Impressive Impressions with the "New American"
 

I was on business this week ORD-GSO with connections in CLT and PHL, 3 of the 4 flights operated by sUS.
What really struck me with this trip was the UNIFORMITY of how operations were between the AA and US flights.
All the employees were recognizing both carriers, codeshares, loyalty programs etc, and they ALL mentioned the "New American."
"Enjoy your flight with US Airways today, part of the NEW AMERICAN."
At the counter and on the planes.

Just remembering back to the days of the UA/CO merger, where communication was a disaster, staff were surely, didn't know what was going on (even before system integration).
But Mr. Parker's regime must really have gotten things out to the field in impeccable time, because all the staff were on the same page this week with the merger. And they seem generally positive about it [thus far].
I think that's great, because that shows the passengers a UNITED front.......which was never at (and may not currently be) the New United.

So far I'm impressed with how this AA/US merger is going in the early stages.
Hopefully it's a sign of things to come. ^

Glad to hear. It may not hurt that you were flying on the east coast, where many employees have been through 4 mergers plus the beginnings of this one in the last decade plus so change has almost become the norm.

Jim

It also helps that there isn't (at least visible to the customer anyway) squabbling between sAA and sUS workers. UA still has the problem. Nothing like starting off a TPAC with sCO FAs b!tching about their sUA counterparts and badmouthing the pilots' friendly efforts - even in the C cabin. :td:

Dougie seems to be doing a good job of presenting a positive face to the consumers and keeping infighting, if any, on the inside.

Well, everyone is basically getting a raise (except for Eagle) and, with the exception of retirees, everyone is getting much better non-rev travel opportunities. This makes for happy employees. Happy employees = happy customers. It's not rocket science (though, if you've flown UA lately, you might be lead to believe otherwise).

So, the new AA management team is smart when it comes to employees thus far. Let's see if they're smart when it comes to frequent fliers. I'm cautiously optimistic, given what we've seen so far. But, we've seen very little.

Yes, but I agree only partially.
What I was also impressed with is how (on my flights) the desk agents and flight attendants ALL seemed to have the same, uniform, corporate information and operating procedures.
I was VERY impressed by that; coming from UA's merger where nobody knew anything.
Management at AA/US seems to have done a fantastic job of getting everyone on the front lines on the same page with policies/procedures.

Lessons learned from past mistakes. We are working hard for all of you.

Lessons learned from OTHER'S past mistakes. If AA can get this right, they will become a first-class airline - what new United should have become. So far someone at the top is listening and it's quite impressive. I hope it continues.

The customer. The customer. The customer.

According to a buddy of mine that works for US here in PHX the day the potential merger was announced US already had internal websites in place providing information to the employees.

In subsequent conversations he has mentioned on multiple occasions how the majority of the employees are behind the merger and it's really a great place to be working.

This is only one person's POV, but let's hope things stay that way.

Not completely - Parker was firmly in charge for the US/HP merger which had a doozie of a mistake.

Jim

And AA has certainly had its merger "moments" (most notably with TW)...

What was that mistake?

The biggest was the combination of res systems but that was a doozie.

Jim

Yes I honestly hope AA miles don't devalue that much. In a few months, the new UA will be making star alliance redemption much harder. So there's really no point for in applying for UA cards anymore.

Employee integration? "East" and "West" problems lasted over five years. Perhaps this will bring about some resolution...

I have not been able to fly the last two months but will be ramping up in a couple of weeks. I am thrilled to hear this.

As a happy refugee from the UA+CO disaster I'm glad that early merger signs are encouraging.

AA employees: You are valued and appreciated. Please keep up your great work!!