Bro, they make money. While not as friendly in my experience with AirTran and Delta, they still get the job done as good if not better than others from what I see. I fly a LOT also for my work, so I usually am on American twice a month.

 

 

Sent from my Apple communications device.

So your opinion has no basis in fact, it's purely emotional. Not a problem.

Yes and isn't that a relief in this fact-based world, where every day is a celebration of reason and enlightenment?

I applaud the DOJ's "attempt"... (whether it comes to fruition or not... well that's another story) at blocking the merger.  If it's not successful, then I fear the future of air travel.

In a few years, after all the airlines have merged into one molten-mass and then cooled off... we'll all be flying "the plane", and the act of flying will be done on a lower-case common-noun.  And a very expensive, unaccommodating one at that!

I applaud the DOJ's "attempt"... (whether it comes to fruition or not... well that's another story) at blocking the merger.  If it's not successful, then I fear the future of air travel.

 

In a few years, after all the airlines have merged into one molten-mass and then cooled off... we'll all be flying "the plane", and the act of flying will be done on a lower-case common-noun.  And a very expensive, unaccommodating one at that!

 

Today there's still a 'slight' chance to improve worker conditions at airlines.  Paying someone $20,000 a year to fly people 30,000ft is all but criminal. Letting these airlines merge into a 'to big to fail' situation insures they make the rules where workers and customers pay the ultimate price...

I applaud the DOJ's "attempt"... (whether it comes to fruition or not... well that's another story) at blocking the merger.  If it's not successful, then I fear the future of air travel.

 

In a few years, after all the airlines have merged into one molten-mass and then cooled off... we'll all be flying "the plane", and the act of flying will be done on a lower-case common-noun.  And a very expensive, unaccommodating one at that!

It's already there. The American public wanted Greyhound. They got it. I've been in this industry for more than 34 years. Airlines are no longer looking for career employees. They want minimum wage, no benefit contract workers. I have 2 1/2 more years to go and I'm out. It can't come soon enough.

Lets think for a moment... Say they aren't given the OK to merge and fail... Aren't you guys scared of what will happen to the economy because of it?... How much more will be lost through job cuts and cutbacks in order to stay competitive. Think if both airlines shut their doors in the future... It would cause chaos not only in the airline industry but in so many other areas, lets not even begin to discuss what it would do to a great portion of the economy that is directly affected by the airline industry... Anyone who believes this merger isn't necessary needs to wake up and "smell the coffee" (no offense). I don't believe there is any option other than to merge because there is no way to compete effectively without screwing someone on one side of the fence... They can either undercut their employees (who no longer wish to deal with it) or screw over their prime source of income, the customers... Many US Airlines have realized its time for a change and have been passed through the gates with no issues while its a problem for American and US Airways. A problem that is 100% political... I definitely do not believe this has anything to do with the consumer... 

I also find it hard to believe that the consumer is being disadvantaged because of the merger... If two airlines can get together and become one in an attempt to efficiently compete with the mega carriers (DAL, UAL, SWA, ETC...) than whats the issue? For example do you all really think its possible for US or AA to go into a market and compete with any of these airlines when they have more resources and the ability to undercut AA or US? There is no way under the sun that these two airlines can profit against the mega carriers let alone compete. In my eyes denying a merger brings a slow death for these two airlines while approving it puts them on the same playing field as the other 3 majors. Once everyone can finally compete effectively against eachother that is when you will see a change for the better and in favor of the consumer because it will no longer be about struggling to get by anymore but it will be about providing quality and reliable service for the customers.

Today there's still a 'slight' chance to improve working conditions at airlines. Even starting out paying someone $20,000 a year to fly people 30,000ft is all but criminal. Letting these airlines merge to a 'to big to fail' size insure they make the rules where workers and customers pay the ultimate price...

 

I'd be of the opinion that competition has driven employees conditions to peanuts, not the lack of it. In most cases anyways, some are exceptional. If the unions favoured this move, you can guarantee it's because their members see it as being the best situation for them. It'll probably result in slightly higher prices for customers, but honestly, if it takes an extra €5 onto a ticket to stop a pilot being paid €20,000 a year, then it's worth it.

 

Regards,

Ró.

Lets think for a moment... Say they aren't given the OK to merge and fail... Aren't you guys scared of what will happen to the economy because of it?... How much more will be lost through job cuts and cutbacks in order to stay competitive. Think if both airlines shut their doors in the future... It would cause chaos not only in the airline industry but in so many other areas, lets not even begin to discuss what it would do to a great portion of the economy that is directly affected by the airline industry... Anyone who believes this merger isn't necessary needs to wake up and "smell the coffee" (no offense). I don't believe there is any option other than to merge because there is no way to compete effectively without screwing someone on one side of the fence... They can either undercut their employees (who no longer wish to deal with it) or screw over their prime source of income, the customers... Many US Airlines have realized its time for a change and have been passed through the gates with no issues while its a problem for American and US Airways. A problem that is 100% political... I definitely do not believe this has anything to do with the consumer... 

I also find it hard to believe that the consumer is being disadvantaged because of the merger... If two airlines can get together and become one in an attempt to efficiently compete with the mega carriers (DAL, UAL, SWA, ETC...) than whats the issue? For example do you all really think its possible for US or AA to go into a market and compete with any of these airlines when they have more resources and the ability to undercut AA or US? There is no way under the sun that these two airlines can profit against the mega carriers let alone compete. In my eyes denying a merger brings a slow death for these two airlines while approving it puts them on the same playing field as the other 3 majors. Once everyone can finally compete effectively against eachother that is when you will see a change for the better and in favor of the consumer because it will no longer be about struggling to get by anymore but it will be about providing quality and reliable service for the customers.

 

 

All I can say is wow to all this.  First off the big point of the DOJ is one airline is actually making a profit so there's no need for a merge.  Second filing bankruptcy does not mean the airline will for a fact go under.  The big positive thing American is doing is buying newer more fuel efficient aircraft, that will help allot.  Keeping the MD80 operating this long has been a big hit in fuel the fuel department.  Next adding amenities to entice customers to fly American over other airlines is what Southwest did.  One example is they don't charge for bags the way other airlines do which makes customers today flock to them. Go back to the PAN AM model in it's glory days and make flying a true experience this is where Virgin America is gaining ground.  Give 4 star service instead of 3 starts to bring people end.  Make an investment in quality food and service without nickle and dimming people and let it pay off over time.  Rebuild what made flying great so many years ago.  Do like Southwest and lock in your fuel rate for four to five years out so you know what your price will be for the long term indifferent to what's going on in the world.  Cut corporate salaries as a good faith to the rest of the company until the Airline is making a profit again.  Charity starts at home most worker will be loyal if they feel it's worth it.  Up top greed brings moral down and it reflects in service.

 

Last but not least the American public can't be afraid of any business failing, there has to be a consequence for poor management.  In hindsight Northwest should have bought Delta because now we are only kicking the ball further down the road.  Northwest was the profitable airline, Delta was the one in trouble.  Why is Delta the mainstay today?  Because the CEO of Delta was Northwest's CEO and helped close the deal because of his inside knowledge of Northwest.  The suites have long since wanted to bust up Northwest's unions and that's what they jumped after.  Shaddy things like this is why airlines or businesses find themselves in trouble.  Why let them continue in this mindset?  Delta will be in trouble once again Just like American will be if you don't let things take their natural course.  If an airline goes under just like what's happened in the past other airlines with scoop up the routes and move on.  Rest assured we will have a much larger problem down the road letting airlines like Delta and United get so big that it'll take the government to bail them out.  If things have to go that route bring regulation back or have a national airline like Singapore Airlines or British Airways.   If things keep going like this private sector greed mismanagement of airlines will only bring in the day when companies like British Airways will be operating the American skies versus our own carriers because we were too stupid to properly manage something we created in the first place...   

I'd be of the opinion that competition has driven employees conditions to peanuts, not the lack of it. In most cases anyways, some are exceptional. If the unions favoured this move, you can guarantee it's because their members see it as being the best situation for them. It'll probably result in slightly higher prices for customers, but honestly, if it takes an extra €5 onto a ticket to stop a pilot being paid €20,000 a year, then it's worth it.

 

Regards,

Ró.

 

 

The problem is that money is not going to go in salaries it's going to go in the corporate suites pocket and in the case of Northwest/Delta the merge helped bust some of the unions... 

 American politicians don't care about people. They care election day and after that they do whatever the highest paying lobbyists want. Doesn't matter which party. They are exactly the same. One pretends they care more about people.

 

Agreed 100%. This block is a result of nothing more than lobbyists from United and Delta. Not to mention the money the DNC will lose if the merger goes through. There is no legal justification whatsoever for the merger to be stopped, especially after all of the huge mergers in the last 2 decades.

 

The end result if the merger does NOT go through will ultimately be less competition, as United and Delta will steamrole the market. And airline prices are lower than they have ever been in this country, so I think the fears of some travelers are entirely unjustified.

The problem is that money is not going to go in salaries it's going to go in the corporate suites pocket and in the case of Northwest/Delta the merge helped bust some of the unions... 

 

So then they strike. If they keep getting paid poorly while the company is in profit, and management take huge bonuses you strike, and demand a better cut. Be it a higher base salary or a profit sharing system.

 

Management realise very quickly how fast they can lose money when front line staff go on strike.

 

Regards,

Ró.

Can't do that in the US. Airline employees fall under Railway Labor Act which prohibits self help until many many many many many other steps have been exhausted.

What?!?!?!? You don't have the right to strike? That's madness. Exactly what happens if they do go on strike? Presumably if they get sent to jail the company is even worse off. If they all get fired, the company is still at a loss, so exactly what happens if you strike as a pilot, engineer, cabin crew etc?  :huh:

 

No right to strike sounds very oppressive to me...  :mellow:

 

Regards,

Ró.

If we strike without going through the RLA process, the strike woukd be illegal and we will be exposed to legal liability.

What?!?!?!? You don't have the right to strike? That's madness. Exactly what happens if they do go on strike? Presumably if they get sent to jail the company is even worse off. If they all get fired, the company is still at a loss, so exactly what happens if you strike as a pilot, engineer, cabin crew etc?  :huh:

 

No right to strike sounds very oppressive to me...  :mellow:

 

Regards,

Ró.

Haha you can strike of course, there are just other avenues that need to be exhausted first if you want to end up keeping your job.

If we strike without going through the RLA process, the strike woukd be illegal and we will be exposed to legal liability.

Okay, but what happens if you refuse to return to work until they remove those liabilities?  :huh:

 

 

Haha you can strike of course, there are just other avenues that need to be exhausted first if you want to end up keeping your job.

Yeh, but if they fire you, then they still have no one to work for them, which is as good as you being on strike...   :mellow:

 

Regards,

Ró.