Programs: NW Platinum, back to DL base awaiting the eventual elevation to DL PM
Posts: 132
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClipperDelta
Yes, yes, we know you can certainly do no wrong no matter what you're in charge of....I'm sure if you were a CEO of a large public corporation that you will be using "Plain English" with your employees and shareholders and the general public because your integrity is unquestionable.
Clipper, you are on my respected users list. Rational thought exists not in most of the DL forum!!
__________________ SOUTH FLORIDA ALUMNI...GO BULLS
And there are others who have successfully booked 90k awards since this chart was published, and are level headed enough to realize that it is probably a clerical error.
What makes you think it is probably a clerical error?
A new chart like that -- especially one that was already put up on Delta's website -- is certainly not a clerical error in its entirety, as any level-headed person would realize.
I'm quite aware that people are still booking 90k BizElite awards for US-Europe-US; however DL's given us a glimpse of where they will be going. It is just a matter of when. Minor modifications may be upcoming, but DL's obsessed with increasing the marketing premium it gets -- the purpose being improving its financial statements -- at the expense of DL SkyMiles account holders.
__________________
This game is not as much fun as it used to be: 2008/2009 Frequent Flyer Program Fleecing Award goes to Delta Airlines
Programs: NW Platinum, back to DL base awaiting the eventual elevation to DL PM
Posts: 132
Quote:
Originally Posted by GUWonder
What makes you think it is probably a clerical error?
Until it's proven to not be one, I will keep my panties from getting all bunched up and assume it is. That's called level-headedness, wigging out and thinking the sky is falling (which you do frequently) isn't. Do you just assume the world is there to be handed you on a silver platter?
__________________ SOUTH FLORIDA ALUMNI...GO BULLS
Until it's proven to not be one, I will keep my panties from getting all bunched up and assume it is. That's called level-headedness, wigging out and thinking the sky is falling (which you do frequently) isn't. Do you just assume the world is there to be handed you on a silver platter?
"Proven to not be one"? Will you please tell us how you go about proving a negative? No need to get the panties all bunched up in responding either.
I never assumed the world is there to be handed on a silver platter, but I'm going to call a plate full of dirt just what it is -- regardless of what kind of platter you want to talk about.
__________________
This game is not as much fun as it used to be: 2008/2009 Frequent Flyer Program Fleecing Award goes to Delta Airlines
Programs: CO Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 3,729
CO chooses not to merge
April 27, 2008
EMPLOYEE BULLETIN NO. 6
Dear Co-worker,
We want you to know that our Board of Directors met today and has unanimously supported management’s recommendation that, in the current industry environment, the best course for Continental is to not merge with another airline at this time.
Our recommendation, and the Board’s careful and considered decision, followed a comprehensive review of our strategic alternatives, assisted by our senior officers and advised by Continental’s outside financial and legal advisors. The Board very carefully considered all the risks and benefits of a merger with another airline, and determined that the risks of a merger at this time outweigh the potential rewards, as compared to Continental’s prospects on a standalone basis.
We have significant cultural, operational and financial strengths compared to the rest of the industry, and we want to protect and enhance those strengths -- which we believe would be placed at risk in a merger with another carrier in today’s environment. We will, however, continue to review potential alliances and our membership in SkyTeam. We are considering alternatives to SkyTeam as we carefully evaluate which major global alliance will be best for Continental over the long term.
While some would prefer to see Continental pursue a merger, we strongly believe we have made the right decision – one that is in the best interests of our stockholders, co-workers, customers and the communities we serve.
Every U.S. carrier, including Continental, is under enormous pressure from record high fuel prices, a slowing U.S. economy and a weak dollar. In today’s harsh environment, we must continue to adjust our business model to ensure we successfully navigate through these difficult times, so that in the future we can once again grow and prosper. As we take actions, we will communicate them to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, we must all continue to concentrate on what we do so well: delivering clean, safe and reliable air transportation every day.
Even in these tough times, we have great strengths. We have an enviable position in the New York market, a powerful hub in Houston, and hubs in Cleveland and Guam. We have a solid trans-Atlantic route network, which has recently been enhanced by our access to London Heathrow. We also have a great Latin American network and a growing portfolio of routes to India and Asia. We fly the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleet and have the best new aircraft order book among the major network carriers.
Most importantly, we have our Working Together culture, and we will ensure it remains intact. We’ve achieved our industry-leading customer service reputation because of you – our co-workers. We will all work together to get through these tough times.
We are both proud to be on your team.
LARRY JEFF
__________________ My FlightMemory
CO EUA: 13/21 = 62% l NW EUA: 1/1 = 100%
Good for CO. I'm happy for them. This will hasten either United's demise or their hopeless and desperate marriage to US. The question for us is, is there any way CO can remain in Skyteam now, or will circumstances dictate that they go nosing around OneWorld via an AA alliance?
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Owing to heightened security you must comply with any crazy fake "regulation" we make up. Thank you sir.
Programs: AS MVP Gold, NW/DL Plat (See My DL Pictures on Facebook)
Posts: 1,251
MSP Pilot "Wheedling" Over Delta Acquisition
A family acquaitance of mine is a pilot for a competing airline, and he has a rapier wit.
A few days ago, he was taxiing on a runway approach at MSP and was told by the control tower to follow behind "Northwest DC9". He came back with this acknowledgement that their plane would be following behind "Delta DC9". Whereapon a pilot of the Nortwest DC9 angrily came back over the radio with "HEY! WATCH IT!" The controller at the tower intervened with "Okay boys, let's take it easy now...". Here's the best part of this story: While the controller had his microphone on... open, wide spread "guffaw" like laughter could be heard coming from the other nearby controllers in the tower!
I wanted to share this as an interesting story tied to the "acquisition" of NW by Delta. By the way, I think the title of this thread should be changed to reflect the fact that this is an acquisision, and not a merger.
-A
Last edited by Poopdeck90210; Apr 28, 08 at 11:55 am.
Good for CO. I'm happy for them. This will hasten either United's demise or their hopeless and desperate marriage to US. The question for us is, is there any way CO can remain in Skyteam now, or will circumstances dictate that they go nosing around OneWorld via an AA alliance?
CO is already being turned into a second class citizen in Skyteam.
Last I heard they were looking at some kind of looser hookup with AA & BA.
Things could get very favorable for DLNW if everyone else were to spend the rest of the year fumbling around the dance floor while DLNW strive to create the nation's strongest airline...
Programs: Former NW PE, now DL PM, soon to be DL DM
Posts: 809
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klm is Dead - Long Live KLM
CO is already being turned into a second class citizen in Skyteam.
This is just my viewpoint from the bleachers, but CO has given the appearance of being only a half-hearted member of SkyTeam all along.
Perhaps they were drawn into the alliance because of their relationship with NW and their code-share agreement with AZ. Never the less, they have not appeared to be an active and enthusiastic member. I recall a few years back when SkyTeam had a 10th Anniversary promotion and awarded 10,000 bonus miles for any international round trip. The trip could be on any SkyTeam member airline EXCEPT Continental, which refused to participate in the promotion. That one instance of not being a Team Player has indicated to me that the relationship is strained somewhat. I have no other hard facts to go on, but this certainly let me know that ST is not one big happy family.
Therefore, it does not surprise me that today CO publicly stated that they are exploring other alternatives to the ST alliance.
Last edited by mrcimino1; Apr 28, 08 at 12:12 am.
Reason: spelling
Good for CO. I'm happy for them. This will hasten either United's demise or their hopeless and desperate marriage to US. The question for us is, is there any way CO can remain in Skyteam now, or will circumstances dictate that they go nosing around OneWorld via an AA alliance?
"The airline has reportedly discussed such an arrangement with AMR Corp., the parent of American Airlines, in which the companies would work together in many ways but not merge their operations."
They also mention possible talks between US and UA. Now that's a scary thought to me!!
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion,AA,USairways,Midwest Airlines, National Emerald Club
Posts: 1,446
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klm is Dead - Long Live KLM
Things could get very favorable for DLNW if everyone else were to spend the rest of the year fumbling around the dance floor while DLNW strive to create the nation's strongest airline...
Are we talking about the same airline that combined lost close to a half billion dollars cash last quarter?
I think the facts bely your assertion; the nation's strongest airline is WN.
Perhaps COs change of heart has more to do with UA than anything else. In particular given a UA's very lack luster Q1 numbers. Though, this morning the financial shows were talking about the lackluster stock prices of DL/NW as being a major factor.
Programs: DL Plat (frmr NW), IHG PC Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Slvr, Choice Priv Gold, National Emrld Exec
Posts: 1,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klm is Dead - Long Live KLM
CO is already being turned into a second class citizen in Skyteam.
Last I heard they were looking at some kind of looser hookup with AA & BA.
Things could get very favorable for DLNW if everyone else were to spend the rest of the year fumbling around the dance floor while DLNW strive to create the nation's strongest airline...
I'm curious what you mean here - being "turned into a 2nd class citizen" would imply other Skyteam members "picking" on CO in some way. I'm not sure I've seen that in any way. (e.g. CO elites getting worse treatment on DL than NW elites)
However, as other posters have mentioned CO certainly has been a "rebellious" Skyteam member in different ways. In addition to the refusal to join promos their 50% EQM policy makes them stand out like a sore thumb on the list. It certainly makes you think twice about flying CO if you need EQM.
That being said though I'll miss them. At least we (NW elites) are in CO's upgrade cycle and there was a time when CO was the "standard setter" for Elite programs.
Perhaps COs change of heart has more to do with UA than anything else. In particular given a UA's very lack luster Q1 numbers.
Oh, I think that's very much the case. According to the NYT & Bloomberg coverage, UA confessed to CO late last week that UA's ability to cover its financial covenants (that is, make the minimum payments) is in decline... and the CO board realized over the weekend that a merged UA/CO could collapse magnificently.
It speaks volumes that they judged their survival odds better as an independent force than by merging with UA. Makes UA look like the prom date with measles.
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Owing to heightened security you must comply with any crazy fake "regulation" we make up. Thank you sir.
Will you please tell us how you go about proving a negative? No need to get the panties all bunched up in responding either. 
MSP Pilot "Wheedling" Over Delta Acquisition
