Team,

Great Information in the notes above. A couple of items that we do know are as follows:

1. Gordon is not silent about reviewing UA's potential w/exCEO and contemplating making a go of turning UA around. Does that include a merger with CO? (Maybe/Maybe Not) Does Gordon want this challenge?

2. Gordon has rolled his eyes several times when Tilton's name has been mentioned. I think that says a lot.

3. UA's international routes are incredible. This is a prize that if used correctly can create a financial powerhouse of an airline.

4. CO would have to buy UA due to the agreement with NWA. The desire would be to maintain the UA name and drop CO. The details of how all this would work is fairly complicated. NWA still maintains the right of first refusal on CO.

Speculation

1. Delta is just dead. Their attempt with Song was a great idea but poorly executed. There is just nothing positive I can say about them. The entire company needs an overhaul. I would love to see Gordon go into Delta. He has done some magic but this would require a miracle worker.

2. UA and CO will merge. I just think it makes a lot of sense.

3. AA will stand alone. The benefit of NWA with AA would be minimal.

4. US/HP is going to be big winners here. I believe they will be a LCC but will starting picking and choosing routes being sold by NWA and Delta.

5. After Delta and NWA finish their culling, you will see a merger of the bones. They will maintain their international routes and the money making regional routes plus a ton of codes share agreements with several LCC. This will benefit all parties and make a nice route map.

6. Southwest - hummmm The speculation is how they will continue to grow. They have it correct on how to run an airline. I am guessing they will start working on some additional code share routes to international locations.

Finally, does anyone know which US airline has the rights to the routes to Cuba if the US government dropped the sanctions? I read an article about Cuba being the next Hawaii in the year 2010.