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 14, 2013, 9:50 am
#1366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Exactly. And without the "deep pockets" of AA's premium revenues mentioned by flight62, US may never have sufficient revenues to pay industry-average wages to its pilots and FAs.
Aug 14, 2013, 10:08 am
#1367
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PHL
Programs: US CP/AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite, Avis 1st
Posts: 490
Just out of curiosity, for those US flyers happy that the merger may not happen, how many people are happy because
1) They love Star and don't want to lose the coverage that Star Alliance gives them for redemptions.
2) They love US and the crews and in-flight experience, and are worried that the merger will bring them down
3) They love the US FFP (free upgrades, CP certs) and don't want to go to an AA system (stickers, etc)
I'm just curious, because as an actual BIS flyer and redeemer so far only on US metal (Envoy to MUC) I was looking forward to the new AA fleet with outlets and wifi everywhere and access to the AA Club with showers, etc.
1) They love Star and don't want to lose the coverage that Star Alliance gives them for redemptions.
2) They love US and the crews and in-flight experience, and are worried that the merger will bring them down
3) They love the US FFP (free upgrades, CP certs) and don't want to go to an AA system (stickers, etc)
I'm just curious, because as an actual BIS flyer and redeemer so far only on US metal (Envoy to MUC) I was looking forward to the new AA fleet with outlets and wifi everywhere and access to the AA Club with showers, etc.
I do think that the Star Alliance is a much stronger alliance, and wasn't all that jazzed about One World, but in the bigger scheme of things it didn't really affect me that much. I was looking forward to the AA fleet and hopefully some improved service offerings. I was making some assumptions that the sticker system would go away.
I do understand that for those of you who traveling extensively within Star, this road bump is very welcome news.
I guess we will just wait and see!
Aug 14, 2013, 11:04 am
#1368
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MSN
Programs: AA Plat 1MM, HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG GLD
Posts: 325
Aug 14, 2013, 11:22 am
#1369
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP (One World Emerald), Hilton Gld, Marriot Slvr
Posts: 252
Aug 14, 2013, 11:36 am
#1370
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,819
What language in the complaint indicates any interest in settling? The complaint references DCA in one section, but the overall complaint was a full-on broadside on the merits of the merger in toto.
A settlement (IMHO) from DOJ's perspective would be US agrees to take the diamond ring back from AA.
A settlement (IMHO) from DOJ's perspective would be US agrees to take the diamond ring back from AA.
Aug 14, 2013, 11:48 am
#1371
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
^ IMHO, this is a crucial consideration. In the CO/UA merger, the management team (from CO) taking over the combined carrier pretty much maintained the same orientation and practices as before, for better and (mostly) for worse. Especially in view of what we can glean from the DOJ filing and the way Parker has run US to date, there is a great likelihood that a merger would not create a better airline. In fact, with less competition, the things folks don't like about US (and I'm not saying that it's a bad airline in every respect by any means) would be exacerbated.
Aug 14, 2013, 11:54 am
#1372
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Programs: AA EXP(4mm), DL Gold, UA Gold (1mm), HH Diamond, Bonvoy Amb(l/t Titanium). Former EA/PA elite
Posts: 994
If the DOJ successfully stops this merger from happening, I'm starting to wonder if Parker can survive as leader of an un-merged US. The fallout within the US world could be huge. He will be partially blamed for the failed merger fiasco and could pay the price by losing his job. Thoughts?
Aug 14, 2013, 12:01 pm
#1373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
What language in the complaint indicates any interest in settling? The complaint references DCA in one section, but the overall complaint was a full-on broadside on the merits of the merger in toto.
A settlement (IMHO) from DOJ's perspective would be US agrees to take the diamond ring back from AA.
A settlement (IMHO) from DOJ's perspective would be US agrees to take the diamond ring back from AA.
Q. Can you reach a settlement if they agreed to divest Washington National slots?
BAER: If anybody wants to come to us to propose a settlement, we’re always prepared to listen. But our view, looking at the evidence before us, is that the right outcome here a full-stop injunction.
BAER: If anybody wants to come to us to propose a settlement, we’re always prepared to listen. But our view, looking at the evidence before us, is that the right outcome here a full-stop injunction.
I've read the complaint, the press release and other DoJ materials on the merger and I'm convinced that the merger is toast. AA needs to immediately prepare a new POR and prepare to emerge from Ch 11 independently.
Aug 14, 2013, 12:03 pm
#1374
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,819
God, does anyone else have images of Steve Wolf in their head right now ("there is no Plan B")..........
Aug 14, 2013, 12:48 pm
#1375
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
So we know the US/AA merger will be delayed or killed, but we are unlikely to know which for a while. But many US/UA codeshares seem to have disappeared - who is to say US won't switch alliances even without the merger? Just a random thought from a not-very-frequent flier who only really cares as it relates to the use of Dividend miles...
Aug 14, 2013, 12:54 pm
#1376
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: UsAir,Priority Club, Bing, Southwest
Posts: 124
So we know the US/AA merger will be delayed or killed, but we are unlikely to know which for a while. But many US/UA codeshares seem to have disappeared - who is to say US won't switch alliances even without the merger? Just a random thought from a not-very-frequent flier who only really cares as it relates to the use of Dividend miles...
Aug 14, 2013, 12:55 pm
#1377
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
So we know the US/AA merger will be delayed or killed, but we are unlikely to know which for a while. But many US/UA codeshares seem to have disappeared - who is to say US won't switch alliances even without the merger? Just a random thought from a not-very-frequent flier who only really cares as it relates to the use of Dividend miles...
A US move from Star to Oneworld would require government approval. How likely does anyone think that would be?
Is there any evidence that AA or Oneworld wants US to join Oneworld absent the merger?
Additionally, even if that move were granted, admission of US into the AA/BA/IB immunized joint venture would require government approval? Ignoring the long odds of the joint venture wanting US to join, does anyone think the government would bless this anticompetitive move?
The *A immunized joint venture has excluded US from those reindeer games - so Oneworld would be chomping at the bit to admit US? I'm skeptical.
If the merger falls through, US isn't joining Oneworld.
Aug 14, 2013, 1:00 pm
#1378
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
Makes sense. Thanks, I do hope you're right, and hope the merger suits and appeals don't have a major effect on operations and codeshares.
Aug 14, 2013, 1:04 pm
#1379
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,529
One thing I'm going to miss is flying for free half the time. The merger meant AA was coming to PWM, so I could burn 9000 BA Avios RT to go to DCA or PHL. I could have literally flown those trips for free the entire year, thanks to the magic of Amex MR and Chase UR. Overall, the merger would have saved me money just based on that.
Aug 14, 2013, 1:09 pm
#1380
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
I think they could actually do it, and even pull off mutual elite recognition/upgrades if they wanted (AS/DL). The ATI might be trickier, but note that the Advantage fares the DOJ is complaining about are domestic ones...