US-AA Merger Articles (Merged Topics)

[Mrs. McFly]

Internet Report Regarding Former AA CEO Bob Crandall: May 2, 2012

From an AA buddy of mine within the week.

I just had Bob Crandall on board (flt 1095, ORD-PBI) he came up to the cockpit for about 10 minutes to talk about AA and the current situation.

Here's a synopsis.

- AA should have gone thru BK in 2003.
- The plan Horton has for growth at the cornerstones will not work.
- AA needs to merge with USAir (preferably while in BK) to get the hubs in PHL
CLT and PHX. With these added routes we can compete with DL and UA. Absent
this added capacity he sounded doubtful about AA's future.
- He said AA has retrenched and given up competing. He said the old AA would
'f'ing crush you if you tried to enter one of out hubs'. He used Boston as
an example of AA's inability to compete.
- He said that AMR should 'send all the embraer jets back to Brazil'.
- Said that there has to be changes in management at AA.
- Was obvious he has no confidence in Horton and the rest of upper management
at AA.

From a recent interview:

'Former American CEO Robert Crandall spoke exclusively with KRLD NewsRadio 1080 and said that while US Airways may have made deals with the unions at American, they haven’t done that with their own unions.

“The unions at US Air itself have not been able to agree with one another, and with the management at US Air, about what the labor contracts at US Air should say. I must say that that’s a vastly complicating aspect of trying to put the two companies together,” Crandall said.'

Crandall has also mentioned the past TWA messiness before, so I have a feeling this may be just hearsay and overblown anticipation on the part of your friend.

 

[USA320Pilot]

TWU local presidents urge members to reject American Airlines last best offer

Presidents of four Transport Workers Union locals have made a two-part video urging members to vote against American Airlines' "last, best" offer.

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/twu-local-presidents-urge-memb.html


AMR Local TWU Leaders Urge Vote Against Contract Offer

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-08/amr-local-twu-leaders-urge-vote-against-contract-offer.html?cmpid=yhoo


AMR Offers More Details On Revenue Improvement Plan

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_02_21_2012_p0-428015.xml


American Air aims to boost revenue by $1 billion

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-air-aims-boost-revenue-192534842.html


American Airlines to increase international flights under restructuring plan

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/05/07/3942941/american-airlines-to-increase.html


American Airlines plans to keep shifting more capacity to international routes

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/american-airlines-plans-to-kee.html


APA, APFA, & TWU WSJ, Dallas News, & Fort Worth Star Telegram Ad: May 4, 2012

http://www.apfa.org/images/national_officers/laura/letter_to_managment.pdf

 

[USA320Pilot]

US Airways hits fifteen-month high

http://www.aviationp...teen-month-high


If Oil Prices Continue Falling, Buy These Stocks

US Airways recently won the support of key AMR unions and is said to be preparing a bid to acquire AMR while that company remains in bankruptcy. If such a deal comes to pass, then watch out for hundreds of millions in identified synergies, and serially rising profit forecasts. UBS has done the preliminary math and figures U.S. Airways' stock would rise from $11 to $18 if the two carriers joined forces. "The whole U.S. airline industry is likely to benefit from further industry consolidation, should it happen," it notes. That's because the combined entity would take more routes offline, and reducing industry capacity is why pricing is so firm these days.

http://seekingalpha....ks?source=yahoo


American Airlines to increase international flights, share U.S. codes

An adviser for the American has said the airline is likely to consider the merger in order to get the best value for its stakeholders

http://www.bizjourna....html?ana=yfcpc


Would a US Airways-American merger be good for travelers?

Some air travelers — and airline employees — see little benefit to them of a merger

http://seattletimes....eshooter08.html


APA INFORMATION HOTLINE: May 8, 2012

This is APA Communications Director Gregg Overman with the APA Information Hotline for Tuesday, May 8.

US AIRWAYS TERM SHEET POSTED TO ALLIEDPILOTS.ORG:

As previously reported, APA negotiated a general Conditional Labor and Plan of Restructuring Agreement last month with US Airways management. That agreement – which has the unqualified support of your National Officers and was approved unanimously by your APA Board of Directors – is the basis for a new working agreement should the merger be approved. Click here to read the Conditional Labor and Plan of Restructuring Agreement, which has now been posted in its entirety to the members’ side of alliedpilots.org.

US AIRWAYS, APA LEADERS TALK MERGER:

US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker and President Scott Kirby recently sat down with APA President Captain Dave Bates at union headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas to discuss the potential US Airways-American Airlines merger. Mr. Parker and Mr. Kirby emphasized the complementary nature of the two airlines’ networks, their plans to significantly expand internationally, their desire to preserve and build on the American Airlines brand, and their commitment to no pilot furloughs. Click here to watch this dynamic conversation.

FRIDAY RALLIES IN DFW, LGA:

APA and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants will hold a no-confidence rally in DFW this Friday, May 11. Please plan on joining your fellow pilots and members of the APFA beginning at 9:30 a.m. at APA headquarters, 14600 Trinity Blvd., Ste. 500, Fort Worth. The rally will include a march in unity to the AMR headquarters and APA will provide picket signs for the participants reinforcing our message of no confidence in AMR management. Please plan to arrive as early as 8 a.m. in your summer uniform, including hat. Please click here for more details.

Also this Friday, AA pilots — as well as other American Airlines employees — will assemble at a rally in lower Manhattan at the bankruptcy court to express our opposition to AMR’s business plan, as well as the 1113 bankruptcy process. To participate in this important demonstration, arrive at the court, located at 1 Bowling Green in New York, by 9:30 a.m. in your jacket and hat. The rally will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Click here for more details.

Now is the time to get involved and make your voice heard! Make plans to attend one of the two rallies.

MEMBER CALL TO ACTION:

As of today, more than 7,000 of you have signed the “No Confidence” petition, sending a clear message that our pilots have no confidence in AMR’s “stand-alone” business plan and AMR management’s ability to successfully restructure American Airlines and build it back into a world-class airline.

If you haven’t added your name to the list, make your voice heard — take a moment to electronically sign the official APA petition by clicking here. To read Captain Bates' May 1 message concerning the petition, click here.

Please be aware that APA's petition is not the same as a similar, publicly hosted petition you may have signed that circulated previously. If you already signed the publicly hosted petition, please be sure to add your voice to APA's petition.

TALKS CONTINUE WITH AA MANAGEMENT:

The APA Negotiating Committee resumed negotiating talks with American Airlines management today. Management expressed a continued commitment to working toward a consensual agreement. Future negotiating sessions will be scheduled around the bankruptcy court process.

APA BOARD MEETING:

The APA Board of Directors began a special strategy session at APA headquarters today. The meeting, which is being held entirely in closed session, is scheduled to last through Thursday afternoon.

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


APFA Hotline Update (Sign The Petition and Rally On Friday!): May 8, 2012

This is Leslie Mayo, National Communications Coordinator, with an APFA Hotline Update for Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

No Confidence Petition:

We have received an overwhelming response to the online petition at apfa.org of "No Confidence" in management's business plan. If you haven't yet signed the petition, there's still time. Login to www.apfa.org then click on the link entitled Sign The Petition.

If you are having trouble logging in and are not in dues arrears, send an email to [email protected] with "No Confidence" in the subject line. Include your full name, employee number, base and email address. After you have done that, follow up with an email to [email protected] with the same information. Every flight attendant who wants their name on this petition will be included.

If you have already submitted an email or left a voice mail for the membership department, please do not resubmit. They have been bombarded with FA requests for access to the web site to sign the petition.

Join Us In Delivering The "No-Confidence Petition" to AMR Executives Friday Morning

If you plan to be in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area this Friday morning, May 11th, please join us as we march alongside the pilots and other non-management employees to deliver our "Petition of No Confidence" to AMR HDQ. We will meet at APFA beginning at 8:15 a.m. APFA has chartered a bus to transport our members back and forth to APA HQ as parking is limited at APA and along Trinity Blvd.

APA wants all participants in place no later than 9:30, so the last bus will leave APFA HQ for APA at 9:15 a.m. APFA HDQ is located at 1004 W. Euless Blvd. The rally is scheduled to conclude by 11:15.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Rally at NYC Bankruptcy Court This Friday Morning

APFA just received word that APA has planned a rally outside the NY Bankruptcy Court Friday, May 11th. All non-management employees are encouraged to attend. Flight Attendants should wear their uniforms and arrive at 9:30 a.m. The courthouse is located at

Negotiations:

During a conference with the court on Friday Judge Lane encouraged the parties to resume negotiations. Consequently, we will be meeting with American this week. We continue to believe that if progress is to be made, the Company's demand of $230 million in annual concessions will have to be reduced.

From the National Ballot Committee:

Willingness-to-Serve Notifications have been mailed to all members based at BOS, IOR and STL for the position of Vice Chairperson at those bases. Willingness-To-Serve Notifications must be received in the National Ballot Committee's Post Office Box by 10:00 am Central Time on June 6, 2012.

From the Scheduling Department:

Once again, weather is impacting the operation causing misconnects, illegalities and cancellations (MIC). Make sure you are familiar with MIC language by reviewing the On Duty Contract Guide. You can download a copy from apfa.org by clicking Current Contract > On Duty Contract Guide.

More from the Negotiating Committee:

We have received questions about implementation of the Company's term sheet should Judge Lane rule in its favor.

First and most importantly, APFA continues to vigorously pursue its case against American's motion to reject our CBA.

Judge Lane is scheduled to issue a decision on June 6. In the event he grants the Company's motion, management could implement all or parts of the Term Sheet immediately, or they could wait until the first day of the next full month which in this case would be July 1, or later.

If we end up working under the US Airways Bridge Term Sheet, wage increases, the early out and per diem, along with the other changes will occur as soon as practicable.

Preferential Bidding Chatter:

On the subject of Preferential bidding, understand that this new way of bidding will take a great deal of time to implement. First a vendor must be hired and a program developed that honors our contract and the many different aspects of our job. Because bidding is such a core part of our work life, both APFA and APA agree that our unions must be participants in the vendor selection process. Because of this, APFA has agreed to attend these meetings to ensure Flight Attendants play a key role in the development of a system that will be acceptable for our workgroups.

We are fortunate enough to have retired Managing Director of Crew Resources Roy Everett as a consultant for the flight attendants. Roy will also be involved in this process on behalf of APFA.

Capwiz

If you haven't already contacted your Senators and Representative via APFA's CapWiz regarding a potential AA/US Airways merger, please visit apfa.org and click on Government Affairs. Not only will this merger save 2,300 Flight Attendant jobs and thousands of groundworkers' jobs, but it will preserve the hubs and the communities that depend on them. And quite frankly, it makes good business sense.

Contact your legislators via APFA's CapWiz page and tell them to stand with us for a new American Airlines.

Thank you for calling the APFA Hotline.

 

[usa1]

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/union-officials-at-tulsa-base.html


Union officials at Tulsa base urge members to approve American Airlines contract

 

[USA320Pilot]

AMR Counters US Airways Bid With New Seat Plan, Better Stats

As for American's fleet modernization plan, it is not going to happen immediately. In fact, the carrier will not begin work on the project until early 2014, about two years from now, and it is not known when the work will conclude. Rob Friedman, vice president of marketing, told reporters that "aircraft retrofits require a tremendous

http://AMR Counters US Airways Bid With New Seat Plan, Better Stats


American Airlines to refresh wide-body fleet

One could ask why American Airlines is announcing in 2012 what it won't begin doing until 2014

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/american-airlines-to-refresh-i.html


Union officials at Tulsa base urge members to vote on American Airlines contract

CORRECTION: My original version said they had urged a "yes" vote. But on re-reading, they are just urging members to vote

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/union-officials-at-tulsa-base.html


TWU Local 563 President’s Letter: May 8, 2012

Dear Members of Local 563,

Recently, a video has surfaced that invokes my name after a backdrop of 'vote no' rhetoric. Prior to the filming of the video I spoke with two of the principle architects of the video, Bob Owens, 562 and Gary Peterson, 565. I simply told them that I have been on the floor conducting crew meetings putting out facts and information to the membership. Although, this Executive Board cannot endorse this last offer we believe the membership will be able to make their own informed decision without being told how to vote. Historically, the Executive Board of Local 563 has always taken that approach.

That conversation took place on Thursday prior to the filming. They knew my position; they chose not to accurately portray it.

After being in all the work areas in Chicago last week and this week, members have expressed to me personally how they would be voting and were thankful our position at Local 563 was to inform them and let them make their own decisions. I represent you, the members of Local 563, regardless of how you vote. That is what the democratic process is supposed to be, unadulterated.
Anxiety is high in everyone over the realization of the bankruptcy process and the uncertainty of our collective and individual futures and just simply how greedy American Airlines actually is. The Company we work for has chosen not to show us the same level of loyalty that many of us have dedicated to them for decades.
I hope this sets the record straight, so we can focus on our common enemy, the greedy executives at American Airlines.

Fraternally,

Paul McCormick

President
TWU Local 563

 

[star power]

I heard today from grapevive, that US is in talks with Boeing about a deal on the Boeing 747-8i, 6 firm, 4 firm/options appending terms and conditions, and 10 options of the Boeing 747-8i, and a intern deal to lease 5 Boeing 747-400's until the 7th aircraft.

 

[MUTATIS MUTANDIS]

I heard today from grapevive, that US is in talks with Boeing about a deal on the Boeing 747-8i, 6 firm, 4 firm/options appending terms and conditions, and 10 options of the Boeing 747-8i, and a intern deal to lease 5 Boeing 747-400's until the 7th aircraft.

More than a rumor, For PHL-TLV, CLT-TLV, PHL-ASIA MM!

 

[FWAAA]

I heard today from grapevive, that US is in talks with Boeing about a deal on the Boeing 747-8i, 6 firm, 4 firm/options appending terms and conditions, and 10 options of the Boeing 747-8i, and a intern deal to lease 5 Boeing 747-400's until the 7th aircraft.

I heard the rumour is actually a potential order of two dozen A380s.

 

[AirbusA310]

Ordering some Boeings as a way to get Boeing on board of a AA-US merger......would be one step closer to a takeover

 

[etops1]

Rumor is completely false .

 

[FWAAA]

Ordering some Boeings as a way to get Boeing on board of a AA-US merger......would be one step closer to a takeover

You may be right, but US wouldn't have to order 747-8s to buddy up to Boeing. Some 787s, 777s or even some new 737s would do the trick without dooming US to another bankruptcy filing (IMO, purchasing some 747-8s would get US on the fast-track to another Ch 11 fiing).

 

[AirbusA310]

You may be right, but US wouldn't have to order 747-8s to buddy up to Boeing. Some 787s, 777s or even some new 737s would do the trick without dooming US to another bankruptcy filing (IMO, purchasing some 747-8s would get US on the fast-track to another Ch 11 fiing).

US could make Boeing happy by cancelling the A350 order placing orders for the 787s and 777s for merged airline long haul fleet....the 330s would also be replace with 787s 777s...Just saying...

 

[signals]

Rumor is completely false .

Rumors run amok at RumorsRUS

 

[USA320Pilot]

Could we PLEASE Keep this topic merger related articles? There are plenty of other topics to discuss opinions or a new topic can be started. Thank you for your consideration.

There’s a lot going on with American Airlines’ unions

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/theres-a-lot-going-on-with-ame.html


More than 7,200 American pilots sign "no confidence" petition

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2012/05/over-7200-american-pilots-sign-no-confidence-petition.html


Top operations guy touts American Airlines’ last, best offer to TWU members

On Monday, the TWU, the Allied Pilots Association and Association of Professional Flight Attendants go into U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York to oppose American's motion to throw out the union contracts.

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/top-operations-guy-touts-ameri.html


CWA tweets proceedings in bankruptcy court

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/cwa-tweets-proceedings-in-bank.html


AMR, American Airlines want to reject leases and contract at San Juan airport

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/amr-american-airlines-want-to.html


American, US Airways Merger: The Battle Continues

This situation's resemblance to an election doesn't go as far as exit polls. We won't see Wolf Blitzer make any calls. But as far as I can tell, Wall Street is betting that the merger will proceed. Stay tuned.

http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/american-us-airways-merger-the-battle-continues.html?id=11305852

 

[robbedagain]

thank you usa320 interesting articles you put out on here