View Poll Results: Is an American Airlines/US Airways merger good for the traveling public?
Yes
84
28.19%
No
214
71.81%
Voters: 298. You may not vote on this poll
Nov 12, 2013, 2:24 pm
Last edit by: aztimm
Note:
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
US/AA merger- MASTER DISCUSSION THREAD/incl 'when will US leave STAR'
Aug 13, 2013, 6:15 pm
#1321
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,607
If you made some good cash go back in with a piece of your profits ( now that the stock is down almost 50% ) as the merger is going to go through with some tweaks
In no way can the DOJ justify denying it after letting the previous margers slide
Aug 13, 2013, 6:18 pm
#1323
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Programs: EY Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 426
Go DOJ! get this blocked.. papa wants some great 100% bonus *A mile redemptions
Aug 13, 2013, 6:20 pm
#1324
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,819
Thats not true at all. A merger analysis is done based on market conditions. When DL/NW merged, there were six network carriers, massive losses, and the likelihood that one or more of the six would die. In 2010 when CO/UA merged, there were five network carriers plus WN and FL. Losses still existed through the industry.
You now have a situation with four network carriers and with WN as a fifth. You would be reducing from four to three.
Simply saying you need to grant our merger because you did it before in different market conditions and with different players completely invalidates why antitrust law and antitrust analysis even exists.
Aug 13, 2013, 6:37 pm
#1325
Join Date: May 2004
Location: US
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 973
I'm not disagreeing with the statement above, per se, however, CNBC just ran a graphic displaying capacity by available seat miles, and WN was a very distant fourth (behind UA, DL, and AA) and slightly ahead of US.
(Unfortunately, I'm sitting in a hotel room without DVR functionality, and I couldn't capture the specific figures that they referenced.)
(Unfortunately, I'm sitting in a hotel room without DVR functionality, and I couldn't capture the specific figures that they referenced.)
Aug 13, 2013, 6:56 pm
#1326
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)
Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze
Posts: 1,633
If I'd wanted to fly American...I'd have already chosen them. The end.
Thus, I am thrilled. And can now book my late fall trips with *A carriers to regain *Gold. ^
Thus, I am thrilled. And can now book my late fall trips with *A carriers to regain *Gold. ^
Aug 13, 2013, 7:30 pm
#1327
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
Tough luck that AA and US waited until a point where DoJ (and states attorneys general) was (were) willing to act, but, yes, there comes a point where if you don't like the cartel, you really don't have anywhere else to go.
Aug 13, 2013, 7:44 pm
#1328
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Gold
Posts: 95
Star Alliance Upgrades forever!
Hopefully Eric Holder has some cojones.
Hopefully Eric Holder has some cojones.
Aug 13, 2013, 8:23 pm
#1329
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ELP
Programs: AAdvantage, Amex MR
Posts: 2,314
A line has to be drawn somewhere and it should have been drawn with WN and FL if you ask me. Better late then never I suppose.
Aug 13, 2013, 8:48 pm
#1330
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Globalist, M life Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 918
Thats not true at all. A merger analysis is done based on market conditions. When DL/NW merged, there were six network carriers, massive losses, and the likelihood that one or more of the six would die. In 2010 when CO/UA merged, there were five network carriers plus WN and FL. Losses still existed through the industry.
You now have a situation with four network carriers and with WN as a fifth. You would be reducing from four to three.
Simply saying you need to grant our merger because you did it before in different market conditions and with different players completely invalidates why antitrust law and antitrust analysis even exists.
You now have a situation with four network carriers and with WN as a fifth. You would be reducing from four to three.
Simply saying you need to grant our merger because you did it before in different market conditions and with different players completely invalidates why antitrust law and antitrust analysis even exists.
If DoJ wanted this killed, they would not have spent months, right up until this week, trying to hammer out a deal with US/AA. DoJ has a plan in mind.
Sink the merger and the fortress hubs will still be there. DoJ is probably after letting the merger go through, but force concessions to bulk up other airlines in the US/AA fortress hubs. Hence making DCA the centerpiece of their complaint today.
Aug 13, 2013, 8:51 pm
#1331
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
Originally Posted by flyer4512
In no way can the DOJ justify denying it after letting the previous margers slide
Last edited by flyingmusicianlax; Aug 13, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Aug 13, 2013, 9:20 pm
#1332
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
Originally Posted by Fanjet:21267300
Its completely relevant. The airline touts customer benefits, increased access, etc. Imposing a continuous stream of ancillary fees is anything but.
In any event, that is but one measure.
The HHI analysis is the real gorilla in this one. Followed by perceived belief in the loss in Advantage fares.
In any event, that is but one measure.
The HHI analysis is the real gorilla in this one. Followed by perceived belief in the loss in Advantage fares.
Aug 13, 2013, 9:31 pm
#1334
In memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2001
Programs: DL 2MM, AA MM, DL Sky Club Life, AA Admirals Club Life, Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,732
Simply saying you need to grant our merger because you did it before in different market conditions and with different players completely invalidates why antitrust law and antitrust analysis even exists.
The DOJ will eventually be overruled by the courts seeking to protect the interests of this merger competing with the other big three on a slightly slanted lie-flat playing field.
If they really wanted a completely flat-bed level field the government can own and run it just like the Post Office.
Concessions Yes
Stopping the merger No
Aug 13, 2013, 9:56 pm
#1335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
It seems the experts are saying this will ultimately happen.
A few years ago, it seemed something similar happened. I don't remember what happened exactly but A and B talked about merger...then C & D did. Then E & F did and that is when the government said no way. None of it happened, I think. Does anyone remember?
It seems even if the merger did not happen, US would move to OneWorld to avoid being squeezed by UA/AC.
Someone who has met DP said that he has a huge ego (which I guess is true for many CEOs) and theorized that he wanted the biggest airline. So, I think he will do all he can to make it happen.
What would work for me is that US is made to sell the CLT hub to UA
Of course, that won't happen...
A few years ago, it seemed something similar happened. I don't remember what happened exactly but A and B talked about merger...then C & D did. Then E & F did and that is when the government said no way. None of it happened, I think. Does anyone remember?
It seems even if the merger did not happen, US would move to OneWorld to avoid being squeezed by UA/AC.
Someone who has met DP said that he has a huge ego (which I guess is true for many CEOs) and theorized that he wanted the biggest airline. So, I think he will do all he can to make it happen.
What would work for me is that US is made to sell the CLT hub to UA
Of course, that won't happen...