View Poll Results: My opinion of the announced AA - US merger is:
This is the best of all possible worlds; great idea!
33
3.93%
This portends a stronger airline, with some changes for all
192
22.88%
I am neutral - pros and cons for all
199
23.72%
I think this is a somewhat bad idea with some real challenges
226
26.94%
I am completely opposed to this merger; terrible idea!
189
22.53%
Voters: 839. You may not vote on this poll
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated)
Feb 22, 2013, 3:37 pm
#901
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Probably a dumb question but the will the merger effect new planes coming on board in 2013 for AA?
SIAP but saw this article today on yahoo.com.
http://www.business2community.com/br...-right-0415441
SIAP but saw this article today on yahoo.com.
http://www.business2community.com/br...-right-0415441
Feb 22, 2013, 4:54 pm
#902
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
Probably a dumb question but the will the merger effect new planes coming on board in 2013 for AA?
SIAP but saw this article today on yahoo.com.
http://www.business2community.com/br...-right-0415441
SIAP but saw this article today on yahoo.com.
http://www.business2community.com/br...-right-0415441
Feb 22, 2013, 6:58 pm
#903
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Probably a dumb question but the will the merger effect new planes coming on board in 2013 for AA?
SIAP but saw this article today on yahoo.com.
http://www.business2community.com/br...-right-0415441
SIAP but saw this article today on yahoo.com.
http://www.business2community.com/br...-right-0415441
The article you linked contained this gem:
Speaking of culture, it sounds like USAirways, while accustomed to acquisitions, has a mess of a culture. That toxic environment will combine with the American culture, and then you’ll have an even bigger mess. 1.2 million people (combined number of employees) worth of bigger mess. And you think you’ve seen some cranky agents and flight attendants before?!
Feb 22, 2013, 7:53 pm
#904
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
The new single-aisle planes pay for themselves in fuel savings at today's prices, so unless Parker sees fuel prices dropping, he probably won't cancel the orders. The widebodies are for international expansion, and of all the airlines, US (with the lowest international revenue percentage of the legacies) management knows how important it is for AA-US to grow internationally.
The article you linked contained this gem:
1.2 million employees? Nope - that's about 12 times too high. AA-US combined have about 100k employees.
The article you linked contained this gem:
1.2 million employees? Nope - that's about 12 times too high. AA-US combined have about 100k employees.
That said i haven't really seen much evidence the wide body order other then a few 77Ws are for international expansion. It's mostly fleet replacement with the 787 and who knows when those will arrive at this point. The narrow bodies seem more the target of expansion given all the orders and options.
Feb 22, 2013, 8:43 pm
#905
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I voted for the second choice from the top and therefore I plan to be cautiously optimistic about this. I think it might mean the removal of the nearby CLT hub for me and it will undoubtedly lead to higher airfares, especially as US Airways is consistently one of the cheapest carriers from RDU, especially last minute, but I also think back on the NW-DL merger which was beneficial to me so I'm going to go into this with an open mind.
Feb 22, 2013, 11:34 pm
#906
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LAX/JFK
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 106
I questioned it too, but see ambraciot's post 888 - it's very possible... do a MR of 8 segments at $150 all in... do 13 of those and one makes EXP by doing over 100 segments for less than $2k (and not using 2009 fares/promos). So, it's very possible, for a MRer type flyer, that obsesses in searching out quirk/mistake/IT-overlooked itineraries that offer crazy low cpms, to hit EXP for around $2k. I (even as a EQP qualifier in recent years) am a believer.
Feb 23, 2013, 7:14 am
#907
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
I voted for the second choice from the top and therefore I plan to be cautiously optimistic about this. I think it might mean the removal of the nearby CLT hub for me and it will undoubtedly lead to higher airfares, especially as US Airways is consistently one of the cheapest carriers from RDU, especially last minute, but I also think back on the NW-DL merger which was beneficial to me so I'm going to go into this with an open mind.
Feb 23, 2013, 10:03 am
#909
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
Feb 23, 2013, 10:36 am
#910
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
Programs: AAdvantage, CK, 4 MM; Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 310
Ok. Although I only recall two promotions in 2012 that credited EQM -- in the early part of last year (IIRC, Jan 2012?) and after AA's pilots acting like children causing delays and flight cancellations. I believe you and the others. Obviously, due to the responses/posts, others can obtain EXP by only spending $3/4K per year. I wish I could say that was the case for me. It's not; not even in the ballpark.
Feb 23, 2013, 10:41 am
#911
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Those of us at SFO that flew SFO-ORD RTs in January of last year got triple EQM (roughly 9 trips at $200 or less gave you 100K). I requalified on February 1 and ended the year with 155K EQM with other flying past February.
Tom in Salzburg
Tom in Salzburg
Feb 23, 2013, 10:42 am
#912
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
Programs: AAdvantage, CK, 4 MM; Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 310
Possible union issues @ the New AA
Say it ain't so. If this great airline fails given the work by Horton to restructure AA, I will blame AA's unions, and only AA's unions.
American, US Airways unions still have lots to settle
Posted Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02...#storylink=cpy
The day American Airlines and US Airways announced their merger proposal, their union leaders smiled and shook hands with airline executives and one another.
Some union presidents, including those who represent American's pilots, flight attendants and ground workers, had advocated for a merger of the carriers for months, even signing conditional labor agreements with US Airways executives in April.
Others, such as US Airways' pilots and flight attendant leaders, got involved in the discussions later but willingly signed memorandums of understanding to help ease the integration.
But despite the hugs and good will exchanged when the merger was announced Feb. 13, challenges lie ahead for the unions. Seniority integration lists need to be crafted. Workers must decide which union they want to represent them in contract talks with the merged carrier.
"We're not going to see how amicable this merger is for a few more years, when the difficult questions come," said Gary Chaison, professor of labor relations at Clark University in Massachusetts.
And if the unions, along with airline management, can't solve these issues in a timely fashion, that could limit the financial benefits touted by AMR CEO Tom Horton and US Airways CEO Doug Parker.
"Union issues have to be put away if American is going to be successful going into the future," airline industry consultant Darryl Jenkins said.
AMR has 54,700 unionized workers. US Airways has 30,260.
American, US Airways unions still have lots to settle
Posted Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02...#storylink=cpy
The day American Airlines and US Airways announced their merger proposal, their union leaders smiled and shook hands with airline executives and one another.
Some union presidents, including those who represent American's pilots, flight attendants and ground workers, had advocated for a merger of the carriers for months, even signing conditional labor agreements with US Airways executives in April.
Others, such as US Airways' pilots and flight attendant leaders, got involved in the discussions later but willingly signed memorandums of understanding to help ease the integration.
But despite the hugs and good will exchanged when the merger was announced Feb. 13, challenges lie ahead for the unions. Seniority integration lists need to be crafted. Workers must decide which union they want to represent them in contract talks with the merged carrier.
"We're not going to see how amicable this merger is for a few more years, when the difficult questions come," said Gary Chaison, professor of labor relations at Clark University in Massachusetts.
And if the unions, along with airline management, can't solve these issues in a timely fashion, that could limit the financial benefits touted by AMR CEO Tom Horton and US Airways CEO Doug Parker.
"Union issues have to be put away if American is going to be successful going into the future," airline industry consultant Darryl Jenkins said.
AMR has 54,700 unionized workers. US Airways has 30,260.
Feb 23, 2013, 10:44 am
#913
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
Programs: AAdvantage, CK, 4 MM; Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 310
But where do you find the time to make those mileage runs that would requalify you in just one month? I have been EXP for the past decade so I thought I was pretty familiar with AA's ff program given my status and 4 MM. Obviously, not.
Feb 23, 2013, 12:22 pm
#914
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: AA PLT, 60K "old miles"
Posts: 188
Last edited by bubba198; Feb 23, 2013 at 12:23 pm Reason: add comment
Feb 23, 2013, 3:45 pm
#915
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Check my current trip report as I travel in Germany and Austria.Tom in Salzburg where it's snowing