Will SkyWest and ASA merge?
 

Question for all you SKW and ASA guys/gals.

Do you think SkyWest Inc has any plans in the next few years to merge Skywest Airlines and ASA?

I've read the "acquisitions FAQ" that came out after the acquisition where it says that the two operations will continue to run separately, but I was wondering if anyone heard anything more recently.

Thanks.

We had a little "fire side chat" with the chairman of SKW on Thursday, and he says no. having a non-union merge with a union carrier was one of the issues mentioned.

This will become a bigger possibility if/when SkyWest joins ALPA. Until then, no chance. But I'd say it's likely if SkyWest goes ALPA.

Even if SKW does go union, only the pilot & FA groups will merge. They will always keep the two airlines seperate seeing that it allows SKW Inc to overlap codeshares without breaching their contracts. An example was ASA in LAX.

Yes, UAL particularly is very strict about overlapping service. A company as large as SKW really does need two certifiactes to handle that sort of situation (the labor groups could still be on one list though).

like most people said on here, i don't see it possible with one group being union, and the other not. i don't think the skywest guys would want it, and i don't think the mec at asa would go for it. it would be intersting to see the two lists merge and become 1 for 1 seniority. that means if you were hired at skywest or asa within the last 2 years then prepare to be an fo for the rest of your life!!!,, just kidding, but seriously both companies of a lot of lifers!

It will never happen unless the pilots of both airlines petition for "single carrier status". SKW will want to keep the two groups separate so they can whipsaw the two groups against each other just like the majors are whipsawing the rergionals on costs now. The problem with the SKW & ASA groups getting together is it can't happen until SKW goes union and then the SKW pilots won't want to since the ASA pilots have so much more seniority. Never going to happen!!!

Interesting comments. One of the reasons I ask is because I believe this is an important point to consider when voting for the ALPA drive at SKW. I am personally pro-union but would not vote ALPA if it increases the likelyhood of a seniority list meger with ASA....

this is true, with all the young guys at skywest, alpa will never get voted in because of the uncertainty of a possible merger. even with fences and other things in place to try to protect people in a merger, someone ALWAYS loses out, and thats almost always the less senior pilot group. you'll be long gone from skywest before any of that happens.

A merger is a very important reason to have an Union. Without a Union you have absolutely zero representation, especially if the other side has a Union.
There are never guarantees to a merger outcome, but your chances of a better outcome are far better with a Union and a Contract.