Originally Posted by
cadetdrivr
FWIW, UAL already has established 100% Joint Ventures with an Asian carrier and an European one. The JVs are basically "virtual mergers" approved by the respective govrenments where everything is shared (planning/marketing/revenues/expenses) in a region even if UAL, or the partner, does not even operate on a specific route. The only differential is the paint job on the airplane and the reimbursement of operating expenses. If UAL ever merges with either of these JV partners it will basically entail painting the airplanes and combining employee groups. Virtually everything else is already done.
I agree. And to take it a step further...Isn't it all about lowering the cost of labor? Wouldn't their angle be how to lower the pilot costs of certain routes?
I am convinced the entire Aer Lingus deal was designed to put downward pressure on labor costs on transatlantic routes so that ultimately management could come to the pilots and say "30 percent of European crossings are done at X payrate, or Y payrate and we will need to lower our rates to be competitive." Otherwise, there's no incentive for management.