ual and continental?
 

I've heard some rumors and now it's making it into the press: www.chicagotribune.com but what's the talk around the watercooler? Continental and United guys/gals have you heard anything?

Could not find the story.

What's an airline without rumors, anyway?

This subject, from a UAL perspective, has been tossed around the physical and electronic crew rooms several times. One thing I do recall, again from a UAL perspective, is that the two systems would blend together better than any other merger.

Many would consider that anything that gets rid of UAL management to be a step in the right direction. :D

god... please... NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Continental chief touts United combo
No talks in works; United sees industry `benefit' in mergers

Bloomberg News
Published December 9, 2005


NEW YORK -- The flight networks of Continental Airlines and United Airlines would make a "knock-em-dead combination" if the carriers were to merge, Continental Chief Financial Officer Jeff Misner said.

Continental prefers to stay independent, Misner said, and a United spokeswoman said it hasn't made any offer for Continental.

If United were to offer a "bucket of dough," Continental would consider it, Misner told an investors conference Thursday. "We're not going to sit by and have the world rush by."

The combined companies would better cover the world by putting together Continental's strongest markets--in Latin America, Europe, the East Coast and the South--with United's network in Asia, Europe and the Midwest and West. Houston-based Continental is the nation's fifth-largest airline, and United is the second biggest.

Competition and too much capacity in the U.S. airline industry have held down air fares and helped push Elk Grove Township-based United and other carriers into bankruptcy. Industry executives and analysts have said consolidation, such as the September merger of US Airways and America West, is likely to continue.

"Prospects for industry consolidation appear somewhat better moving into 2006 given the surprisingly strong availability of equity capital" and the easing of scrutiny by antitrust regulators, Fitch Ratings' Bill Warlick said in a report Wednesday.

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, the nation's third- and fourth-largest carriers, sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.

The biggest U.S. airlines have had $40 billion in losses from 2001 through the third quarter of 2005, partly because of more competition from discount airlines and an increase in fuel costs.

"We believe the industry would benefit from thoughtful consolidation," said Jean Medina, a United spokeswoman. "We're focused on completing our bankruptcy and exiting in February."

While merging airlines would be good for the industry, it's a "terribly disruptive, complicated process," Misner said.

that's what we need; united to buy US out so we can keep the incredibly valuable united name and management. (:

Sounds like a great deal.......for the lawyers and CEO's.

Bill, I think it would be the other way around. UAL market cap 58M...CAL's mkt. cap is 877M.

Gee, UPS could buy BOTH with just ONE QUARTER'S profit!

yeah, but that's not what misner was talking about; he was talking about UA buying CAL. UA is supposed to have 3 billion when (if) it leaves BK.

either way, it would be a disaster for us.

Just look what is happening with USAir Furloughed guys, a precendent has been set. An arbitrator will decide their fate.

Good for you.

True, but CAL and UAL can pi$$ off more people in a DAY, than UPS can in a QUARTER! :D

Here is what United ALPA has to say from the weekend update.



Well, that should do it for this week! Keep an eye on the Delta and Northwest bankruptcies for strike developments. In addition, we should shortly have some idea what will happen to Independence Air, and when, where and how Branson’s Virgin USA will operate their A320 start-up from SFO. And who knows, maybe the Continental CFO, Jeff Misner, will have some more details on what he would like for Christmas?! When you have mortgaged all the furniture and you are still barely making it, otherwise intelligent people can say strange things.



In Misner’s case it was:


(Quote) If United were to offer a "bucket of dough," Continental would consider it. (Unquote)



How about just the bucket, a scab stapler and a fee-waived NRSA travel voucher, Jeff?!

Does anyone know how many pilots will have to be called back before 300 will go back to work at United?

Is that a trick question? 300 maybe

I think he may mean how many will bypass to get 300 on property.

Otter?
 

Eric Stratton Is that you Otter?