Just got off the webcast joint DL-NW press conference. About the only notable item was Anderson mentioning that the mainline-owned regionals (Comair, Messaba and Compass) are likely the winners here as feeder operators. ASA, Pinnacle, etc. the likely losers as the regional ops are rationalized post-merger.
Not that I'll miss Pinnacle and the dastard CRJ-200s, with the 1+0 carryon policy.
I also thought the probable restart of JFK-NRT was interesting (though no details given).
First of all welcome all Northwest flyers into the Delta family!
We're happy to have you and look forward to all that Northwest has to offer as part of the new Delta.
Been a Platinum on Delta for a while and for one have been nothing but happy with the service and people of Delta.
I'm certain you'll feel the same once the dust settles and details get ironed out.
All of us are going to be happy in the long run.
Happy, happy, happy! What kind of smokes does DL pass out on its flights?
I had years as a DL elite, and the airline was clearly going downhill on customer service then, and it is far worse now. I've seen the other side, and I certainly don't want to go back. How happy would it make you if happy DL quoted you over $330 taxes and fees on an award ticket when NW quoted less than $100 on the same city pairs? I had that happy experience when I tried to find a use for some of my leftover SkyPiles. All of their new junk fees are also a big chuckle.
And by what mechanism do they formally approve or reject the merger? I've worked for two aviation companies that have been sold or mergerd, and guess what, that happened without my permission or even commentary. The airlines can merger with or without employee "approval."
Oh, look at US/HP. They merged. Yes, the aftermath is ugly, but they still merged. I'm very well aware that NW/DL could look like that post-merger, but they would have still merged.
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why do you think the deal was held up pending approval by DL pilots?
Because management tried to do something smart and get employees on board before the merger. Labor integration is serious business. But there was never any doubt that the airlines could pursue a merger without labor blessing.
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What's interesting here is a deal announced while the NW pilots are still unhappy. If the employees feel shorted, they will drive NW into Ch7 well before the key is handed to DL - then Delta ends up with a bankrupt, empty shell. Quite frankly, if the employees see their jobs going bye-bye or the seniority they worked their butts off over many years to establish is lost, they will take harsh work action against the carrier and I wouldn't blame them. What do they have to lose? Nothing. With oil at 112/b and the airline burning through cash at an uncontrollable rate, a complete strike which shuts down the airline for even a week should be enough to shut it down forever - and DL doesn't have the cash to throw at NW to keep it afloat.
Ok, answer me this: Where do the pilots go enmasse when the airline is shut down? If you think there are "plenty of jobs" to around, think again. Don't forget we've seen at least six carriers shut down over the years (including FlyI a couple of years ago.) Not only did that represent a contraction in the number of jobs available, but it also flooded the market with labor.
Any pilot with half of a brain knows that he either deals with this situation, or finds a new career. (Hint: Most pilots actually like to fly.)
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Assuming the employees don't scuttle the deal - then what? Can you imagine a senior NW Captain now relegated to FO duty on Delta? A NW Captain going from first pick at the schedule to #200 in line? A flight attendant with 20 years of service going from DTW-NRT-SIN every month to DTW-FLL every couple days? The bad blood that will exist at the merged carrier will be poison and vile.
That scenario is unlikely to happen, so don't preach it like it's gospel. But consider this: Absent the 757, there isn't any fleet overlap. The carrier could very well put fences around the equipment, keeping NW pilots flying NW planes, and DL pilots flying DL planes.
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Of course they shareholders must value the deal - if sufficient case is made that their share worth is undervalued, they can vote to scuttle the deal. It's happened many times before across many different industries.
Do you not think the requisite board of directors have not weighed in on the issue already? Do you think the two companies would have pursued a merger without board blessing? Who do you think authorized the merger announcement in the first place? Do you think Steenland and Anderson made the decision one day over a round of golf?
So I emailed Delta and I must be prophetic. I said I would get a "generic" response and well...
My letter:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am not happy with this merger at all. Not that you care, as you are a
business having to make business decisions and I know you are getting a
million emails but I’ll send mine so I can get the typical “generic”
response that doesn’t address my concerns. While a merger must be the
right move business wise and is probably good for your basic traveler.
It is horrible for me as a platinum elite with NWA. Let’s look at why:
1)You now have combined 2 elite pools making upgrade chances drastically reduced
2)NWA gives 125% bonus mileage for Platinums DL only gives 100%
3)NWA lets elites do domestic mileage upgrades from any fare DL only
allows it from their highest fares
4)NWA has the platinum companion upgrade 5 days out DL does not offer
this
5)NWA platinum upgrade guarantee DL nothing
6)NWA elite line is far superior to DL
7)NWA has Bizperks DL nothing
8)NWA has a Visa (accepted anywhere) DL – American Express
9)DL is currently running a double MQM promotion giving their customers
a leg up and a huge advantage over NWA customers forced to be DL
customers at year's end
10)NWA’s website is far superior to DL
11)NWA allows you to search for mileage upgrades on the website DL does
not
12)DL is in Atlanta – enough said
I would be very grateful to hear how being an elite with DL is better
then with NWA. I will wait this year to see how the program unfolds but
I anticipate I will be switching my business to another airline after
this year.
Their response:
Dear Mr. JJlovecub,
Thank you for your interest in our announcement that Delta Air Lines and
Northwest Airlines Corp. will combine to create America's premier global
airline.
This is great news for our customers, as the new airline, which will be
called Delta, will maintain all its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati,
Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City,
Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita. Customers flying from every Delta and
Northwest hub will enjoy enhanced access to more destinations worldwide
thanks to the complementary networks that will be joined together.
Bringing together Delta and Northwest will also create a more
financially stable company, with one of the strongest balance sheets
among major U.S. airlines and the ability to reinvest in the fleet and
services to enhance the customer experience. For instance, both fleets
will accelerate the upgrading of existing aircraft with lie-flat seats
and personal on-demand entertainment. The combined company will be able
to improve the customer travel experience through new products and
services, including enhanced self-service tools, better bag-tracking
technology, more onboard meal options, new seats and refurbished cabin
interiors.
With more destinations with more schedule options, you will have more
opportunities to earn and redeem SkyMiles in what will become the
world's largest frequent flyer program. As always, you can book your
Delta tickets and earn and redeem SkyMiles as you normally would. Until
the merger is complete, it will be business as usual for both airlines.
Thanks again for your interest. More information is available online at
Delta.com or at: www.newglobalairline.com.
Why would NW customers stay around for a far inferior ff program? Some of us are refugees from DL, and we remember when DL was much more customer-oriented, but that is not the DL of today. And with an AF rep on the board, it is likely to become less so.
The highest value customers are loyal to network, schedule and service. Although its doubtful any contemporary airline could continue to meet your unattainable standards for a loyalty program, I am confident that DL will continue to make SkyMiles attractive to high value customers.
Why? Wouldn't the best customers continue to patronize the airline with the best network, schedule and service?
To be honest, I think a lot of the best customers would patronize the airline that gives them the best product, as well as best benefits. When you compare the product/service/benefits of the DL program to that of NW, in my experience, it's not even close. CO is comparable, and that's likely where I'll end up if the new program looks anything like the current SkyMiles.
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Originally Posted by sxf24
I am confident that DL will continue to make SkyMiles attractive to high value customers.
OK, so what exactly is so attractive about it now?? Maybe we're all missing something.
Let's start with this: Am I going to be seeing even close to the upgrade percentages that can be found in my signature at the same levels on DL?
Happy, happy, happy! What kind of smokes does DL pass out on its flights?
I had years as a DL elite, and the airline was clearly going downhill on customer service then, and it is far worse now. I've seen the other side, and I certainly don't want to go back. How happy would it make you if happy DL quoted you over $330 taxes and fees on an award ticket when NW quoted less than $100 on the same city pairs? I had that happy experience when I tried to find a use for some of my leftover SkyPiles. All of their new junk fees are also a big chuckle.
I believe the merger is a win for both Delta and Northwest. In addition Delta is bringing a tried and trued business model to the customers of NW in order to ensure that Northwest does not go out of business.
I believe the merger is a win for both Delta and Northwest. In addition Delta is bringing a tried and trued business model to the customers of NW in order to ensure that Northwest does not go out of business.
huh?
As far as I can tell, DL is bringing a business model that NW customers are running away from as quickly as possible.
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion,AA,USairways,Midwest Airlines, National Emerald Club
Posts: 1,438
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Originally Posted by Brian286
I believe the merger is a win for both Delta and Northwest. In addition Delta is bringing a tried and trued business model to the customers of NW in order to ensure that Northwest does not go out of business.
To be honest, I think a lot of the best customers would patronize the airline that gives them the best product, as well as best benefits. When you compare the product/service/benefits of the DL program to that of NW, in my experience, it's not even close. CO is comparable, and that's likely where I'll end up if the new program looks anything like the current SkyMiles.
It sounds like CO will be the next airline to go. (UA)
To be honest, I think a lot of the best customers would patronize the airline that gives them the best product, as well as best benefits. When you compare the product/service/benefits of the DL program to that of NW, in my experience, it's not even close. CO is comparable, and that's likely where I'll end up if the new program looks anything like the current SkyMiles.
Outside of upgrade percentages, I fail to see how the product, service or benefits of DL are inferior to NW and would drive any high value customer away. Low yield mileage whores, perhaps. But the combined airline would be better off without them.
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Originally Posted by GBadger
OK, so what exactly is so attractive about it now?? Maybe we're all missing something.
Let's start with this: Am I going to be seeing even close to the upgrade percentages that can be found in my signature at the same levels on DL?
No. DL has fewer F seats (as a percentage of total seats) than NW and sells a much, much higher percentage of F seats domestically. Upgrades will become more difficult on some routes. Unfortunately, economic reality dictates that less is given away for free.
Change is difficult, it is hard to lose that Northwest name. However, I think the 2x promotion issue is a valid question.
Remember NW did this a couple of years ago, during the mechanic's strike. It was to combat either UAs or AAs offer in the midwest to try and steal elites from NWA during the strike. NW countered with their own 2X promotion. It drove me to schedule additional flights to HNL and also BKK. I think another is due to level the field with DL....or should I just start booking with DL now so my PE status will be with them for the future. Now is the time to keep the NW elites happy! Unless this issue is addressed, more than just a few will shift revenue to other airlines.
Wildman
