Originally Posted by
eaglefly
I don't think AMR is too interested in inheriting the east pilots. Considering their actions so far, any seniority merge over at AA would just start a new disaster in a new place. Not even close to being worth the trouble.
Now ASSETS of the east operation, maybe, but not employees.
It seems perhaps the most likely outcome (if UAL doesn't flop first), is a fire sale at U. Many carriers would be interested in various assets and then they can hire (read choose) who they want employee wise, but first bring back any furloughed employees that carrier may have.
Maybe mergers are the "old" way of doing things and asset acquisition will be the way of the future and the industries preferred method of consolidation.
Crap. I am now convinced that the end is near... I find myself agreeing with eaglefly... Seriously, though, I think you're right -- why enter into a mess of a merger (especially with the new merger laws in place) when you can buy pieces. It makes no sense from a management perspective... Douggie isn't stupid (he may be an impulsive fool, but he isn't dumb). If he allows the airline to continue to fall apart (not just the pilots, but the F/A's are having issues, the customer complaints are high, etc), he won't even have to take the hammer to US. It will break apart itself... He stands to make a lot of money selling it off in pieces (a lot more than a sale to a single buyer).
As for bankruptcy by winter or spring, where do you guys come up with this stuff? Do you just pick arbitrary numbers and dates? There is nothing that points to impending doom. At the present rate they're losing money, US can last another 18-24 months before even being in danger of liquidation (note, I said at present rate of loss). Most non-airline analysts are predicting the beginning of an economic recovery by this Fall or next Spring. That would stretch out US (and UAL for that matter)'s life for a while longer.
And, as for the guys that think Parker will take US in Ch 11 just to get a pilot contract, give me a break. The dangers (and downsides) to a BK filing are pretty severe (as in will they even emerge, what effect will there be on current shareholders -- of which he is one, etc...). If US goes into BK, it will be a while from now and it will be because they are facing destruction -- not just for a contract...
As for whoever asked about the post-merger new hires, yes there are a few of us (although finally, none are left on property). And, I can tell you from my own opinions and those of my buddies hired/ furloughed me, most of us are pretty neutral. As a whole we supported ALPA in the vote (east or west), didn't listen to most of the ramblings in the cockpit, support the Nic (if for no other reason that final and binding should mean final and binding...), but we also understand where the East guys are coming from. They are angry and beaten down. They are frustrated at how they are treated and how their careers have turned out. But, being sympathetic does not we agree with them in trampling the West guys to try and make up for things. I would say that we are just neutral in the whole thing. (Besides, who knows if we will ever get recalled...)