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, 1:09 pm
#1381
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,774
If US is not leaving Star Alliance on 1st November as was being speculated as recently as a few days ago, how quickly will Star partner redemptions likely be available again?
There has been anecdotal evidence that it is not possible to book LH and some other Star awards with US miles for flights after November. Will those become available again and, if so, how quickly? Will they continue to be blocked until the DOJ case is resolved one way or the other? Presumably, this could take a while, so we could be in limbo between Star and OW until there is a final decision.
There has been anecdotal evidence that it is not possible to book LH and some other Star awards with US miles for flights after November. Will those become available again and, if so, how quickly? Will they continue to be blocked until the DOJ case is resolved one way or the other? Presumably, this could take a while, so we could be in limbo between Star and OW until there is a final decision.
Aug 14, 2013, 1:15 pm
#1382
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,819
Teleconference on the DOJ case:
http://www.streetinsider.com/Corpora...y/8602515.html
http://www.streetinsider.com/Corpora...y/8602515.html
Aug 14, 2013, 1:18 pm
#1383
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
IMO, there's zero chance of US moving to Oneworld if there's no merger with AA. Here's why:
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.
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, 1:20 pm
#1384
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
So how is US participating in a smaller alliance (OW is #3, ST is #2, *A is #1) with a smaller domestic airline than UA or DL any more anti-competitive than US staying in *A with UA?
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...
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...
The driver for US leaving *A and joining Oneworld was not the attractiveness of OW to US or vice versa - it was the reality that AA wasn't leaving Oneworld for *A even with a US takeover of AA. If there's no merger, I don't see Parker longing to be part of such a small alliance given how much revenue US allegedly gets for connecting all those *A passengers around the East coast (and to/from PHX).
Additionally, I don't see Oneworld pining for US to leave *A for Oneworld.
Like I said - you may be right.
Aug 14, 2013, 1:25 pm
#1385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
US's system also fits in better with UA's system than AA's.
Parker's already said *A works very well for US, so there'd have to be a pretty compelling reason outside of a merger to want to switch.
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...
Aug 14, 2013, 1:27 pm
#1386
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Maybe you're right, but I doubt it.
The driver for US leaving *A and joining Oneworld was not the attractiveness of OW to US or vice versa - it was the reality that AA wasn't leaving Oneworld for *A even with a US takeover of AA. If there's no merger, I don't see Parker longing to be part of such a small alliance given how much revenue US allegedly gets for connecting all those *A passengers around the East coast (and to/from PHX).
Additionally, I don't see Oneworld pining for US to leave *A for Oneworld.
Like I said - you may be right.
The driver for US leaving *A and joining Oneworld was not the attractiveness of OW to US or vice versa - it was the reality that AA wasn't leaving Oneworld for *A even with a US takeover of AA. If there's no merger, I don't see Parker longing to be part of such a small alliance given how much revenue US allegedly gets for connecting all those *A passengers around the East coast (and to/from PHX).
Additionally, I don't see Oneworld pining for US to leave *A for Oneworld.
Like I said - you may be right.
Aug 14, 2013, 3:00 pm
#1387
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
He will be partially blamed for the failed merger fiasco and could pay the price by losing his job. Thoughts?
In the end the going forward plan with a fiscally aggressive leader is my bet. If there was somebody already anointed on the short list, only then would a change be made.
Aug 14, 2013, 8:14 pm
#1388
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
Fiscally responsiveness is but one factor in the choice of a CEO. Sometimes it can hurt more than help. Consider Frank Lorenzo, the creator of the modern Continental. He declared bankruptcy to bust the CAL unions and was successful - until he tried to dismantle EAL to benefit CAL, which lead to a strike by the IAM. The end result was that he was banned for life from ownership and management of airlines.
Later, Gordon Bethune was picked as CEO of CAL. He treated employees decently - giving away automobiles every quarter - and made CAL arguably the best U.S. carrier. As an aside, he learned airline management at PI.
Jim
Later, Gordon Bethune was picked as CEO of CAL. He treated employees decently - giving away automobiles every quarter - and made CAL arguably the best U.S. carrier. As an aside, he learned airline management at PI.
Jim
Aug 14, 2013, 8:32 pm
#1389
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
And to think that I was thisclose to getting an AA credit card...
Aug 14, 2013, 8:56 pm
#1390
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Formerly BUF but now PHL
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 327
Folks, from the flight deck, The New American's arrival is delayed due to a DOJ ground stop. When we get some updates for you we will pass them along. For now We are going to turn off the fasten seat belt sign and you can feel free to move about the *A.
Last edited by Buffaloflyer; Aug 15, 2013 at 6:54 am
Aug 14, 2013, 9:37 pm
#1391
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
I can get PP on UA with some help from Flex EQMs - free award changes
I can get occasional DL flights and boost from Amex as needed IF I can ever find a low award on DL.
I can buy up to preferred on US and first burn my miles on US on *A partners
My domestic upgrades are best on US.
I still have 4 cards 2 bofa and 2 barclays that will get me off to 40 each year before flying for 60k.
With WAS and *A, I can get my eliteness on US first and then worry about the rest. The AA program was going to make me fly 90k a year instead of 60.
Aug 14, 2013, 9:47 pm
#1392
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 139
American, US Airways Outline Defense, Seek Speedy Trial to Revive Merger
I've been reading everything I can since the Tuesday morning announcement.. I wish I had known about this conf call tho. It must have been quite interesting based on the several articles I've read incl this one
American, US Airways Outline Defense, Seek Speedy Trial to Revive Merger
American, US Airways Outline Defense, Seek Speedy Trial to Revive Merger
American Airlines and US Airways trotted out its antitrust experts on Wednesday as it began to preview the case it plans to make to defend their planned merger. One thing was clear: the two airlines have no plans to immediately offer the Department of Justice any concessions and fully expect to go to court to see the merger through, although they at the same time are open to settlement talks down the road.
The suit, the lawyers contend, ignores several benefits that the merger would bring to the market including more flights to more destinations, lower prices, and better service.
“They got this one wrong,” said Rich Parker, a partner at O’Melveny & Myers hired by the two airlines to defend the lawsuit, on a conference call. “We are looking forward to our day in court and our opportunity to demonstrate that this is a pro-competitive merger.”...
The suit, the lawyers contend, ignores several benefits that the merger would bring to the market including more flights to more destinations, lower prices, and better service.
“They got this one wrong,” said Rich Parker, a partner at O’Melveny & Myers hired by the two airlines to defend the lawsuit, on a conference call. “We are looking forward to our day in court and our opportunity to demonstrate that this is a pro-competitive merger.”...
Aug 14, 2013, 9:47 pm
#1393
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
"This is no failing airline. It possesses a very strong customer franchise, a skilled, dedicated workforce, and a lot of business potential. Indeed, UBS Warburg analyst Sam Buttrick said this week, "We believe that the US Airways franchise, managed correctly, has solid earnings potential in a strong industry environment. We do not view US Airways as the basket case that it has been portrayed as by management."
Aug 15, 2013, 3:11 am
#1395
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
"The suit, the lawyers contend, ignores several benefits that the merger would bring to the market including more flights to more destinations, lower prices, and better service."
Pay some lawyers enough money and they'll say ANYTHING!
Pay some lawyers enough money and they'll say ANYTHING!