tpersuit

Come on man, it's like you just want to ignore all news out there. You said the same thing on ExpressJet forums too. Of course they have work to do. Do you think once they agree to a merger deal, all the work is done?

Delta set to approve Northwest merger

Delta set to approve Northwest merger

By Justin Baer and Francesco Guerrera in New York
Published: February 16 2008 02:00 | Last updated: February 16 2008 02:00

The Delta Air Lines board plans to meet on Wednesday to approve the US carrier's merger with rival Northwest Airlines, people close to the matter said on Friday.

The two airlines have already shared their proposal with organised labour leaders and have been working toward securing their support.

By late yesterday, those negotiations were still ongoing, the people said.

Northwest may also call a board meeting for Wednesday, they said.

A tie-up would stitch together two airlines with complementary hubs and routes and could prompt their rivals to strike quickly on deals of their own.

Record fuel costs and a slowing US economy have emboldened industry executives to tout mergers as the best way for the industry to weather the downturn.

Delta and Northwest both emerged from bankruptcy last year and their improved financial footing and extensive international networks made each an attractive merger partner.

Richard Anderson, Delta chief executive, once served in that same role at Northwest.

Northwest plans to swap its shares for those of Delta's at little or no premium, the people said.

The airlines have also agreed to appoint Mr Anderson as the combined company's chief.

Atlanta, Delta's long-time home, will be selected as its headquarters. But unless Delta and Northwest find common ground with their most powerful employee groups, the pilots' unions, by early next week, the boards would have to postpone a final vote on the deal.

The Air Line Pilots Association represents pilots at Delta and Northwest. While each group has said they were open to consolidation, they are pushing for wage increases to unwind concessions they made to their airlines during their bankruptcies.

They also want to resolve where their members will stand on the combined company's seniority list, which helps determine pilots' pay and the planes they fly.

Delta declined to comment. Calls to Northwest were not immediately returned.

Air France-KLM, a European ally to both Delta and Northwest, may invest in the merged entity.

Delta executives secured the approval of their board last month to pursue separate talks with both Northwest and United.

Delta and Northwest both filed for protection from creditors in 2005.

johnso29

No, I don't want to ignore ALL the news out there, I want to ignore ALL the same crap that's been reported for the last 6 weeks. These morons keep printing the same thing. How bout they save some paper and wait until it's OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED, rather then continue to speculate that it will be announced sometime in the next one to two weeks.

And no, obviously all the work won't be done once it's agreed on because then it has to be approved by the labor unions, as well as the DOJ. If that happens, then it's time to figure out what happens to planes, routes, bases, jobs, etc, and there will be plenty of work left.

tpersuit

This is a little different than we've been seeing in the past.

johnso29

It's continued speculation, nothing OFFICIAL has been announced.

tpersuit

Thanks Captain Obvious

More than anything, it just seems that you think by saying "nothing official being stated yet" means it won't happen. The point of these posts is to give us pilots an idea of the current progress of talks. Or would you just rather people be left in the dark?

johnso29

These articles do nothing to bring "light" to any of us. You can believe them if you want to, but I would rather listen to the union. I am not denying that this has the chance of happening, but it is far from happening. An announcement is just the first step.

tpersuit

You’re breakin’ my balls, Hans! You’re breakin’ my balls.