilot yahoo.com group.

 

[westcoastflyer]

Quick, everybody sign up now!  Just what we all need, another web site with you know who's spin.  I'm already dizzy reading all of this constant drivel.

 

[USA320Pilot]

PilotAction Merger News for US Airways & American Airlines #3: October 31, 2013

Wall Street Journal OpEd: Jeffrey N. Shane, Undersecretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation - 2003-2008 & General Counsel at the International Air Transport Association - Current

An Airline Merger Draws Undeserved Flak - The Justice Department's opposition to the US Airways and American Airlines deal is a disturbing policy message

CHICAGO (WSJ.com) - Last August the Justice Department filed a complaint in federal district court to block the proposed merger of US Airways and American Airlines. The case will go to trial on Nov. 25 unless Justice accepts the airlines' offer to give up profitable takeoff and landing rights at major airports. Whatever the outcome, this lawsuit has disturbing implications for the quality and competitiveness of air transportation.

The government's opposition to the merger is perplexing, since it has cleared every major airline merger since 2005—US Airways and America West, Delta and Northwest, United and Continental, and Southwest and AirTran. Why the sudden decision to reverse course? The government hasn't said.

Justice notes in the complaint that the combination of US Airways and American would create "the world's largest airline." But so did the Delta-Northwest merger in 2008, and so did the United-Continental merger in 2012. Even if the US Airways-American merger does create the "world's largest airline," Southwest Airlines would still carry more domestic U.S. passengers. (Southwest routinely has more passengers than US Airways and American combined.)

The government also worries that airfares have increased over time—apparently believing that these should be the only prices that don't increase over time. Not that higher ticket prices have done much to improve airlines' profitability. Competition in the industry is so intense, and fuel costs so far beyond their control, that airlines perennially deliver the lowest returns to investors of any industrial sector.

Justice laments that as a result of increased fares, "consumers are paying a heavy price." But according to Transportation Department statistics, the real inflation-adjusted cost of air transportation is 18% less today than it was in 2000. Consumers aren't paying a heavy price; they are paying a lower price.

Strangest of all, in a radical departure from decades of established U.S. aviation policy, Justice ignores the value travelers have derived from the recently expanded and more efficient networks integrated airlines now operate. As those networks have multiplied, consumers have more choices at lower prices.

This didn't happen by coincidence. In an impressive display of bipartisanship, Congress deregulated the U.S. air travel market in 1978—removing the government's decades long power to set rates, routes, and market entry. Deregulation brought fares down and improved services.

The George H.W. Bush administration forged an "open skies" agreement with the Netherlands in 1992, allowing each country unrestricted access to the other's airports and routes. This agreement—which in effect exported U.S. deregulation to foreign markets—established a model for international aviation that the Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama administrations subsequently followed. Congress has always supported the agreements, despite changing majority parties several times. Now the U.S. has open skies agreements with more than 100 countries, a bipartisan triumph that has transformed air travel around the world.

What makes these agreements so effective is that they allow airlines to establish robust networks—the key to efficient, ubiquitous and affordable air service. International open skies agreements have created highly integrated airline alliances like Oneworld, SkyTeam, and the Star Alliance. These coordinated efforts have brought a new level of efficiency, connectivity and competition to the industry. Our liberalization of aviation policy made this possible.

Until now, Justice has gone along. The agency's approval of major mergers allowed Delta and United to become leading players in international airline groupings. US Airways and American have struggled to keep up. (American is now in bankruptcy.) If the two carriers are allowed to join forces, they would bring a third major competitor to the air travel industry. This would enhance global competition while forcing the new company to battle for business with domestic competitors like Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue, Spirit and Virgin America.

If the Justice Department blocks the merger, it will drag us back three or four decades in aviation policy. Success will continue to evade US Airways and American Airlines, making some 100,000 jobs much less secure. Worst of all, consumers won't reap the benefits of increased competition.


US Airways Applauds FAA's Recommendations On Use Of Personal Electronics Below 10,000 Feet

See Story: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-airways-applauds-faas-recommendations-224200590.html

 

[FWAAA]

PilotAction Merger News for US Airways & American Airlines #2: October 31, 2013

US Airways pilot union adds its name to the ‘friends’ list in American Airlines-US Airways case

See Story: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/us-airways-pilot-union-adds-its-name-to-the-friends-list-in-american-airlines-us-airways-case.html/

It's a stretch to call the USAPA a "union." It gives the TWU at AA a run for its money in the category "has done the least to advance the interests of its members" (all its members, not just the US East pilots who formed it to avoid a binding arbitration result with which they disagreed).

The USAPA isn't a union.

 

[traderjake]

Quick, everybody sign up now!  Just what we all need, another web site with you know who's spin.

You have to be invited and approved.

I don't like your chances.

 

[USA320Pilot]

PilotAction Merger News for US Airways & American Airlines: November 1, 2013

Pressure builds for approval of US Airways merger

See Story: http://articles.philly.com/2013-10-29/news/43465464_1_us-airways-merger-justice-department-combined-airline


Two US Airways Unions Hold Back on Advocacy for Merger With American

See Story: http://www.thestreet.com/story/12090718/1/two-us-airways-unions-hold-back-on-advocacy-for-merger-with-american.html?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO


Plaintiffs in private lawsuit want to support DOJ lawsuit against American Airlines-US Airways merger

See Story: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/11/plaintiffs-in-private-lawsuit-want-to-support-doj-lawsuit-against-american-airlines-us-airways-merger.html/

 

[USA320Pilot]

PilotAction Merger News for US Airways & American Airlines #2: November 1, 2013

Former top DOT official praises American Airlines-US Airways merger, roasts DOJ for opposing it

See Story: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/11/former-top-dot-official-praises-american-airlines-us-airways-merger-roasts-doj-for-opposing-it.html/


Florida AG Pam Bondi meets with American Airlines CEO Tom Horton, says they’re hopeful for ‘a timely resolution’

See Story: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/11/florida-ag-pam-bondi-meets-with-american-airlines-ceo-tom-horton-says-theyre-hopeful-for-a-timely-resolution.html/


DOJ: We don’t object any more to all the ‘friends’ in the American Airlines-US Airways case

See Story: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/11/doj-we-dont-object-any-more-to-all-the-friends-in-the-american-airlines-us-airways-case.html/


APA INFORMATION HOTLINE (Shooting at LAX): November 1, 2013

This is APA Communications Director Gregg Overman with the APA Information Hotline for Friday, Nov. 1.

SHOOTING AT LAX: A short time ago, a shooting incident took place at LAX Terminal T3. APA Security Committee Deputy Chairman Capt. Bill Crooks has confirmed that all American Airlines personnel are safe. ACARS and CCI/HI6 messages have been issued to all crew members. According to these messages, one TSA agent and the shooting suspect have been shot, the suspect is in custody, and Terminals T3 and T2 are being evacuated. The ACARS and CCI/HI6 also note that other American Airlines flights are "ops normal." The nine flights that were inbound to LAX have been diverted.

Capt. Crooks reports that based on initial information, this incident appears to be isolated. As we receive additional need-to-know information, we will pass it along.

That's it for now. Thanks for checking this hotline.

 

[AAviator]

Reporting a LAX pilot email as merger news?

You are really out there.

 

[FWAAA]

Reporting a LAX pilot email as merger news?

You are really out there.

He cuts and pastes the APA and APFA hotlines, generally in their entirety, including things like detailed discussions about the new bidding system and base meeting schedules.   
 
Good thing he does all that, because very few people know how to access those sites or use Google News to read all the motley fool or seeking alpha articles.  

 

[robbedagain]

i may not be a flight crew mbr  but umm isnt it a companypolicy to not post biddin system  isnt that for crew mbrs   may be i need to start drinkin!!   not)