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 16, 2013, 3:52 pm
#736
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
No.
That's just not going to happen at AA, particularly on transcons. You'd be competing with too many EXPs to give you a 100% clearance rate, plus you'd need upgrade instruments.
So will AA be your choice of carrier when US disappears? If not, who will be your primary carrier? I'm quite happy with the AA model after 12 years at EXP and can't think of going anywhere else.
Don't you get 50% bonus miles at midtier at US? Wouldn't you prefer 100% at AA?
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Tom at JFK Europe bound
That's just not going to happen at AA, particularly on transcons. You'd be competing with too many EXPs to give you a 100% clearance rate, plus you'd need upgrade instruments.
So will AA be your choice of carrier when US disappears? If not, who will be your primary carrier? I'm quite happy with the AA model after 12 years at EXP and can't think of going anywhere else.
Don't you get 50% bonus miles at midtier at US? Wouldn't you prefer 100% at AA?
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Tom at JFK Europe bound
Feb 16, 2013, 5:42 pm
#737
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,318
I believe that the combined slots to be held by the new AA will be sufficient for its needs. It's hard to say that either airline is using its current slots in the most efficient manner.
Feb 16, 2013, 6:09 pm
#738
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: DCA and STL
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, National Car Executive Elite
Posts: 524
It's only a poor move if you assume that being an airline CEO gives you complete clairvoyance into the future. Remember, this was originally proposed in August 2009- you're seriously arguing that Doug Parker should have known back in 2009 that in February 2013 he'd be in charge of a combined US+AA entity, so he should have rejected that deal because he should have known that AA+US in strong positions at LGA and DCA was inevitable, even though it was apparently in US's best interest as a standalone entity at the time to do that deal? I'd say that's a bit of a ridiculous standard to hold an airline CEO to.
Last edited by ksweeney; Feb 16, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Feb 16, 2013, 6:25 pm
#739
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
This is good news as YOW/YUL are better served and YEG can finally be reached with OW miles without using AS on a DH3 (though I might be wrong on the equipment as I have seen a CRJ on it before too.)
YYC is also more conveniently served.
YYC is also more conveniently served.
Feb 16, 2013, 6:35 pm
#740
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
Feb 16, 2013, 7:41 pm
#741
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, BA, CX, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 2,002
VX hubs at SFO, and DL serves more destinations out of SFO than AA. Guess you never question why neither is in the top 3 from numbers u quote ?
Feb 16, 2013, 10:07 pm
#742
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,755
Upgrades for lower level elites will become all but non-existent as the AA institutes a new Tens of Dollars upgrade system similar to COdbaUA.
The ranks of EXP's will plummet as AA institutes a new revenue based requirement in addition to mileage to obtain any level of status, as was just done by Delta.
The ranks of EXP's will plummet as AA institutes a new revenue based requirement in addition to mileage to obtain any level of status, as was just done by Delta.
... not what's best for the airline or its customers, but rather what's best for a few shareholders, lawyers, and beancounters. But, these days, that's all who matters...
Huh?
Elite member should be required to wear pins on their collars to identify their status. (like the Federation uniform) 
5 gold dots = 10 million miler
4 gold dots = million miler
3 gold dots = Executive Platinum
2 gold dots = Platinum
1 gold dots = Gold
That ought to make it easier during the boarding process and meal service.
5 gold dots = 10 million miler
4 gold dots = million miler
3 gold dots = Executive Platinum
2 gold dots = Platinum
1 gold dots = Gold
That ought to make it easier during the boarding process and meal service.
When was the last time that APFA liked an AA management team? I'm 100% confident that it is only a matter of time (and not a long time, at that) until APFA decides that it doesn't like the new management team, either. And the one after that. And the one after that....
Feb 17, 2013, 12:28 am
#743
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
Tom in the BA F lounge at LHR T5 having breakfast
Feb 17, 2013, 12:34 am
#744
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
Feb 17, 2013, 7:11 am
#745
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Programs: AA-EXP (15yrs) 3+MM , exDLPlt, exCOPlt, Cruiseaholic (250+)
Posts: 335
Feb 17, 2013, 7:16 am
#746
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,044
We'll have to wait and see. AA does say they're picking up the strongest attributes of both programs, and that 100% bonus at AA is certainly stronger than the 50% at US. Also factor in lifetime benefits for Platinums already in place. What happens to them? Did US have a lifetime tier at 2MM?
Tom in the BA F lounge at LHR T5 having breakfast
Tom in the BA F lounge at LHR T5 having breakfast
Enjoy the trip.
By the way, for those grousing about OneWorld over Star, having been a 1K and an EXP for a lot of years I really prefer OneWorld. BA has been great to me and I like Cathay and QF a lot as well. In fact I chose PE on QF for a round rip to MEL over playing the upgrade game on UA and was really glad I did. It is a fantastic product. Being able to access first class lounges rather than business class is a huge benefit. Also BA has operationally upgraded me one 2 of my 3 long haul segments from PE to J (LHR - BOM and PVG - LHR).
Feb 17, 2013, 7:17 am
#747
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,044
Feb 17, 2013, 7:32 am
#748
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
Feb 17, 2013, 7:44 am
#749
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlántida, Canelones, Uruguay (MVD) and rarely GNV
Programs: AV LifeMiles, CM ConnectMiles, BA Exec Club. Former:ex-ASGold, ex-UA1K, ex-COPlat, ex-NWGold.
Posts: 2,673
Elite member should be required to wear pins on their collars
to identify their status. (like the Federation uniform)
5 gold dots = 10 million miler
4 gold dots = million miler
3 gold dots = Executive Platinum
2 gold dots = Platinum
1 gold dots = Gold
That out to make it easier during the boarding process and meal service.
to identify their status. (like the Federation uniform)
5 gold dots = 10 million miler
4 gold dots = million miler
3 gold dots = Executive Platinum
2 gold dots = Platinum
1 gold dots = Gold
That out to make it easier during the boarding process and meal service.
Gold shirt = Self-employed self-paying for business travel
Blue shirt = Leisure travelers self-paying for discovery travel
Red shirt = Employed traveling on company's latinum, expendable.
Feb 17, 2013, 7:54 am
#750
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,977
It has been funny watching all of the groaning about USAirways in this thread. Have you flown them lately? The criticisms sound circa 2001. Doesn't AA still use absurd paper coupons for upgrades? US got rid of that a decade ago. If you are mid-tier on US, you ride up front nearly every flight. I haven't sat in coach but once out of probably 50 segments. I flew 120 segments last year on AA, UA and US and by far, the AA product was the most pathetic experience on a plane I've had in years. Delays, surly FA, gate changes after gate changes at DFW. Out of 105 US segments I had exactly one delay and one cancellation.
ORD is among the worst experiences in all of aviation. CLT and DCA, among the best. Granted, PHL is no fun, but neither is DFW.
My point is all this moaning and groaning about US is probably from people who have not set foot on a Parker managed airplane. You better hope that the US model becomes the AA model, because it means: On time, limitless upgrades, low fares and clean planes.
ORD is among the worst experiences in all of aviation. CLT and DCA, among the best. Granted, PHL is no fun, but neither is DFW.
My point is all this moaning and groaning about US is probably from people who have not set foot on a Parker managed airplane. You better hope that the US model becomes the AA model, because it means: On time, limitless upgrades, low fares and clean planes.