US/UA Merger Master Thread

[wopr21]

Excellent post Art.

I agree wholeheartedly. I can just see it now: Cheezy advertisements plastered all over our lie-flat suites; Economy Plus removed; First Class closets removed; linens and glassware removed from our First and Business services; poker machines added to Red Carpet Clubs; our ice cream carts replaced with Four Points Pies; Hemispheres Magazine profiling 3 Perfect Days...In Las Vegas; and Sherri Shamblin becoming our V.P. of Onboard.

Where is the air sick bag? I need to throw up now...

Your going to need more than one airsick bag. I recommend you buy them in bulk

wopr21

 

[PA18]

Not for nothing, but Parker and Kirby have NOT proven they are capable of running an airline the size of the new US, let alone take on UA. They are over their heads now. I can only imagine what would happen if this deal goes through.

I am amazed that anyone would allow this merger to happen, especially since they have not even completed the merger between US and HP, almost three years later. I can just imagine how the high cost of cheap will wreak havoc for UA--who has MANY more high yield customers than US ever did, and how the bottom line will be affected when Doug and Scot start treating them with the same contempt they have treated their current high yield customers....

Excellent post Art.

I agree wholeheartedly. I can just see it now: Cheezy advertisements plastered all over our lie-flat suites; Economy Plus removed; First Class closets removed; linens and glassware removed from our First and Business services; poker machines added to Red Carpet Clubs; our ice cream carts replaced with Four Points Pies; Hemispheres Magazine profiling 3 Perfect Days...In Las Vegas; and Sherri Shamblin becoming our V.P. of Onboard.

If this thing goes down as rumored, and the Mesa Grande management end up running UAL, I will refinance my house, and use every dime of the equity to purchase stock in AMR.

They will be the clear winners in this deal.

Not only will their biggest competitor in ORD implode, but two of their other three remaining major competitors will also be saddled with merger woes.

And they, along with CO, better install more business class seats in their aircraft, to accommodate the stampede of FF's who, having already abandoned US, will now be fleeing UA.

 

[Travelpro72]

While rest assured there would be some big changes in a US/UA marriage I don't think the LCC model would survive. I would gather that being that large of an airline they'd continue with the UA business model for the most part. Some traits of the the old US or HP rather would shine through here and there guaranteed.

 

[Theo Corner]

For those questioning whether Parker would want to stay here in Chicago... Well, he flies in with his family probably once or twice a month. You make the call if he would live here.

h34r:

 

[Theo Corner]

You make some good points...I remember reading not long ago that United was interested in getting
out of Elk Grove (this along with a reduction of in-house mtc.) but I don't know if that would
effect the HQ staying downtown...

Cubfan... I believe only the "Top People" would be going to the "Loop". I believe that dispatch, training, etc. will remain in the current WHQ buildings in Elk Grove. I believe the "Headquarters" search was merely a ploy to get tax breaks for UA.

Just the 2 cents worth...

h34r:

 

[USCREW]

HQ is in Tempe, but in Phoenix Metro area. OK, when you fly Philadelphia-London or Paris, why not call it Tinicum. A-West is in Tinicum Twp. Still Philadelphia no matter which way you look at it. San Francisco international is where? Millbrae. Washington-Dulles is Herndon, Va. Washington-Reagan is Arlington, Va.

Hi Joe,

Washington Dulles is located in Chantilly. Hicksville Herndon is about 15 minutes away. Some people think that it's located in Dulles, VA but there is no such town.

http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/

 

[PhillyAir5]

UAL/US headquarters...

Is there any shot that some of the operations could move to Philadelphia? The reason I ask is I know Walnut Street Capital is in heavy negotiations with several "very large" companies to be the lead tenant for the American Commerce Center - to be built next to the new Comcast Center in downtown Philadelphia. ACC will be larger than the Sear's Tower in Chicago. There are many grumblings regarding perspective tenants around the Philly business sector and I've heard US Airways mentioned on more than one occasion. Just curious.

Thanks,

 

[hp-csr-phx]

Don't ever say AA is based in Dallas....The city of Ft. Worth is very jealous of its more cosmopolitan neighbor to the East.

 

[zethya]

.....
Oh, and it would appear to be purely narcissistic to think that the word consolidation means that the rest of the world's assets and resources pale in comparison to Tempe, which becomes the center of the universe again. I suspect not this time.

For the record, I do NOT live in AZ - although I spend considerable time there. I live in both Philadelphia and Berkeley, CA. I never stated that initially, the HQ wouldn't remain in Chicago. In fact I think I mentioned IMO very little will change for either airline (other than the DOJ required liquidations and some token consolidations) in order to appease the political machines necessary for approval. What happens 1 or 2 years later is a very different matter. My theory on eventual HQ location has nothing to do with city favoritism - otherwise I'd suggest they negotiate significant long term tax incentives and move to Philadelphia as the principal tenant for the proposed/approved 1500 Ft building in the city center.

 

[USCREW]

Another article about HQs

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/116169

 

[N965VJ]

Mann said that even if Parker and other top management relocate to Chicago, administrative and support positions don't have to make the move.

"A lot can be said for not taking the low-cost, well-run operation and changing locations," he said.

If it's on teh interwebz, it has to be true.

 

[InternationalShannon]

If it's on teh interwebz, it has to be true.

I wonder if the training depts would be centralized in ord? I love our training center in clt

 

[UWCactus]

I am prett confident that HQ will move to Chicago, but not all operations at HQ in Tempe are going to be affected by this. The Roots of the corporate culture are planted in Tempe/Phoenix and have been for many years. Doug will do whatever he can to impact Tempe and jobs as little as possible. Make no mistake, operationally, we will see big changes in staff and routing.

This management team, though not too popluar on this site, have proven that they are willing to take steps, however drastic, to ensure long term viability, both for America West and US Airways they also tend to make these moves, before it's too late. Airline business isn't what it once was and clearly as we move into the future, you have to be on top of the game sooner rather than later.

Look for an announcement in the coming weeks, but prepare yourself for change. The money can be run through pretty fast at higher fuel prices.

 

[AL-PS-PI-AW]

So that 10 days has come and gone, when are we going to hear something? Anyone have some good dirt?

 

[PhxMama]

No dirt but... I think we should start a merger pool and give a prize, like ONE free NASTY post without going to the cornfield! Just kidding, mods. I would like to start by guessing 19May. If I am correct that is the 3rd Anniversary of HP/US! Anyone else? Mama