In an attempt not to hijack another thread I thought I would post this thought elsewhere. Low & Slow came up with a short list of what to look for in a carrier. Here's my breakdown of the 6 "Legacies"

American: Fits the profile except for the fact that they don't have much growth potential. Also, I'll probably be Captain by the time they start hiring

Continental: Meets all the requirements very well but has a terrible long term track record. Its only been in the last decade that anybody really considered CAL on par with the other legacies

Delta: Pretty early to tell but they seemed to have pulled their heads out of their arses and are making a solid run at things. They have a descent track record and potential for growth.

United: Bad management, descent growth potential (just to get back to what they once were) and a bad track record.

NorthWest: I think they have the potential to do well but the tension between the pilots and management sure keeps things exciting. Improved morale sure would help them turn things around

USAir: Doesn't meet any of the above. Unless Doug Parker exploits the (relatively) small international presence USAir has then the only growth potential they have is through south/central america with America West.

Nice start, good analysis.
However, previous performance and standing are worthless in this day and age. The only worthwhile numbers are Foracast numbers and.....well.....we all know what those numbers are......not.
A for effort.

Cheers,
WG

Regarding CAL...ten years ago is ancient history in this business. I wouldn't hold that against them. They have a decent international structure and relatively low costs (and Boeings too )

US Air/AW...the old "legacy" US Airways is mostly dead now, so you cannot hold that past against them. You have to look at Doug Parker's recent performance which has been pretty good in some respects...they didn't go BK post-9/11 and they managaed to buy and largely integrate USA. Personally I thought he was high on crack when they announced that they were looking at that merger, but two years later things are better than I would have imagined. They would benefit from more international stuff.

Previous performance is no indicator of future performance. especially in this day and age,

Cheers,
WG

Nice Freudian slip. According to Webster:

descent
One entry found for descent.
Main Entry: de·scent
...
2 : the act or process of descending
3 : a step downward in a scale of gradation; specifically : one generation in an ancestral line or genealogical scale
4 a : an inclination downward : SLOPE b : a descending way (as a downgrade or stairway) c obsolete : the lowest part
5 a : ATTACK, INVASION b : a sudden disconcerting appearance (as for a visit)
6 : a downward step (as in station or value) : DECLINE <descent of the family to actual poverty>

Where is context checker when you need it

I would also consider expected rise to say, $100/hr as a factor.

Kinda hard to feed the kids on less.

"I thought he was high on crack"

And since he was never tested, we will never know, but we should always assume it to be the case.
Cheers,
WG

US Air's stock in trade is carried on the backs of their employees who took concession that total more than twice US Air's "profits." I am not impressed with Doug Parker and even less impressed with his team at America West.

I'm sure their pilots are good guys and have their stuff together, but the America West G.O., ehh' not so much.

Bucking Bar, I agree 100 percent. Parker is a %rook.
Cheers,
WG

Actually, CAL's long term record is one the best in the industry. You should reverse your comment to say over a 15 year period CAL was in terrible shape due to SCABS and Lorenzo. But prior to that their history was one of the best. Ever heard of the name Bob Six? Concordes? etc.