US-AA Merger Articles (Merged Topics)

[etops1]

Can This Airline Change Course?

After two bankruptcy filings and years of disappointing investors such as Warren Buffett, US Airways finally appears to be learning from Southwest Airlines in two critical areas: mergers and acquisitions, and customer service.

http://beta.fool.com/jonathanyates13/2012/06/04/us-airways-stock-rising-it-appears-be-finally-lear/5276/?ticker=DAL&source=eogyholnk0000001

Sorry but that was very poor written article . Northwestern???

 

[USA320Pilot]

American in new talks with pilots on cost-cutting

Rebuffed by flight attendants' union, American Airlines seeks cost-cutting deal from pilots

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-talks-pilots-cost-cutting-203953175.html

 

[USA320Pilot]

APA Information Hotline: June 4, 2012

This is APA Communications Director Gregg Overman with the APA Information Hotline for Monday, June 4

APA AND MANAGEMENT BEGIN MEDIATED NEGOTIATIONS IN NEW YORK:

APA and management began mediated negotiations in New York this afternoon. The mediator is Judge James Peck, a Bankruptcy Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. These mediated talks are taking place at the request of Judge Sean Lane, who is presiding over AMR’s Chapter 11 restructuring case. The mediated talks between APA and management are scheduled to continue through Wednesday, June 6.

Judge Peck also served as a mediator in talks between the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and management last week, and is scheduled to mediate talks between the Transport Workers Union and management after ours have concluded.

Judge Peck has deemed the negotiations to be confidential and requested that APA and management refrain from releasing any details about the talks until they have concluded. APA will comply with the request and will provide details about the mediated talks when we are able to do so in accordance with Judge Peck’s direction.
That’s it for now. Thanks for checking this hotline.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Democrats in Congress chastise American Airlines over labor issue

http://www.star-tele...s-chastise.html


US Airways-American Airlines deal seen as good for Charlotte

http://www.bizjourna...-deal-seen.html


US Airways says merger best solution for American Airlines

http://www.the33tv.c...0,3669565.story

 

[USA320Pilot]

AMR Flight Department Hotline: June 1, 2012

“Good afternoon, this is CA John Hale with the Flight Department Hotline for Friday, June 1.

“This week Tom Horton provided a six-month update on our restructuring and clarified a few points that are worth repeating. This is especially true for pilots who, after a decade of career stagnation, can look forward to career growth.

“First, we have roughly 550 new aircraft on order – more than all legacy airlines combined. Think about that for a minute. And, we have options for another 500 aircraft available to us. Much has been made of our narrowbody fleet order from Boeing and Airbus that we announced nearly a year ago, probably because it was the largest in history. But, equally important, as part of those firm orders and options I mentioned, are more than 100 widebodies, including the state-of-the-art 787s and the 777-300 that we will be the first, and so far only, U.S. carrier to fly.

“And, further to Tom’s point, for us in the cockpit, the orders will help fuel significant mainline growth over the next five years. In fact, of the 20 percent capacity growth we plan by 2017, nearly 70 percent of it will be mainline flying on American jets, and the vast majority of it will come in international markets. This growth is being carefully matched with projections for expected traffic demand in markets around the world. Growth centers like Brazil, for example, where we just applied for 17 additional weekly frequencies to begin later this year.

“But what does this growth mean for you personally? Simply put, it means increased earnings and career progression. There has been a lot of misinformation on this point. Let me speak straight – our current term sheet calls for about 400 pilots to be furloughed in 2012, so there is some job loss in the near-term associated with the plan. But we expect the 20 percent growth to trigger an increase in pilot positions over time that will more than offset any short-term job loss. In fact, we expect our growth plan to result in more than 2,500 new and recalled pilot jobs over the next five years – that includes the impact of the expected furloughs in the near-term, as well as normal expectations for retirements and attrition – which leads to about 1,300 Captain upgrades. The point is that a lot of opportunity is about to come knocking.

“It doesn’t stop there. With the growth and career progression, pilots can expect to increase their W-2 earnings anywhere from 10 to more than 30 percent, and that doesn’t even include the first dollar profit sharing that the company has proposed.

“These are real numbers. They’re carefully calculated and carefully projected. I wouldn’t commit to them if they weren’t.

“As you know, the labor agreements we are trying to reach consensually — along with the $1 billion in incremental revenue growth we expect from more codesharing, fleet gauge flexibility, improved products and the growth of our international joint businesses – are key to our plan to put American back on top. I’m not saying it will be easy. It hasn’t been. But I truly believe it will be worth it. The sacrifices we make today will secure our opportunities for tomorrow.

“You deserve to benefit from these plans – it’s time. You work hard every single day in the cockpit and have earned the career and pay progression provided for you in this plan. The company is giving us clear numbers of what our workforce could look like. I don’t take that lightly, and I hope neither do you.

“That’s all for today. Fly aggressively safe, take care of each other, and have some fun out there. We’ll talk with you again next week. Thanks for all you do.”


American Airlines chief pilot offers the lure of new airplanes, growth

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/while-i-was-gone-1-american-airlines-chief-pilot-offers-the-lure-of-new-airplanes-growth.html/


APA, American Airlines begin talks mediated by bankruptcy judge

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/while-i-was-gone-2-apa-american-airlines-begin-talks-mediated-by-bankruptcy-judge.html/

 

[john john]

Can This Airline Change Course?

After two bankruptcy filings and years of disappointing investors such as Warren Buffett, US Airways finally appears to be learning from Southwest Airlines in two critical areas: mergers and acquisitions, and customer service.

http://beta.fool.com...ogyholnk0000001

While Southwest Airlines ranks number 2 in fewest number of customer complaints, US Airways is number 14.

 

[USA320Pilot]

American Airlines to cut more management jobs, reduce July schedule

http://amarillo.com/news/latest-news/2012-06-06/american-airlines-cut-more-management-jobs-reduce-july-schedule


Impact mixed if US Airways pulls off merger

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/morning-edition/2012/06/report-impact-mixed-if-us-airways.html?ana=yfcpc


American to cut capacity in July by 1 percent

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2012/06/american-to-cut-capacity-in-july-by-1-percent.html


American signs codeshare deal with Air Tahiti Nui

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2012/06/american-signs-codeshare-deal-with-air-tahiti-nui.html

 

[PITbull]

I have been following with interest the media reports detailing American Airlines bankruptcy and US Airways attempts to inject itself into the process. US Airways is courting American’s trade unions and whispering sweet nothings about how a merger would benefit workers. But US Airways is a faithless suitor. AA labor unions need no further proof than the company’s track record in its relationship with US Airways unions. Thousands of us vividly remember 2005. That was the year US Airways labor groups ratified contracts that froze the pension plans, all in an effort to help the company achieve the cost savings it needed during bankruptcy. Just five days later, US Airways asked the court to terminate the pension plans, divorcing itself from employees and dumping pension costs on taxpayers. It was slap in the face to thousands of union workers who were committed to saving the airline. To add insult to injury, a year later, US Airways managed to find $11 billion, money that the company hoped to use in its failed attempt to purchase Delta.

American Airlines workers must stick together and not be swayed by empty promises.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Guess how many AA managers lost their jobs on Wednesday?

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/guess-how-many-aa-managers-lost-their-jobs-on-wednesday.html/


APA, American Airlines talks continue past scheduled end

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/apa-american-airlines-talks-continue-past-scheduled-end.html/


American, pilot talks keep going

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2012/06/american-pilot-talks-keep-going.html


NMB orders union vote for American Airlines passenger service agents to proceed beginning June 21

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/nmb-orders-vote-for-american-airlines-passenger-service-agents-to-proceed-beginning-june-21.html/


Four Reasons Why American Should Merge With US Airways

http://www.trefis.com/stock/lcc/articles/121004/4-reasons-why-american-should-take-us-airways-flight/2012-06-05?source=TheMotleyFool

 

[nycbusdriver]

I have been following with interest the media reports detailing American Airlines bankruptcy and US Airways attempts to inject itself into the process. US Airways is courting American’s trade unions and whispering sweet nothings about how a merger would benefit workers. But US Airways is a faithless suitor. AA labor unions need no further proof than the company’s track record in its relationship with US Airways unions. Thousands of us vividly remember 2005. That was the year US Airways labor groups ratified contracts that froze the pension plans, all in an effort to help the company achieve the cost savings it needed during bankruptcy. Just five days later, US Airways asked the court to terminate the pension plans, divorcing itself from employees and dumping pension costs on taxpayers. It was slap in the face to thousands of union workers who were committed to saving the airline. To add insult to injury, a year later, US Airways managed to find $11 billion, money that the company hoped to use in its failed attempt to purchase Delta.

American Airlines workers must stick together and not be swayed by empty promises.

The AA unions think they are in a position of power. They are mistaken. They are in a strong position of influence only. As you point out, once (if) this deal is inked, the AA unions will be back in the thick of battle in no time flat with the Tempe carpetbaggers. Has anyone pointed out to them that the pilots alone at US Airways have over 400 grievances outstanding, and that the Tempe modus operandi is to violate the contract at every opportunity, say, "Grieve it!" and then use their considerable means to drag out the process for years.

AA labor! Are you listening to those who have lived, and still are living, it? This is the future of your labor relations with the Parker team. He talks pretty now. Tread carefully.

 

[Phoenix]

The AA unions think they are in a position of power. They are mistaken. They are in a strong position of influence only. As you point out, once (if) this deal is inked, the AA unions will be back in the thick of battle in no time flat with the Tempe carpetbaggers. Has anyone pointed out to them that the pilots alone at US Airways have over 400 grievances outstanding, and that the Tempe modus operandi is to violate the contract at every opportunity, say, "Grieve it!" and then use their considerable means to drag out the process for years.

AA labor! Are you listening to those who have lived, and still are living, it? This is the future of your labor relations with the Parker team. He talks pretty now. Tread carefully.

I have had quite a few AA pilots on the jumpseat and I can tell you that most of them emotionally express an extreme displeasure with their management... I think you could say they dislike their management exponentially more than Nic4Us dislikes USAPA. i.e. in person they also appear to be hopelessly blinded from rational thought. :blink: :unsure:

 

[PITbull]

The AA unions think they are in a position of power. They are mistaken. They are in a strong position of influence only. As you point out, once (if) this deal is inked, the AA unions will be back in the thick of battle in no time flat with the Tempe carpetbaggers. Has anyone pointed out to them that the pilots alone at US Airways have over 400 grievances outstanding, and that the Tempe modus operandi is to violate the contract at every opportunity, say, "Grieve it!" and then use their considerable means to drag out the process for years.

AA labor! Are you listening to those who have lived, and still are living, it? This is the future of your labor relations with the Parker team. He talks pretty now. Tread carefully.

nycbusdriver,

I hope they are listening.

USairways makes no division on who they will lie, and cheat. For those who remember the huge headlines in Pittsburgh and what they did to the communities of Western Pennsylvania:

WHAT US AIRWAYS SAID – (while in bankruptcy) We promise we won’t terminate our leases at Greater Pittsburgh International Airport.
WHAT US AIRWAYS DID – Emerged from bankruptcy and in a record 20 minutes terminated more than 40 gate leases, setting the stage for the airline to “downsize”, 10,000 jobs evoporated, eliminate a hub and foist on taxpayers a multi-million price tag on a ready-custom built airport built for USAirways at a tune of $1 billion...now lays at the taxpayers feet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Heck Senator Arlen Specter called the managment "nothing but a bunch of thugs" in the Post Gazette and Pitttsburgh Tribune back in 2003.

If I were again wearing my union hat, I would be asking the following? Is US AIRWAYS sincere in promising fewer concessions to AA labor groups when its own labor relations are a fractured fairytale? What happens to employee pensions and who assumes liability? How can you afford this merger if you don’t have enough money to ratify your own union contracts?

 

[BlueStar]

1984
http://en.wikipedia....een_Eighty-Four

Double Think
http://en.wikipedia....iki/Doublethink

Cognitive Dissonance
http://en.wikipedia....tive_dissonance

 

[USA320Pilot]

APA Hotline Message: July 7, 2012

Mediated negotiations with AMR senior management were held this week in New York. The Honorable Judge James Peck, court-appointed mediator, supervised the talks Monday through Wednesday. Joining the Negotiating Committee this week were APA President Captain Dave Bates and Vice President Captain Tony Chapman, along with APA Director of Industry Analysis Allison Clark, Scope Committee Chairman First Officer Tim Hamel, APA General Counsel Ed James, APA Bankruptcy Counsel Fil Agusti and Financial Adviser Andrew Yearley from Lazard.

The parties agreed to stay in New York on Thursday for an extra day of direct talks. Progress was made in some areas, and the parties agreed to resume direct talks in New York next Wednesday, June 13. Judge Peck is scheduled to mediate the talks again on Friday, June 15.

Your APA Negotiating Committee


Pilots union and American to keep talking next week

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2012/06/pilots-union-and-american-to-keep-talking-next-week.html


Pilots report progress in mediated talks with American Airlines management

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/pilots-report-progress-in-mediated-talks-with-american-airlines-management.html/


Consultant raises questions about US Airways-American Airlines merger, sees damaging battles over seniority

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/consultant-raises-questions-about-us-airways-american-airlines-merger-sees-damaging-battles-over-seniority.html/

 

[USA320Pilot]

DEALTALK-Time may be ripe for US Air-AMR merger

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSL1E8H5FA720120607?irpc=43


Two industry reports from Industry Analysts why “AA/USAir” merger makes sense

http://aa.twu.org/home/tabid/1494/ctl/detail/mid/3063/itemid/454/two-reports-from-industry-analysts-on-%22why-aausair-makes-sense%22.aspx