CaptainBigWood

Dug has enjoyed a much lower labor cost at USAirways. I voted no on the MOU due to it's vague language. I know a lot of people are all excited about the prospects of this merger and the advancement from within. Keep in mind that there are hundreds of grievances that Dug will not address. When it comes to parity review in 2016 I expect the company will do every legal delay possible. The company rate will be much lower and will go to arbitration. This MOU is loosely written for that specific reason. Dug is a very good manager and I expect the company will do well. I do not expect it to ever be in the same league for pilots as Delta, United, Southwest.

SilverandSore

So staying at your current contract/pay rate and trying to get back even bigger gains would have worked how?

aa73

The MOU is simply a path to a JCBA. With the MOU reaching eventual pay parity with UAL/DAL, I believe the JCBA will exceed them. If Doogie plays his cards right, I believe AA will eventually rise to the same level as DAL/UAL and be a force to reckon with in the industry. This airline has amazing potential, much like the DL/NW merger.

erjpilot

$$$ is made on international routes... I think a merged AA/LCC would do well but it appears from my research that it significantly lags UAL and DAL on international routes. Just my opinion; your thoughts?

VenetianFryCook

A merged AA/US will be a powerhouse in the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America ... far exceeding UA or DL in those areas. Europe is competitive ... lots of LHR slots and BA/IB partnerships are pretty competitive with Star or Skyteam over there. Obviously, Asia is the weak point with no US and relatively limited AA presence. However, with the Oneworld partners over there (JL, CX, QF, QR) hopefully the combined entity can ramp up some flying that will lead to a competitive network in the Far East. And with Oneworld the first to line up one of the Middle Eastern airlines, I think they've got a leg up in that fast-growing market. Only time will tell, but I think there is cause for optimism.

aa73

^^^^ what Venetian said.

An AA/US combo gives the airline immediate mass and market share, which is what AA needs. To a certain extent, size IS everything in the airline business: once an airline shrinks below the size of its competitors, it starts losing a disproportionate amount of customers to those competitors.

AA will get a good Europe boost out of US, as well as pretty much owning the East Coast. Asia is a big hole. AA will have to build up Asia route by route, as well as bringing a Chinese airline into oneworld. It'll be a long process but with 773s and 787s coming in to the fleet, AA is well positioned to grow into Asia. The question is, will Doogie exploit these opportunites?

AA lags behind UA/DL, but not by an impossibly huge gap. This merger will set up the framework for catching up with the other two.

satpak77

I concur a merged AA will be very powerful. I would not count AA as "down and out". I see a potential Super Bowl comeback if everyone plays their role and comes together. If I was CEO of any other carrier, I would be concerned.

Night Hawk 6

There was a time in our history when loyalty to one’s company was appreciated and normally reciprocated , resulting in in lifetime employment, a sincere concern for you and your family and upon reaching old age, a gold watch and a little retirement . Unfortunately this is not the case today. Corporations, especially airlines, have now adopted the concept that employees are nothing more than a debit on the accounting ledger and that everyone is replaceable. In other words, loyalty to a corporation, and especially an airline, in our world today, is a fool’s errand. It is probably safe to say that there are many who still cling to the dream of a more civil time and pilot history has shown how airline management has used the loyalty, or as some call it our tribal mentality, to turn us against our fellow aviators and convinced the associations to take actions to protect your tribe even if it is to the detriment of all the others. Until pilots wake up and start thinking of their profession first and foremost, corporate managers will continue to use your loyalty to diminish your career expectations.
More than two decades ago there was a very proud and excited aviator standing in front of the mirror hardly able to believe that he was seeing himself in that blue uniform, hat and all. That dream is now gone and the memory bitter sweet due to the immoral and unethical actions of the corporate leaders who have worked to successfully to pad their personal bank accounts while destroying the dream that led so many of us to this once great company and once proud profession. If the merger between AA and US Air happens it will be to add to the already millions of dollars these criminals garner for themselves not to further anyone’s career as a pilot. It is way past time to refocus loyalty on the goals and objectives of restoring the airline pilot profession, if it is not already too late.