Originally Posted by
CVG767A
I've only been around this industry since 1987, so I can't say anything about earlier times, but USAir's been second tier all that time. In fact, two of my friends at Delta were in new-hire class at USAir in 1987...and walked out.
I feel bad for the screw job the AmWest guys are getting at the hands of USAPA. I dont know a lot of America West guys, but the ones I do know came from failed legacy carriers, and it gauls me to hear them referred to as inexperienced noobs.
Don't know what your criteria was for second tier airline back in 87, but I do know this, the contract that USAir worked under in the early 80s after the PSA/Peidmont mergers was pretty damn good. They had duty rigs that made Delta's pale in comparison. 86/87 were the big years for B scale, thanks be to the AA guys and Crandal. Everyone seemed to follow afterwards. USAir became USair, I think around 78-9 (re. Alleganey -5sp) timeframe and it was pretty good, not unlike Ozark, Piedmont, PSA, Republic, Hughes Air West, Southern and other names lost in the past. Very good niche players in their own rights. But then again, the job anywhere then was probably better than most places today. Thanks Alfred Kahn, Ted K. and J. Carter. 30 plus years later and their dream of travel for the masses at bus prices has come to pass. And we get to reap the "rewards".