Originally Posted by Spanky189 (Post 94223)

So why aren't you on the path fighting illegals depressing American wages? Answer: 'cuz it's not your wages and you want to get your "lawn mowed for $4/hr"..

Originally Posted by Velocipede (Post 94344)

Well, I mow my own lawn. And, I'm just as anti-cabotage as I am anti-scab. Since this is an airline board, that's about the extent of how the "illegal" issue touches this industry.

But, I'm with you on the illegal issue. What part of the phrase "illegal aliens" don't some people understand?

Originally Posted by jetblaster (Post 94668)

What is ironic--and he represents the majority of major airline pilots--is that non-union Spankster doesn't "get" the connection between the continued value of his job, illegal aliens and strong collective bargaining. That is why the commercial airline pilot career is on its knees...because we were sold out by "our own".

Originally Posted by georgetg (Post 89610)

They have one A320 they have been using around SFO lately,

I've seen it taxi around the airport...

It's generally parked over at Signature.
Yesterday they had it over at the international terminal looked like A12 where KLM usually parks...

Also ground crews have been painting lead in lines from A-taxiway to the D gates at the closed center concourse.

something is in the works...


Cheers
George

Originally Posted by fireman0174 (Post 94932)

Virgin America expects U.S. to deny right to fly
Friday December 22, 6:04 pm ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Virgin America Inc., a low-cost airline with a name made famous by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, expects the U.S. government to reject its application to start flying, a spokeswoman said.

The company announced earlier on Friday that it had completed the last formal step in the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's airline certification review and only needed approval from the Department of Transportation.

The spokeswoman declined to elaborate, but Virgin America has faced opposition from U.S. carriers such as Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL - News) who argue that Branson's Virgin Group (VA.UL) effectively controls the airline in violation of U.S. law.

The law prohibits a foreign equity stake of more than 25 percent in a U.S. airline.

British-based Virgin Group, which has stakes in airlines in Europe, Australia and Nigeria, holds a 25 percent stake in the company, lends the airline its brand and has promised to provide financing.

Virgin America says it is controlled by U.S. citizens and conforms with U.S. law and that rival airlines are using the foreign control argument to limit competition.

The airline said earlier that it planned to enter the market armed with $177.3 million in start-up capital.

Much of that financing came from VAI Partners LLC, an investment group funded by private equity firms Black Canyon Capital and Cyrus Capital Partners.

The company had 33 Airbus planes on order and was planning to start operation with just two to four aircraft once it was allowed to fly.

The airline intended to first fly between San Francisco and New York, hoping to grow to 20 routes in two years.

Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 94948)

Boo-Friggity-Hoo.

Take your airline and go home Mr. Branson.

Originally Posted by B757200ER (Post 95142)

They pay even WORSE, don't they?