Continental Pre/Post Merger Speculation Discussion Thread
Mar 13, 2006 | 7:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.7 Million Miler, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 99
United/Continental merger rumor [threads merged]
Today I flew in first to Iah from the west coast. I had a long conversation on the flight with a senior attendant who was working first. She told me that something is in the works between CO and United. She told me that more would be know in the next few months.
Does anyone had anything to add to this?, or is it nothing but an airline rumor?
Does anyone had anything to add to this?, or is it nothing but an airline rumor?
Mar 13, 2006 | 7:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 927
Originally Posted by Reptile
Does anyone had anything to add to this?, or is it nothing but an airline rumor?
Mar 13, 2006 | 7:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: East Coast
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, AA Lifetime Platinum, Delta PM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,522
Originally Posted by Reptile
Today I flew in first to Iah from the west coast. I had a long conversation on the flight with a senior attendant who was working first. She told me that something is in the works between CO and United. She told me that more would be know in the next few months.
Does anyone had anything to add to this?, or is it nothing but an airline rumor?
Does anyone had anything to add to this?, or is it nothing but an airline rumor?
Mar 13, 2006 | 7:52 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Rapids Reward
Posts: 40,124
Originally Posted by NYC1K
This is just as true as the rumor I heard that George Bush will become the next Pope!!
Mar 13, 2006 | 7:52 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: CO Silver
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by NYC1K
This is just as true as the rumor I heard that George Bush will become the next Pope!!
Mar 13, 2006 | 8:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,925
- An CO exec was quoted a few months ago that CO would entertain a buyout by UA.
- Gordon Bethune previously stated that a UA/CO combination would be a knock out airline.
- CO is holding back on reasonable prices for way in advance ticket purchases.
Who knows! Although CO - Larry Kellner, Gordon Bethune, many others in the industry have publicly stated that there will be consolidation in the airline business - up to now only US/HP have been combined.
My opinion - CO is too small to survive as a standalone airline - regardless of all the consolidation issues - crews, benefits, etc.
- Gordon Bethune previously stated that a UA/CO combination would be a knock out airline.
- CO is holding back on reasonable prices for way in advance ticket purchases.
Who knows! Although CO - Larry Kellner, Gordon Bethune, many others in the industry have publicly stated that there will be consolidation in the airline business - up to now only US/HP have been combined.
My opinion - CO is too small to survive as a standalone airline - regardless of all the consolidation issues - crews, benefits, etc.
Mar 13, 2006 | 8:47 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: CO, UA, who cares what level, that doesn't make me special, now does it?
Posts: 917
My suspicion is these talks have more to do with the size of the "skyteam" logo getting smaller on elite cards 
Mar 13, 2006 | 8:47 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Dilligaf
Posts: 474
Originally Posted by Reptile
Today I flew in first to Iah from the west coast. I had a long conversation on the flight with a senior attendant who was working first. She told me that something is in the works between CO and United. She told me that more would be know in the next few months.
Does anyone had anything to add to this?, or is it nothing but an airline rumor?
Does anyone had anything to add to this?, or is it nothing but an airline rumor?
My sister's friend's baby cousin Tracy told me the same thing!!
Mar 13, 2006 | 8:49 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Gold MM; AA Gold MM; WN A-List; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold; Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 24,564
Serious fleet incompatability issues would seem to make this rumored merger improbable.
Mar 13, 2006 | 9:10 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,206
CO and UA will Merge
...when NW and DL merge. Not a moment sooner 
Mar 13, 2006 | 9:17 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Originally Posted by NYC1K
This is just as true as the rumor I heard that George Bush will become the next Pope!!
Mar 13, 2006 | 9:37 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Somewhere in picturesque New England
Programs: WN Rapid Rewards, DL SkyMiles, UA MileagePlus, HiltonHonors
Posts: 765
If CO and UA were to merge, I would sincerely hope that the FF program would be substantially like UA's, not CO's. Most likely, however, would be a program with the worst of both - CO's awful award availability and ludicrous mileage upgrade policies combined with UA's domestic e-upgrade rigmarole.
Last edited by senatorgirth; Mar 13, 2006 at 9:47 pm
Mar 14, 2006 | 12:30 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum, UA Million Miler
Posts: 2,596
Originally Posted by fly747first
Thank you, NYC1K! I guess the CO kiddies want to think that a great airline like United, which recently got out of bankruptcy, is gonna want to merge with a pathetic, wanna-be "We offer unlimited upgrades to all elites, but of course they will never come through" airline like Continental that recently reported a pretty big loss. I guess the CO fans are getting tired of the Pecan Delights for dessert lol.
Interesting, I flew EWR-DEN tonight in F (upgraded), I am flying greyhound-with-wings TED to DFW tomorrow and then I am flying CO DFW-IAH-PHX (upgarded all legs) on Wednesday. My upgrade success this year as a plat based in EWR is over 70%. Oh wait, my EUA for my PHX-EWR leg on Sunday just came in.... hmmmm, thats odd. I am flying in F for every leg of my trip on CO. I guess upgrades on CO do "come through" every now and then. I just hope than for my leg on TED I dont sit next to a shirtless alcoholic.
Last edited by BigPoppaCO; Mar 14, 2006 at 12:36 am
Mar 14, 2006 | 2:56 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,175
Originally Posted by BigPoppaCO
I just hope than for my leg on TED I dont sit next to a shirtless alcoholic.
Mar 14, 2006 | 4:36 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
Originally Posted by CALflyboi
My sister's friend's baby cousin Tracy told me the same thing!!