So what??? :confused:

I agree that a CO/UA merger would be undesirable, to say the least, for CO flyers, but just how do you intend to "fight to save" CO? The only opinions that matter to CO execs w/r/t a merger are those of the board and shareholders, not those of everyday fliers (technically).

I don't know....but when Boeing was relocating from Seattle, one of the reasons they picked Chicago was because of the local presence of UA(and also AA's ORD hub) and the fact that Chicago is generally regarded as the aviation hub of N. America. There is a benefit to close proximity, I imagine.

Really...I guess that's why crooked Mayor Daley illegally bulldozed an important General Aviation airport and transportation link in the dead of night while everyone was sleeping.

I don't know too much about him, but say what you want, he appears to be quite passionate and effective for the city. Chicago has been a boomtown during his administration.

What am I going to do about it? Well, from a practical standpoint, probably not much. I will write CO executives an board members and let them know my feelings if it appears that this bad idea os moving forward. Will it do any good? Maybe, maybe not. I think CO is more responsive to its customers than the other guys. ust because I don't have a 500 pound bat doesn't mean I can't make my opinion known.

I think CO has a really good thing and I think UA would just screw it all up and trash everything good about CO. I'm entitled to my opinion and I'll let those making the decision know what it is. Beyond that, I'm a passenger on this flight, like all the others.

Continental. This is MY airline.

--PP

This perception is extremely tired. With the right integration, the synergies that both companies can create is very admirable. This perception that United offers "nothing" is just completey wrong and regarded as ridiculous with anybody who is not clouded with a bias. People love to tout the fact that Continental offers meals in Economy, but nobody ever mentions that United is the only US airline to offer Economy Plus seating. People love to tout Continental's "premium" image when they don't even offer a true First class cabin like every other "premium" airline of the world. Continental's Guam route network is treated like god when in reality Tokyo or Heathrow by themselves are much more valubal. You see, United airlines is the true global airline, the airline with the best route network of all it's US peers. For many of you to simply stomp on that and start whining about "employees" and "dirty aircraft" only exemplifies opinion, not the clear facts which stand out - The facts that started these joint talks in the first place.

United may be a true global airline, but that hasn't helped them to be profitable in a long, long time. Unless you're an international FF which 1k status they really don't treat you well. Their aircraft and lounges are crap. CO is better off in the long run by growing organically. For me, I really hope they don't merge as I hate UA and like CO. UA has the best network of any US carrier and they still can hardly make a dime.

What if American gobbles up Alaska?


.

I haven't read any post saying UA offers "nothing". What they offer is what is a weak point in CO's route structure.


Not true...the UA Mileage Plus folks tout it all the time; but most here know that CO is all about making money and as TWA and AA discovered, extra space isn't a money maker. More seats = More money in the bank.


More and more airlines are reaching the same conclusion CO reached sometime ago; business class is filled with paying customers. First Class (Internationally) is becoming more and more difficult to "sell". Many are willing to use mileage for it, but most who can afford First are now buying fractional jets.


Guam is lucrative, but Tokyo and LHR are more valuable and that goes back to the first comment; it is what complements CO route structure.


CO is also a true global airline and you seem to want to ignore that fact.

Every business has its bad apples (CO is no exception...do a search here). We have minimized "dirty aircraft". It is a fact that UA's aircraft are not well maintained in comparison to CO.

George Bush to become the next Pope!

Is the Pope Catholic?

Please understand my perspective. I don't fly internationally, so whether or not Guam is better than Tokyo really doesn't matter to me. What I am after is a far better DOMESTIC product. And do you REALLY think that when the United corporate culture takes over as the controlling airline that the FAs will magically stop complaining abot their jobs in teh galley? Do you think the airplanes will all of a sudden become clean and new like the CO planes? Do you think the upgrade availability will suddenyl b like CO's? Suppose teh Bangalore call center where I am known as "meester Paul" will close and only domestic call center reps will remain? Want to venture a guess as to what will happen to domestic Y meal service? Think the surly UAL ground staff will perk up? Will Cleveland retain its level of service?

I guess I have never "experienced" what you feel is a "true" first class. I have flown UA's first cabin and was thoroughly unimpressed, like hte time I was on a 3 hour flight back to Chicago when CO would have served FC a hot breakfast and the UA "First Class" breakfast was a banana and a bowl of cold cereal and that was that? When "Ted" flies a route, first class doen't exist, so that kind of blows the whole "true" first class argument.

No, I don't see any upside at all to UAL taking over CO. Now if CO were to absorb UA and be the controlling airline, I would LOVE to see the culture shock for that tired, pissed off airline. It would take eons to clean the fleet, reprogram the FAs to not whine and b***h in front of pax, and get system sin place to cater domestic flights in Y...but I'd love to see it. Unfortunately, all the press I've read has UA buying CO.

If you fly internationally all the time, your perspective will differ from mine.

--PP

http://library.corporate-ir.net/libr...esentation.pdf

Per UA's presentation to investors, Economy Plus upsells are set to generate $100 million in 2007.

UA's planes with E+ have one less row of Economy. There's the empircal benefit of having E+ (i.e. the $100 million identified above) and the intangible benefit (i.e. elite/loyal fliers who'd go elsewere if E+ didn't exist).

If the empircal benefit outweights the lost revenue of one less row in Economy, then E+ is doing its job on that basis alone.

Unless there is an agreed to standard as to what defines "a true global airline" it is a subjective statement that will generate varying opinions and reactions from different individuals of different backgrounds.

You're all needlessly annoying one another.

Of course, now I full expect everyone to define their own checklist as to what comprises "a true global airline".

:D

Thank you as always.

I agree however, that if the strengths of both these airlines could possibly be integrated effectively, the resulting entity could be quite formidable.