Chatter

By DL

November 15, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this

US Air go away and leave us alone!!!

By DL

November 15, 2006 07:42 AM | Link to this

US Air go away and leave us alone!!!

By Bobby

November 15, 2006 07:43 AM | Link to this

Hard to say, Delta and its investors and employees could use a shot in the arm, and the combined global airline would remain “Delta” in name…and ATL would likely continue as a hub but our city would lose yet another huge corporate citizen and that would hurt Atlantans. “Phoenix-based Delta” just doesn’t sound good to me.

By DL

November 15, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this

US Air go away and leave us alone!!!

By J

November 15, 2006 07:48 AM | Link to this

NO way should Delta agree to this….to US Air is trying to benefit from misfortune…..beware…..the Southern Delta community doesn’t want the intrusion of too-close-to-California based US Air. GO AWAY AND LEAVE US ALONE. Pigs.

By Steve

November 15, 2006 07:51 AM | Link to this

Meh, they would most likely remain as inefficient and and profitless as before. So why not merge? Politicians love corporate welfare.

By steve

November 15, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this

the Southern Delta community doesn’t want the intrusion of too-close-to-California based US Air.

Pittsburgh is closer to Cali than Atlanta now? Weird.

By Denise Williams

November 15, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this

Please do not agree to this, Go away U.S. Air

By J.D.

November 15, 2006 07:53 AM | Link to this

Hell no!!!! As a Delta employee it would be absolutely a bad choice. We have worked too hard to pull ourselves out of the abyss we were in. We can do this on our own without selling out to a second rate airline like U.S. Airways.

By Child of Delta

November 15, 2006 07:53 AM | Link to this

Give ‘em hell Grinstein. I grew up in a Delta family. There’s no way this deal would benefit the airlie or Atlanta.

Isn’t it ironic this all comes on the heels of great news that Delta is making money again? Hmmmm…

By brad

November 15, 2006 07:55 AM | Link to this

Delta should not sell to US Air. Selling is a short term fix to a problem that Delta has already made great strides toward solving. Delta, stay in Atlanta - do not sell out.

By Debra

November 15, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this

I think this is the greatest thing to happen to Delta! Restructuring is one thing but have another airline to clear up your debt and respect them enough to operate under the Delta name is Too Generous! Great Job and Hats off to the Aviation leaders wanting to secure the Future of Aviation in America!

By John

November 15, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this

First off when US Airways merged with AWest they are now based in PHX. 2nd now that they have the MESA group….they have money and are making money

By Ruth

November 15, 2006 08:01 AM | Link to this

Absolutely NOT!!!!

US Airways is and always will be a bunch of crooks. My relatives saw what they did with the hostile take over of Piedmont Airlines. My parents had to fight tooth and nail to keep what my father worked for over many years.

Delta… stay firm and Do NOT let US Airways undermine you like they did Piedmont!!!!!

US Airways.. go away and never approach Delta again.

Delta CEO and board.. fight like your life depends on it.. your corporate life does.

By DL Loyalist

November 15, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this

Not no - but HELL NO!!!

By CJ

November 15, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this

Does this mean my US Airways miles can be used on Delta now? Woo hoo!

Delta is in a rut guys … I root for the home team too, but really - Delta’s airplanes are uncomfortable, their service is deminishing in quality, and we haven’t seen any improvement in years. They’re like the MARTA of the air!

If US Airways can bring Delta back from the dead, I am all for it.

By JetTech

November 15, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this

YES!!! Bring it on……And I hope they run off ALL of Delta’s corporate management without giving them golden parachutes!!! C’mon U.S. Air, make it happen!!!

By Andy

November 15, 2006 08:04 AM | Link to this

One loser buying another…

I’m glad I fly AirTran but I’m afraid their buyout day is coming as well.

By Neil

November 15, 2006 08:06 AM | Link to this

Wow… Debra has no idea what the impact of this merger could mean for Atlanta. This is the greatest thing that could happen to “Delta creditors and shareholders” and probably even the CEO (well, not like he’s going to lose the house and cars over this). The pressure probably will be put on Grinstein to merge from the shareholders and he’ll probably buckle and take his cut from the merger and retire rich. It’s all about shareholder’s wealth.

By MC

November 15, 2006 08:07 AM | Link to this

This may be good news for the creditors but terrible new’s for employee’s and retiree’s.The retiree group’s have been fighting tooth & nail to preserve medical benefits with marginal success so far & that would probley all be lost in a merger, not to mention the further loss’s for present employees.Delta will be back & they should stay independant for everyone’s good.

By Jim A.

November 15, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

If I don’t have to move away from atlanta, I get a pay increase, my pension gets unfrozen, They don’t bring their mechanics union in, I’m all for it, otherwise, forget it

By Fly Skybus

November 15, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this

One strong airline is better than two weaker ones. Stock that is worth something is not bad either. Phoenix for Delta. Tucson, please take the Falcons!

By Adrienne

November 15, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this

If the merger brings professional jobs to metro Atlanta, I’m for it.

By Crucian-Girl

November 15, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this

DELTA…Do you! You are making it back on your own merits. Don’t sell out now. You still have employess and stakeholders that are standing up for you. Don’t let us down!

By DL

November 15, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Neil - Grinstein retire rich? He’s already rich, I’m sure he doesn’t need the extra money.

By bob

November 15, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

I am a platinum level flyer on both airlines. There is no way Delta, a decent service airline should be allowed to be taken over by one of the worst carriers in the air. Lost bags, late fights, no service, U.S.Awful should be their name. Delta, find a way out of this.

By Steve

November 15, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this

Hell, most of you people want Delta to fail anyway! You believe that the company is corupt and all the employees are over paid cry babies. The fact is most of you have no clue of the cost it takes to run an airline. It would serve this cities population right if Delta went to PHX or anywhere else for that matter. The news agencies do all they can to make all the local major coorporations look as bad as they can and most of you believe every bit of the crap they print! Just think of what will happen if this merger goes through, all you’ll have is AIRTRAIN and the worlds busiest airport goes the way of the buffalo. Then you will have acres and acres of unused land and a new 5th runmay that will be used for nothing but a thing for people to say “remember when?”. Not to mention all the taxes and other related cost that will go up since Delta may no longer be paying “their share” of the bills. Think about it.

By just saying...

November 15, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this

Pittsburgh is closer to Cali than Atlanta now? Weird.

Actually, USAir is now based in Tempe, AZ…

By Debra

November 15, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this

Okay Neil…….Just try to digest the fact that Delta has earned its wings and recompense for uncontrollable circumstances and losses and Karma has dealt them their just reward! They will be the Global Leader! As for benefits to all just check the US Airways link: http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/operations/merger/default.aspx

By Timo

November 15, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this

To DL employees: You are toast, witness the American takeover of TWA. Your wishes, in this era of corporatism, rank 0 on a scale of 1-10. If I were you, I’d pray for the continuance of Social Security …

By Will_DAL

November 15, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

The question now is not whether Delta will merge or be taken in a hostile takeover bid… It is whether the competitors will allow this to happen without making any proposals of their own…! (I can especially see Northwest or Continental reacting…)

Delta fellow employees: time to face reality. Do not get into a state of denial. The possibility of Delta being taken over in a hostile bid is quite real, so plan accordingly…!

By DL Flyer

November 15, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this

Just remember, Gerry does the opposite of what he says…

By Harry Nolan

November 15, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this

If Delta wants to remain standalone, now is the time to immediately bring in a qualified person to head the company going forward - one who has experience, wisdom and the confidence of the aviation industry and its financiers. That person is Hollis Harris, the man who should have been selected as Delta CEO in 1987. After he left Delta, Harris turned around 3 aviation companies - Continental, Air Canada and World Airways - as CEO. More information is in my book Airline Without A Pilot - the inside story of Delta’s success, decline and bankruptcy. If Delta continues down the path they are now going, they may emerge from bankruptcy, but are unlikely to become a profitable company.

By Jim A.

November 15, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this

HEY, CONTINENTAL!! You got anything to say about this? How ‘bout 9 Billion.

By BIG D

November 15, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this

Hey Delta!!! Beware of the wolves trying to get fat off of the hard work we have done to get this airline back on track. I’m an employee with this great airline and want to continue with ONLY this airline.

By Michael Recio

November 15, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

Flight Attendants, sign your union cards!

By Michael Kelly

November 15, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

I am not happy about this, I have flown Delta since early 80’s . I have flwon US Air and it was the worse experience I ever had. I never any real trouble with Delta. When mom needed a lung transplant on March 26, 1991 Delta was there, they held the plane for us, till we could get to Daytona Beach International Airport. When we arrived in Atlanta, they’re was a red coat agent there at the gate to meet us, he took us to a Crown Room location, where he updated my aunt and I on her condition, took us to the next gate, got us boarded early for the flight to St. Louis, Mo. Delta has always been there for my mom, and never will forget it, her first trip to Ireland and Las Vegas. This will kill me if this deal goes through. Sincerely, Michael Kelly Daytona Beach, FL

By Mike

November 15, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this

Take that Jerry…bahaaaaabhaaaa.

By Artie

November 15, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this

As soon as this were to go through, you can bet the farm that air fares will shoot through the roof.

By Gerry Grinstein

November 15, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this

I can only sit here and laugh at this offer! … $8 billion? .. are you serious? The transformation plan we are putting in place is already showing we will be a force to be rekoned with in the near future. Delta will be worth double this price in no time! You want to play ball US Air, let’s play ball …. Just remember when I told you that “paybacks are a b***!”

By Jim

November 15, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this

As a platnium medallion member from Atlanta, I believe Delta should say no. US Air will likely not have the same commitment to Atlanta. Go away US Air.

By pbj

November 15, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

Hostile? Delta should have went down a long time ago. If it wasnt for taxpayers bailing it out, it would have. They’re lucky anyone wants them at all.

By MAC

November 15, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

As long as my frequent flyer miles are transferred I really don’t care. Delta is NOT the airline it used to be, there are too many people in Atlanta who live in the past on the OLD Delta. When the BOD put an HR guy (Ron Allen) in charge in the 90’s, the service and attitude changed and the slide never stopped.

By Calaid

November 15, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

Can I still use my skymiles?

By Bye-Bye Delta Snobs

November 15, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

This is wonderful. Delta and the emplyoees have had their Georgia noses turned up so long, they forgot what was important in business…retain customers and make a profit. Can you say Peachtree City, Section 8 homes!!!

By Rita

November 15, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

NO!!! As a NC native I remember what it was like when USAir took over Piedmont - not good. Charlotte area residents have no choice but to fly this crappy airline with high airfares. Air Travel has been much more pleasant since we moved to Atlanta (Delta).

By mfk

November 15, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

Sounds like a done deal to me. It might be good. But, one wonders where a bankrupt US air and UAL cast off would come up with the $$$$. As a Delta retiree and long time worker in this industry, I can not keep questioning when things look and are portrayed as so bleak how they can turn around so fast. Seems like corporate manipulation. We will not have to worry about those at the top and the creditors. Lets just hope they do not screw the employees and retirees any more that what we have endured thus far.

By Dan

November 15, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Companies and individuals go into bankruptcy thinking it is a no brainer way to shed debt and then find out their fate is no longer theirs to control. Any reorganization plan needs to be approved by the creditors and Bankruptcy Court; if that involves Delta being sold that’s the breaks. If US Air is not the buyer Continental or Northwest may be next in line.

As was the case with Bell South, passive management failed to adapt to major changes in an industry and Atlanta probably will be losing another corporate HQ as a result.

By Mike Stapleton

November 15, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

No way to proposed merger. Delta will come out of bankruptcy next Spring as a stronger and more efficient airline. Our management team that is in place right now will ensure that happens. I have the utmost trust for our team in place unlike the previous regime under Leo ” Take The Golden Parachute And run” Mullin!

By Joe Mathews

November 15, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

The US Air offer for Delta is a win/win for both sides. The creditors get more than they would otherwise, jobs are safeguarded, profitable international service is increased and you have a management team that understands good customer service.

After many years, rotten flights, broken seats, indedible food etc., I finally used the last of my Sky Miles and switched to Continental. They remain the premier U.S. carrier at home and abroad.

I know many Delta employees and realize how much they’ve sacrificed. This travel agent believes this is the best course for them to begin to see some financial and job stability plus an opportunity for higher incomes.

A few hubs will be lost to be sure and headquarters probably would be in Phoenix, however, Atlanta would remain as a huge hub for a revitalized Delta. Losers would probably include Cincinnati and possibly Pittsburgh. Passengers from the Northeast would greatly benefit by a switch from JFK to Philadelphia for international connections. I only hope they consider it as the JFK facility is substandard.

This is not the time to be parochial as this attitude hindered Delta for some years. In the end, we’ll have a great international airline with a broad outlook that will be a good employer and a pleasure to travel with again. Bottom line is go for it! Only the present top management loses and that’s what they’re worried about.

By AC

November 15, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

None of you get a vote in this. The premium for the bond holders is very nice, the financing is lined up and US Airways has a very good operaions and financial record since the America West merger.

Two additional things: (1) This is REALLY America West, not the old US Air out of Pittsburgh, so understand that as they moved the headquarters to the Phoenix area and took on the US Airways name due to branding (same reason they would take the Delta name but the headquarters would remain in Phoenix). (2) For those of you that remember positive experiences on DL in 1991 (can’t believe anyone even posted that) or negative experience on US Airways out of Pittsburgh (or the Piedmont takeover which is other ancient history) give up the past. It is a new day in the industry and airlines must adapt.

The only thing that can save Delta from US Airways is (a) a higher bid from Northwest, Continental or a combination of the 2 or (b) federal intervention (which I’d doubt given US Airways financial success lately and the sick state of the airline industry). Get used to it - your old Delta is most likely going away along with corporate jobs in Atlanta and probably some flight (and operations) reductions at Hartsfield.

BTW, I have around 6 million frequent flyer miles (including 2.5 million on DL).

By H

November 15, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

LOOK WHAT YOU STARTED RON ALLEN.

By mfk

November 15, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

Sounds like a done deal to me. One has to wonder how US air, a bankrupt airline and UAL cast off can now come up with this type of $$$$ As a Delta retiree and former long term employee, you question how these dire times can reverse so quickly — think it is a lot of corporate manipulation.

By dal

November 15, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

Delta employees have worked hard and sacrificed much to come back profitable. They need time to breathe and reap the rewards of their efforts. Go away shark!

By mfk

November 15, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

Sounds like a done deal to me. One has to wonder how US air, a bankrupt airline and UAL cast off can now come up with this type of $$$$ As a Delta retiree and former long term employee, you question how these dire times can reverse so quickly — think it is a lot of corporate manipulation.

By Liz

November 15, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this

GO FOR IT DELTA!

Maybe US Air management is better than the idiots we currently have. Let’s see…you fired CEO Leo Mullin and gave him $20 milion?????

Get rid of Delta Management!!!!!!!!!!!

By max

November 15, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

Scarce Competition = Higher Prices.

Simple as that…

By Jay

November 15, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

This great city will lose another major coporation. What does it take to get a major company in Atlanta to stand up and do what this city was built on, being the best and the biggest. Home to so many Company HQ, now losing them all one by one. Who will be the next to leave, Home Depot, UPS, Coke, Sun Trust. We will continue to be known as a second rate city after hosting the 1996 Olympics. More tax payer money going to waist. If Delta leaves, South West come on in and give us another choice, I will not fly the new Delta.

By grin

November 15, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

Take the AJC instead.

By mfk

November 15, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this

Sounds like a done deal to me. Where did US air a bankrupt carrier and UAL cast off get all this $$$.

By Liz

November 15, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this

Idf you rea-arrang the word FUNERAL you get REAL FUN…..

Go US AIR!!!!! Get rid of corrupt pot-bellied idiots in Delta Management!!!!

By James Bryden

November 15, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this

DON’T DO IT

By The Truth

November 15, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

All of you “Southern Delta Loyalists” had better get real: Delta’s days as an independent company are over.

Once an offer of this type is made, and the company is “in play”, its days as a stand-alone entity are numbered….

By Michelle Burns

November 15, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

Maybe now I can get what I deserve - First Class Seats!

By MARK WILLIAMS

November 15, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

As a 30 year employee of Delta, I think this buy-out would be a disaster…US Airways is the worst run airline, of all time…their employees have been abused by their management for years… The past 20 years, starting with Ron Allen, Delta has endured terrible CEO decisions, and the employees have been treated as stepchildren… We need a strong CEO, Gordon Bethune, Hollis Harris are you there….give us a call…..WE NEED YOU!!!!!!

By Rita

November 15, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

The corporate executives will always come out on top. This is a fact of life that you people need to accept and that will always exist. No one would take on these high position jobs with out all these perks - heck the stockholders are the ones that approve the high pay/lifestyles. The backlash and jealously of corporate executives is a complete waste of time - get over it!

By Former DL

November 15, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

As former DL, I cannot believe people would be loyal to an airline that so blatantly stole money from its employees (and former employees). The old Delta is gone, get over it. Atlanta has already suffered a financial blow from the loses. Even if the airline is based in another city, at least current employees will be retained, salaries brought back up to market, and Atlanta can get a new shot in the arm.

By Doug

November 15, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

A merger with US Air would re-create the problems Delta has been trying to correct in bankruptcy, leading to another financial failure in the not so distant future. Go away!

By EP

November 15, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

The takeover or merger of Delta with another airline is not a matter of if, but “when. Delta employees should not be naïve about this possibility. Believe me, it’s not about company or hometown pride.Plan your personal financial future accordingly. Delta’s CEO and his executives surely will plan theirs.

By stein

November 15, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

I feel safe on Delta. I do not feel safe on US Scair.

By Scooter

November 15, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

Come on everyone. Jerry pulled Western out of the mud and sold them to Delta. Do you really think he won’t do the same here? Shareholder value has been the mantra since Ron Allen’s 7.5 disaster. Mama Delta is no longer concerned with the Delta “family” and if they have to sell the farm to get shareholder value what do you think they will do? It won’t be a surprise if it happens!

By The GANG

November 15, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this

Ha ha ha!!!

Ron, Leo, Michelle, plus 30 others golden parachute recipients!

P.S. Jerry…come to the other side!!

By Rita

November 15, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this

You people sound like a bunch of “armchair quarterbacks”. I am sure YOU could do a much better job that these “idiots”. You guys must be the same people that hate and blame the President for every little thing that goes wrong with your life. There is a reason they are at the top and you will always remain at the bottom!

By Turn Turn Turn

November 15, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this

For many years, Delta acted as though they were doing the customer a favor.

I stopped flying Delta 2 years ago and have never looked back.

Perhaps US Air could improve Delta’s customer service in Atlanta by moving it elsewhere and actually hiring people that care about the customer.

Go ahead and slaughter me on this post but you know it’s true.

By SJ

November 15, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this

Cheer all you want if you have a chip on your shoulder about Delta, but the biggest losers here will be the city of Atlanta and the general flying public. We are talking about elimination of competion, and a merger of this type will undoubtedly mean more in the immediate future and United, American, and others will not sit by idle. So enjoy your “cheap” airfares now while you cheer on your own hometown folks to be left in the cold.

By Dustin

November 15, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

Horrible for Atlanta. Delta don’t sell out!

By Doug

November 15, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this

Delta deserves this.Remember Pan Am.Bought it with promises and then totally raped Pan Am!

By Drew W.

November 15, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this

As long as they keep all the routes they have out of Atlanta right now (and even pick up some more), and I get to keep all my skymiles, I don’t care if they are bought out by Iran.

By Wiseman

November 15, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this

Us Air buying Delta what’s wrong with that picture?

By Bill Dennington

November 15, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

As a native Atlantan of over 50 years and having flown on many of the airlines that used to be and those that still do, Delta is still one of the best around. Even with the financial troubles they have managed to keep customer service as a priority. I doubt that the takeover will be approved-friendly or hostile-as a now Democratic Congress will nix the deal. (Just like they are going to end up frustrating the AT&T/Bellsouth combination.) Delta has worked hard to survive and has almost made it, maybe they can turn the tables and take over US Air just to prove everybody wrong!

By Chris

November 15, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

I am a business traveler who lives in Atlanta and flies once a week. I always do my best to avoid any discount airline like America West of US Airways and generally only fly Delta or American.

By Hold em off

November 15, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

Well is AMEX that stupid to give up control in DL to Citi crap? With the global airline we will be hold them off!!! Maybe we can just give them Tony C. he is worth 8B look what he did for Tech Ops.

By ken

November 15, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

screw delta..they have been gouging us for years..

By Brian Vaughn

November 15, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

To my fellow employees - The Ramp agents have been trying to organize a union for 2 months now. Our drive is going well. And one of the reasons it is going well is that many employees have been listening to what the IAM(Machinist Union) has been saying: Mergers are on the way.

This is a wake up call people! Whether we like a merger or not, its a strong possibility. And whether or not this US Airways deal happens, the possibilty will remain with other airlines to merge or buy us. Today it US Airways. Tomorrow it could be Continental, Northwest or United. Just about a month ago I read where United had hired a firm to look at the possibility of an aquisition with Continental or Delta. Something is going to happen. We need to protect our future. We need to protect or senority. Mergers are going to happen. And it will probably happen to Delta too. Lets make sure we have a seat at the table if a merger does happen.

SIGN YOUR UNION CARD NOW!!!!!!

By Transplant

November 15, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

I am an Atlanta native who now works in the Northeast. USAir is the dominant carrier in my town. I drive two hours to fly Delta. USAir is terrible- the ruined Piedmont, ruined PSA and they will ruin Delta. They cannot connect a flight through Philadelphia without losing a bag. This is not something you should ever wish for - rude staff, dirty planes, habitually late with no explanation. It can be worse than people’s experience with Delta - it is called USAir. They have worn out names and had to change before they were run out of town - Allegheny => USAir => USAirways - Now they want Delta’s good name. Just say no….IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME - Just ask someone who used to work for Piedmont.

By Broken Record

November 15, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

I only fly Delta internationally. Airtran is my choice for domestic flights, as it has better fares, more leg room, runs on time more often and they have never lost my luggage like Delta has done several times. I think if US Airways can swing it, they should acquire Delta.

By robert

November 15, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

I certainly hope that Delta does not give in to the quick, easy, greedy fix like BellSouth did, making a few individuals (like Duane Ackerman and company) wealthier. Atlanta cannot afford to lose another corporate headquarters. The city is already beginning to falter as it is.

By USAirways Blows

November 15, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Delta will never be the same. I live in NC and am forced to fly the crappy USAir all the time and I will tell you that it a new miserable experience with each flight. Enjoy the misery of USAir people!!!

By me

November 15, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this

Delta seems to be successfully moving toward the international market which appears to be a better fit than trying to compete in the wal-mart mentality that has taken over the US market. Of course US Airways wants a part of that. I think Delta would be a fool to get bogged down in that again. Of course, Delta’s short-timer management has consistently proved that they will do only what is best for their own pockets.

By AirlineReality

November 15, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

I hope this doesn’t happen for Delta and Atlanta’s sake, because it’d be a sad day for Delta, but a knowledgeable person made a good point earlier. This is essentially America West, not the US Airways of old, who just adopted the broader name. That’s why the HQ are still in Phoenix, not Pittsburgh. Think SBC and AT&T. AT&T didn’t buy SBC. SBC bought AT&T and adopted the AT&T name.

By Denden

November 15, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

I agree with the comment that said:

To DL employees: You are toast, witness the American takeover of TWA. Your wishes, in this era of corporatism, rank 0 on a scale of 1-10. If I were you, I�d pray for the continuance of Social Security �

That takeover killed the Kansas City airport for good!

By Phil

November 15, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

I read Mr. Nolan’s book and found it to be an interesting but do not agree with the conclusions.
Grinstein sold Western because the airline needed to grow and the employees blessed the merger with Delta. Did Delta keep their promises? Nope. A family member retired from Delta a few years back, still complaining about the Delta promises made to Western employees. As for the Delta “family”, Western personnel were never treated that way. But I really don’t want to see the flying colonels, cold chicken and pecan pie again like I saw in 1987 when Delta bought Western. Nevertheless, this is a bad merger proposal for the country, the airline industry, the airline employees and passengers all around.

By Keon Johnson

November 15, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

No.. They shouldn’t do it. This may be entirely emotional but Delta is Atlanta and must stay Atlanta. They just want the assests and name of Delta because it carries more respect, honor and tradition. However it will be just like the Wachovia, First Union merger. It will take jobs AWAY from Atlanta and the brand with poor reputation will disapear but the buyers will stay in power. It’s called Wachovia but people familiar in finances KNOW that it’s really First Union all the way!

I feel if this goes throught they will immediately take H.Q. to Arizona which is experiencing a land grad and explosion like Georgia did in the 90’s. We’ve already lost several H.Q.’s and major operations in less than 10yrs. Delta’s lost will be detrimental to the community. Delta needs to stand by Atlanta and say know, just as Atlanta has stood by Delta.

By Ihopguy

November 15, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

After USAIR or someone else sweetens the deal, soon to be retired Jerry will give a looong winded speech on how this merger is best for the customer and the Delta family. General Electric and the BK court will be pulling the strings as he blabs about the influx of cash and the cohesive route structure blah, blah, blah…

P.S. I bought a used car from this guy and the transmission fell out after I left his driveway!!!

By Jackie

November 15, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Bigger is not always better…I don’t think Mr. Woolman would think this a great idea!! Does anyone remember Mr. Woolman??

By LAXSam

November 15, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

Hey ATL 120 Ramp, sign your union cards!

By SkyMilesDawg

November 15, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

Notice to US Air: If you think you can take over Delta and keep their customers then you may as well be riding ostriches instead of 757’s because that bird won’t fly.

Despite Delta’s mismanagement they are still a top tier airline and on the rebound. We surely don’t need some second rate, also-ran, sky bus taking over the controls at this point. Try buying Greyhound instead.

Gold Medallion

By HPE

November 15, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this

Hmm…US Airways recently emerged from their own bankruptcy and now they want to take over Delta Air Lines???

In this order, Delta should rebuff US Airways, get out of bankruptcy, then do a hostile takeover of US Airways. That’ll fix their butts!!!

Or, Delta should give Northwest Airlines a call ASAP and merge with them!

By M K

November 15, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this

NO NO NO. Delta is the best company in the world and I have a friend that works for U.S. Air and believe me we do not want to be part of that company. Delta should fight this with everything we have.

By Jack

November 15, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

The deal should not go forward. The only way USAir can afford it and Citi will back it is the strength and potential of Delta. The offer will cause Delta to increase the offer on the unsecured debt. Delta’s new stock issue should be a better deal than USAir’s. Delta should go after NWAC, a good fit.

By John

November 15, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this

Keon: Delta needs to stand by Atlanta and say know, just as Atlanta has stood by Delta.

Delta has taken years of crap from Atlanta and recieved very little support. I have thought for year we should change HQ’s. Take a look at other support the Airlines get from other citys…….

By whocares

November 15, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

I hope if US Airways buys out that Delta they move them out of Atlanta. Maybe that will wake up people just how bad they really are. They over charge on their tickets for their overpaid pilots and bosses. I could care less if they buy them and move them out of Atlanta. I do not fly with Delta. The few times I had to fly Delta were a nightmare. They have got to have the rudest, unfriendly stewardest around. But I can understand that some since all the money they make goes staight to their bosses who could give a damn about no one but their own pockets. So if Delta does get bought out, please fire all their corporate bosses. they do not deserve to stay and do not give them a big fat paycheck when you fire their sorry butts either……

By hh

November 15, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

For anyone to believe that US AIR has a stable and profitable past would be nuts. They’ve hung on by stripping resources of other airlines, killing pensions and benefits and selling the excess assets off from their mergers. That kind of cash runs out fast and then you have to destroy something else to keep your pyramid scheme alive. Does anyone remember Frank Lorenzo? They want to use the Delta brand… Of course they do, their US Air brand isn’t worth the stationary it printed on. Further, they will not have the Delta Family on their side, which is what is turning the airline around. Delta has everything US Air needs to survive! They bring nothing to the table expect their veracious appetites for consumption. How many times have the union and non union employees threatened to walk off the job in the last four years alone? That’s stability? Not in my book its not.

They do have on thing… They have a base on Mars, otherwise known as Tempe, AZ.

By John J

November 15, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

We must step aside from the emotional issues. Delta Management has been stepping on many heads to secure their own and nobody does anything about it. We need a better CEO, someone with an concience. Ah well…..wishful thinking. I do not feel safe flying Delta anymore.

By Ihopguy

November 15, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

Mz. Burns is calling USAIR now inquiring as to the status of her flight priviledges. How about a buddy pass for Sir Elton???

By Paul

November 15, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

US Airways…a.k.a. USELESS AIRWAYS, has been a joke for years. When they were a smaller regional carrier they were great, but once they tried to compete with the big-boys they started to have problems. All we need is one problem airline taking over another one with problems…then you have 2 (or 3 if you consider AirWest running US Airways) going in the tank. If US Airways takes over Delta Peachtree City will become a ghost town as US Airways will move all the corporate jobs to AZ, and probably down-size the ATL hub. This is a BAD IDEA….I agree with others comments…US AIRWAYS GO AWAY!!!

By Kimberly

November 15, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Neither one of the airlines has what is called “great customer services. So I think they make a great match.

By Tom (retired DL)

November 15, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

The more things change, the more they remain the same. Funny, to think when USAIR was in bankruptcy, DELTA could have been the saving grace to pull them out! Truth is… better potential merger partners are out there. Don’t settle for second best! We need to find the best opportunity to combine route structures, solid financial footing, and impeccable management! What Delta has been lacking is true vision… all through DEREGULATION: and resting on their laurels! Now the REAL DELTA days are gone… it’s everyman for himself. Mergers will occur… and this USAIR attempt is the first SALVO in the MERGER MANIA that will eventually consolidate the industry. But let’s hope the DELTA existing team won’t SELL OUT to the first suitor… and that they WON’T SELL OUT ATLANTA!

That’s the true loss in this equation: decisions made outside Atlanta that could impact Atlanta’s growth, world image, and economic vitality. Not to mention the sell off of active employees and retirees who work/worked hard to put Delta and Atlanta on the map. This potential merger with USAIR is not a WIN/WIN for Delta or Atlanta.

By tsg

November 15, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

Let them have it. Delta has put the customer last for years. Maybe another company will put the customer and employees before the sr management for once. We’ve stopped flying Delta due to constant delays, cancelled flights, rude employees, strange pricing structures, and a total lack of regard for the consumer. I will spend my money anly where service, integrity, and dependablity can be assured. Delta is a “has been” airline and in my opinion good riddance. The ultimate loser will be the people who have been misled to work for a morally bankrupt managemnet team.

By Ms. Kay

November 15, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

I do not think Delta should consider talking with US Airwarys. Yes, Delta has had their issues, but they are coming back on the strong side and they will regain 100% of their respect, as soon as this bankrupcy is out of the way. I can say that the bankrupcy has been good for Delta and has taught them a lession to be learned and this lession will make Delta the BIGGEST AND STRONG Domestic and International airlines ever!!!!

Go Delta!!!

By SkyMilesDawg

November 15, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

If you are a loyal Delta customer and would like to tell US Air where to get off with their bid…

http://www.usair.com/awa/content/contact/customer_relationsform.aspx

Keep it pithy.

By tbird

November 15, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

Just for the record - Allegany/US Air/US Airways, prior to their merger with AW, was headquartered in Arlington, VA, not Pittsburgh. In fact, they no longer operate a major hub in Pittsburgh.

By Peecee

November 15, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

Not that I can brag about it, but I correctly predicted the fiasco re the NASCAR “Haul of Fame(?). that was a done deal almost 7 weeks before the actual announcement. As for Delta? They are gone, folks! No more, “Atlanta-based Delta”. It may not be USELESS Air, but Continental will enter the fray. They will go after Delta like a crow on a junebug and it’s off to Houston for Delt, no, Continental. If you out there couldn’t see this coming, you were asleep. Too bad; I’ve been a Delta FF since 1968 (yeah, do the math) and really hate to see another home-town corporate citizen bite the dust but, what the hell - Atlanta lost it’s leadership when Muhnard took over and it’s never going back. Finally; If you work for CNN or any other Turner companies, get ready to head for NY! It ain’t a question of IF, rather WHEN the whole kit and kaboodle is moved. Time-Warner ain’t gonn let those two 55-story towers sit empty much longer! Finally: look for another corporate biggie to pull up stakes and move out of Hotlanta by the end of next year. See ya in the funnies.

By J

November 15, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

Lord help the Delta faithful who have stood behind this great company through thick and thin…..we want the Delta Family BACK!!!!!

The greedy big wigs of US Air appear after Delta begins to rise again.

BUY DELTA STOCK….BUY DELTA STOCK….BUY DELTA STOCK….

By Fly Girl

November 15, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

I am a Delta flight attendant & frankly, I have to laugh at some of these comments. Everyone wants first class service but no one wants to pay for it. You couldn’t drive one way for what a lot of our round trip tickets cost so the gouging remarks fall on deaf ears. You say the service is bad? How about passenger behavior? I have been sworn at, pushed & had bags literally thown at me for just doing my job but I always do my best to be polite & professional. I love my job & have worked very hard to do my part to bring Delta back to profitability.

I would hate to see Delta taken over. The city of Atlanta would be a huge loser in this. The HQ would move to Az. I fear for my job. Atlantans need to get behind Delta & support us. Sure, we aren’t perfect but there are thousands of hard working employees who spend money in your stores & your businesses. The “screw Delta” is mean-spirited & short-sighted.

If that really was Michelle Burns… HOW DARE YOU!!! You deserve nothing. First class seats? I wouldn’t allow you to fly in the wheelwell if I ran Delta. I really don’t know how you sleep at night!

By Capitalist

November 15, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

DON’T sign the union cards!

The unions have ruined the U.S. auto industry and are in the process of ruining the airline industry as well!

By Bryan Ford

November 15, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

Absolutely NOT! US Airways would never be able to provide the true Delta spirit which is what makes Delta different from any other carrier. The Delta people….it’s employees….will bring Delta back to what it has been for so many years! Think about what Delta founder, C. E. Woolman would say! I guarantee you that he would not be in favor of a Delta takeover!

By ls

November 15, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

Did you about the 8.1 earthquake this morning in the Pacific? I think that was Mr Woolman turning over in his grave.

By William Joseph

November 15, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

This is a bad bad bad bad deal for not only Delta but also Atlanta and Atlanta citizens.

Regardless of how we may feel about overpaid Delta management and/or pilots or how rude we feel any Delta employee may have been to us, we need to realize this will hurt all of us.

USAirways will most likely move the HQ if they takeover, they will consolidate operations, and eliminate employees.

DAL employees pump a lot of money into our local economy.. if they are gone we WILL suffer.

USAirways is known to rape and ruin the airlines they acquire.. they lose luggage, treat long term employee with disdain and could care less about their retirees.

We need to rally around the home town airline and boycott USAirways..

Unfortunately by the time the public hears of these things.. they are almost a done deal.. let’s use our consumer dollars (or rather not use them) to show USAirways that they are not welcome in Delta territory.

By reality

November 15, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

Greenstein is the problem, let’s see…

He sold out on Western,

He hired Leo Mullen and that band of thieves,

He ran Delta into bankruptcy,

He cut pay for all DL employees,

He disolved Pilot pensions,

He eliminated health benefits,

He stopped the Delta pension plan, and is trying to eliminate paying past retirees,

He ignored USAir’s initial offer, which is now being forced on him to respond,

I say Delta would be better off with a USAir buyout..

By KK

November 15, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

Hang tough Delta - Bring back a CEO and a Board who cares (Hollis would be perfect). Now the tough part: Can the Delta Employees bring back the customers?? Delta - you were once so good - you can do it again, Customer Service is what got you to the top - Ron Allen started the slide to the bottom! Take a look at DFW too - thats alot of potential ASM’s and you would not have to remodel much!!

By ex-delta employee

November 15, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

I don’t see how this would benefit anyone in Atlanta.

By margaret

November 15, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

Given US Airways past troubles, I hope Delta will not allow the buy out. I think that would be their final demise.

By Delta Faithful

November 15, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

Michelle Burns…you suck.

By KFK

November 15, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

Can my friend Weston become Chief Pilot? Can he move back to Dallas? Then merge!!

By Jay Black

November 15, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

I’d rather it be Continental anyway.

By George

November 15, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Seems that this is the next step in reducing capacity, which all the airlines have been doing and will continue to do. The HQ would most likely be in Phoenix, and they would close several hubs. The Atlanta hub would likely survive as a smaller hub and they would close Charlotte. They would probably scale back Atlanta because of its delays and fequent storms.

By johnny cruisebone

November 15, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

US Air has one of the oldest fleets in the industry. Their ratio of 737-200s to total aircraft compared to Delta’s is much worse. They fly many more 767-200s than Delta, who fly mostly 767-300 & 400 series - far superior to the 200s. The only other major fleet that is worse than USAir is NorthWest - who still flies DC-9s! Are you kidding me? Frontier, JetBlue, AirTran, all have more modern fleets then Delta, but US-Scare is just decades behind. The only reason CitiGroup is willing to pony up $7.2B of the $8B is because Delta will soon be worth twice that. Also, read in today’s business section of USA Today about iPod integration on 6 major airlines. Delta is one of those 6 - US Air is not. Delta is constantly making changes to move the airline forward, USAir is not. They are an old tired company who has never been anywhere near as great an airline as Delta. This merger will not happen, whether it’s because of labor negotiations, SEC rules, whatever - it will not happen. That result will be a very good thing for Delta and Atlanta.

By Delta Flyer 21

November 15, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

there are a lot of cognitive and thoughtful responses on this blog, showing again that there are those that actually think outside the box (“another Atlanta corporate…goes out the door,” etc.) and puts together some great ideas.
Make no mistake about it: Delta - as far as “Atlanta-based” is soon to be history.
There are no more C. E. Woolmans out there to provide the necessary corporate managment that Delta so badly needs. When it happens (the buy-out, merger, consolidation, or whatever you wish to call it), and it surely will, the City of Atlanta will be hurting and hurting badly. Lotsa liabilities piled up trying to make Hartsfield larger and better (for more of Shirley Franklin’s family to open kiosks or businesses, etc.). Unfortunately the sad day is nearer rather than further away and we had best brace for it. BTW, as a 1.643mm miler, I will miss Delta because USAir (I guess that’s what they call it in Phoenix)just might pull this off. Personally, I wouldn’t fly USA on a bet. Maybe the newly-elected Democratic congress will step in…who knows?

By Fat, Dumb, and Lazy

November 15, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

I are a Delta manager and if this means I can now sit on my fat a* in PHX instead of ATL, I’m all for it.

By gabulldog

November 15, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

I hate to say it but the union guys like Brian Vaughn are right. They have been saying to us that a merger might happen. The union cards that they gave to us outside the parking lot yesterday talked about a merger. I’m sending mine in today.

By andy parsons

November 15, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

Let me get this straight. Number 6 wants to buy number 3. Number 3 is huge conpared to number 6. Number 6 had to merger with number 8 to stay number 6. Ahhh, dont call us, we’ll call you. (but dont stay by the phone)

By JJ

November 15, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

I know many, many Delta employees, customer service was always customer service first, now it is nothing.

US Air #1 priority is Customer Service for long time employees at Delta this #1 priority would be appreciated and give employees something to look forward to and they may possiblity regain some of the 25% reduction in pay and benefits at some point in time. They have nothing to motivate them at the point in time. You can only walk on human beings for a short while and then…..something great just might take place.

By ex-delta flyer

November 15, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

Someone above said it beautifully - “Delta is the MARTA of the skies”

A merger, hostile or otherwise, by some other airline is exactly the kick in the pants Delta needs.

But US Air? Please, at least let the takeover/merger be with a better partner. United and/or American would be much much better, even Southwest would be preferable to US “Scare”.

By News Alert

November 15, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

This was just on CNN. The city of Phoenix has secured a tract of land south of the PHX airport for DL employees. Uisng the Peachtree City model, it will be named Cactus City and will have lots of vinyl and stucco siding homes poorly assembled along cheap golf courses. Also, the city of Atlanta just broke out into a huge celebration and parade.

By Ihopguy

November 15, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Think of all the Kool-Aid drinking going on at the General Office. Jerry’s voice is being piped in over the speakers: “come my children I will not sell you out”…

By Flyer51

November 15, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

From what I’ve read recently, US Airways is one of the worst airlines with regard to service, safety and loss of luggage. On the good side, their flight attendants are very friendly and nice. I can’t say that I would welcome the takeover as I think US Airways problems will then be compounded.

By BarFly

November 15, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

My biggest fear in a potential takeover of Delta is not the potential loss of jobs or Atlanta operations, it’s what will become of Delta’s Signature Cocktails, such as the “Mile High Mojito”, the “Mango Kiss” and the ever popular “Passion Fruit Sparkler”? I can’t imagine being able to tolerate flying without them!

By SkyMilesDawg

November 15, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Fly Girl, you are EXACTLY the reason why we fly Delta!

Gold Medallion SkyMile Member

By brad

November 15, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Delta has ruined itself. Once the pride of southern aviation, its customer service is abysmal. The merger will be the only thing that can take excess capacity out of the air, eliminate ridiculous price wars, and, hopefully, restore public trust in flying.

By Michael G.

November 15, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

Anyone that took one business course in College knows that competition is a good thing for customers. Delta being bought means eliminating a competitor, taking away another choice, and leads to an increase in airfare with whoever you fly with.

For the people that work for Delta this is also bad news. Combining two companies means eliminating a lot of positions that overlap, and if Delta gets bought out which company do you think will be eliminating positions (remember you are no longer in the city where the company is headquartered)… not US Airways.

With all the problems that Delta may have, trust me; you do not want this to happen from an employee or customer standpoint.

By DTGuy

November 15, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

US Airways has finally realized that a purely domestic legacy carrier (which it is) is not going to make it in the new world. Delta has a good business plan and we’ve made huge strides getting ourselves where we need to be to get out of bankruptcy which includes a large committment to high-value international travel (see our new routes to India, South Africa, and Great Britain).

I hope that DL management can show why this ‘looks good on the surface’ plan (and let’s be honest, it does look good on the surface) doesn’t make long term sense for Delta and can convince the creditors and court of that fact.

Time will tell….

By Rita

November 15, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

**It is the UNIONS that are destroying everything in this country. They come in disguising themselves as a friend to the working class - only to destroy the company and line the pockets of the UNION MOB BOSSES. Unions served a purpose when they were first started but they have turned into crimal organizations. If you join a union, you are contributing to the demise of your company.

By OutLawAMT

November 15, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

Bonus !!! Some of my family is out in Phoenix and Tucson. I could have lunch daily with my mom and see my dad and sister on the weekends.

By Delta Flying Colonel

November 15, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Can I have the B767 that the employees purchased for Delta? Maybe Ron gave that to Michelle too - that way she can have all the FC seats she needs for her fat a*!

By Jason

November 15, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Is the Retirement Systems of Alabama still a major stock holder in the current US Airways? I doubt David Bronner (the financial wiz in charge of RSA) would approve of a merger with Delta if it was harmful to Atlanta because he knows the negative affect that would have on Alabama. If RSA still has power in the current US Airways, you’re more likely to see the new hq in Atlanta with a sizable “secondary hq” in Birmingham.

By DeltaDon

November 15, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Delta sold out ALL it’s employees by voiding contracts, forcing reduction in pay all why paying $$$$ to upper management.

Come on US Air…….. delta has been trashed enough……save us!

By DeltaDon

November 15, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Rita said “It is the UNIONS that are destroying everything in this country”

Having no protection is why Delta is where it is now! Stop drinking the Delta kool aid & think for yourself!

By bygone

November 15, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Delta is poised for recovery. I vote no to “Useless air” ending up with the crown jewel of the airline biz. There’s a goog reason U.S. air wants to keep the name “Delta” and it tells you all you need to know.

By Yobob

November 15, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

Jerry wrote a reply to Doug back in the Spring and said, “Thankyou, but not thanks.”

Send him another reply, ” This doen’t even look good on paper.”

By Fly Girl

November 15, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

To the blogger who said they don’t care if Iran bought Delta… you have truly shown your ignorance & lack of integrity. Again, USAir buying Delta would be a disaster for Altanta! You snear at overpaid pilots & management but all Delta employees contribute huge sums of money to the Atlanta economy. I don’t want to see us taken over by anyone but if it must happen, I would say Continental would be the best choice.

By What A Mess

November 15, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

You gotta be kidding me. The ONLY, and I mean ONLY airline that pays less than Delta is USAirways. And now they want to buy us. Let’s hope the bankruptcy judge throws the bums out the door.

By Amy Flygirl

November 15, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

“the crown jewel of the airline biz”????

Maybe with Song, th only good thing that they had and they got rid of it….

Bunch of idiots.

By SkyMilesDawg

November 15, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

Well if Delta is the “MARTA of the skies”, then US Air must be the moving sidewalks at Washington Reagan Airport - the ones that are always broke.

The fact is, if economy seats on Delta flights are like bus rides then it’s just another one of Delta management’s many flubs. They decided to compete with the volume, discount carriers who cater to the thankless, petulant hordes – the same kind of people that Fly Girl mentions. The natural outcome of that decision was reduced service for base fares. Delta was and could be again a top airline for people who have to travel for a living. It was something the company was good at. And, oh yeah, the interesting thing is that business travelers don’t mind spending the extra $20 a ticket.

By Jason R

November 15, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Obviously the combined merger would result in hub closings, but I think Atlanta’s flight operations would be unscathed. The focus should be on the potential loss of white collar jobs at HQ if that operation is shifted to AZ.

By GAtakeoverinfo

November 15, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Actually it’s the old America West guard in control of the possible Delta takeover, just like North Carolina National Bank (now BofA) was w/C&S-Bank South & Southwestern Bell (now the “new” AT&T) w/BellSouth

By Dave

November 15, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this

US Airways is the worst airline flying. The combining of America Worst with Us Airways was a blessing last year because it took the 2 worst service airlines and made 1 uber crappy airline. Meanwhile, Delta has done a great job getting back on track and their service levels are superior to US Airways. This would be a bad move for all business travelers who like to arrive at their destinations even remotely close to when they are supposed to.

By Bill

November 15, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

Just remember what a fine job US Air did with Piedmont when they tried to make that work! This is the worst idea since Sherman lit a match. US Air is a toilet that take others and puts them in the septic tank they call an airline.

By Ihopguy

November 15, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this

CNN just showed Jerry’s followers building a moat arount HQ…

By DeltaDee

November 15, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this

This would be great. Finally get the good-ol-boy system out of the big D.

By Rodger West

November 15, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

What about Delta stockholders? We have been waiting for a turnaround and these chumps come in a make an offer of cash and stock to creditors? Think of it, a bribe to creditors to tank Delta shareholders. This is not right. If given the chance, Delta will emerge from Bankrupcy in good shape and employees and management should be congratulated and rewarded for the success.

By brick

November 15, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

To Rita and DeltaDon..you are both wrong. Unions are good in many ways but they are Big Business themselves. As for paycuts unions won’t help you keep your money…Ex..me..AA employee..-19%…

By Ex-Delta fan

November 15, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

Sell Delta Stock and buy Wal Mart…make some $$$.

By mg

November 15, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

Atlanta non-profits need Delta’s community interests!! We already lost Georgia Pacific, don’t take Delta too!

By MikeT

November 15, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

SAY YES! It’s about time Delta was outta here! Worst customer service in the history of airlines! Buh Bye

By Transplant

November 15, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

For all the faults and issues with Delta, you really do not know how bad it can be. USAirways Philadelphia hub and its Washington DC terminals are pig stys. Their staff cannot say what time flights will depart and luggage gets returned days after sitting in soaking rain on the ramp at PHL if at all. USAir is a junkie needing its latest fix and unable to sustain itself through any real business cycle without devouring and spitting out another competitor. They cannot manage the airline they have, and without another acquisition, I doubt they would be able to survive. Step up to Continental, not into the toilet.

By Josh

November 15, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

Delta sucks!!! After traveling AirTran and Frontier, I doubt that I would fly a heritage airline anywhere domestically again.

By Delta fan

November 15, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this

I think this is a bad idea for Delta. The posters who suggest Delta’s independent days are numbered are likely correct, but a much better merger partner would be Continental, or even Northwest. The predecessor airlines of the “new” USAir were both horrible as several posters have noted.

I spent the last 3 years flying international business class split between Delta, NWA, and Continental. Continental has the most reliable service, NWA the best planes (the new A330s/A340s are great), but Delta HANDS DOWN has the best onboard flight attendants and crews. Why? Because most of them have a lot of seniority and remember what Delta’s service used to be like. Their service made up for the terrible check in experience in ATL, inattentive (at best!) gate agents, etc. There are still a lot of employees like that at Delta, but they are suffering the result of 15+ years of horrible, incompetent management that forgot all about customer service. Now, everyone’s going to pay the price.

I am a 2M+ flyer, have been Platinum on Delta for 15 years. From an emotional perspective, it’s sad to see how far the company has fallen. It’s also sad because I think over the last two years, the employees have really begun to bring the company back.

A merger is probably inevitable, but I would be hoping for a call from Continental or NWA. Not USAir. Good luck long time Delta employees.

By brian

November 15, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Rodger West, go back and read the story. The offer is to unsecured creditors, and will occur after backruptcy. Everyone gets paid, including stockholders.

By What A Mess

November 15, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Several posts refer to “Delta’s overpaid pilots” Delta’s pilots are the second lowest paid among the major airlines! Nobody at Delta is overpaid these days- that’s for sure.

By maggie

November 15, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Go away USAir. I recenty flew Delta business class to Germany. Everything was great and the flight crew were very very professional. I just saw the comparison b/t the two airlines on ajc. There is no way Delta could settle for USAir, a much smaller airline than itself. Like a lof of blogger already mentioned before, at least someone better such as Continental. But no doubt, if anything happens than Delta stays independent, it will be a bad news for Atlanta (layoffs, Delta employees spendings on local economy is gone and etc.) and consumers (less competition). We really need to stand behind Delta and its employees to stop this from happening. You do not want another ATT/Bellsouth mass.

By M. Samuel

November 15, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

U.S. Air is a TRAILER PARK airline! Delta is The Four Seasons! What a shame if Delta goes thru with this!

By Amy Lynn

November 15, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

If Delta’s pilots were overpaid I would still be in Atlanta and not living in Dubai. My husband flies for Dubai’s Airline now and we’d rather be all the way here than be under Gerry’s iron fist.

By AM

November 15, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

I been on both Delta and US Air Many times - and by far, Delta ia superior! If US Air takes over, customer service, on time schedules, quality of air travel and overall flying experience will go down the tubes. So I say NO to the takeover/merger!

By JP

November 15, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

SELL! SELL! SELL!

By WildnernessVoice

November 15, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

The one airline that treats passengers worse than Delta does … wouldn’t you know it.

By JP

November 15, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Amy Lynn: Hope you enjoy the food over there…LOSER! It’s your choice and probably your lifestyle that drove you over there in the first place. Live within your means and maybe you could have survived on a pilot’s salary. Last I checked, 100k (to be conservative) per year salary would make 90% of the remaining Delta employees pretty happy. So stop crying already!

By Fly Girl

November 15, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

Gerry…

Is that really you? I find it hard to believe that you have time to sit & read & then respond to blogs on AJC! PLEASE (I will grovel here if I need to) don’t let this happen! There are so many wonderful employees who really care about our company. We deserve the chance to really pull our transformation off & prove the naysayers wrong.

By DeltaDon

November 15, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

Many of you wishfully are asking for Contenental but WHY would a strong airline want Delta’s baggage?

You would have to wipe out ALL Delta’s leadership.

By Shannon

November 15, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Just say no Delta!

Seriously though, the company would be named Delta, so more than likely that means the company would be headquartered in Tempe (quite often the company that gets to keep their name loses their corporate headquarter location). I can only imagine in my worst dreams what the loss of Delta’s corporate headquarters here would do to the economy of Atlanta and to Georgia.

Once again Delta … just say no!!

By Swangirl

November 15, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

U.S. Air is the worst airline I’ve ever flown on. Delta, please don’t sell out while you’re on the way back.

By Rick

November 15, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

U.S. Airways is a horribly run airline from both a service and reliability standpoint! Having been through a failed merger, this would be a horrible experience from both a customer and company culture perspective. The financial spreadsheet jockeys are clueless about how to run a business.

By im

November 15, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

The US Airways proposal appears reasonable and logical

By Darrell

November 15, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

Don’t do it Delta. We’ve lost enough.Stay with the ship and protect your employees and retirees. We’ve already given up pay and benefits. I’m a retiree and would like to keep at least a share of what I was PROMISED when I was ask to retire after 9/11.

By Baffled

November 15, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

This takeover baffles me. Why? Too much overlap and umcommon fleet types. Unionized and non-union. A nightmare in the making. My guess is that American, Continetal, and the United BOD’s are sitting at the big table now putting an offer together.

By Ihopguy

November 15, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

NEWSFLASH!!! Bankers and lawyers don’t care about customer service. The seven BILLION dollar Citigroup check looks like a Butterball turkey on Thanksgiving day. Pass the gravy…

By AtlantaN8tiv

November 15, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

I would hate to see Delta taken over or lose Atlanta as a hub, but I really want to know what’s going to happen to my Delta SkyMiles if this takeover occurs.

By JM

November 15, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

I knew that Martha Burke played golf. What I did not know was that she also flies planes.

By LiasMom

November 15, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

So, US Air and Delta sat down and talked for a while, and then Delta decided it didn’t want to deal. US Air got upset, because they really, really want it. They decide to go public and try to make Delta bow to peer pressure in order to get what they want. That sounds like a company I would want to merge with — they would really have your back! It reminds me of a kid who decides to have a tantrum to draw attention to themselves when mommy won’t get them the shiny new toy.

By flyboy

November 15, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

You idiots who think service will be better under USAirways are nuts. Delta’s problems could be easily fixed with a new management team. The employee group at Delta hasn’t been beaten down by hostile management nearly as long as USAir employees. The problem at Delta is that the same morons in management who led the company into bankruptcy now portray themselves as the genuis’ who will now lead the company out of bankruptcy. I’m just afraid that after 3 inept and crooked CEO’s in a row, Delta is going to be a victim of it’s situation. Grinstein sat on the BOD and watched Ron Allen mismanage the company, then he sat on the board and watched Leo Mullin mismanage and rob the company, then in a moment driven by ego he took over the company. Grinstein has no idea how to lead or manage an airline. The irony to me is the flying public will eventually get what they think they want, the cheapest ticket in town. Do people really think if Southwest and JetBlue are the only airlines left, they won’t raise prices and have disgruntled employees with crappy service? You really do get what you pay for. Get real, the airline industry is rampant with bad management.

By AirTranLuva

November 15, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

As a one-time traveler back and forth from Michigan to Atl, I USED to fly from Grand Rapids to ATL on Delta. They USED to be a much higher quality airline. This was before I discovered AirTran. Now, I fly to Flint on AT, and drive to GR for a MUCH cheaper cost (for the majority of us on a budget, this is important). I’m MUCH happier with the price, quality of a newer plane, space, and the overall experience with AirTran. As a white-knuckle flyer, these are GREAT qualities. And the added bonus….. They offer one-way tickets. Ok, Delta does too, but for a much HIGHER price. GO AIRTRAN!!!!! SCREW DELTA!!!!! If someone wants to buy them out, it should be AirTran. Then the quality will fly pretty much EVERYWHERE!!

By AirTranLuva

November 15, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

As a one-time traveler back and forth from Michigan to Atl, I USED to fly from Grand Rapids to ATL on Delta. They USED to be a much higher quality airline. This was before I discovered AirTran. Now, I fly to Flint on AT, and drive to GR for a MUCH cheaper cost (for the majority of us on a budget, this is important). I’m MUCH happier with the price, quality of a newer plane, space, and the overall experience with AirTran. As a white-knuckle flyer, these are GREAT qualities. And the added bonus….. They offer one-way tickets. Ok, Delta does too, but for a much HIGHER price. GO AIRTRAN!!!!! SCREW DELTA!!!!! If someone wants to buy them out, it should be AirTran. Then the quality will fly pretty much EVERYWHERE!!

By CRAIG

November 15, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

I use to be part of the Delta family. But after they slashed the DFW hub I had to leave. I feel bad for most of the employees. If the lower management would have been honest with the upper management thing probable wouldn’t have gotten as bad as they did. Lower management would just lie to the upper management and tell them things are great, when they weren’t at all. Delta also needs to quit babing the employees. Tell the employees to have pride in the way they look and the job they do. I remember flying in to ATL see rampers with their shirts untuck, hats on backwards looking like punks. I was embarrased to say I worked for Delta. The old Delta might have seemed to strick but you took pride in your work and took care of the customer, you know the ones who pay the bills and makes it so you get a paycheck. But thats the problem with the country too, NO PRIDE.

By Will_DAL

November 15, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

What do “Gerry Ginstein”, “DL Flyer”, “Amy Lynn” and “Fly Girl” have in common?

They apparently don’t know the real name of Delta’s current CEO…!

The name is Jerry Grinstein.

By The Happy Stewardess

November 15, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

For all you selfish, disgruntled passengers go to www.planecrashinfo.com and check out who has the highest safety record in the country. Let me guess, you’d prefer to have a free upgrade and a steak dinner? I prefer to continue flying for the safest airline in the country. You people are your own worst enemy. Be nice to us and we’ll be nice to you! And don’t ever think you ruin my day with your bad behavior and attitude because there are too many nice passengers who make my day! Thanks to all of you who do!

By RJ_pilot

November 15, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

Well said flyboy. What nobody is mentioning yet is how this merger would affect Delta’s ASA and Comair connections. Obviously, a lot of people on this blog, people like AirTranLuva @12:58, have no idea what this merger would mean to airfare prices as a whole. Oh, and US Airways’ service has consistently stayed at the bottom.

By me

November 15, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

You also get what you pay for in airline pilots. DAL pilots have had their pay cut 50%. If you think for a moment that the next generation of pilots will be the same quality you are foolish. Mediocre salaries will attract mediocre pilots — just like in every industry. You get what you pay for.

By TT

November 15, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

First, the proposed merger does make good financial sense for both entities. Delta losses are so great that even when they emerge out of bankruptcy, it will still be on very shaky ground and its long term chances in terms of survival are not very good. You cannot lose what Delta has lost since 2001 and suddenly think that the higher ups within Delta will come up with a winning formula to ensure its survival. Remember, they acheived what they could from employee kickbacks and overall cuts, as opposed to new and more innovative business techniques.

Thus, the bid is a good one from a financial point of view for both Delta’s shareholders (which are currently getting nothing for their Delta shares) and its creditors.

Next, US Airways took the bid public because it is confident that it could convince the bankruptcy court and Delta shareholders of its merits.

Forget the public egos of the current braintrust at Delta. Remember, they have to put on a brave and happy face for public consumption (especially in Atlanta), but now their shares will be even more valuable and never underestimate the power of personal greed for the sake of greed. That and the long term problems of Delta are very deep and quite difficult to solve.

Next, before it took the bid public, you can bet that US Airways secured the financing.

Next and probably most important, it can work for all parties because Delta has very valuable and profitable international routes which neither America West or US Air currently has.

Forget service or forget the fact that Delta was throughly mismanaged which brought it to its current state of financial being (it is quite funny how executives of companies that go into bankruptcy or have huge losses are never responsible for the state of their respective companies - it is always someone else’s fault or the workers fault or the state of the overall industry, but never their fault). Delta over the last 7 years has made many questionable moves outside of what happened since 9/11 which is easy to blame on pilots and others who found it difficult to kick back their pensions and salaries over the years due to corporate mismanagement and bad industry conditions.

More importantly, what is not being talked about is the overall impact it will have on Atlanta as a city and Georgia as a state!!!!!!!!!!

Atlanta has been trying its very best to hide a very dirty little secret, that much of its financial growth over the last 20 years is about to disappear.

Millions have moved to Atlanta over the last 20 years because of its emergence as a viable economic and corporate alternative to other cities in the nation, but its current losses is more than any locality can possibly bear and this does not bode well for the residents of Atlanta and Georgia in a general sense. In the last five years alone, Atlanta has already lost the following: - Georgia Pacific was bought out by Koch Industries, which is located in Wichita, and was taken private. That purchase has already lead to a loss of thousands of jobs. - Scientific Atlanta was sold out to Cisco Systems - Internet Security Systems was sold out to IBM - IBM closed several campuses in the Atlanta area, which led to a loss of thousands of jobs. - The merger of Siemens and Nortel’s telecommunication systems also lead to a loss of thousands of jobs. - Lucent closed both of their campuses in Atlanta before their merger with Alcatel, which lead to a layoff of more than 7,000. - Both Bell South and Cingular have already laid off thousands, even though both are and remain quite profitable. - Mirant had a huge presense in Atlanta, but once it went into bankruptcy……POOF!!!!!! - Ford just closed the Taurus Assembly Plant. - Then there were the layoffs that already occured in Delta before this announcement.

That was since 2001 (and there were many more layoffs than this) and 2007 is turning out to be a banner year for Atlanta and Georgia in a general sense. This is what is going to happen: - The Bell South/AT&T merger and the losses of thousands of more good paying jobs. For now, the soon to be new AT&T entity has said it will not move Cingular’s corporate headquarters (Cingular was jointly owned by both Bell South and SBC, which became AT&T after its merger, which will now be a single corporate entity), but that remains to be seen. Let’s just say that it is highly unlikely that it will remain in Atlanta in the long term, thus leading to even more job losses. - The closure of GM’s Assembly Plant. - Three military base closures and the loss of thousands more civilian jobs as a result. - Delta - The constant whisperings about SunTrust and its possible purchase by God knows who or what.

In point of fact, Atlanta’s local economy was being propped up by the construction industry since 2001, both residential and office, and now that is also in the toilet because it can no longer sustain itself. More than 18% of the current residential housing market (both new and existing) is up for sale and unoccupied office space is close or surpassing that percentage and with all the closures and mergers coming in 2007, these numbers will undoubtedly increase and this does not take into consideration the huge increase in foreclosures that will result from this and the ensuing layoffs in the construction, mortgage banking and real estate industries as a result.

Now, even if families wanted to relocate due to current job conditions cannot because they cannot sell their homes. I know, because it took us three years to sell ours!!!!! THREE LONG YEARS!!!!!

No locality can survive losses like this and continue to hide their dirty little secrets. People that were once gamefully employed in Aviation, IT and telecommunications are now working in Home Depot, Walmart and Target. This is a loss of immense proportions. Not just in jobs, but in purhasing power as well.

Delta is but a symptom of a much larger problem for Atlanta and the rest of the nation. An SEC and Justice Departments that looks the other way when there is huge corporate malfeasance, that also allows huge mergers between hugely successful corporate entities without analyzing the impact on their local communities where they are located and its actual necessity in terms of their respective long term survival; a culture that only thinks in terms of bottom lines without any kind of eye towards the future and, of course, greed for greed’s sake with a government that turns a blind eye to its immense impact on its local communities.

And Atlanta and its residents are going to pay for the consequences of this short term thinking. This is the real consequence of a possible merger between Delta and US Airways!!!!! The loss of more good paying jobs, the lack of foresight on the part of local and national leaders when they had the chance to deal with these problems head on and the inevitable excuses that follow as a result and more and more crap for the public to swallow!!!!!!

And what is the solution…….well, this is how the Governor responds to the loss of industry of Georgia. He convinces KIA to build its new assembly plant in Georgia, but with $450 million in total subsidies. Thus, it will cost the State of Georgia and its residents approximately $150,000 for each job that is created.

But, what if the Governor used this very same amount of money to subsidize one or two thousand new small businesses, which will employ far more people and may even create newer and better prospects and maybe even potential new industries as a result?

Which investment would be worth more to the people of Atlanta and Georgia in a general sense???????

I am just grateful we were finally able to sell when we could and create the possibilities of relocating from Atlanta because Atlanta is now going to enter what is going to be a perfect financial storm and the local government and civic leaders will do nothing because they would rather drown each other out with worthless rhetoric and inane investments like the KIA Assembly plant!!!!!!

Whether Delta sells out to US Airways is not the issue because even if it does not sell out to US Airways, it will sell itself to someone else!!!!! The larger issue is whether Atlanta and our nation can continue to survive this kind of short term thinking and whether you want to contniue to tolerate the lack of response on the part of local and national polticial leaders.

Until you tie both entities together, they will continue to sell you a bill of goods.

Delta is just a symptom of a much larger disease within our nation!!!!!!

By DF

November 15, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

Delta should not consider this offer. They have shown that they are making progress to get out of their current trouble.

I am a business traveler and almost exclusively use Delta. The couple of times that I had to use US Airways they left me stranded.

Delta - FIGHT this…

By Million Miler

November 15, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

US Air is the only airline I’ve ever been on that managed to lose my bag when I had to connect in Philly but stayed on the SAME PLANE.

By Betty From Pittsburgh

November 15, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

Wait a minute! The reason Delta is where they are at today is because their whole business plan was based on US Airways going out of business. Well, that didn’t happen did it. What’s that saying: Turnabout is fair play.

By Optimist

November 15, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

So, Delta’s no longer headquartered here and our metro population suddenly plummets to 1 million from 4.9 million, nobody has a place to work, all the retail establishments and restaurants have to close, no more Falcons and Hawks? PUHLEASE! That’s the benefit of living in a populous and economically diverse metropolitan area. There have been many corporate gains (Rubbermaid) and expansions while the woe-is-me losses were occurring. Surely, there is a benefit to maintaining large corporate headquarters, but you don’t throw in the towel when one or more of them is no longer present. Save the drama (or move) ——>

By DH

November 15, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Go away US Air and let Delta get back to business! I believe the merger will destroy more than it will benefit. The Delta employees have sacraficed and are on the road to creating a successful airline. With a company purchasing Delta - ALL will be lost, benefits will lessen, and more employees WILL lose jobs - Atlanta won’t be the same.
Good Luck Delta - Fight ‘em off and maintain your course as independently.

By Mike Todd

November 15, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

I think that Delta and US Airways shouldn’t merge. Delta should look for help another way. I’m sure there might be another way to help Delta get out of the trouble they are in right now. The CEO of Delta needs to investigate all options before merging with US Airways. Try a different path. Delta is Atlanta and that’s what people think of when they come to the city of Atlanta, DELTA, DELTA DELTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Steve

November 15, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

This is an attempt to get the creditors to force THEFT! via the court, nothing more.

America West is a discount line, and they are turning a poor mainline airline, US Airways into the same.

It will take two more years for AW to integrate US Air schedule / routes. They are still using a different reservation system for the two halves, and Delta uses a third.

Delta is a Boeing airline, and the rogues from Tempe are buying the goverment subsidized crap which Airbus puts out.

With the overlap of markets, places like Montgomery would basically have one airline.

Charlottes hub would become like St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, and Nashville have.

Salary expense would actually go up $90m due to paying the higher scale among the two to appease the unions.

How is this turkey going to fly?

By Dawg

November 15, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

This is a bad idea. US Air is the joke of the industry. They are looking to mine Delta’s prime assets while we are in bankruptcy. They do and will not ever have the mass to really compete, unless we sell out. Gerry, how do you spell honor? You have made big promises before and broken them. So what will it be this time??

By nandi

November 15, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

Mike Todd wrote: Delta is Atlanta and that’s what people think of when they come to the city of Atlanta, DELTA, DELTA DELTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, people who visit me must’ve missed the memo.

By Michael E. Williams

November 15, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

As a former America West frequent flyer, I can tell you (all Delta employees, management, passengers and shareholders) this would not be a good thing for Delta.

US Air and America West merged well over a year ago and they STILL have separate, disparate systems. For example, lets say you have a ATL to LAX flight that connects thru Phoenix. That is considered an “old America West” flight, but your ticket and the website and everything about it says US Air. You need to make a change so you call the 1-800 number on the ticket and reach the US Air call center (in the Philipines!). After waiting on hold for 20 minutes, you get to a rep who makes you repeat everything you just punched in on your touch tone phone…then she says that since thats “an old America West ticket” she needs to transfer your call to the “America West call center” in Las Vegas. Then, if you dont get dropped in the transcontinental phone call, you wait another 20 mins for someone to pick up. Also, I’ve noticed that they still have separate check ins at the airport depending on what city you are going to.

**FOR GOD’S SAKE US AIR, WHY DONT YOU PROPERLY INTEGRATE AMERICA WEST INTO YOUR OPERATIONS BEFORE YOU START UP ON ANOTHER BUYING SPREE WITH DELTA? IF YOU DONT, IT WILL BE MASS CHAOS AND THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL BENEFIT ARE UNITED OR AMERICAN (BECAUSE ALL DELTA PASSENGERS WILL GET FED UP WITH HOW YOU RUN THINGS)

By CH

November 15, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

Delta must do all possible to resist this merger. It has done quite enough to its employees over the last few years. To join it to a company that has shown even less compassion, not to mention the fact that their business practices are less than desired is ludicrious. If Mr. Grinstein goes along with this, he truly had no real concern for Delta, and was only in it to destroy our beloved company. It’s time we stand up for something in this country. It can not be that only 2 or three airlines survive. If US Air has extra money, let them pay their remaining employees. Give them additional benefits…a bonus. Show them some real loyality instead of trying to grow bigger. No one will win with this merger except the lawyers, bankers and financial managers.

By Ed

November 15, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

I started calling US Air Chaos Air after flying them years ago and vowed never to do so again. I think it would be awful for Delta and its customers from a customer service perspective.

Possible good news: maybe Southwest will put in a better competing bid! I’d fly them anytime!

By KB

November 15, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

Living on the Georgia/Tennessee line, I used to fly Delta a lot of of ATL. But with Southwest flying from Nashville at half the cost and twice the customer service, I now make the drive there to fly. I gave up on Delta a long time ago. Outrageous airfares still couldn’t keep them out of bankruptcy.

That being said, I can’t imagine a USAirways/Delta merger. What a mess that would be. Incompatible work rules with incompatible fleets.

My hunch is this will never come to pass, anyway.

By DaveF

November 15, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

I am a long-time Delta flyer and Medallion level flyer who currently lives in Charlotte, let me say this - I hope this does not occur. I will almost always fly Delta, even with a transfer in Atlanta, to avoid flying USAir. USAir’s technology is non-existent, their staff is consistently rude and their equipment is always dirty. Delta is far from the airline we all remember in the past, and far from perfect. However, when compared to what USAir has to offer, Delta excels in every area. What keeps me coming back to Delta are the employees – keep going the extra mile for your customers and you will continue to win back passengers!

By nb

November 15, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

I thought when people thought of Atlanta they thought of Coke? Is it me or are airline employees the biggest bunch of babies on the planet? Atlanta will be OK in the long run.

By Derek

November 15, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

I’ve been thru this before. I used to work for Piedmont Airlines.

USAir bought Piedmont in 1989, and ruined a once proud airline.

Piedmont had a stellar reputation. They modeled themselves after Delta. USAir came in and discounted everything that was positive about Piedmont. The trashed out operating system, and everything that had once made us great. They Trashed our networks, our route structure and if it was good, it was gone. And they promptly lost 2 billion dollars and have been on a downhill slide ever since …

Of course, USAirways has had a slew of CEO’s ever since. Their revolving door of Head Honcho’s probably doesn’t even know the history of that airline. They’ve had so many people at the helm, they probably couldn’t even tell you who Empire Airlines Was … Much Less PSA …

This is Not Good … Make No Mistake.

This is Not Good …

By T. Hall

November 15, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

For all the disrespect that DL has dished out to US; here’s payback.

By Derek

November 15, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

USAirways has had dozens of union actions over the years that are public relations nightmares …

When USAir bought Piedmont, USAir had several unionized stations. The smart southern boys at Piedmont voted the union out …

Well, the union response was to trash service.

There have been many documented events by the unions at USAir that should make Delta Management think twice about this …

If there was a holiday season approaching, and union grievences were on the table, USAirways Unions ruined 1,000’s of peoples holidays for their own petty issues …

During Countless Holiday Seasons Over the Last 15 Years, USAir/ways Unions have:

Walked off the job, leaving only a small amount of management to unload airplanes … I don’t mean a strike, I mean just leaving the job. Going home during shift.

Hundreds of flights at PHL left sitting at the gate with no one to unload flights … Airplanes flying around all day with the mornings bags in the hold.

Several Times over the years, 1,000’s of bags have been found all over airports, just Pilled High . . . Especially at PIT … Union Ramp Workers unloading flights, and taking bags to far end reaches of the airport, and just dumping thousands of bags, piled high …

That is a common union response during holidays that the union likes to do … Many Times over this is the way they act on Union Grievances …

I’ve heard of large wide-bodied aircraft containers full of bags and cargo found floating in the Delaware River …

Large Scale Theft and Pilferage Rings Associated with USAirways, too …

This is not good for Delta …

Make No Mistake … This is Not Good …

USAirways Has a Horrible Reputation …

This is Not Good for Delta, or Atlanta …

By TT

November 15, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

To the Optimist comment….you are obviously not a student of history to understand the underpinnings of what is happening in Atlanta.

First, the explosion of Atlanta as an economic powerhouse was due to the original breakup of AT&T in the mid 80s. The creation of companies like Bell South, AT&T, Lucent, Qwest, Verison, etc., is what lead to the current incarnation of Atlanta!!!!

Why?

Because the initial breakup of AT&T lead to a huge explosion of economic investments across all sectors of telecommunications and Atlanta directly benefitted from this investment. This, in addition to the creation and explosion of wireless and the subsequent creation of companies like Cingular are a direct result of these kinds of forward looking investments.

Next, second and third tier suppliers and vendors sprang up around these new corporate entities. More and more companies came being and into Atlanta as a result of this initial breakup. Thus, as a result of the breakup of AT&T, Atlanta not only became the nation’s largest telecommunications employer, but was also the second largest IT employer in the nation as well.

Even Delta took advantage of opportunities when they became available to them in the early 1990s.

Delta directly benefitted from both the Eastern and Pan Am bankruptcies…as in Delta bought the profitable national and international routes of both when they went under, which lead to its rapid expansion.

And yet, you are comparing this kind of expansion and investment with RUBBERMAID???????

Sir or Madam, it is this type of short term thinking and willful blindness that is creating the problems that Atlanta and our nation is facing.

Being an optimist is not enough anymore.

You have to take a long term look at economic realities in order to learn from them and unfortunately, this is severely lacking in terms of current leadership from both a corporate and political perspective.

There is an old saying, you must spend money in order to make money and both Bell South and SBC spent billions in order to create Cingular. That was an extremely wise investment and Atlanta directly benefitted from its creation.

Now, with the telecommunications industry collapsing within itself….what is going to change?????

After the AT&T breakup there were ten multi-billion dollar telecommunications entities across the nation and that is now down to three and it will soon be two once Qwest convinces either AT&T and/or Verison to buy it as well.

Where did all these jobs go???????

What will follow in its place?????

RUBBERMAID???????

But hooray, now you have RUBBERMAID!!!!!!!!

Good to know…….and speaking of Rubbermaid, you do know that when they moved to Atlanta, they also shipped out their entire manufacturing apparatus out of the country as well!!!!!

Thus, Rubbermaid use to employ more than 5,000 workers where they were previously located and when they moved to Atlanta, did they also create 5,000 more jobs???????

The same thing will now happen in the aviation industry as well. Delta was smart and took advantage in the early 1990s. Hartsfield grew as a hub……and now, well, make your own value judgments.

On the other hand, airlines like Southwest began to succeed because they studied the marketplace and did “smart” investment and expansion.

Delta failed because it did anything but that!!!!!!!!

How???? Well, here is one example. Southwest went into areas no one else were expanding in, then put a cap on the price of tickets (especially in terms of business travel)…..when 9/11 hit, Delta was slow to respond. Its bread and butter was the overnight, overpriced business traveler, but when the recession hit, it was slow in terms of adjusting its pricing, thus allowing airlines like Southwest to grow.

This is just one example of a lack of foresight……….there are many others.

This will also not be the last merger announcement coming out of the aviation industry. More will follow. Economic pundits will tell you how good this is for the industry, but only if the new entity is located in your hometown.

Believe what you want…..but this is the reality and the sooner you accept it, the sooner things will change. Continue to deny and things will inevitably catch up with you.

By rw

November 15, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

Delta - hang in there and please stay away from US Airways!! I know there are those who disagree, but I’ve had a good experience with Delta while I’ve lived in Atlanta. I’ve seen US Air treat customers like dirt and lose bags way too often.

By MARSHA

November 15, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

ABSOLUTELY NOT! NO WAY

By Rick

November 15, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

YES, the pillows are gone, seats are uncomfortable, and as a frequesnt flyer, we have no perks anymore, for being loyal. Flights are always late, its become the low service taxi of the sky. I have been loay for years, but Delta does not appreciate the frequent flyers. GO US AIR.

By MM

November 15, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

Hey turn turn turn….you say Delta doesn’t care about customers? What? You paid for the cheapest ticket and then got mad when they didn’t upgrade you for free?

By US#1

November 15, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

For all y’all screaming about how Delta should not agree to this, well, sorry. Delta is in bankruptcy. The judge holds all the cards while airline management and employees hold NONE. Got a problem with it, tell the court and Delta’s creditors who want nothing but there money.

By RoswellDave

November 15, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

Just can’t believe this will ever fly. US Airways has way too much baggage to do a deal this big.

By M1a65

November 15, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

With Delta gone everyone can fly the Gray Hounds of the sky “Air-Tran”. When you pay 39.95 for a flight you get treated like cattle. It’ll be nightmare price wise too, the fares are only low now due to the competive nature of the business with two rivals. I for one wouldn’t feel safe flying Air-Tran/Value-Jet after they put a jet into the swamp with all aboard. At least with Delta’s maintenance their familys fly the same planes and I’m sure they do their best unlike the budget carriers who outsource all their work.

By Rick

November 15, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

YES, the pillows are gone, seats are uncomfortable, and as a frequesnt flyer, we have no perks anymore, for being loyal. Flights are always late, its become the low service taxi of the sky. I have been loay for years, but Delta does not appreciate the frequent flyers. GO US AIR.

By Jp

November 15, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Do you think the managers really care if Delta survives? It is all about what ever puts the most cash in management’s hands… Grinstein — “You want to give me a multimillion dollar parachute? No thank you I am afraid of money…” Please….

By Betty From Pittsburgh

November 15, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

Oh, US Airways isn’t THAT bad. Go ahead, tear ‘em down to make bankrupt Delta look so much better. Go ahead, because “Frankly, we don’t give a damn.”

By Bernie

November 15, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Clark Howard’s fondest dream will now become a reality. The airline Atlanta loves to hate will disappear when USAirways ships the whole kit and caboodle off to Charlotte or Phoenix or wherever.

The good burghers of Atlanta will wake up some morning and say “wot hoppened?!” when they discover that without Delta and its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson their town is just another Southern backwater. No more nonstops to every major city in Europe, or do you think AirTran/Valujet (which is an Orlando based company) will jump in to fill the void?

By Carol

November 15, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

As a native Atlantan who now lives in Florida, I have flown Delta for many, many years and for the most part have been very pleased with the service, pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, etc. I do not think that a merger with US Airways or any other airlines is in the best interests of Delta, the people of Atlanta, or the flying public. WE BELIEVE IN YOU DELTA! KEEP ATLANTA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD FLYING AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE! Carol Dunaway

By Bernie

November 15, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

By the way, I live in the Seattle area and have driven by Grinstein’s house. Believe me, he ain’t hurting.

By JSC

November 15, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

USAir would best be served to clean up its own house before thinking about acquiring Delta. I suppose Delta’s positive profit margin this last quarter alerted the defunct USAir to make a move. What a SHAM!!!! Delta - keep it going for Atlanta.

By Fly Girl

November 15, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

EVERYONE should read TT’s very articulate blog @1:24pm today 11/15. He is right on! This merger would be such a mistake. The overwhelming majority of bloggers who must fly USAir attest to the pitiful service they provide. USAir hasn’t even begun to solve the mess involved with the America West merger let alone take on Delta.

It’s funny, CNN & the AJC rarely give Delta, the hometown airline, any credit. I can’t wait to see the front page of the paper tomorrow… OH MY GAWD! WHAT IF DELTA LEAVES ATLANTA!!! WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN!!! Well Atlanta, you need to step up & realize Delta has done a lot for this city. We sponsor the ATL Falcons, the Braves, the Thrashers, The Fox Theater, High Museum & countless local charities. I highly doubt we would have gotten the 1996 Olympics had it not been for Delta, your global down home airline!

We need Delta to remain right here in Atlanta!

By JP

November 15, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Hey Amy Lynn: Hope you enjoy the food over there…LOSER! It’s your choice and probably your lifestyle that drove you over there in the first place. Live within your means and maybe you could have survived on a pilot’s salary. Last I checked, 100k (to be conservative) per year salary would make 90% of the remaining Delta employees pretty happy. So stop crying already!

By K.Schulz

November 15, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Delta Management as always takes care of its ugly self…I beleive they knowningly misled the court,the pilots and every one of the people who made Delta the GREAT company it was… Corporate GREED will finish off a very GREAT company….wonder how much Management expects to STEAL from its employees this time????

By T. Hall

November 15, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

The new airline should be called US Airways. For 8 BILLION dollars…why should it be DELTA????

By aa

November 15, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

I think Delta should take the deal..Hell its not the first time they filed BKO… the big boss is greedy

By Renee

November 15, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this

The upcoming merger will facilitate U.S. Airways’ magnificent employee diversity program in many ways. The minority inclusion program will significantly raise ethnic emploee numbers across all job categories for current and future airline employees. Yeah!!

By USC

November 15, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Delta should most definitely resist this bid. I flew US Airways for the first time in September and it was a disaster! I ultimately had to get on Delta flight just to get home.

By WorldTraveler

November 15, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Delta has no hope of becoming profitable long term. This is the best thing to happen to them.

By Mike Hunt

November 15, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Here we go again. The Delta execs are currenty packing there “golden parachutes” for a multi-million dollar payout once Delta comes out of bankruptcy and is merged/aquired with/by UsAirway. Don’t believe for a minute that a merger is not being seriously considered. Good by to Atlanta being the headquarters once this is over unless the state of GA kicks in some “Kia Plant” like incentives for them to stay.

Mike Hunt

By Lee

November 15, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

Delta please say no to US Scareways. As a Delta Frequent Flyer and business traveler. I have had the displeasure of flying on US Scareways a couple of times. They were the second worst airlines I have flown, but since the bought the worst America Worst they are now the worst airlines I have flown. Everyone don’t assume that ATL will continue to be a Hub if the deal goes through. When attempting to book flights where do all of US Scareways flights connect through? Charlotte, NC. Where did all of America Worsts flights connect through? Phoenix, AZ. There is nothing that says that if the deal goes through, a flight to the west coast would look like this Atlanta to Charlotte to Phoenix to Los Angeles. Instead of a direct Atlanta to Los Angeles. 8 to 10 hours instead of 4 to 5 hours.

I will always remember a travel story a co-worker had while taking a personal trip to Phoenix on America Worst. Because of a problem with something on the airplane, they left Atlanta flying at 10,000 feet and that was the maximum altitude they could fly. It took them twice as long to get there. Now US Scareways owns America Worst.

Again, Delta do not let this happen.

By Mrs. M

November 15, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

I cannot imagine how U.S. Airlines even thinks it’s in Delta’s league! It understaffs it’s flights with disgruntled unhappy overworked crew members, meaning no service! It’s jets are filthy and grungy.Schedules are deplorable. NO ONE flys US Air by choice. Atlantans had better rally together to stop any hostile takeover of Delta. Jobs including the services that support the airport and Delta (ie hotels, restaurants, real estate, and other related indurstries) will be lost. Atlantans will be left with a scuzzy nasty airline, US Air. Do your homework befor you start singing the praises of this BAD IDEA!

By Joe Flier

November 15, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Could someone give me feedback on the retired pilot benefits if his buyout is successful?

By Stan

November 15, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

I fly an average of 6000 miles a month with Delta, if US Air takes over Delta, I will change my air travel to American Airlines. And I wonder how many other customers will… So be careful US Air on the profits you predict……and shareholders employees becareful of your jobs. NO CUSTOMERS equals NO MONEY….FEW CUSTOMERS equals NO PROFITS..US AIR…

By TLW

November 15, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Does USAirways even know where Atlanta is? If you look at their service and operation in the D-Concourse of ATL you’d think not! Go away and stay away!!!!

By DeltaBob

November 15, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

I like the plugs for the unions, boy they are so great. Let’s ask some of the TWA F/A’s and Pilots just how great the union is for saving jobs. Oh, that’s right, there are no more TWA F/A’s at American. They were all let go. Only a few pilots left too. If you do any research, I think you will find that your union officials are much more corrupt than most CEO’s

By Ozzie

November 15, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

Useless Air Will I still get upgraded

By TLW

November 15, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this

I’m a former Pittsburgher and a former Pan Amer. I love to fly and it shows. Please don’t destroy the airline that kept me alive. I love my Delta family. I love my home in Atlanta and my life. Stay away, far away! We’re better off without the worst of the worst coming along trying to destroy our loyal customer base, our service structure and the spirit of Delta. Leave us be. vie /

By Chris

November 15, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

To all of you who say that USAirways ruined Piedmont and PSA and that they will now ruin Delta: are you even aware that the “new” USAirways is much more America West than USAirways? The executives and board members of America West became in control of USAirways. So unless America West ever ruined Piedmont, you have no argument there.

Also, ATL will still remain a giant hub under the new airline. Yes, corporate jobs might go, but there will still be plenty to do at the airport. USAirways has almost no flights in Atlanta, they aren’t going to slice Delta’s operations there significantly.

By mate

November 15, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Hollis—Come home! (PLEASE!!!)

By JC

November 15, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

No way is this a good idea. Go away US Air, leave Delta alone!

By Prootwadl

November 15, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this

A merger will be painful.

I worked at NWA for ten years just after the merger between NWA and Republic (a smaller airline), and it took several years before the pilot and flight dispatcher seniority and bidding lists were merged together completely.

Not only that, but NWA and Republic were different operationally and the two IT departments were very different in both philosophy and the platforms they used. Those took a LONG time to get integrated.

A US/DL merger might be a doable thing, but it’ll be a very painful process…

By Colin

November 15, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

I like the fact that USAir is purchasing Delta, my wife has been with USAir when they were PSA which is more then 20 yrs ago, then America West & now Delta; I have more options.

By Fly Delta Jets

November 15, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Southwest is in charge of USAir. USAir filed for bankruptcy and then came out of bankruptcy then went back under. That shows their management style. where would they get the money to buy us? come on. and Southwest being in charge of USAir means they will kill the ATL hub. they will rob all of us Atlantan of Delta. Southwest’s strongarm tactics will not work. It will be a doom day if USAir merger ever goes thru. that means ATL will lose the busiest airport status. WHY? Southwest will relocate DAL’s assess to the west and leave us all with a regional airport. That’s why! say NO to Southwest.

By Teresa C

November 15, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

are you kidding, look at USAir and America West, they don’t even help each others customers. They don’t even like each other. That was a terrible merger, can you imagine putting another carrier in the middle, god help us all. Please Delta, keep them away.

By franne

November 15, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Delta Airlines has always been the gentle giant of the skies. Shame on such thoughts!!! It would not be a marriage made in heaven. With the hearts and souls of the Delta employees in mind….please think of another way to reorganize. What may look good on paper may not be best in reality!!!

By CJ

November 15, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

In addition to being bad for Atlanta and bad for Delta employees, such a merger would be bad for consumers because of the resulting loss of competition. The U.S. Department of Justice needs to put the kabosh on this bid (such a merger is illegal under anti-trust laws). Unfortunately, Justice never puts the kabosh on any illegal mergers. There’s no reason to think it will be any different this time.

By tbird

November 15, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

For the sake of conversation, let’s assume that US Airways does manage to pull off this thing. Why would they abandon or signicantly reduce operations Atlanta? Consolidate headquarters in AZ perhaps, but close the ATL hub? Doesn’t make sense. Charlotte will be the one to suffer (in a manner of speaking). I can’t imagine that the “New” Delta would require 2 huge hubs (ATL currently with 1000 Delta departures/day, CLT currently with 520 US departures/day) within 250 miles of each other. ATL will surely win that one. On the other hand, maybe Charlotte, by no longer being a fortress hub, can finally get some decent fares.

As far as the level of “service” is concerned, ALL of the domestic carriers can and will offer up dirty planes, lost luggage, screwed schedules, etc. It just varies from month to month as to which is the worst. It’s almost like taking the “Hound”.

By MaryAnn

November 15, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

Yahoo Hopefully the Atlanta Pilots who do absolutely nothing(those that fly 5 days a month and make 200,000 K) will lose their jobs and find real work. Now that would be funny!!!

By HBTD1966

November 15, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

No No No Delta should fight this takeover with everything they’ve got.

By crashandburn

November 15, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

Delta rolled nose down long ago. COme on Atl, you know this!

By 767 FO

November 15, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

Pilots do not make 200K unless they are management………DO your research IDIOT.

WE make 60-100K

By Eagle1

November 15, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

from the Atl Bus Chronicle, it costs nearly twice as much per take off and landing, for Delta to operate out of Hartsfield as it does for UsAir to operate out of Charlotte-Douglas.As far as hubs go, it would be financial suicide for Delta to shut down Charlotte and keep Hartsfield at those premium costs.

By BW

November 15, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure if this would be a good move or not. Regarding Piedmont Airlines, I was working for USAir (name then) when PA was aquired. Hostile takeover? If by us having to adopt many of THEIR ticketing, reservations, colors, other policies and procedures & benefit plans, then I guess it was hostile to the bone. Also, PA conveniently upgraded many part timers before the merger so that they would be senior to many of USAir’s people!

Regarding moving to AZ, I doubt that the new company would move all the flights out of ATL as one comment suggested.

By Sandy

November 15, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

Hostile bid says it all. Atlanta will lose a major Corporation and its tax basis. The employees of Delta (past & present) will take it in the shorts (again). Besides the DOJ will probably not let it happen… This merger will command about 25 % market share and American Air Lines will be #2 with about 16% market share. Just think about all the consequences. Should not happen.

By m14

November 15, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this

This would be a disaster, not only for Atlanta, but for the new airline. They don’t have the same types of planes and U.S. Airways routes are horrible, especially internationally. To all of the Delta haters in ATL….I hope you enjoyed being able to go to the airport and go anywhere from Tokyo to Johannesburg to nearly every major city in Europe directly because it won’t happen now. Atlanta will no longer be a major player as a city. You probably won’t even be able to go somewhere like San Fran direct, you will have to go through PHX first. U.S. Airways is the bottom of the barrel….Continental and United would be much better options.

By Fly Girl

November 15, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Dear MaryAnn, Delta pilots work 5 days a month & make $200k? I’m sorry dear but you need your little airhead examined! There is no airline on the face of the earth that could exist paying pilots like that. Please don’t post unless you get can say something intelligent.

By Bill

November 15, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

To those bold thinkers saying that US Air is a new airline with the America West Execs… Why do I still see that turd of a paint job with US Air. It should have been America West’s logo if this truly a fracture from the management idiots that ran US Turd ..oh I mean Air.

By Delta Liver

November 15, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

I have almost sixteen years of my life invested in DAL. It would kill me to work for US Sacreways - one of the worst carriers in the country.

By Markus

November 15, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

MaryAnn-

“Hopefully the Atlanta Pilots who do absolutely nothing(those that fly 5 days a month and make 200,000 K) will lose their jobs and find real work. Now that would be funny!!!”

You sound just like a whineyassed bedwetting liberal who gets upset that others make more money than you.

Tell ya what sister, let’s get your know-it-all fat@ss in the cockpit on a day like today and see if you can land that 767. MORON!

By Claire

November 15, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Please…Delta’s greedy exec’s are just waiting on the right price. The only things they have ever protected are their own salaries, benefits and retirement packages. Don’t fool yourselves, they will only fight until their severance packages are nice and fat. There is no such thing as loyality in corporate America.

By James Lee

November 15, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

to resist is futile

By Fly Girl

November 15, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

M14 is so right…Atlantans better hope & pray that Delta stays a stand-alone carrier. All those non-stop flights may be a thing of the past & then you’ll wish old Delta was still around to slam.

By 767 FO

November 15, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this

Right on Markus!!!!!!

By JC

November 15, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

Lets quit fooling the public US Airways…your interests are not in the employees or creditors best interest. Delta is finally back to profitability and things are looking great for the future. To all of you think that they will leave Atlanta as a hub…FORGET IT! As an employee of the airline I will be the first to say, we will not go anywhere without a fight!

By TT

November 15, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

First, there is no real incentive on the part of Delta’s braintrust to fight this merger or any merger on some levels. Why?

Simple, Delta’s closing stock price today at closing was worth $1.52. Yes, a whole $1.52 a share.

Their credit rating is in the toilet and even if they emerged from bankruptcy, well, lets just say you have to hope that the braintrust really has a long term plan in place to ensure its survival.

And if I was a betting man, I would not bet on that!!!!

And US Airways closing stock price. Their stock was worth $59.46 a share at closing. Of course, since its hostile bid announcement, their stock has gone up almost 17%, but even before the announcement, its stock was still worth far more than Delta’s.

So, you may ask how a company that has emerged out of bankruptcy twice in the last five years can buy a company much larger than itself. Well, in terms of Wall Street, US Airways value is actually worth far more than Delta’s!!!!!!!

Thus, it will find the financing from someone. If not Citicorp, then someone else.

The question is will Delta’s shareholders and the bankruptcy court agree to the bid and that remains to be seen.

Either way, they can and will get the financing……..

Next, will this bid lead to bids from other possible competitors? Will Continental, United, Southwest and others join in the fun?

That is possible and probably likely….and why? Because Delta’s parts are still worth much more than the sum of its whole to itself and other airlines.

There is one other thing to consider - before this announcement US Airways has been buying up Delta’s debt (Note: They have been doing this quietly for at least the last few months, if not, longer), thus becoming one of the many debtors and if US Airways continues to buy the debt of Delta, well, it will become its biggest debtor and will have greater influence in terms of the bankruptcy court (as in we have made a fair offer, they owe us big time, blah, blah, blah).

Thus, the real question becomes not if, but probably when will Delta pull the trigger. As in which bid (assuming there are multiple ones) would Delta consider accepting?

Yes, it is quite possible that Delta will accept an offer from a competitor. Next, assuming it does, what will happen?

Hartsfield will still be a major hub. Thus, in terms of airport activity and traffic, things may end up being somewhat unaffected. Air Tran will also probably want to expand its presense in Hartsfield (and they have been wanting to do this for years).

Thus, in terms of the airport itself, things may actually remain the same, but its Delta’s extended presense in Atlanta that is at issue. There, no matter who they may end up merging with, well, there is no simple way to put this, there will be no more corporate presense in Atlanta.

That will disappear. Yes, if Delta merges with US Airways, everything will be merged with the Tempe Headquarters. If it is Continental and so on……

What will happen? Well, assuming they do merge with US Airways or someone else….one poster did mention anti-trust issues. Yes, if Delta and US Airways merge, it will become the largest airline. On the other hand, there is still a great deal of competition……..well, at least in the eyes of Bush’s SEC and Justice Department….after all, there are far more serious anti-trust issues at stake with the Bell South/AT&T merger than there is with a merger between Delta and US Airways and if they are not fighting that merger, well, do not expect them to fight any mergers period!!!!!!!

What will happen?????

Who knows….this I can say……I do feel for all the employees of Delta, its retirees, it subsidiaries, etc……you guys have been put through hell over the last five years and I am certain that no one within the upper echelon gives a damn.

My heart goes out to you.

Lets hope things turn out OK……..one way or the other……..

By Wayne

November 15, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

I am a Delta employee with a few points- 1. Delta has no choice in this-US Air made the offer and is talking to the creditors, not Delta. It will be a hostile takeover. 2. Anyone paying attention could see this (or another similar situation) coming a mile away. The company was being positioned for a merger or sale. 3. Don’t believe anything Delta or Grinstein says. He probably forgot to take his Geritol today. 4. Us Air (or someone else) are not going to “go away”.

By joseph

November 15, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

If USAir does to Atlanta what they did to Pittsburgh….WATCH OUT! This is a horrible deal for Atlanta.

By Peggy

November 15, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this

Delta, Coke, SunTrust Bank, GA Pacific……just to name a few…I don’t know what happened…greed I guess…..your employees treat their customers the way they are treated…thus the problem with all that Atlanta has represented…I laugh when I read these corporations logo like “seeing beyond money” right….

By SAJ

November 15, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FINANCING DELTA, YOU ALL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO FAR UP YOUR DELUSIONAL REAR ENDS, WHICH COULD BE THE REASON YOUR IN THE POSITION IN THE FIRST PLACE! IT CERTAINLY SEEMS THAT US AIRWAYS HAS WALL STREET’S REPECT WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCING - AT LEAST THEY ARE LETTING YOU KEEP YOUR NAME! WHICH IS MORE THAN YOU DID FOR PAN AM.

By Fly Delta Jets

November 15, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

You guys know who Doug Parker is? He is one of the exec. who drove Northwest to the ground and moved on to America West. They will take a way an ATLANTA’s landmark to AZ. Atlanta, Saxby, Johnny Isaakson, do something.

and to MaryAnn-

“Hopefully the Atlanta Pilots who do absolutely nothing(those that fly 5 days a month and make 200,000 K) will lose their jobs and find real work. Now that would be funny!!!”

You are such a bone head. Do you understand the responsiblities of a pilot? A mistake can cost 200 people’s life! A minor mistake that will tumble down the AC can kill a lot of people. DO YOU WANT to get a job that required a lot of responsibilites and get underpaid?? Get a life. You don’t have any idea what a real job is. A pilot’s responsibilities are a lot more than you think. They have to have a clean bill of health all the time. can’t be obese; right now you prob. are munching on doritos and watching TV and getting paid nothing.

SO my advice is if you have a job that requires delicately handling a 70 tons piece of metal to go airborne with a group of people and get paid less than $100K, go critize DAL pilots. otherwise shut your pie hole.

By DAL

November 15, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

By SAJ

November 15, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FINANCING DELTA, YOU ALL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO FAR UP YOUR DELUSIONAL REAR ENDS, WHICH COULD BE THE REASON YOUR IN THE POSITION IN THE FIRST PLACE! IT CERTAINLY SEEMS THAT US AIRWAYS HAS WALL STREET’S REPECT WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCING - AT LEAST THEY ARE LETTING YOU KEEP YOUR NAME! WHICH IS MORE THAN YOU DID FOR PAN AM.

Son, don’t get your panties in a wad. Do you know how to type? take the cap off, sonny. Your momma is here telling me that your ride the short bus.

By Gary

November 15, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

In the 40’s air travel was for the rich,now almost anyone can afford to fly anywhere anytime, I personally would never chose Delta to fly anywhere. Delta lacks the professionalism of their competitors on every level. TransWorldAirways were my best flying experiences and the military my worst, for anyone ever flown a MAT. US Airways is representative of having the new generation values.

By ATL PATRON

November 15, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

As a loyal Delta flyer and shareholder I agree with ‘DL’ ……GO AWAY!!!!!!!

By L Carl

November 15, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

I can see it now! US Air takes over for 8 billion, then itself goes under! Can’t happen? It has before!

By Sam

November 15, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this

If you declare bankruptcy how are you going to stop the bank from taking your house? Putting up a fight? Does that sound logical?

You have 2 choices.

1. Quit
2. See what happens next

Maybe you should have taken a page out of the UAL playbook where all the management and labor groups worked together to emerge as a better carrier than before. How many more airlines must go bankrupt before organized labor will begin to make the airline industry look like the auto industry?

Oh yeah, we are already there.

By charleyhorse

November 15, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this

As a native Atlantian I called Delta my airline until their mismanagement and high price structures caused me to switch to Air Tran. But Delta is my first choice for long distance flights because of their planes, though they maybe outdated. Atlanta is Delta and Delta is Atlanta hang in there and do not sell to US Scareways!!!

By Johnny Reb

November 15, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

the yankees are coming again.

By mt

November 15, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

Hey Wayne, If you are a Delta employee and you don’t beleive in the Delta management.. Get anther job!! They all could definitly work at any company of their choosing but they are at Delta because they want to be here.. No one controls your future but you so if you question the skill set and integrity of Delta’s current management team and you don’t beleive in their plan to emerge a stronger better company then BYE BYE!!

By Orville Wright

November 15, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this

I hope most of the more intelligent readers here realize that the majority of the negative to insulting comments being made about Delta, Atlanta’s real hometown airline, are from envious and uneducated AirTran employees (scabs)who would love nothing more than to see Delta’s demise. Personally, I hope Delta kicks the living -a- out of Airtran and sends them back to their ValueJet roots in Florida.

By Sam

November 15, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

By johnny cruisebone

US Air has one of the oldest fleets in the industry

Not true…

Carrier Avg. Age # in fleet

America West 11.9 108 US Airways 10.4 248 Delta 13.1 434

Source: AirSafe.com

By aviator

November 15, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this

First off, stop bashing pilots. They have most definately paid thier dues. Try having a pilots sked. Never being home, working for peanuts while coming up the ranks and when they finally get what they deserve, it’s slashed. Pilots are on duty 2/3 more time than they are paid for.

Second, instead of a global airline, this merger would result in another airline of the past. They haven’t had enough time with their current merger to even think about another one.

If a merger were to happen it would be a crying shame to call it Delta, I don’t think I could put that uniform on.

As far as customer service goes, everyone has had their good and bad experiences with each. We really need to realize what would be best long term.

By Keri

November 15, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

To USAIR/America West-LEAVE US THE ?/!!@#$ ALONE!! We want nothing to do with you! Don’t think for one minute that we could work harmoniuosly together. We are cut from a different cloth. Our loyalty,blood,sweat,and tears are with Delta-not any union or anything you have to offer. We are way on track to coming out of this experiece leaner, meaner, and better than ever!! We fought this fight and it does not belong to you! BACK OFF!!

By Dennis

November 15, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this

I find it interesting that an airline such as US Air who is still in the process of merging with America West would propose a hostile takeover of Delta Air Lines. Who are they kidding! Just ask the employees of TWA what happened to their jobs when AA bought their airline. The idea in reducing the overlapping routes can only mean that the Delta employees jobs will on the chopping block. I for one will be happy to tell the US Air CEO Doug Parker to take a hike into the deep dark abyss. I believe Delta has finally turned the corner to become the airline it was when I joined it in 1979. We can’t change the past, but the Delta employees can help chart the future. Let’s keep Delta as it is, standing on it’s own.

By Mike

November 15, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this

//Maybe you should have taken a page out of the UAL playbook where all the management and labor groups worked together to emerge as a better carrier than before. //

UA is in worse shape than Delta or NW, which is why they’re dying for consolidation. Also, Delta employees HAVE worked with management in a far more healthy way that has occurred elsewhere, especially USAir, United and NW.

Regarding pay scales and such:

Delta pilots already earn less than peers at AirTran, and they are negotiating a raise as we speak.

The whole airline industry is in play as a result of this hostile takeover attempt. See the industry stocks today? It may jumpstart consolidation. More likely, this will all fizzle out and Delta will emerge next year.

To the idiot who compared Delta employees’ future to TWA:

TWA was solvent, then was acquired as a bankrupt airline. Even if the deal goes the way US Air/ US Airways/ America West/ Piedmont/ PSA wants, it will occur after Delta emerges. Also, all three pilot groups are represented by ALPA which would make it difficult for any group to get TWA-ized by the oppressive existing group.

I’d believe UA/DL, CO/DL, or even NW/DL before US/DL happens. They are a desperate corporation overreaching.

By Julie

November 15, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this

I grew up here in Atlanta. My father was a Delta Captain - old school. I am now married to a Delta mechanic. This is our home where our friends/family/life/everything is. I do not want to move and neither do the mechanics. This may sound selfish but do not do this. Delta is pulling itself out of this bankruptcy. We do not need help from US.

By Dennis

November 15, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

I find hard to understand how CEO Doug Parker can propose such an idea. Take Delta’s brand name, some of Delta’s employees, facilities, routes and expect the rest of the world to say…. it’s ok? Remember what happened to TWA. Remember what happened to Eastern. The airlines who bought them promise many things to everyone and delivered devastation to the cities, employees, and customers, because no airline buyout has ever left everyone with that warm-fuzzy feeling. Frankly, Doug, you can take your offer and put it in dump- tank of your lavatory truck. I for one would like to tell the creditors who Delta owes so much they have a better chance to recover more dollars, than to take some cash and a promise of a stock shares for an unproven Airline CEO

By Delta Sunsweat

November 15, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

The takeover is a life saver for Delta. After years of mgmt literally sucking the life out of this company, there’s no much hope left. Leo Mullins and crew should be in jail instead of lounging on the sunny beaches of some exclusive island resort. Delta mgmt is the hallmark example of American corporate corruption at its worst. Service has been steadily declining and most Atlanta residents now choose AirTran over Delta. AirTran has become the hometown favorite. Should US Air pull the hub out of Atlanta, Air Tran would be all over those terminals. Go for it now before there’s nothing left of value.

By ramsey

November 15, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

Oh I will pray that it happens cause one, I will fly them again if necessary, and 2. These rude employees of Delta in Minneapolis would be fired! PLEASE PLEASE let it happen.

By MWWalker

November 15, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

Delta Has NO CHOICE, Remember the Management Have Little Power The Airline is in BANKRUPTCY,Remember the JUDGE in in Control With The CREDITOR’S. They Have Control of the Airline. MWW in Phx AZ, Sorry.

By George

November 15, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

I swear, if I read one more crack about overpaid Delta pilots, my head is going to explode. All the employees at Delta have lost a lot of money, many have lost their jobs. The pilots stepped up to the plate, taking a nearly 50% pay cut…but that wasn’t enough…they also, VOLUNTARILY, lost their entire pension! Delta pilots are now paid at about the middle of the pilot pay scale in this country…you know what pilots make a lot of money…the UPS pilots! Apparently, flying packages requires more money than flying people! The family of Delta employees have sacrificed much during this bankruptcy. Quit blaming them for the company’s problems and look to the previous rats who left the sinking ship, taking all the money with them!

By Jeff

November 15, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

I think it would be a great idea since all the upper management seems to want to do is cut retirement programs and benefits to all those loyal employees. A buyout would allow employees to keep their jobs and cut out the heavy laiden management which is the reason Delta is in this mess to start with… Also, Delta/America West should learn the lesson that you don’t offer guaranteed pay/stock options and benefits to CEO’s who fail to perform.

By USAirways_CLT

November 15, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

I’m a 20+ year employee of US Airways (was Piedmont before the merger) and the child of a 30+ year Delta retiree. The US Airways of today is not US AIR, the airline that ran Piedmont into the ground. Doug Parker is NOT Stephen Wolf, who along with his buddies, raped US Air for nothing but lining their own pockets. The leadership of Doug and his team is a breathe of fresh air from the years of abuse and stealing we’ve been subjected to by previous “management”. Delta employees, based on what I’ve heard and read, should pray for this merger to happen. Our merger with America West was the BEST thing to ever happen to our company. The only hub that should be worrying about it’s future is Charlotte because of it’s lack of local passenger boardings. ATL will NOT go away. This merger would make both our company’s stronger in the long run!

By Dan Roman

November 15, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this

I fly on USAirways at least 4 times per month and except for ATC related delays at Philadelphia, have nothing but good things to say about their service and personnel. Apparently, the Delta employees posting here, largely because of their arrogance, can’t come to grips with the fact that industry consolidation is inevitable and now they are “in play.” I watched USAirways CEO Doug Parker on CNBC today. The word he used to describe the offer for Delta was “compelling.” AT least if USAirways is successful the revered “Delta” name will still live. Go USAirways, keep that momentum and become the second largest airline in the world!

By PIT_BusBoy

November 15, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this

To George: 50% paycut! You’re lucky mine was 78% (paycut, downgrade, pension gone, lost vacation time) 22 years and I am still a first officer at US Airways. Let’s hope things get better for all of us.

By flyboy

November 15, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

With Grinstein’s track record of verbal and contractual lies, I can only assume this is probably a done deal, due to the way he keeps denying that it will happen. A perfect example is the infamous “bankruptcy protection letter” he gave pilots prior to filing. It stated that if pilots would give the company 1 billion dollars in pay cuts,even if the company filed for bankruptcy, he would not come after the pilot group for more pay cuts or their pension. The first decision after filing was to not pay into the pension plan, and the second decision was to file a motion to void the pilot contract and impose drastic pay cuts. What about the “bankruptcy protection letter” signed by Grinstein? No longer applies because we are now in bankruptcy said Grinstein. There is no honor among theives. This guy will only do what benefits him the most.

By michael ard

November 15, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the choice to remain a stand-alone, independent carrier may not be an option since creditors are certainly going to be putting pressure on the airline. This is about money, not people, people. Non-union Delta employees sign your union cards ASAP.

By Kurt

November 15, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

US Air means unions - unions are good only for the people that run them.There are good people at both airlines but US Air brings baggage Delta does not need - even in bankruptcy.

By coldcase

November 16, 2006 12:01 AM | Link to this

Ramsey: The rude Minneapolis employees were probably ex-PanAm.

Michael Ard and others with the same comments: What on earth does signing a union card have to do with a hostile takeover? It certainly won’t stop it and it won’t protect you. Maybe if you’re like me, you can use it as a fan when you have hot flashes.

By Barbara McFann

November 16, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this

By a Delta wife and mom

I hope the courts do not force a buyout by USAir. I do not think that it is in our best interest. We were once called the Delta Family. Maybe everyone is just an “employee” now. It has been a sad and difficult time, and it looks like there is more confusion to come. Delta was once a wonderful work place. What great memories! Thanks to all of you who keep the planes flying. Let’s hope they continue to fly with the Delta logo.

By D

November 16, 2006 01:01 AM | Link to this

I fly on Delta a few times a year to Honolulu direct from ATL. Does this mean I will no longer be able to do this?

By D

November 16, 2006 01:03 AM | Link to this

I fly Delta direct from ATL to Honolulu a few times a year. Does this mean I will no longer be able to do this if the merger goes through?

By beefman

November 16, 2006 01:54 AM | Link to this

Sounds like the CEO of USAir/AmWest has had his playbook fantasy in mind for quite some time and doesn’t like the two times Mr. G shot him down previously. Perhaps he should worry about quality service with his current mess, as well as the turmoil he has created right now blending the two other workforces. Delta will be out of bnkrpsy soon…and will fly high again. Battle cry folks…say it again….”Go away USAir…you really stink!!”

By Scott

November 16, 2006 01:59 AM | Link to this

Loyalties and history aside, from a world-wide perspective and a strictly financial perspective, this would be a good thing.

The industry is too big and that’s why we’ve seen bankruptcies from alrlines such as United (which has since emerged, the original US Airways and Northwest Airlines.

For decades airlines operated with huge expenses, then came deregulation and new low-cost entrants (most of which didn’t last).

That forever changed the industry and most of the old-line carriers never fully adapted.

So the problem is, we have too much capacity and that can’t continue. If it does, bankruptcies will continue. It just doesn’t make sense.

From that point of view, a USAirways-Delta merger would be a good thing. Their combined capacity up and down the East Coast is absurd. Many of those flight have to be losing money (at least those that fly at off-peak hours anyway).

From an emotional point of view, it’s something else. I was very sad when carriers with long histories such as Western, Eastern, PanAm, Braniff and TWA ceased to exist. In many cases these airlines had a number of “firsts” in their histories. Every time we’d lose one it was the equivilant of losing an old friend. A death in the family. Or from an even more historical perspective, it’s as if somebody bought the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty and completely changed them to something else.

A Delta-USAirways merger would be the same kind of thing. And to make matters worse would be a huge loss for Atlanta.

I can’t imagine much changes as far as operations are concerned and USAirways has said it would change it’s name to Delta. Nevertheless a headquarters move from Atlanta to Tempe (a suburb of Phoenix) would be a huge loss of prestige.

Not to mention “USAirways” is more America West than it is USAirways. And the Tempe headquarters didn’t even exist 20 years ago.

No, the merger would be a huge loss to the industry and to Atlanta, but otherwise it would be good for the consumer and stockholder.

I’m really hoping it doesn’t happen. I’d miss the original Delta and so would Atlanta.

By Justin

November 16, 2006 02:07 AM | Link to this

Like a lot of people this morning I was surprised too, reading about this proposal. I think the US Airways team might be getting ahead of themselves on this on, but if US Airways doesn’t at least float this idea to Delta’s creditors United, Continental, Northwest(long shot) will once these airlines are able to secure the financing. There are pros/cons to this merger of course. The “new” Delta through this deal who have a tremendous hub and spoke system on the eastcoast. Clear up the overlapping of routes and capacity issues at PHL,JFK,CLT,ATL,CVG,DCA,and PIT and this airlines domestically can really give Southwest a run for their money in the east and also be in a stronger position to handle them in the west. Cons, well…unions, reservation systems, mainline fleet and regional operations, maintnance bases this will be tricky as we know. Doug Parker and the America West management has done a pretty good job with the US Airways merger. Hopefully that will be a done deal by this spring. IMO, I think that everyone should take a breath continue traveling and wait and see what happens! Remember this is just a proposal, not a done deal!! Stay tuned!

By jw

November 16, 2006 02:49 AM | Link to this

Delta spirit and Delta “family” ceased to exist years ago. They flew away with one of those golden parachutes. America West has an incredible management team, and should definitely replace most of the utterly worthless employees at Delta HQ. I think the merger would be fantastic. Let’s go to Arizona!!!!!

By Juan

November 16, 2006 03:32 AM | Link to this

I think United(UAL) makes the best merger partner for Delta. United has the best HUB system (Chicago, DC, SF, LA, and Denver) of any US airlines. They could buy Delta keep ATL as the major South Eastern HUB and lower Cincy and SLC from HUBS status. United has very little in the Carribean and Delta has a large operation.

United is consider to have the best International network of any American airlines. They have a large Western Europe network. They just sold Delta some NYC to London route. They have the largest SouthEast Asian network($$$). They bought some of Pan Am’s China routes. They have flight to China from Chicago and SF. United may have a third HUB(DC) with flight to China before some airlines have their first flight.

I think Delta could help balance United. United is a “business” airlines. United along with American are the largest corporate customer airlines because of their networks. United was hurt the hardest after “911” because it made a far greater amount of its profit off business travel than any domestic airlines. When the business travel stopped and their network was not setup with large leasure routes (Carribean, Mexico, etc..) they paid the price.

The bad part for the city of Atlanta is the ATL HUB would probably not be the “most important” HUB because of the other large cities involved. As an example look at American Airlines and Dallas. American is based in Dallas and it is their largest HUB. Chicago is American’s second largest HUB but it gets all the “new” business flight. When American recently won the right to fly to China and India the flight are out of Chicago not Dallas. Currently ATL is the most importatnt HUB for Delta and probably would be for US Air.

By Rex

November 16, 2006 04:08 AM | Link to this

I think Delta should merge with Continental and Northwest. Those other two airlines have had a nice partnership for years, which they expanded to include Delta. Since they are headquartered in different locations (Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Houston), the overlapping flights would be fewer than with a USAir-Delta merger. They could keep most of the hubs (Detroit, Newark, Salt Lake City) and only get rid of perhaps Memphis. The new airline would cover just about every small- and medium-sized airport in the USA.

By DLusa

November 16, 2006 04:32 AM | Link to this

I am amazed at the “intelligence” exhibited in some of these posts. It reminds me of the Holiday Inn Express ads. I guess people think they are smarter because they are frequent flyers. Therefore they know exactly what it takes to run an airline; which carriers have what fleet types and how old they are; are experts on all other airlines companies and understand the complexities of hubs. And being an employee also equips you with all the skills to manage an airline in an unstable industry. Of course you know a better way to do it. And how about the really effective comments like, “US AIR go away.” (By the way, it has been US Airways for years.)

NONE of the airlines are what they used to be. Toss all the names into a hat, pull one out…it is exactly like the other with the exception of the paint scheme. Most all have suffered a long bout of poor management, minimal leadership and lots of golden parachutes along with a big dose of bad economy. Nearly all employees have suffered pay cuts, pension freezes, job rule changes. Citizens of the major hubs complain of ticket price gouging, bad service, tight seats and rude employees. Cities and local media constantly criticize the hometown carrier and forget that it is integrally important to the regional economy, not just in airport service but in the paychecks that shop at lcoal malls and restaurants.

It’s all the same, everywhere. In the end, it will be a few larger, homogeneous airlines. Loyalty to a name, a paint job, a brand is a thing of the 80s. It’s a seat, or a paycheck…depending on which side of the ticket you stand.

By AH

November 16, 2006 05:53 AM | Link to this

Delta creditors will end up with approx. 45% of the combined company and 25% of their claim in cash under the proposal or 100% of Delta after emerging from bankruptcy. Long term, I’d much rather own 100% of Delta than 45% of the combined U.S.Air/Delta as Delta has a much better franchise value and upside profit potential than U.S. Air. The deal isn’t bad for creitors but I’d prefer to sit it out and see what Delta can do as a stand-alone entity after exiting bankruptcy. The upside is a lot better than the proposed deal.

By Maryann

November 16, 2006 06:40 AM | Link to this

Hj! this is MaryAnn Yahoo! Again to the pilots, find a job!!! And by the way I do make 80,000 a year, not bad. Now I have to work more hours than do those pilots(and I am actually dating a Delta Captain) just so you all know. And yes, he whines all the time about his heavy travel schedule. Mmmmmm he flew I think 15 hours last month and yes he makes over 200,000 K per year!!! Yahoo!!!

By Michael Ard

November 16, 2006 06:58 AM | Link to this

Regarding the union, yes, I realize it won’t stop the the takeover. It will, however, provide nob-union workers with job protection once the buy out occurrs. In the case with the flight attendant group, they will no go to the bottom of the senority list.

By Fly Girl

November 16, 2006 07:36 AM | Link to this

Dear MaryAnn, You sure must love your boyfriend by the way you bash pilots! You really have shown how smart you are by dating one. Everyone knows the single ones have a girlfriend in every city. If he flies to South America, you might want to make a dr.’s appointment.

By Jim

November 16, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this

I know this will mean many more layoffs for Delta’s current nonunionized employees. US Airways is Unionized and protected especially in a takeover. I never liked Unions because they protected losers, but in this case of a takeover, it would be lobsided in favor of US Airways employees. BTW there is nothing Delta can do if US Airways convinces the current creditors and if it is profitable to the creditors, it’s done.

By maryAnn's a liar

November 16, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

So was that just sarcasm, Maryann cuz my husband is a Delta captain…he is in the airplane at least 85 hours a month…on the ground at airports probably about 400 more hours, not counting layovers and he isn’t making anywhere NEAR $200,000. Which Delta does your boyfriend work for…I gotta tell my husband about it!

By A former America West Employee

November 16, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

As a former employee of AWA, I can strongly say that - don’t listen to a word they tell you about job security or pay increases. First they tell us that we will be keeping our jobs - HUGE lie, next they tell us our benefits would be greater - another LIE, we went from getting 40 non-rev passes a year to 8 - if we were lucky. They spent most of the time after the merger doing floor sweeps and booting out employees for no apparent reason. They told me because of attendance. I had to ask myself - I was only out 4 days when Suzie Q Neighbor was out 19 and as far as I know she still works there.

I do have to say leaving AWA was probably the best thing to happen to me though, I now work for a great company (in the travel industry) making nearly double what I did at AWA, so the morale of the story folks: don’t believe the cushy lies they tell you about the merger - they are just greedy jerks. Of course it would benefit customers as well, if they ever get their act together.

By Simon

November 16, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

US Air have the worst service, the rudest staff and the most cancellations and screw ups of any airline I have ever used. If they take over Delta, they will drag it into the gutter, and go bankrupt in record time. Just say NO!

By Chris

November 16, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

I hate to see any company go under, however Delta employees should stand up and raise the level of customer service if you want any chance of staying around. I used to fly Delta only since 1994, however the last year or so the shenanigans I have encountered have driven me to other carriers, and one of them was USAir, and it was NOT a bad experience. The very last Delta experience I had was departing Memphis on a Saturday morning Sept 23, plane arrived 1 hour late from Atlanta, accepted that, things do happen, departed Memphis 1’45” late, hmm. Arrived Atlanta, proceed to baggage claim, no bags. Lone Delta person walking around baggage claim toting a clipboard found humor in sending all of us passengers up and down baggage claim by telling us the carousel had changed, looked like musical chairs with all us us searching for our bags that never arrived. It turns out that NONE of our bags were placed on the plane at Memphis. Now this was not an unknown fact to Delta or our flight crew BEFORE we departed Memphis, however it was beneath anyone at Delta to inform us of this. After 1 hour plus searching for our bags we formed a line to talk with the ONE person working at Delta’s baggage service desk that curtly informed us of the fact that our bags were not placed on the plane. While I understand things go wrong, is an apology or attempt to make it right something Delta has also lost touch with. Yes I am going to Memphis again next week and before I subject myself to any further abuse I will be flying with Airtran. Customer service does not start at the top, it is the effort of all employees of the company. I could have driven home from Memphis faster than Delta that day and my bags would have arrived with me.

By suzyqpt92

November 16, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this

Hmmm…Delta’s customer “service” is already dead and long gone, so why not merge with US Airways, who pretty much wrote the book on incompetence in the airline industry? Doesn’t seem like it would make much difference at this point. In a perfect world Delta would use this as a kick in the behind to get its act together and re-emerge as an industry leader. I’m not betting on that result, though, and I’ll continue to book AirTran whenever possible.

By Jack

November 16, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

To Dan Roman. As a bond holder, I am against the proposed merger. The only way US Airways can afford the offer and Citi will finance it is the strong potential Delta offers. I may or may not get a higher percent from the offer. Delta may raise their offer to creditors. I had much rather have Delta stock after the bankruptcy than US Airways. Their debt has already been put on watch. Delta needs to buy NWAC which is a better fit and use all the office space they have here. I see Delta being one of the top airlines in the world in the next 5 years. If they can hold off the takeover and exit the bankruptcy, then let Delta buy US Airways…..

By KR

November 16, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

Lets all ask Andrew Young what he thinks of a merger, after all he was on Delta’s Board for all those years giving great advice to Ron Allen

By Rich

November 16, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

WAKE UP GREEDY AMERICANS-WALL STREET RUNS THIS COMPANY ALONG WITH GENERAL ELECTRIC.GENERAL ELECTRIC AND AMEX INVESTED 2 BILLION TO KEEP DELTA GOING AND ARE BEING OFFERED 8 BILLION FOR THEIR 2 BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT-WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHEN JERRY DECIDED TO TAKE DELTA INTO BANKRUPTCY,HE KNOWINGLY EXPOSED DELTA TO THESE KINDS OF TAKEOVERS. DELTA IS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF ITS OWN DESTINY-WALL STREET IS AND WALL STREET TAKES NO PRISONERS WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING MONEY,EVEN AT DELTAS EXPENSE.AMERICANS TAKE PRIDE IN THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM WHICH IS GREED DRIVEN AND PROPELLED BY THE LOSS OF MANY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FEW.ONLY IN AMERICA- WHAT A COUNTRY

By MaryAnn Basher

November 16, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this

My husband flew with Delta for 10 years, on his quitting day they didn’t even say thank you. His salary went down 50% and lost his pension. Since he wants me to stay home with kids and not send them to daycare we left the company. We are moving abroad.

My husband flew 85 hours a month and that doesn’t count the hours that he was away. We have never spent all out kids birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas together. When I couldn’t feel my baby move for 24 hours in my pregnancy he was in Tokyo and I didn’t tell him anything until he had landed safely.

MaryAnn-you have no credibility. If you are making 80K good for you but do not mess with the importance of your boyfriend’s job. Would you want to fly with a depressed or tired pilot. Would you put your children on that flight?

Delta employees have given enoiugh and I wish the best for Delta and may families recover from all that has been taken away from them, including peace of mind.

By Fred Flintstone

November 16, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this

Folks wake up. When Iran is attacked by Israel and America soon oil will spike to the moon. A unified airline can better withstand the $100 oil better than a bankrupt has been airline clinging on now by it’s toenails. Delta is on the edge and will never recover as long as the Government is controlling the airline industry. Circle the wagons. US Air is good in the long run

By KR

November 16, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

Rich, you are right about Wall Street, GE and AMX own Delta. Why does anyone think all the top management bailed out over the last 4 years ( Leo & Michele amoung others ) they KNEW Delta was headed to the Courts. Delta’s demise started 15 plus years ago with Ron Allen and a Board that only woke up long enough at Board meetings to give Ron a yes vote on whatever he wanted to do

By Mary Ann is stoned

November 16, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

MaryAnn,

Your boyfriend says he makes 200k just to get the honeys…..can’t believe you fell for it. Is he bald, fat and short? Viagra????? Kool Aid drinker or Gerry’s little drummer boy?

By Jerry M

November 16, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

It’s just a sign of the times. All we have here is another example of packaged corporate greed and disguised promises that originate in the respective board rooms that invariably result in more headache and pain for the rank and file employees and for the flying public as well. Haven’t the Delta employees been through enough turmoil and turbulence during this bankruptcy? And for the flying public, the end result will mean higher ticket prices and less choice. Go away US Air. Take your back-seat approach elsewhere. Stay the course Delta and emerge from bankruptcy as the seasoned and proud carrier that we all remember.

By Roy

November 16, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

Make your offer United, you will be a much better match.

By Leigh

November 16, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

Two words for Delta …

NO DEAL!!

By Michael

November 16, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

I am a former ATL resident who now lives in Phoenix, the home of America West (now US Airways). I have flown both Delta and America West a lot in the past. I think Doug Parker has gone absolutely nuts with this bid. Atlanta should resist. Delta should resist. An independent Delta Air Lines is critical for Atlanta and the airline industry as a whole - more customer choice. Less customer choice and more consolidation is troubling to me as a consumer - I want a choice. Competition keeps prices down, too, and a monopoly will make air travel more expensive.

I was not too keen on the America West takeover of US Airways, but was glad Phoenix kept the HQ. Integrating Delta into US Airways would be bad for both Phoenix and Atlanta. Phoenix and Atlanta are two cities still trying to be taken seriously by the nation as major business cities (ATL is farther along in that regard than Phoenix, where people still come here just to play golf) - but this won’t help either. This is like jetBlue or Southwest trying to buy United or American. Bad idea all around.

By jsh

November 16, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

US Air go away. We love Delta in Atlanta even with all its recent financial problems. I am a platinum flyer of Delta and have stuck with them thru highs and lows.

Do not EVER believe anything a potential buyers says. All is fine until they own you then they retrench all.

Atlanta is Delta and Delta is Atlanta. Maybe we should have a take-over from employees and frequent fliers…hostile takeover from US Air you bet! Psssssssstttttttttt go away we do not want you in Atlanta taking over our beloved Delta!

I hope Mr. Grinstein finds a way to tell US Air to take a hike!!

By Mark

November 16, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

As AC said earlier and most everyone seems to not understand, is that the current US Airways is actually America West with a name that has better recognition, just as the merged airline will be called Delta because of greater name recognition. So to say that the culture of the old US Airway, however you feel about it, will predominate in the merger is without merit. The culture will probably more approximate that of America West, an upstart airline based in Phoenix that itself went through bankruptcy and emerged from bankruptcy and did a very fine job of making itself profitable. Regardless of how you feel about Delta or Atlanta, the bottom line is an airline must be run efficiently and profitably, something which Delta (which is one of my favorite airlines) has not been able to do. Phoenix has made the sacrifices to make America West, now operating under the US Airways moniker a profitable airline. Can the same be said about Atlanta? I think Phoenix (Tempe) will be a great place for Delta’s new HQ!

By MaryAnn

November 16, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

Hi, it is me again. that is okay about him having a girlfriend in another city. I am not in this for marriage!! as far as the Delta he works for, the same Delta as all the other pilots do. At least I am being honest about what he says and not displaying a persona to the public. Sorry guys, it is what it is!!! :)

By Denden

November 16, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

Maybe they can turn the new fifth runway at HJAIA into a drag strip. Maybe even two grad strips —- it’s long enough!

What ever happened to the 1978 airline de-regulation promise of more access to more smaller markets? Never happened. So, we’ll end up with fewer “legacy” carriers (maybe none) and a bunch of discount airlines. As long as consumers don’t mind being shipped like freight, the discounters will succeed.

By Couper

November 16, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

As a former employee of Eastern, which Delta did their damn best to get rid of, and then Piedmont, which Delta employees referred to as the, “Hillbilly Airline”, I am loving this! How the mighty have fallen.

Don’t you wish now that you had checked yes on the AFA card? The squirming must have started yesterday. It’s going to be fun to watch this play out.

By TommyBoy

November 16, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

What will they be serving on the new, combined airline? Chicken? Or chicken?

By Give me a break

November 16, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

MaryAnn…either you are lying about your boyfriend’s salary and hours or your boyfriend is a parttime pilot who also works for Delta in another capacity…there is also the possibility that he’s lying to you about what he makes. There is NO WAY a pilot can be flying 15 hours a month and earning what you claim he is earning! There is no way a pilot can fly for less than 120( which is illegal) hours a month and make what you claim he’s making…and let me remind everyone….a pilot is only paid by the hours in the cockpit NOT by his actual time on duty which includes a large number of non-cockpit hours.

By Michael in Phoenix

November 16, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

What is the guarantee to Atlanta that the HQ will stay in ATL? And if the Phoenix area loses the HQ that will be a blow to our area’s attempts to get national recognition. When America West was a standalone airline it was Phoenix’s hometown airline and we could say that in the same breath that Atlanta could claim Delta. Neither Phoenix nor Atlanta will be winners in this deal!!!

I do not like these mergers. I don’t like it in the telecommunications industry nor do I like it with the airlines. What benefit will THREE combined carriers have on the traveling public??? What is the guarantee that this new Delta will be profitable? What is the guarantee that all the pilots, other employees, maintenance, fleet, etc., will be integrated without skipping a beat???

What Delta needs to do is stay independent and find a way to be as profitable as possible in today’s air travel landscape. Delta can survive and be successful if it 1) treats its employees like human beings and 2) treats its passengers like valued guests. Delta can regain that Delta spirit that made it famous.

Doug Parker, whatever you are smoking, stop it. The acquisition of US Airways sort of made sense, because those people didn’t have a clue. But Delta is a much, much bigger fish.

By Wing nut

November 16, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

Delta, once a stalwart in the industry, known for conservative bookkeeping, and outstanding customer service, is now some form of eastern re-incarnate. Management has all graduated from the Gordon Gecko business school, “Greed is good”, and the frontline employees are now the dot on the bottom of the industry pay/benefit/work rules graph. Mangement is actually de-facto, the real managers are creditors, and lawyers. Delta’s officer’s now face getting pink slips vs. bankruptcy exit bonuses, and the employees standard of living can only elevate. Delta mgmt.’s mistake’s weren’t just financial, it was losing sight of the philosiphy, “take care of your employee’s, and they’ll take care of your customers.” As for the city of Atlanta, they have the same option Phoenix had when America West was in bankruptcy, put up or shut up. Delta’s employees have no choice but to go where the future seem’s brightest- Az….

By Missy

November 16, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

“Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome aboard Allegheny-Lake Central-Mowhawk-Empire-Pacific Southwest-America West-Western-USAir-Piedmont-USAirways and Delta Airlines.”

A message to DL employees: Sit down, shut-up and hold on. Doug’s party is just beginning. The last to go will watch the first 10 go before her!

By Florida Engineer Fr Arizona

November 16, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

I am an engineer for the State of FL. But I was born and raised on an Indian Reservation in AZ. I got my MS at Arizona St. and undergraduate degree from Notre Dame. I often fly Delta to CO, NM, or AZ. I moved here in 2002 due to the economic recession. The job market for engineers died in AZ, CO, and NM back then. I used to fly America West in 2003 to Phoenix from Orlando or Tampa. But I quit. They merged with US Airways and got too expensive. I mostly fly Delta and actually got over 50,000 miles at this point. So I redeemed a Thanksgiving ticket from Tallahassee to Phoenix. The roundtrip was worth $850 due to the holiday, but I only paid $60 for redeeming the Delta skymiles reward ticket for over 50,000 miles of travel. The flight goes from Tallahassee to Atlanta to Phoenix. Delta is great. I agree with my fellow Arizonan, Michael, about Delta and US Airways. I remember being at the America West Arena for the Alchesay High School basketball game in 1998. I hope to see “Talladega Nights” on my next flight, a great NASCAR movie. NASCAR and football define the south. In AZ, it was usually basketball and football.

By TheRealWorld

November 16, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Which part of “hostile takeover” do these posters/Delta employees not understand?

“Delta, say NO” is an utterly ignorant comment. Delta is a public company being sought by another public company. Whoever has the best bankers, wins. All this opinion and posturing means absolutely nothing!

And I’ve posted this before and will post it again - HARTSFIELD WILL NOT FOLD if Delta is bought, or moves, or whatever. Many other airlines would line up to use the gates Delta would vacate. To believe anything otherwise is ignorant and wishful thinking by people who fear for their own jobs (i.e. the cattle who still work for Delta and live in the past when LESS COMPETITION enabled Delta to GOUGE PRICES and thus produce FAT PROFIT).

Competition slaughters the weak. Welcome to the real world Delta employees, if you don’t like where you are get off you a** and change your situation by going to work for one of the other airlines whose managers GET IT.

And all you flight attendants, go ahead and keep blaming the passengers for your sh*tty customer service - all the airlines that currently ARE profitable (and getting our business instead of Delta) thank you for every such sentiment.

By Larry

November 16, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

Absolutely NO WAY should this be allowed to happen!! Doug Parker is one arrogant SOB to even think he could make this work. He can’t even get the two airlines put together (successfully and efficently) he currently has,yet he wants to bite off Delta which is bigger than US Air and America West combined. No Delta employee would benefit from this and in a service industry you have to have them on board, which is precisely why US Air has such bad customer service. The creditors would be much better served by riding it out with a new stronger “stand alone” Delta who could return far more profit to them than 4 billion in the long term. US Air stay in the desert where you belong!!

By BW

November 16, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

Give Delta the credit it deserves. Recently, I chose Delta for two long flights - old DELTA is back and it ain’t just the new flight attendant’s uniforms - it’s the CARING attitude.

By Yankee

November 16, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

If US Air buys out Delta, I will 1. Vote Democratic 2. Move out of my trailer park 3. Stop sleeping with my sister 4. Stop sleeping with my father 5. Take the “W” sticker off the back of my pick-em-up truck 6. Start using my turn signal 7. Approve Gay marriage 8. Move to New York City! I can’t count any higher than 8.

By Yankee

November 16, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

If US Air buys out Delta, I will 1. Vote Democratic 2. Move out of my trailer park 3. Stop sleeping with my sister 4. Stop sleeping with my father 5. Take the “W” sticker off the back of my pick-em-up truck 6. Start using my turn signal 7. Approve Gay marriage 8. Move to New York City! I can’t count any higher than 8.

By Mark

November 16, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

All this posturing by Delta’s employees and living-in-the-past Delta loyalists makes not one iota of difference. Just as The Real World stated every “US Airways go away” statement made is ignorant and rather pretentious and probably have no clue that Delta is currently trading at $1.26 on Thursday’s stock exchange. Atlanta Hartsfield will remain as the largest SE hub, and most probably busiest airport in the world, and Phoenix will stay as busiest SW hub (Phoenix is the busiest hub for SouthWest Ailines). On an aesthetic note, it will be great to see all the ugly US Airways livery be replaced by Delta’s much more appealing livery. I suppose not so surprisingly given Delta’s unfortunate circumstances, many years have passed since Delta introduced it’s new livery, yet many jets in it’s fleet still fly using the old paint scheme (still better than US Airways). Oh yeah and the fact that’s Delta’s livery is already white on the top 2/3’s of the fuselage, means they won’t have to redesign the livery as did US Airways, almost as if it were fated that Delta’s fleet would one day be basking under the radiant warmth of that relentless Phoenix sun.

By Yankee

November 16, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

If US Air buys out Delta, I will 1. Vote Democratic 2. Move out of my trailer park 3. Stop sleeping with my sister 4. Stop sleeping with my father 5. Take the “W” sticker off the back of my pick-em-up truck 6. Start using my turn signal 7. Approve Gay marriage 8. Move to New York City! I can’t count any higher than 8.

By Yankee

November 16, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

If US Air buys out Delta, I will 1. Vote Democratic 2. Move out of my trailer park 3. Stop sleeping with my sister 4. Stop sleeping with my father 5. Take the “W” sticker off the back of my pick-em-up truck 6. Start using my turn signal 7. Approve Gay marriage 8. Move to New York City! I can’t count any higher than 8.

By Widgit.......take a hike!

November 16, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

Most posters here must not be old enough to remember how horrible Delta was to the Western Airline employees during THEIR takeover of Western.

Yes, and then the, “Delta Spirit”, once again struck with the Pan American World Airways when they got the shaft from the big D.

And, Delta was one of the LAST airlines to hire any minorities or men and only did so when the government got on them and there were pending lawsuits.

The days of C.E. Woolman, cropdusting and the, “Big Happy Delta Family!”, are long over.

Sorry Delta, what goes around comes around…..Karma you know.

By diggyB

November 16, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

If US Air pulls this off, it is a stroke of genius - businesswise. Delta’s management teams starting with Ron Allen up to today have no one to blame but themselves. They forgot the best thing they had going for them: good customer service and customers who gave them in return their loyalty. They have “no waiver, no favored” themselves into this predicament. Delta’s international service is excellent, their domestic and Hawaii service still sucks.

By Chris

November 16, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

I had the misfortune of flying to DC on US Airways last year. It was by far the worst flight experience I’ve ever had. The last thing Delta needs is an inferior airline watering down its great presence and moving it out to a smaller airport in a smaller city that has a less promising future than Atlanta.

By Catch our Smile

November 16, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

A message to DL’s creditors: Take the money. The only thing left of Delta Air Lines is “slaves,cotton and…arrogance.”

By Sue

November 16, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Delta should not agree to this! They are making progress coming out of bankruptcy, and don’t need US Air. Service would go down the tubes. I avoid fly USAir at all cost!

By LJ

November 16, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

I have flown both Delta and America West many, many times in the past. Much preferred America West. With the US Air/America West merge, I now fly American and couldn’t be happier.

By Brian

November 16, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

Re comment:By M. Samuel

November 15, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

U.S. Air is a TRAILER PARK airline! Delta is The Four Seasons! What a shame if Delta goes thru with this!

When’s the last time you flew Delta? Four Seasons? Try Motel Six. This would be a merger of two very mediocre airlines. Whatever service quality Delta had sadly died in the mid to late-90’s. The Delta I always admired no longer exists. Would you rather end up like TWA, Eastern, Pan Am, etc?

By Deal Supporter

November 16, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

If you spend 5 minutes in line at a grocery store but there are still 3 people ahead of you, and a new lane opens up, what do you do? Do you say “I’m going to wait here because I’ve already spent 5 minutes in line?” No. You move to the new lane, right? Exactly.

I’m sick of hearing opponents of this deal say that because Delta has come this far, they should just stick with the stand-alone approach. Do you know what that is? That’s pride…and perhaps arrogance.

Unfortunately for Delta management, they may not have much of a choice here. If the corporate shareholders and creditors see enough value in the deal after a cost-benefit analysis, then it’s possible we could have a new Delta.

By The Big Cheese!

November 16, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

People, people, people. I will never sell my employees out! wink

Have I let you down yet? Ok..Ok..before that? Ok..ok..before that, too! Ok..forget I asked.

I have a direct line from Houston, so when it rings…I will give everyone the good news!! Ok..ok..I will give our creditors the good news!

Keep up the hard work, it might pay off one day!

Jerry

By Tom

November 16, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

From experience I know that generating efficiencies from mergers is a hallucinogenic pipe dream of those who just want higher market share and more power. True and lasting efficiency is created by competition. Say to to USAir.

By BigginNasty

November 16, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

Let me be the first to welcome Delta to their new home, Tempe, AZ. Most of the Atlantans probably won’t come with the airline though as we don’t allow cousins to pork each other and frown upon having people with dried tobacco spit running down their chins walking around our city.

By MaryAnn

November 16, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

Hello! To Give me A Break… you need to give me a break. And yes that is what he works and no he is not fibbing. Sorry… he is not short fat and bald. He is about 5 foot 10 inches, blond hair, nice looking. He has a college degree in marketing so if something happens an least he would be able to find a job. The pay/work would not be the same, but he would make it. I am just being honest about it, it is what it is. And you should hear the stories he tells me about MARRIED pilots in other cities!!! Shame on them… :)

By don johns

November 16, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

USeless Air. Need I say more!

By ls

November 16, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Missy, You are the one that needs to sit down, shut up, and take spelling lessons. It is NOT Delta Airlines, it is Delta Air Lines. You’re as ignorant as BigginNasty. If y’all are representatives of AZ, then who would want to live in AZ with the likes you.

By Boots

November 16, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

The question is how an airling (USAir) who has dumped it’s pension plan on the feds can now afford an $8Bil takeover of Delta.

While I have feelings for the Delta employees who have been screwed by Delta’s outmoded business model and poor management, I remember how Eastern employees were treated —- how they were taunted by Delta employees when they were going through bad times and ultimately folded.

* I guess you just can’t get away from the old saying, “What goes around, comes around.” And, by USeless Air! *

By Truth

November 16, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

Maryann….I have Delta’s current pilot pay scale in front of me…as a matter of fact…I also have Delta’s old pilot pay scale in front of me as well. Not only isn’t your captain friend making $200,000 a year while only flying 15 hours a month….he wouldn’t have made that much back when the pilots were paid more than any other pilots in the country. A 15 hour month (which you claim is all he flies) wouldn’t net the highest paid pilot at Delta more than about $35,000 a year. Either you’re lying, he is, or the official pilot pay scale is lying. I’m betting on you, honey unless that boyfriend of yours has really pulled the wool over your eyes.

But this argument is useless. You are obviously one of those “pilots are to blame for everything” bigots who can’t see the forest for the trees.

By Charlotte-East

November 16, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

This merger would not be a good thing at all. Because the South would lose a major airline hub in Charlotte.

I think it’s good to have a number or airline hubs in the Southeast.

At one time there were these hubs in the South

Raleigh-Durham Int’l Airport: American Airlines hub (North-South), Midway Airlines headquarters and hub. Both closed

Nashville Int’l Airport: American Airlines hub closed

Memphis Int’l Airport: Northwest Airlines hub

Miami Int’l Airport: Eastern Airlines closed, American Airlines hub

Orlando Int’l Airport: Airtan Airways hub

Atlanta Hartsfield Int’l Airport: Eastern Airlines hub close, Delta Airlines hub, Airtran Airways hub

Greensboro/Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Int’l Airport: Continental Airlines mini hub closed

Charlotte/Douglas Int’l Airport: Piedmont Airlines hub (merged with US Air), US Airways hub

By Norman

November 16, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this

The buyout bid by USAir is a desperate act by a desperate airline. Everyone who knows anything about the airline industry recognizes that some capacity must still be taken out of the system before any real recovery of our nation’s air industry occurs. Most understand that eventually this will occur through mergers or through multiple airlines shutting down. America West and USAir were both realizing even before their merger that their companies because of the type of service and types of routes they offered were on the chopping block. US Air almost liquidated before America West gobbled them up. America West was in a terrible competitive position with respect to other low fare carriers and legacy carriers who were quickly winning concessions in bankruptcy and its long term propects looked poor. Contrary to USAir’s rosy report on the merger, I suspect that the merger did not give them the synergies and competitive position that they had hoped for. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Realizing that they are still in a poor competitive position with no real hope of long term survival, USAir decided to pounce on a now vulnerable, but in the long run a competitive, Delta to lift their own hopes for survival. Even as a relative outsider, it is plain to see that the hoped for synergies of the USAir/ Delta combination are not there. Delta and USAir share almost no common fleet. That means additional days in training for F/As and pilots, extra parts and more maintainance expenses. Essentially, they would have to operate two airlines side by side. The biggest goal or synergy that the merged airline would achieve would be the reduction of capacity. Why not just shut down USAir, if that is the goal and save everyone the time and money? They could achieve almost the same benefits minus some route coordination from a codeshare frequent flier tie up rather than a full scale merger, but Delta already has that with NW and Continental. USAir has long been the ugly duckling of the airline industry and now that they were able to shed some debt in two bankruptcies and drum up some cash they are trying to buy their way back into the game. If Delta shareholders, creditors, employees and management sees this for what it really is, they will resoundingly reject this proposal. I’ve got my money with an independent Delta or at the very least a Delta who can find a better suitor.

By Norman

November 16, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

The buyout bid by USAir is a desperate act by a desperate airline. Everyone who knows anything about the airline industry recognizes that some capacity must still be taken out of the system before any real recovery of our nation’s air industry occurs. Most understand that eventually this will occur through mergers or through multiple airlines shutting down. America West and USAir were both realizing even before their merger that their companies because of the type of service and types of routes they offered were on the chopping block. US Air almost liquidated before America West gobbled them up. America West was in a terrible competitive position with respect to other low fare carriers and legacy carriers who were quickly winning concessions in bankruptcy and its long term propects looked poor. Contrary to USAir’s rosy report on the merger, I suspect that the merger did not give them the synergies and competitive position that they had hoped for. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Realizing that they are still in a poor competitive position with no real hope of long term survival, USAir decided to pounce on a now vulnerable, but in the long run a competitive, Delta to lift their own hopes for survival. Even as a relative outsider, it is plain to see that the hoped for synergies of the USAir/ Delta combination are not there. Delta and USAir share almost no common fleet. That means additional days in training for F/As and pilots, extra parts and more maintainance expenses. Essentially, they would have to operate two airlines side by side. The biggest goal or synergy that the merged airline would achieve would be the reduction of capacity. Why not just shut down USAir, if that is the goal and save everyone the time and money? They could achieve almost the same benefits minus some route coordination from a codeshare frequent flier tie up rather than a full scale merger, but Delta already has that with NW and Continental. USAir has long been the ugly duckling of the airline industry and now that they were able to shed some debt in two bankruptcies and drum up some cash they are trying to buy their way back into the game. If Delta shareholders, creditors, employees and management sees this for what it really is, they will resoundingly reject this proposal. I’ve got my money with an independent Delta or at the very least a Delta who can find a better suitor.

By ben

November 16, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

Clark Howard must be thrilled! No more driving to BHM.

By norman

November 16, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

The buyout bid by USAir is a desperate act by a desperate airline. Everyone who knows anything about the airline industry recognizes that some capacity must still be taken out of the system before any real recovery of our nation’s air industry occurs. Most understand that eventually this will occur through mergers or through multiple airlines shutting down. America West and USAir were both realizing even before their merger that their companies because of the type of service and types of routes they offered were on the chopping block. US Air almost liquidated before America West gobbled them up. America West was in a terrible competitive position with respect to other low fare carriers and legacy carriers who were quickly winning concessions in bankruptcy and its long term propects looked poor. Contrary to USAir’s rosy report on the merger, I suspect that the merger did not give them the synergies and competitive position that they had hoped for. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Realizing that they are still in a poor competitive position with no real hope of long term survival, USAir decided to pounce on a now vulnerable, but in the long run a competitive, Delta to lift their own hopes for survival. Even as a relative outsider, it is plain to see that the hoped for synergies of the USAir/ Delta combination are not there. Delta and USAir share almost no common fleet. That means additional days in training for F/As and pilots, extra parts and more maintainance expenses. Essentially, they would have to operate two airlines side by side. The biggest goal or synergy that the merged airline would achieve would be the reduction of capacity. Why not just shut down USAir, if that is the goal and save everyone the time and money? They could achieve almost the same benefits minus some route coordination from a codeshare frequent flier tie up rather than a full scale merger, but Delta already has that with NW and Continental. USAir has long been the ugly duckling of the airline industry and now that they were able to shed some debt in two bankruptcies and drum up some cash they are trying to buy their way back into the game. If Delta shareholders, creditors, employees and management sees this for what it really is, they will resoundingly reject this proposal. I’ve got my money with an independent Delta or at the very least a Delta who can find a better suitor.

By Welcome home Delta - TO PHOENIX!

November 16, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

Looks like another piece of the old south gets to join Modernity ;)

I’ll enjoy seeing 777 tails with widgets on them landing in PHX!

By Airline Expert

November 16, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

MaryAnn:

I’m don’t what you or your pilot friend may be smoking, drinking, ingesting, or whatever; but I don’t want to be on any plane he flies.

I’ve been in or associated with the airline industry for 37 years.

There is NO WAY he is making $200,000 a year for ANY airline, cargo or passenger while flying only 15 hours. Also no carrier in today’s economy is going to pay benefits or payroll taxes for a pilot that only flies 15 hours.

If he IS making that type of money.. he’s flying drugs or other contraband in a private jet “under the radar”.

By K.P. Hale

November 16, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Even though Delta has had a tough go of things since 9/11 they can still turn this thing around on their own. They have made some mistakes but I think they are on the right track and poised to survive as a stand alone carrier. My best to all the Delta employees, past and present, who have made Delta the greatest Airline ever. As a loyal Delta customer you have my continued support. If Delta’s great founder, C.E. Woolman, were still alive, he would have everyone hunker down, make the needed sacrifices and pull this Airline through these tough times. I think there is still enough of that drive in the Delta folks today to make it happen again. Best of Luck…..(Without USAirways)..

By Dan Roman

November 16, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

To Norman: USAirways is not desperate as you suggest. Could a desperate airline convince CitiCorp to back their offer with over $4Billion? I think not. Doug Parker did his homework on this and sorry, but Delta will not be a stand alone carrier at the end of the day. It might not ultimately merege with USAirways, but believe me when I tell you Delta is history. Further, USAirways is actually in an excellent competitive position, and recent financials affirm this. And if, as you suggest, shut an airline down to rationalize capacity, why not make it Delta? It’s just a short hop from CH11 to CH7. Seems from reading these posts that most Atlantan’s prefer AirTran anyway. It’s Delta that is in survival mode now, not USAirways. Get over it.

By Delta lifetimer

November 16, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this

Take note creditors! NO ONE at DL wants a merger! It would be long, drawn out disasterous failure. Very adamant opposition from all pilots from both (or 3?) airlines…union bickering..you name it. NO NO NO to a merger from the vast majority of DL employees. You fly yours, we will fly ours. Thanks, but no thanks.

By Frank Lorenzo

November 16, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

Hey * *Couper and Boots! **

Eastern was crippled by severe labor unrest (YOU!) when asked to accept deep cuts in benefits, Your mechanics and ramp service employees, represented by the IAM (International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), went on strike March 4, 1989.

A sympathy strike called by the pilots represented by ALPA (Air Line Pilots Assn.) and flight attendants represented by TWU (Transport Workers Union) effectively shut down the airline’s domestic operations.

Non-contract employees, including airport gate and ticket counter agents and reservation sales agents, did not honor the strike. Due to the strike, flights were cancelled, resulting in lost revenue for the airline.

Since you didn’t want to work, I sold Eastern’s shuttle service to real estate magnate Donald Trump in 1989, under whom it became the Trump Shuttle, while selling other parts of Eastern to my Texas Air holding company and its major subsidiary, Continental Airlines, on disadvantageous terms to Eastern.

Please don’t compare yourself to Delta employees. They want to work, you didn’t! (What’s to laugh at? The Delta folks will still be working even if this deal goes through! What kind of work are you doing?)

Your old boss, Frank Lorenzo

By MaryAnns bfriend is a Kool Aid Drinker

November 16, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

He has to be a line check airman Kool Aid drinker or something…who cares, if he has Mary Ann as a girlfriend he needs to be paid 200k just to put up with her.

By Peachtree City

November 16, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this

I remember Delta crewmembers laughing when Eastern went under because of Texas Air. Now, its your turn. Get those resumes ready for the junior end of the other lists.

By Wally Bird

November 16, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe the vitriol being spewed by some of the locals towards the long-suffering employees of Delta. Hint: not all 50,000 employees of Delta are pilots making 200K a year. As you revel in your schadenfreude towards your friends and neighbors in Atlanta, you’re showing your true colors. Atlanta’s slogan should be changed from “I got mine at Boomershine” to “I got mine, so screw you.”

By Buckhead Too

November 16, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Hell yes, I remember their smug smiles crossing the EAL lines. However, now that I’ve repaid my aviation dues, I’ve had DAL captains coming around for over a year asking for any job I can find for them. Go ahead ans sell those toys folks because the lean times are coming.

As for the F/A’s, well, Waffle House will always be hiring.

By brad

November 16, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

You “no deal” people are funny.

It’s like you’re cheering Delta on only because they’re the home team. Like their financial performance doesn’t matter just as long as they stay in Atlanta.

It’s capitalism, people. The marketplace calls the shots. There are no regional favorites in a global economy.

Besides, Delta hasn’t been top of its customer service game for a while. Fly JetBlue and you’ll see the difference. It’s stunning.

brad

By America West/US Airway/New Delta employee

November 16, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

hear is a thought….let’s let Delta go bankrupt and let 1000’s of employee go. Let the city of Atlanta take care of these people. let your state taxes rise because the whole city has to take care of all these former employees of Delta.

Or how about letting D. Parker help out another airline that is struggling. Maybe save some jobs.

A merger is almost never smooth. there will be some wrinkles that need ironing out. I know the union issue is a great big deal to delta, only because Delta does not deal with any unions.

So just buck up…after 911…everyone was struggling and i know a lot people saw this coming with a lot of airline companys.

What’s in a name anyway…as long as the customer get good airfare and good service to and from where there are going…i don’t think the customer cares who the fly with…you think???

Let’s Make It Happen

By JAY BLACK

November 16, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

Of course DL employees had smug smiles when Eastern went on strike. What would you guys expect, hand claps and a pat on the back. Eastern was Delta’s main competition. That meant more gates, money, employee benefits, markets, and clout for DL employees and the airline. It wasn’t like it was DL employees fault that Eastern was folding. Eastern workers didn’t wanna work, so they folded their own airline like a cheap chair, not caring who got burned in the end. Yes DL was smiling and for good reason!

By Buckhead Too

November 16, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Jay B,

Whose bankrupt now? Whether it was the EAL folks Wanting to work or not, its you and your colleagus looking around for any other job from us now.

For everyone else, note how JB enjoyed all of the derived benefits from EAL sinking, but is now crying for our sympathy.

Review all of the comments above from others above my original about the gate-late performance, the crummy airplanes, and the crappy service DAL delivers now. Just like EAL in the later days, its hard to perform when the deprived management decisions are causing water level to lap over your feet on your sinking ship.

Perhaps, DAL can turn it around on the backs of the employees - I hope so. However, for those who still believe in the DAL “family,” get off the tarnished widget and welcome to marketplace reality. BTW, drop by for a clap on the back anytime. Just ignore anyone’s smug smile for your “professional” efforts .

By John

November 16, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this

What I see is maybe a chance for Delta to get out of the hole thay have found themselfes in. Also its Atlanta NOT ATL

By Sestri

November 16, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Delta blocked Air Tran’s from making Atlanta it’s corporate headquarters by preventing AT from obtaining gates at Hartsfield. Joe Leonard, CEO of Air Trans, then moved his operation to a friendly Orlando.

Delta has also done a good job of keeping Southwest Airlines from obtaining gates at ATL.

ATL will benefit in the long term if Delta loses it’s non-competitive grip of preventing decent competition at Hartsfield. Whatever it takes!

By DiTrav

November 16, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this

This is a last ditch effort for Us Airway to survive. Us Airway is attaching itsself to an airline emerging from bankruptcy thanks to management headed by Mr. Grinstein. It is a sin to think that a “hostile merger” could acutally occur when one airline does not want the other, but now we are realizing what creditors and politicians are all about, let alone a union airline(US Air) and a nonunion airline(Delta). Should we think by-partisan? Then bloggers write about how seats are uncomfortable and food is terrible. How about safety and attitude of crew members, pilots and co-workers? Delta management has worked with gusto to keep their airline afloat and that is when the attack comes in from Us Airways. If Delta emerges from bankruptcy then Delta should be given the credit to their “creditors” to further succeed into profitablility. Leave UsAirways in the dust, or should I say to the “desert”. Further advice, start writing to your legislators about the possible merger. Unfortunately the subject still gets back to politics…..

By John

November 16, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Phoenix and Arizona have such incredible natural beauty, I wouldn’t be surprised if the decision has already been made to relocate Delta out West. We will still be a major hub so I’m not very worried.

By BA

November 16, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

You are all living in the past. Today’s economy is one of survival, US AIR has been able to overcome many obstacles not the least of which was a Chapter 11 just as Delta, as far as comparing the service, being a platinum and million miler on both airlines the difference I can tell you is nil. US Air has hubs, (Philadelphia) where the on time departures and arrivals are just as bad as Delta’s. For those of you who think Delta is going to emerge from this and return to the airline of the 80’s and early 90’s (where it actually was nice to fly) are deluding themselves. Airline travel is now a commodity, service, you’re joking, Delta has lost just as many bags, late flights, cancelled flights etc. If you don’t believe it then search the link for the FAA web site. This is the world in which we live today. There is no company loyalty so forget it. The only thing we gain of this is the closing of Hartsfield and the traffic that follows as well.

By Fly Delta Sink Parker

November 16, 2006 08:15 PM | Link to this

Douggie was one of the corp. officers who drove NWA to the ground. Douggie then jumped ship and joined SWA. SWA slashed benefits. Has FA clean the AC and jacked up health benefits. SWA’s FA’s don’t last long. WHY? Douggie boy and his cohorts will suck the blood out of you. Asked former NWA folks from ATL. and Johnny boy, ** By John

November 16, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Phoenix and Arizona have such incredible natural beauty, I wouldn’t be surprised if the decision has already been made to relocate Delta out West. We will still be a major hub so I’m not very worried.**

Sonny, put the pipe down and walk away from that meth. Phoenix has incredible beauty? Son didn’t your momma tell you to lay off the weed? I lived there for a short time and in the summer, you’d better plug your pie hole or the sand storm will rough up your pie hole. Don’t you know that son? Do you know what’s the mean temp in Phoenix AZ in the summer, Johnny boy?

By don

November 16, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this

The incompentent executive team of 1990’s lead to Ch. 11. Delta has been on life support for too long and now it’s time for an organ transplant.

By SECrules

November 16, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

unfortunatly, Delta does not have to agree with this bid. it is up to the creditors, the judge, and then the gov. I think this is a win situation for US Air, but I think Delta would be best served to stay put. Delta service is a complete different experience than US Air, as far as the employees goes. there is a certain “class” about Delta that would does not match with US Air. who knows? maybe it could end up being a very powerful airline. but, i do think that Delta is making great strides in becoming the powerful airline that it once was. I don’t think this is in the best interest of the Delta employees or name. But, it all comes down to if the creditors think it benifits them. I think it is a very real possibility. But, the service friendly, classy, Delta will hurt at least in the short term once they are one.

By AirTran Capt

November 16, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

Hey DAL Stewardesses:

IHOP and the Cheetah are ready when you are!

They’re hiring!

By William

November 16, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

As a former employee and now a Gold level status Sky Miles member I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to those spoiled little pilot pricks and the wonderful ignorant greedy executives, active or non-active (including Leo Mullins) for the spot they have put this wonderful airline in! I remember a time when this airline was great and it can be again. I applaud the efforts that have recently been made by the employee’s but it was too late and now this second class airline they call “US Air” has a chance in taking Delta over. This is a sad day for all fliers and all you PILOTS and present/future executives better remember this moment if Delta does come out on top and independent! Delta deserves better then this and I know that there may come a day when a merger has to take place, but not this time and not with US AIR!

By William

November 16, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

As to “AirTran Capt” comments -

I have flown your airline, I promise I wont make that mistake again, as they say, “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!”

By scrodie

November 17, 2006 01:17 AM | Link to this

It’s a dry heat!

By Scratchtastica

November 17, 2006 03:35 AM | Link to this

As I sit here and read your blog entries from Phoenix, I get the feeling that some of you need to be schooled on some stuff. Like how having Delta being taken over by USAirways is probably for the best, seeing how Delta’s stock is struggling at around 2 dollars a share and how USAirways is at 60. Face the facts people, Delta is dying, and the merger is probably going to be the best out of many possible bad scenarios.

By Cactus HP

November 17, 2006 05:05 AM | Link to this

Yes, Yes, Yes……..Delta just say no…… If it were only that simple. In fact Delta has just said no but since they decided to settle their CASH FLOW PROBLEM through the bankruptcy process it is really not up to them. You see there are all these CREDITORS that would like some MONEY and maybe Delta is going to offer them pennies on the dollar for their reorganized debt and here comes along some real money from Citicorp that is way more than Delta is offering them! As you can see it is really the bankruptcy judge and the creditors that are in the drivers seat. IT DOES NOT REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH WHAT DELTA OR ATLANTA WANTS or even what you or I want for that matter! That is what a hostile takeover is. Maybe the government regulators or the bankruptcy judge will have some better idea than this but HEY FOLKS remember…….DELTA decided to solve this through the bankruptcy process and people are going to bring money to the table and the judge is going to pick the one he thinks serves the CREDITORS best! So save your incessant GO AWAY B.S. and your poor Atlanta B.S. and your bring back Hollis B.S. because this problem was in large part created by greed and overspending and a company with employees that thought it would take care of them FOREVER. Well now I guess that is what the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. is for now. This is what happens when you pay your some of your senior pilots 300K a year just because their union thinks that it should have the bragging rights of being the top salary out of the big three. Then a few years later there are problems with the world political situation which causes fuel to get really expensive and you have to give it all up! Management wants concessions……and you are so p** because you DESERVE all of this that you have worked for……Well don’t try to convince me of anything except that many of you have the EGO the size of Atlanta Hartsfield! You know there are probably some really nice people that work at Delta but in my 20 years as an airline crew member I have yet to meet any (and honestly that is not an exaggeration)…..in fact when you see them in the airport or out on the curb waiting for the van to the hotel they just give you a look like “Don’t even think of talking to us because we are so far out of your league that it would just be a waste of our time to even acknowledge that you and your inferior airline even exist”. I have no real desire to see this thing go through even though it might possibly be a good business decision…….it is just that I would dread having to integrate with the “holier than thou” corporate culture of Delta. The workgroup conflicts would be a nightmare and I don’t want to hear the “we got screwed by you US Airways / America West nobodies” ad infinitum…….But perhaps at least they would be finally forced to acknowledge our existance. And for all of you trashing US Airways for the crappy service you have received……It happens off and on EVERYWHERE. I try to give the best service possible and have had people actually stop me when they were getting off the plane to shake my hand because they were so impressed with how we handled a delay that probably caused many of them to miss their connections. And then on the other hand I have had people act like 5 year olds when the slightest thing does not go their way. I would suppose they would be of the opinion that the experience they had with US Airways would leave alot to be desired but just maybe whenever they exit their home they have ridiculous expectations about what the world should be like for them……… Just remember it may take time to clean up US Airway’s messy past but it is not impossible and much of the blame can be placed on the inept management that is LONG GONE…….and US AIRWAYS_CLT who posted 15NOV @ 10:33pm thanks for not bashing the America West merger and we are glad to have you onboard!

By Jason

November 17, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

Well put Cactus…I couldn’t agree more!

By Fess Parker

November 17, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

Wow……..that last guy needs a nap.

By FlyGurl BOS

November 17, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Cactus_HP is correct. Most Delta crews are flat out nasty to US Airways crews. It’s really sad and unfortunately I’ve witnessed it for years.

Case and point: It’s so bad that the crew hotel both airlines stay at in Portland, Maine had to buy another VAN because the Delta crews refused to ride with the US Airways’ crews. Reason they had to buy another van is because both airlines overnight flights came in around the same time. We’re happy to share a van with any crew; Delta is not.

The thing is this: We really don’t care what they [Delta] think of us at US Airways. Most of us have a life and cannot be bothered by the pettiness. Time to get rEAL.

By Buckhead Too

November 17, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

DAL Crewmembers and Unfortunate Support Employees:

What goes around comes around. You were never the air gods/goddesses you thought. Your association in first class with the rest of the world was only as hired employees. Your knock off Rolexes and high credit card balances aside, most of us have observed your condescending behavior to the rest of the airline world. Whether it was smirking at Continental and EAL colleagues on the sidewalk to your treatment of other airline crews including those from merged Western that were not considered “True Delta,” your condescension will be difficult to maintain from the bottom of the respective USAir/America West seniority lists. The time has arrived that you accept that you have always been “hired help” to the managers and board members at DAL and the rest of your passengers.

Take a look at the exploding fractional ownerships of executive jets and the continuing increase employment or ownership of chartered jets. Those who can are tired of the DAL customer service decline.

Get used to the fact that there will never be another “Spirit of Delta” aircraft or atmosphere because most realize that you may not fit into the bottom line. Take some good advice and develop personal options (real estate license, financial consultant certification, etc.) or take your employment elsewhere. Your labor skills (pilots too) are only considered a necessary evil by management.

By Jay Black

November 17, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

Some people are just plain crazy! What is this, a fraternity?! Delta may be bankrupt, but you still see red and blue tails in the air today. And you will continue to see them as the proposal says, the DL name will carry on. If this happens, there will be no USAir or AW. You USAir flight attendants will be DL flight attendants. No matter the outcome, Delta will move on and carry way into the future.

By Buckhead Too

November 17, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

Jay Black & any other deluded:

Look at the reality (Wall Street) scoreboard instead of the current smudged / indistinguishable widget blob on the horizontal stabilizers.

The $$$ say that you lose.

Current USAir = profitability Current Delta = bankrupt from hubris.

USAir will take the name for residual recognition, but the “sprit” of old Delta died yesterday.

By Coming for U

November 17, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

US Airways is such a ghetto airline. Its right there w/ Hooters Air. People have respect for American, United, Northwest, Delta and Continential when you hear the name. When you hear US Airways you see the name Ghetto Airways. There is a reason why that if this merger goes through they are taking the Delta name. What a disaster this will be for the airline industry and for Atlanta.

Phoenix? Keep your liberal airline and people to yourself, we don’t want you and your west coast kind here!!!

By Delta Ramp dude

November 17, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Delta ramp employees….. SIGN A UNION CARD NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OUR FUTURE IS AT STAKE… UsAirways rampers are IAM members.. if we are too, we will get a fair deal. If we aren’t union members .. we will get shafted!!! SIGN THAT CARD!!!!!

By LGASistahStew

November 17, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

Buckhead Too we don’t believe in stapling senority lists at US Airways. We’ve always been fair with senority integration and our merger record proves that. The majority go by DOH Date of Hire. Coming for U, your ghetto remarks are typical southern racism.

By Coming for U

November 17, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

They are not typical southern remarks, they are the truth. US Air is ghetto! If this merger goes through I will be thinking twice about flying the new Delta b/c I do not trust the US Airways and I would not trust anything about the company. I am gold medallian on Delta and a loyal customer but I can clearly see my allegiances change to some other airline if this merger happens. I will trust an American, Continential and United before I trust US Airways and a new Delta.

By ATL Gold Medallian

November 17, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this

Laguadia Sistah: You’re integration with A/W was, fundamentally, similar seniorities. Have you seen some of the wide-body jurrasic F/As at DAL? I doubt the purchasing entitiy will accept falling under so many 30-35 year seniorities at the current DAL.

By Cactus HP

November 17, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

Note to Coming for U…….

Nothing is more Ghetto than not being able to get the spelling correct of “Gold Medallion”. I can understand why you would want our “west coast kind” to stay away because you might have to become more literate to compete. It is all so clear now………

By Coming for U

November 17, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

I know you are so much smarter, you got me. You can tell all that by a typo. I just don’t want your west coast kind b/c I don’t like your rude, liberal people. Nothing good has ever come from the west. Some of the rudest people I know are from out west and this airline and company will be no different. Look at what they are doing? Your airline is ghetto, face it, its a fact. You have no respect in the industry. As I said, you are right up there w/ Hooters Air…class to to its fullest.

By Cactus HP

November 17, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

See here’s the thing…. I am not really trying to come of as some sort of intellectual or anything but when you “bring it” come prepared…… The whole point of the Gold Medallion thing is that you are trying to act all like I’m a Gold Medallion member so that makes my opinion important and then interlaced with that you use the Ghetto Air comments and you know it just does not add up. There are smart people and stupid people everywhere. Personally, I have a feeling that even at your “Gold Medallion” status I probably fly way more than you and I interact with way more people than you do. I have my opinion about where the rudest people in the country reside but we really don’t need to go into that just save it to say it is NOT the South and it is most definitely NOT the West. Please quit using statements like “it’s a fact” when calling us Ghetto. The fact is that it is JUST your opinion and why should we all care about your opinion…….OH that’s right your’e a how is you say it “Gold Medallian” member (incedentally if it could be passed off as a typo it would make more sense if the “a” key and the “o” key were near each other, maybe on the same side of the keyboard). Some of the biggest retards I have ever met are the upper echillion frequent flyers that have to throw it in your face every 3 seconds how much they fly and what frequent flyer status they are because they think what……like we care? I’ll tell you what we care about……. people with manners, ones that throw in a few Pleases and Thank Yous every so often. Ones that actually look at you when you are speaking to them and are not all taken over by their ridiculous Blackberries. People that don’t use words like “Ghetto”. Any flight crew who has been doing this for any length of time can pick out the people with manners and the “wanna-be something more than they are’s” within in SECONDS of contact……..guess who gets better service.

By Coming for U

November 17, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

Boy, I wonder how long you had to think of that and conjur it up. Good post!! I can use ghetto all I want b/c thats what you are, a ghetto airline trying to get in on the big show. Wether I am gold MEDALLION (Happy now!) or a casual flier it does not matter, US Airways is ghetto and the people that work there are rude and unaccomidating. There is a reason why people feel more comforatble w/ American, United, Delta and all the non ghetto airlines and a reason why I do not fly Ghetto Airways. I loath the notion that Delta will have to share planes and a company w/ a johnny come lately airline. If this goes through Delta will definitly sink to a new low.

I will wait another hour for your response ghetto US Airways person. Think hard for another response b/c as you said, you are so much smarter than me. Make Ghetto Airways proud!

By LGASistahStew

November 17, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

Coming for U, yes, those are racist remarks. As for seniority, I have 35 years and am a former Eastern/Trump Shuttle flight attendant. I received my Eastern DOH with the US Airways merger. US Airways is probably the most fair airline employer out there. Nice people and it’s a pleasure to work here.

By Coming for U

November 17, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

See, the liberal West at work. Racist remarks?…get over yourself and quit taking yourself so seriously. You are ghetto and this merger is a disaster for Atlanta and Delta. Delta will become a 2nd tier airline b/c of it. As I said before, there is a reason why you are taking the Delta name b/c as it stands now US Airways name is ghetto.

By DL_at_CMH

November 17, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

DELTA DO NOT LET THEM TAKE OVER, YOU PROVIDE A MUCH HIGHER QUALITY OF SERVICE TO YOUR PASSENGERS AND ARE MAKING IT BACK ON YOUR OWN 2 FEET OR 3 LANDING GEARS AGAIN! US SCARE IS NOT WHAT DELTA NEEDS AND IT IS NOT WHAT ATLANTA NEEDS. I LIVE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO AND WHEN I THINK OF ATLANTA I THINK OF DELTA AND COCA-COLA NOT SCAREWAYS AND COCA-COLA. KEEP ATL STRONG AND MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE, FORGET US AIRWAYS AND STAY TRUE TO ATL AND DELTA

By Cactus HP

November 17, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

Here I am right on time, don’t want to disappoint…….I am pretty much through with this banter. Yes, Yes, Yes you can use Ghetto all you want it really adds to your credibility factor. Don’t want to fly us? Sounds GREAT to me. Fly around on the big 3 to your hearts content I’m sure they just LOVE having you. Just for the record NONE of my posts ever contained the phrase “I am so much smarter than you”. I would have to see you for a few seconds to determine that and it is really not high on my list of “things to do today or anyday”. There is one thing that I think we both agree on and that is that it would be better if US Airways stayed far away from Delta because as I have stated before I think they have a “holier than thou” attitude and I just don’t want to have to integrate with them. I think that you don’t want this to go through for different reasons and that is fine because your opinion is just that. One thing is for sure though our stock in the new company opened in September 2005 around $20 per share and closed today for $59.45. Wall Street does not think we are very…..how do you say?…..Ghetto and for Delta? Well….started out 2005 around $7 and closed today at $1.26……very impressive. Hope they get a new vision soon because what they are doing now is NOT WORKING. Kind of like what the old US Airways was doing was NOT WORKING. I think it is the old US Airways that you remember and have so stuck in your mind because let me tell you things here are LOOKING UP and you can say the G word all you want but we all know that is THE PAST. If you want to live in the past then so be it.

By Delta employee

November 17, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

Eeeekkkk!! What vile comments are spewing forth on this blog. If did not see this coming, you have all been wearing Business Elite eyeshades.

A date of hire senority intergration would be nice. I would then get back 8 years of my flight attendant senority Delta took away from me in the Pan Am acquisition. But, since non-union employees have no bargaining power, that might just be a wish. All this Southern Culture stuff is laughable. Maybe what Delta needs is a forward thinking airline to drag it out of the past, white gloves and all. Y’all… Song was a huge step in the right direction. One of the reasons it was so good was the Delta culture was NOT there. Y’all can b*** all ya want..it’s out of your hands.

By Jay Black

November 17, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Can’t cry over spilled milk anymore. It’s gonna happen……we just gotta deal with it, whether it’s USAir or Continental, or Northwest, or American (though I’d really much rather this happen with Continental). Red and Blue forever. And by the way., the spirit of Delta flew the coup way back along with every other airlines spirit.

By LGASistahStew

November 17, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

Delta Employee, sign your AFA cards!! There have been two precedents at US Airways where employees regained seniority. Empire flight attendants got their seniority back (Piedmont stapled them to the bottom)and then when USAir acquired the Trump Shuttle those that started with Eastern Airlines received their Eastern DOH. I believe the Western flight attendants as well as Pan Am would benefit from this as well. Let’s hope this works out for the best.

By HP-US emp

November 18, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this

To those who think US is somehow an inferior airline, just look at the DOT reports. We have consistently placed near the top in the industry since the merger with HP for on-time performance and reliability. I talk to dozens of customers daily as I work in Customer Relations. The satisfaction level is way up and our customers are quick to point this out. This is not the same US Airways of the past, new management, new forward looking polcies, we are headed in the right direction.

Even if we were a sorry airline, since Delta is so much bigger and better, wouldn’t a merger mean we would take on the perfect Delta character rather than Delta taking on the Ghetto US Airways?

Delta will not come out of Bankruptcy alone. If this merger does not work out, another will.

By Joe

November 18, 2006 04:23 AM | Link to this

Delta is already pulling profit again and on its way to a strong emergence from bankruptcy protection… why sell Delta’s soul to a ghetto airline when things are moving forward?

Also, nobody seems to be talking about the fleets. Take a look at US Air’s aircraft and you’ll see that a merger would only resurrect the high costs Delta experienced with a complicated diversity of aircraft. US Airways has 767-200s, Airbuses, etc.

And US Airways route network really doesn’t take Delta anywhere. What Delta really needs to do is expand to Asia- a task it seems only a merger can make happen given Delta’s poor Asian record. A United, Northwest, or Continental merger seems more reasonable. US Airways? Gimme a break!

By number 1 embalmer

November 18, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

As a long-time USAirways F/A, I resent my carrier being refered to as “trailer park” on this blog. Since the merger with AWA, I feel we are now at least in the “modular home” range. Furthermore, after years of being treated like s** from every DL employee, it will give me great PLEASURE to see their asses stapled to the BOTTOM of OUR seniority list. Hardy-har har har!

By Buckhead Too

November 18, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

DAL Crews and Unfortunate Support Personnel:

It’s got to be very hard to read and/or hear so many from outside of the organization point out the crews’ demonstrated conceit with other colleagues if not customers over the past years. Personally, within our social circle, it’s often said that, individually, some of the DAL folks are the nicest around until you get three or more of the crewmembers together. Then, its time to send out the trash. You don’t have to like it; I’m just letting you know what’s said behind your back.

Manners or regional pride, it really isn’t germane to the question at hand. Also neither are the dollars in any of our pockets (although, I suspect that my passive income exceeds any of yours). Being an Atlanta native, I have consumed Coca Cola, shopped at Rich’s, graduated from Georgia Tech, and used to be proud to be a frequent customer of Delta. Let’s get off defensive subject of who can spell better or who fly’s more - the point is who (the customer) is (or was) paying whose (DAL employees’) salary.

Employing the correction of spelling in a blog as a rebuttal for the pride of your airline seems somewhat trite. Couldn’t any substantial points be used instead of crawling into “ghetto” and “trailer park” derision?

Nevertheless, there has been an increasing bitterness exhibited by those with whom we (the public) interact that is reminiscent of the last days of EAL. Whether it’s the reservations agent from tomorrow’s time zone that speaks English in name only, to the curbside baggage checker who resents his tips being infringed upon by the airline, to the gate agents’ handling far too many frustrated customers, to the crews working more for less and seeing no prospect for improvement due to their efforts. We also see the ramp personnel and baggage loaders, in both the uncomfortable cold and hot weather, being more listless than previously observed and, we suspect, that the maintenance personnel are stretched much thinner than their view of safety would recommend.

However the marketplace is what it is. It’s just that some of you are very late in reading the obvious tea leaves left by your EAL colleagues. Labor (and your effort) is not appreciated by an automated, bottom-line management. A non-unionized environment (except for the pilots) may have had a positive affect yesterday, but may have outlived its survival. Also, the last “pay increase” pilot contract a few years ago (that set an industry high for pay at the time) certainly helped tip the balance sheet.

Its time to recognize reality - that you, as a Delta employee, only obtained that position as a matter of hiring timing. Your industry colleagues, who came from similar military or civilian backgrounds, may be your seniors tomorrow. It would seem advisable to keep the waters as positive as possible in an otherwise turbulent time to render a potentially positive professional environment in the future. Otherwise, seriously, look for other options. There really are more lucrative and rewarding endeavors than yoking yourself to a huge organization that no longer cares for your welfare. The glamorous times are over in a crowded, over-booked, TSA controlled airport, children no longer stop to salute your uniforms. For those of us (yes, I used to be one of you in the cockpit) who saw the airline job as reasonable and just reward for our military sacrifice or years of civilian “paying-the-dues.” Unfortunately, the current concourse scene is more similar to a Greyhound station than the old days of airline travel and, we suspect, that most of you think that you deserve better. If you’re so inclined, get out and take the risk. Find your own reward instead of mourning for the “Old Delta.” We just hope you are not too late to the party.

By Old PSA F/A

November 18, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this

Get used to it ATL: Cadillac by Capital, Funeral by Patterson’s and air travel by USAirways!

By KD

November 18, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

It sickens me how some of you pro merger people are. LET’S GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT!!!

THE ONLY REASON US AIRWAYS WANTS TO TAKEOVER DELTA IS BECAUSE THEY AND THE REST OF THE AIRLINE WORLD KNOW THAT WE WILL BE STRONGER AFTER BANKRUPTCY. IT TOOK US AIRWAYS TWO TIMES AND A TAKEOVER BY AMERICA WEST TO BECOME PROFITABLE.

Truthfully, there is no more US Airways. It’s just a name that America West Decided to keep because it was a better known name between the two.

By the way for theose of you that don’t know, UNITED will be putting in a bid for us very soon.

To all you other airlines, we don’t want nor need your money. STAY THE HELL AWAY!!!

By Number 1 embalmer

November 18, 2006 08:33 PM | Link to this

Poor K.D. Keep drinking the coolaid hun…See you at the BOTTOM of the seniority list. xoxo

By Old PSA F/A

November 18, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

Let me refraze that: Credit Card from Rich’s (Federated Department Stores), Cadillac by Capital (Re-Con enterprises of California), Funeral by Patterson’s (Service Corporation Internationl), Air travel by Delta Air Lines (USAirways of Phoenix,AZ). Ha Ha Ha.

By ATL Gold Medallion

November 18, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

All of you should allow some time for sincere soul searching. Some of the pilots can catch on at another airline at the bottom of the list. Perhaps the merger list will be satisfactory. Keep in mind that, since Ozark, ALPA to ALPA mergers have always heavily favored the purchasing company over the other at many of the members’ expense.

The maintenance staff should also have a positive choice of becoming significantly more junior with a unionized shop or leaving for another position inside or outside of the industry. The support personnel will be hurt in the uncertain transition as the elimination of duplicated staff will also favor the purchasing company. Slowly, but steadily, as the rumors swirl and magnify, the customer service, ticketing, and reservations staff will be converted over to a system and seniority that is worse than you have now or will be downsized out altogether.

As for the Flight Attendants, if you are honest with yourselves, there are very few positions outside of the airline, except those with your first name on a uniform name tag (waitress, McDonalds Team Leader, etc), that will have any interest in your resume bullets. As we have observed with any previous F/A only strike, it is soon recognized that, unlike pilots and mechanics, the FAA only requires approximately two weeks of training to qualify a flight attendant and replacements are relatively easy to obtain. Also, as Buckhead Too recommended, recognize that you have been riding a “great deal” for a long time, but the very lean times are very close if you do not prepare yourselves now. Contact ITT, a local friendly real estate office or mortgage broker, or, maybe a court reporter class, and be ready, if needed to join the rest of the working peons you have looked down upon from your artificial cabin crew perch. Recognize, before it’s too late for you and any family that relies upon your income that you can still recover from the questionable decision to sell your professional viability for a few free crew passes to the Caribbean or elsewhere.

By UAL Crewmember

November 18, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this

You DAL people remind me of the nuveau riche family that put on all of there newly found aires - ensuring that all around new how “important” they were. However, when hard times arrived (as they always do) this family was shocked to discover how pleased the rest of the town was with their downfall. Aside from the hard times, their previous vanity, conceit, and overly valued pride instead of humility had rendered their misfortune as a community blessing.

By JLB

November 19, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this

in response to ATL gold medallion, seeing as how F/A’s are so useless and uneducated in your opinion, let you be the first to save your own life in a possible medical emergency while onboard an airplane. You are an idiot who needs to spend more time with that nasty, bitter number 1 embalmer. If that is the type of attitude held by US Airways employees than all will be damned by such a merger.

By JLB

November 19, 2006 12:25 AM | Link to this

UAL employee—-did you interview with DAL and get denied due to your lack of English language comprehension and that is why you are so unhappy and feeling so inferior now?

By UAL Crewmember

November 19, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this

JLB:

Your pathetic well being is the one on the block hoping someone will save it. Keep praying to the Virginia Avenue Brick temples to save you and see if it works.

You would probably do better walking the sidewalks outside the fence with the others like you who are willing to sell themselves to anyone in any car driving by on Saturday night.

By Delta employee

November 19, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Dear ATL Gold Medallion, Well hello. I haven’t heard from you since my last flight.

You were sitting in F/C snapping your fingers at me for your precious pre-departure scotch rocks at 0800, and waving your coat in the air so that I might hang it. You then procedded to not look at me when I asked you if you would like yet another morning cocktail. Then you walked into my galley to complain that your FF was not getting you enough free upgrades.

Please don’t have a heart attack on my flight.I might forget(seeing I have had only 2 weeks of training)where the difibrillator is.

By Phoenix

November 19, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

Will you cry babies just quit your whining and shut up. US Airways is better than Delta, and Phoenix is better than Atlanta. Deal with it. You inbred hillbillies live in a pit, so US Airways and Phoenix are doing Delta a favor and rescuing it. Boo hoo hoo. Things change. This will be for the better, so deal with it.

By ATL Gold Medallion

November 19, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Dear Delta Employee (aka Air Goddess):

Your moniker is correct as is mine: Delta Employee & ATL Gold Medallion. I am (or was) a customer of your company, you are an employee (actually entry level labor) whose pay depends upon my and my colleagues’ tickets.

Your customer service managers who employ you direct you to tend to the convenience of First Class customers. Of course, I used to notice how you and your colleagues would fill out those seats whenever they were available before Customer Service derived more financially beneficial processes to fill those seats than with the off duty help.

As far as your tag of in-flight safety experts, unlike the pilots, 99% of F/As never experience any kind of cabin emergency in their entire careers.

In addressing the future of the company, your rebuttal has fallen back to a defensive and egocentric discussion of your experiences during your paid employment. Frankly, if you don’t like it, leave. Of course, as we mentioned before, where are you going to get the same benefits with your documented experience? What work actions do you perform most? There’s: putting revision pages in your F/A manual so that you will not have to learn the more complex Federal Air Regulations, reciting the complex (operation of seat belts?) FAA required emergency instructions before each flight, pushing the service carts around, and scratching your head for any other unconventional problem that arises. Unfortunately, in looking elsewhere, the entry level positions at Sears, McDonalds, or Waffle House are the ones that come to the top of the list quickly.

(BTW, the under the USAir / America West, the DAL “air goddesses” will have to learn to hustle and demonstrate their appreciation of employment much more by assisting their company colleagues in aircraft cleaning and gate administration.)

Also, the latest FAA statistics addressing your issue of the location of the on-board defibrillator is that, industry wide, it has never been utilized for an actual, in-flight emergency. Thus, by your expert opinion, the future of Delta depends upon your knowledge of the location of an item that has never been actually used. In fact, instead of seeking any qualified medical technicians on board (doctors, EMTs etc.), I wonder how many passengers would prefer that an inexperienced F/A employ a defibrillator on them or a loved one.

Seriously, recognize the precarious position you have placed yourself and your family in. Your career decision was to depend upon an entry level position for the livelihood of your family in exchange for a few airline unique benefits like flexible days off and almost free pass travel to commute and to go to the Caribbean. As difficult as it may be for you and the other DAL F/As to read from “just a customer,” find yourself some outside training while there is still time. Call up one of those overnight TV channel commercial schools like ITT Tech or get that real estate license you have always been thinking of. You are living in Pompeii and the mountain is rumbling.

Of course, we haven’t mentioned snagging a spouse or, better, supplementing your income through alimony. These are historically the other career options for F/As to consider and may be high on your list as we speak. Thus, for those currently involved with the DAL Employee writing the response or others, you might wish to reevaluate the level and type of financial commitment you desire for the future. They certainly are.

Finally, please recognize that your emotional responses are just entertainment for the rest of us. We’re yanking your chain because of the long time artificial spectacle of the “Delta Employee” being elevated above the rest. Yet, your professional and financial future is the only one on the block in this blog. The rest of us are just being entertained like the times you hang (wrinkle) our coats or bring the drinks.

We’re the paying, but uninvolved, customer. You are the entry level hired help.

Scary isn’t it? Then, go out and develop real employment options now like we have to every day.

By US CP

November 19, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

US Airways is choking now, and this is merely a ploy by Parker to disguise the choking. He is just Frank Lorenzo in drag. The bad news is that Lorenzo only despised employees; Parker despises employees and customers. he has had no connection with his best customers for nearly 2 years, he has repeatedly lied about putting customers first (http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/operations/merger/media/default.aspx), he has told analysts that he and US have caused a 24% reduction in fares within their markets against which 100% of data show that US is the high price leader 100% of the time (compare any route across all airlines on Travelocity, before they lower their prices to clear the Department Of Justice hurdle), he has tripled capacity controls on award seats and has made nearly nothing available at standard redemption levels, he is removing first class seats and lying about 7-day upgrades for Chairman’s Preferred frequent flyers, and his international fleet is in absolute shambles. Not one of the major challenges related to the HP/US merger has yet been approached (labor contracts, merged reservation systems, lost customers, etc.).

Doug is simply attempting to make up for his and his team’s massive inabilities through hype and distraction from the fatal flaws that exist within his airline model that no other airline in the USA is following, thankfully.

It is merely his hope to make up for that through becoming the largest and the most horrible airline in the USA and probably in the world.

DL board, DL creditors, Department of Justice, and people of Atlanta please do not allow this transaction to occur while being fooled by the empty suits in Tempe.

By number 1 embalmer

November 19, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

Dear ATL Gold Medallion, Check your facts regarding the use of the on-board defibrillator. Last year the devise was utilized by cabin crew six or seven times aboard USAirways flights, all successfully. One incident occurred on-board a flight I was working from Philadelphia to Madrid. The victim was the Purser!

Also, Mr. Medallion, please do not lump USAirways F/A’s together with our snooty counterparts at DL. You may be surprised to learn that the typical USAirways F/A has a college degree and does pursue interests. For many of us the position is only a part-time gig.

By ATL Gold Medallion

November 19, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

US CP,

Your analysis may be exactly on point. After deregulation, several opportunists (the criminal Frank Larenzo too) realized that major airlines are the greatest cash flow business in the US if not the world. Through “creative” accounting and diversion of assets, they could rake off the cream and leave the remaining entities unsupported to wither on the vine. There is still some low hanging fruit which can be picked by those willing.

Might DAL be one of these fruits? Maybe so, but we would hope not. A healthy Delta is good for consumerism and, in the long run, healthy for USAir through the challenge of collaborative, but competitive operations as AirTran made Delta step up to the pricing plate.

The after effects of 9/11, uncertainty in the Middle East and Katrina causing a significant fuel price increase, the challenges from AirBus and the demands in China have increased the costs at Boeing which increases Delta’s maintenance support costs, and some unhealthy fixed cost commitments including the unsupportable previous pilot contract as well as the massively excessive executive benefits and parachutes have crippled a formerly healthy airline to be ripe for the Lorenzo vultures.

We cannot forecast the immediate future for the autonomy or merger of DAL. For years, many of us have projected an eventuality of three mega carriers, incorporating all of the rest of the current big ten. However, that may not be in the best interest of the traveling public.

Hopefully, there is enough productivity left in Delta for it to survive as a separate entity. Hopefully, the senior management and board members are still inclined to build the airline instead of dismantling it. But, the outcome will depend exclusively on bottom-line evaluation, not on emotional outbursts regarding cabin service and who knows where the defibrillator is.

By ATL Gold Medallion

November 19, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

Embalmer (aka USAir F/A),

Please excuse the misunderstanding. I was addressing those who exist in the bankrupt entity that have concerns regarding their future, but emotionally refuse to accept their current circumstance.

For those who have a business related degree or other current sources of income, you have already pursued the recommendations I had for the less enlightened DAL counterparts. Those at Delta who have properly arranged their lives will only experience a minor financial hiccup because of their farsighted professional diversification.

These blogs are for those that have looked down upon the rest of the airline world, but seek my advice (and a job) on flights. Consistently, they only own a cat, their faux Rolexes and CZ jewelry, a condo mortgage (in Peachtree City, West Cobb, etc.) and a car payment after 30 years of flying. This represents poor financial planning and must be addressed expeditiously to allow them to positively survive instead of emotionally resisting the advice just because it doesn’t square with the archaic image of a F/A that In-Flight Recruiting sold and the In-Flight supervisors try to maintain.

Please let me commend you for keeping your eyes open, keeping yourself prepared, then, enjoying the “good deal” that airline employment may offer.

By Delta employee

November 19, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

To ATL Gold Medallion,

FYI: I have evacuated 2 aircraft in my career. I have had an in-flight decompression. I have had numerous emergency landings, the last one being for smoke in the cabin. In that one, all the Medallion eyes in F/C were looking at me for instruction. I have administered CPR, with NO medical help on board. And, I have assisted Medical personel with many on board medical emergencies. Did I mention that I was hijacked to Cuba?

I own 3 homes, two of which are paid for. My car is paid for. I have no credit cards.My 401 and retirement savings are in great shape. And, I have done this myself, not by divorcing a Pilot.I have a college degree.

However, I am not alone in my good fortune. Most of the F/A’s I know are college educated or graduates.

I CHOOSE to work for Delta because I enjoy travel, and working 2-3 days a week. I also LIKE my job and the passengers I come in contact with.

I have been with National, PanAm, Song and Delta. If I am to be with US Airways in the future, I will continue to provide good service. Experienced service.

You obviously have many issues. Your opinion of women being the most obvious. You reveal yourself by calling us “Air Goddesses”.

You spend your time on this blog by crew/employee bashing. The subject of the blog is MERGER.

By Brian Miller

November 19, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

As a US Airways frequent flyer, I had to have a laugh at some of what I’m reading here.

“US Airways has no international routes?” I beg to differ! Both Charlotte and especially Philadelphia (my home airport) are major international hubs. US isn’t as large as Delta internationally, but is respectable.

“US service sucks, it flies old dirty planes, and loses your bags all the time.” That’s also just ridiculous. I have had my bag lost in Philly exactly once in hundreds of flights on US. Delta, meanwhile, was ace at losing my bag both in JFK and Atlanta. And US’s planes are mostly new Airbus jets, with a few older Boeings that are decently maintained. Talking about “old, dirty planes” — fly a Delta MD-80 recently? I was busy searching for my Lysol on my last Delta MD-80 flight.

Yes, Atlanta will probably lose its corporate HQ. Such is life — Washington DC lost the old US Air HQ when America West bought US Airways.

Flight operations out of Atlanta will likely stay the same, Charlotte will be downsized, and US Air will probably pull down that horrible Pan Am terminal Delta flies out of in JFK and route most of the flights through Philadelphia’s state-of-the-art operation.

Delta’s filthy, old planes will be replaced rapidly; SkyMiles will be replaced with Dividend Miles (US’s vastly superior frequent flyer program); Delta will probably be part of Star Alliance (a better choice for travellers); competition from Airtran, jetBlue and Southwest will keep fares low; Cincinatti will be pulled down in favor of Pittsburgh; and the USA will finally have a national airline with a major presence or hub in Boston, New York (LaGuardia and perhaps some operations in JFK as well), Philadelphia, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Charlotte, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.

Delta fliers will be able to look forward to better customer service (US Air’s people in Tempe take calls personally and are quick to compensate you for inconveniences), a better frequent flyer program, more destinations throughout the USA and Europe, etc.

US Air fliers will be able to look forward to more connection options, more destinations throughout the southeast, and better coverage of Los Angeles.

It’s a win-win to have Delta’s incompetent management replaced with Doug Parker and the former America West guys running US Airways — who have delivered profits, bonuses, better work rules, new planes, better routes and better customer service to US Air’s long-suffering customers from years past.

The alternative is a Delta that hobbles out of Chapter 11, only to collapse and liquidate in a few years like Pan Am when the next fuel crisis or economic downturn hits.

Times change. Time to move on.

By number 1 embalmer

November 19, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this

Dear ATL Medallion, Looks like “Delta Employee” has more than two carry-on bags. As for me, I look forward to seeing you on a flight with the “New Delta”

By US CP

November 19, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

Brian-

You are very sorely mistaken on every count. DL has been bankrupt once. US and HP, four times. If you think US has better customer service than DL you must be a Chairman’s Preferred, as I am. Everyone else gets no service at US and I (as a US shareholder and DL creditor) have the data to prove it. Gerry Grinstein was running airlines when Doug was still picking his nose.

US is, in fact, barely an international carrier. Only seasonal service to SNN, DUB, VCE and ARN. 4 to 5 times per week to most of their Europe destinations NOW. Their 767’s and 333’s are about to fall out of the sky. Envoy is the laughing stock of business class and Doug has still not ordered retrofitting and updating. US has the lowest fare to nowhere from anywhere and Doug calls it “low fare”. He won’t be able to lie in Bankruptcy Court or to the Department Of Justice.

Oh yeah, I have not flown DL for exactly 5 years since they stranded me at JFK in 2001. But, they are 3 times the airline that US is, have much greater chance of thriving without US, and have always utilized a business model that is not built upon consumer fraud, deceit and complete disconnection from customers, which is Dougie’s model. That is becoming clearer and clearer and that is what my testimony in New York will focus upon, with evidence and witnesses.

By number 1 embalmer

November 19, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

Looks like US CP has too many carry-on bags as well. Or should I say too many ex-wives who are stews with USAirways.

Envoy Stews unite!!

By ATL Gold Medallion

November 19, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

Dear Delta Employee (aka Very Senior F/A),

We, again, have enjoyed your emotional rant and your undocumented claim. As they say, “talk is cheap.” Nevertheless, you seem to have forgotten the principle rule of business: “The customer is always right.” Because we have a very close friend at the AJC, we will be happy to deliver your responses to Delta’s Customer Service for their interest.

Also, since your asserted that the blog is regarding the potential of a merger, we wonder why you spent your entire comments talking about you, Clearly you have allowed more than one carry on to enter your life with your previous spouses. However, we wish you well and hope that you continue to entertain us with your hysterical rants. Please involve other Jurassic wide-bodies like yourself for increased entertainment.

We have your chain right here.

By number 1 embalmer

November 19, 2006 08:33 PM | Link to this

Dear ATL Medallion,

YOU GO GIRL!!!

By edwinawilliams

November 19, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

Delta should emerge as a vital stand alone airline for the sake and sacrifice made by the people who are working hard to keep it together. I hope USair and others will leave them alone. I believe this management will make Delta as a great company as it was not long ago. Thank you again MR. LEO MULLIN for puttting such a great company to the situation its in today. I hope you enjoy yor money in the grave

By ATL Gold Medallian

November 20, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

Hi Edwina,

I sincerely hope that the business bottom line works out for you with the outcome you desire. However, prepare yourself for a less than desirable result. Not knowing your position in the airline, we cannot project your viability, but take a realistic assessment and prepare options for yourself.

Too many at Eastern, TWA, and, some at Pan Am kept drinking the Kool-Aid well after it had spoiled. Do not continue to think that the old Delta is more important than yourself and your family. I guarantee that upper management doesn’t.

BTW, what happened to DAL Employee and her “well thought out” rebuttals? We all wanted to hear from more of those who cannot read the: 1. Tea leaves; 2. Handwriting on the wall; 3. The florescent glow emanating from the Business Section of every major newspaper in the country. (No People Magazine doesn’t count as a news periodical) Go ahead and check it out for yourself on the newspapers left behind as trash in F/C

Back to this Delta Blog, reading everyone else’s comments regarding the DAL crews’ historical snobby interactions with other crews will get old and boring without “Delta Employee’s” wild assertions that the DAL aircraft are in such a poor condition of maintenance that she had an emergency or had to pop the chutes on almost every flight. Certainly most of us had the impression that the maintenance professionals kept the aircraft as well as possible and that the aircraft were not in such a poor state for all of these abnormal procedures to occur. This blog could get serious, dealing with realistic and serious issues without her responsesfor a laugh relief. Frankly, I would like to hear about how she obtained those repoerted assets on a F/A’s salary to be able to point the way for some of her colleagues and the IRS as well.

Sadly, when “Financially Troubled” becomes the first two words newscasters use to identify your airline, following it with your name (fill in the blank), its time to make sure you have a reservation in a life boat. Maybe you won’t need it, but make sure you have a positive space ticket out.

By New York

November 20, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

To Atl Gold Medallion:

Would you believe I have flown with FA’s in that also have other jobs such as lawyers, veterinarians, college professors, interior designers, and nurses. These are just some of the backgounds of people that hang up your coat and give you a drink. I am sure all of the other airlines have FA’s with the same backgrounds.

By Bostonian

November 20, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Delta and USAir - I prefer Delta. However, Charlotte is a much better airport. But, if this merger goes through I BEG the new company: DON’T MAKE US SUFFER BY GOING THROUGH ATLANTA! I know I’m not alone in my feelings, as a frequent business traveler me and others at my Boston-based company have our agents book us on anything other than Delta rather than having to connect through Atlanta. I hope the merged company will consider Charlotte’s lower operating costs and flier preferences.

By ATL Gold Medallion

November 20, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

NY,

Thank you for reiterating my point. It is that there is still time, not only for F/As, but for all others, including pilots and all support personnel, to develop an option and a choice for their professional lives if the potential merger is untenable for them. If you have flown with others who have developed these options and are using the airline as a secondary benefit that’s great.

However, let’s consider your assertion: lawyers, veterinarians, college professors, interior designers and nurses.

1. Lawyers: Perhaps they have worked very hard and obtained a law degree on the side and have even passed their state’s bar. They might even have a small side real estate or bankruptcy (ironic) practice. This is a good option for the day the airline turns on you. However, I doubt a corporate or litigation schedule, even in a firm, would allow the fluctuations of the monthly bidding process for crewmembers.

2. Veterinarians: Once again, perhaps they are commendably trained for a rainy day. However, animal needs cannot be scheduled secondarily to an airline.

3. College Professors: Conceivable only. Maybe, during a leave of absence from the airline. Otherwise, this one further taints the credibility of the information you were told. Think of how could an institution of scheduled classes accept the uncertainty of the fluctuations of the monthly trip bids aside from the unforeseen weather and other traffic or personnel re-routing. Now, I am not talking about the off brand night schools or the on-line degree purchases. No, this one is a little hard to accept in the real world. However, we appreciate the fact that you actually heard it from a F/A.

4. Interior Designers: Great choice for anyone with an eye for design in the struggling airline industry! Very flexible and not requiring any prior certification. We also know of some other airline personnel who have successfully taken this option. Thank you for using this as an example for the DAL folks.

5. Nurses: In this era of nursing shortages everywhere, this might also be a good option for one who already had the lengthy and intense training. However, it may be too late for others to pursue this option for their current potential merger at Delta. However, think of the work environment you have witnessed for nurses in hospitals. That’s a pretty demanding life. For one who encounters emergencies as often as Delta Employee, asserts, would you want the F/A on your or your family’s flight to have performed this activity during their off duty (rest) periods?

However, this is not a blog to concentrate on Delta F/As’ job performance (now that would be a hot one). It’s discussing the merger and our input has been to encourage those who find it untenable to develop personal and professional options. If you trace the earlier comments, any of the specifications of Delta F/As have been either an observation regarding their open condescension toward other airline crewmembers or in response to an obtuse personalization of the subject. Even within the Delta house, crewmembers form other airlines (merged Western or Pan Am) or one who somehow gained a position at Delta after working somewhere else are not accepted as “True Delta.” Our question has been to ask, in defense of the other hard workers outside and inside of the airline, what benefit does the label of “True Delta” mean now? All should develop an alternative option just in case while keeping their eyes open and returning to the superior customer service that made Delta a proud name.

Personally, it is those who resent the loyalty of Gold Medallion or any other frequent flyers as subliminally exhibited by comments in this blog, who should reevaluate their employment. These individuals do not own the aircraft and the facilities. They are employees being paid to perform as the stockholders dictate and the taxpayers, through the FAA, require. If they resent the customer service responsibilities that engender repeat passengers, then a reevaluation might be in order.

As for the emotional responses for D/E, she so well exhibited the classic rebuttal of one who is insecure in her position and is subconsciously aware of her previous ill regard and treatment of other airline personnel and mere passenger who pay her salary. She did so by attempting to transition the potential merger and its effects debate into a personal retort and classic accusations of misogyny. She demonstrated her ostrich defense technique by continuing her subliminal customer abuse by attacking someone who had recommendations for her group’s future security. Her responses were so illogical, but typical from the group who considered themselves above the rest of the industry world, that we couldn’t resist yanking her chain a little each time.

Speaking from a position in life has rendered us blessed and fortunate enough to be financially immune from others’ actions, we have recommended for those who are the good and dedicated employees and have only the desire to successfully coexist and find some security in their lives (as we have briefly observed from the maintenance personnel), that changing the outcome associated with potential merger discussions is akin to an individual stopping an avalanche with a shovel. The only viable choice is to develop an escape plan while there is still time for the time it might be needed.

By Walter M

November 20, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

Delta might be having troubles right now but nothing could compare with uniting with US Airways. I am appalled at the gall US Airways shows in thinking that Delta would even give this a thought. Delta*s big mistake was when it bought Pan Am. Pan Am was ready to explode from within. I say ” Us Airways can go pound sand…. This would be the worst possible partner for Delta. Delta has no union and Us Airways has a union for every department. They are always fighting. Delta needs them like they neen Ron Allen back. THE LAST THING DELTA NEEDS NOW IS TO ACCEPT A HOSTILE TAKEOVER FROM A LOSER LIKE US AIRWAYS….

By US CP

November 20, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

As the result of this inane move by Doug Parker, I have become a shareholder in DALRQ and LCC and am buying a creditor claim in Delta’s bankruptcy in order to have standing in bankruptcy court and be a spoiler to Doug Parker, all of his horses, and all of his yes-men.

These are but some of his problems, all facts:

1.) He is a liar. Our firm has been tracking his fare moves since February 2006 on forty randomly selected domestic and international routes. Despite his ruminations to the contrary, LCC has had no lowest fare on any route at any time, and in 77% of all cases his fares are in the top 20% of all fares. 2.) His international fleet is in a shambles in terms of condition and maintenance, and he has no aircraft for that purpose to be delivered before 2013. 3.) Only one executive from US Airways chose to move to Phoenix and stay with the company, and he left the company three weeks ago. 4.) Doug, Scott and Elise have created vacant hype around themselves while their load and RASM numbers are statistically equal to all other carriers. When you take into account their “one time charges” every quarter, skilled business people realize that their concept has no legs and no long-term viability or goodwill.

5.) The last moves that US/HP made that were followed by other carriers were way back when HP stood alone, through their elimination of Saturday stay rules and implementation of snack boxes. Nothing contemporary has occurred since seven months before their acquisition of US. No other carrier has been imitating US moves for over one year. They are hanging out there alone, and if left alone for another year, they will either improve…or die. …and probably die. 6.) Their entire business model is newly based upon what is developing into outright consumer fraud. What they say and what they promise (low fares, 7 day upgrades, free seat availability, etc.) is purposefully not delivered to passengers. 7.) Because they are only noticed and paid attention to largely by residents of greater Phoenix (mostly because they have The Arizona Republic in their pocket) because of the arguably smiley-faced empty suit behavior set of Parker and Kirby, they are seeking attention through what The Arizona Republic refers to as “bold moves”. 8.) The executive team at US has approached and accomplished nothing substantial related to the HP/US merger in areas such as labor contracts, reservation systems, web site functionality, customer service or route restructuring. It has now been fifteen months, and that is longer than any of the EA/CO, DL/WA, and AA/TW transaction’s full operational mergings. 9.) US, under Doug’s limits, is attempting to fool enough of the people for long enough so that he/they can make up for their massive inability through organizational mass. 10.) If this takeover sadly were to occur DL employees and customers will lose on a seismic scale, Doug will lead air travel quality and safety into oblivion while global forces and leadership quality at international carriers will further leave the USA air travel industry in the dust, and air fares will rise dramatically under Doug’s lead as they have during the last eleven months. His “24% reduction in fares” comment to analysts last week referred, without disclosure by him, only to full Y fares and only on routes where they have faced competition by AA, DL, NW, CO, and UA. If US should become number one in size, Doug will not care what those carriers do, which should create problems for the Department Of Justice, every passenger and every business who has business travellers.

We have endless data and witnesses to support these facts and many other facts and it is our intention to present them to Delta’s creditors, to the Department Of Justice and to the bankruptcy court in New York.

Delta, its employees and the 300,000,000 other people in the USA deserve much better than Doug’s limited and limiting (as well as self-serving) view of what air travel should be and in fact is in the rest of the world.

By Brian Miller

November 20, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

4 to 5 times per week to most of their Europe destinations NOW. Their 767’s and 333’s are about to fall out of the sky.

Oh, sure, you’re a US Airways Chairman’s Preferred but you’re claiming that US’s European flights are “four to five times a week” and their planes are about to “fall out of the sky?”

What a load of rubbish.

As a regular flyer on US’s European routes, they’re daily routes (twice daily on London to Philadelphia) and the A330s are decently equipped. Envoy class isn’t the best business class across the Atlantic, but it’s quite respectable — certainly better than the biz class Delta’s offering on its domestic 767s which it is throwing across the pond in desperation.

It’s obvious that you’re a Delta fan who is masquerading as a US Airways flier in order to stir up the pot. That’s sorta sad.

As a regular flyer of both carriers (but who prefers US for their better legroom, better in-flight entertainment on transatlantic flights, and better FF program), I daresay that Delta flyers will have something better to look forward to across the pond if you’re an economy-class sort.

Easier upgrades, a better FF program that doesn’t make “qualifying miles” impossible to get, and free domestic upgrades on every flight for silver, gold, platinum and Chairman’s members are a couple of other perks that Delta flyers will be able to look forward to.

Oh yeah, plus lots and lots of new planes to replace all those creaky MD-80s.

Anyway, Delta’s future is not its own. It will be acquired — the question is, by who? It could do a lot worse than US Air, who will keep the Delta infrastructure intact due to the complimentary route network. If another company like United, American or Continental steps in, Delta will be more or less liquidated.

And Delta as a stand-alone? No way. Now they have to raise over $8 billion in creditor value to match the US Air proposal. That means borrowing — against a weak company already on the brink of collapse and liquidation. If they emerge from bankruptcy on their own under such a deal, all it will take is a recession or $80 a barrel oil to push them into liquidation.

By US CP

November 20, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

Brian-

Haven’t flown DL for exactly 5 years. And, apparenetly you have not tried to fly PHL to MUN, FCO, AMS or MXP on US lately. You should get out more; those routes only occur 4 or 5 times per week now.

You also need to get real on your fleet knowledge. DL has 83 767-300’s, 767-300ER’s, 767-400’s, and 777-200’s. They have 5 more 777’s on order. They have 16 MD-90’s.

If you think the US fleet is better in any way than DL, you are sorely mistaken and lying on behalf of US.

Have fun on your US 67-200’s. They have nothing delivered in the last 5 years, and nothing with extended range. They also have nothing on order except RJ’s, for delivery until 2013.

By employeclash

November 20, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Talk all you want about which airline provides best service, and value for creditors. Who cares!? Remember the fact that mergers usually don’t work. Take a look at it right now….US Airways employees having fistfights at union meetings, pilots picketing, etc. Throw alllll the Delta employees into the mix….union or not….expect much much more fighting and morale problems and confusion and fear with hubs downsizing and jobs being lost. Try to motivate this diverse group of people/employees from different cultures….and by a CEO that just cashed out 9 million dollars of stock options? He ….Doug the Idiot….is trying to make a name for himself and load his pockets up versus trying to make a great airline. Big isn’t better folks….the different airline employees will fight…no doubt and leadership won’t have the savy to make them one. Try flying planes with that turmoil in the employee groups! Say good-bye to anything close to great customer service frequent fliers….employees won’t give a damn about making you content when they aren’t happy…no matter what price you pay for your ticket or how often you fly. Oh but we are responsible for your paychecks you say….get real frequent fliers! Put these employees together…expect the worst! You will get it Greyhound style. Maybe that’s what you should do arrogant travelers….take the bus.

By Government Watchdog

November 20, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

Here’s something for everyone to consider: The FAA’s Associate Administrator for Safety, the Director of Flight Standards, FAA the H.Q. Manager of Air Carrier Operations, and the Manager of Air Carrier Airworthiness (Maintenance) as well as the Manager of the Pittsburg Fight Standards District Office come from the USAir Certificate Management Unit and are all charter members of what FAA people call the “USAir or Pittsburg Mafia.” It’s believed by many that each is consistently very favorable to USAir in making policy. It appeared to be true during the USAir and America West merger. Thus, it may be another factor in USAir’s toolbox.

By number 1 embalmer

November 20, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Dear “Government Watchdog” Unless you are from SFO, Pittsburg is spelled with an “h” at the end. “Pittsburgh,PA.” Your blog made you look like an idiot. Speaking of “Government”, Nancy Reagan was aboard one of my (PSA) flights in the 1980’s. She did not speak to the “servants.”

By number 1 embalmer

November 20, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

Furthermore, The name is “USAirways.” Like it or not, that’s the name of your savior.

By Blog Reader

November 20, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this

I have been reading this blog with interest over the last few days.If there is this much animosity before a possible merger, I would hate to see what happens after an actual merger.

I am retired, but I have been through an airline merger, and it takes a lot of hard work on both sides to not bicker and to find a common ground…customer service.

Unfortunately, US Airways will have the upper hand because they are unionized. Non-union DAL groups will have to just take what they can get.

I must say, the ATL Gold Medallion blogger appears to be a pontificating, egocentric,self-righteous bore.

By W. C.

November 20, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

Remember the old saying “the South Shall Rise Again”? Well, look out USAirways, Delta will rise again and will be the best of the best! As a most quoted saying by a famous Atlanta man who said ” We Shall Overcome” ~ DAL WILL OVERCOME!

By ATL Gold Medallion

November 20, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this

Hi Blog Reader and Others,

You certainly have a couple of correct points. Customer Service must return to whatever entity is left; merger or not. Also, I also thank you for your constructive point in reminding me to not devote as much effort on this issue. Clearly, unlike you, as a retired DAL employee, it is a subject I have no personal stake.

However, we noted that, like some of the other DAL crews suddenly finding themselves embarrassed by the bankruptcy, you had nothing else to offer except customer service and that there is no hope for the DAL folks against a looming unionized employee group. What an alarmist position this is. Why be negative against either employee group? Wouldn’t it be better to keep a positive interchange to foster collaboration if the Wall Street types decide to combine the organizations?

You are right; we do tend to pontificate where the futures of others are involved.

Egocentric? Perhaps, except, unlike you with your retirement pension and benefits on the block, I have no dog in this debate. Thus, who really cares more about the outcome of this proposed merger? It is apparent that you have much more invested here.

Self righteous? Maybe. Like you, many of us have also experienced difficult, unfair airline mergers and, often, the resulting lay-offs, and we are attempting to get the “prepare options” message across as well as maintaining a positive attitude toward the USAirways folks. If that is abrasive to you, perhaps you should realize that your DAL pedestal really never existed except in your own mind and that the other airline folks don’t stink any more than you.

A bore? Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you really don’t get a vote. Skip my blogs if you wish. Yet you did read this one as boring as it is. Nevertheless, it appears that most of us would rather have our youth and financial independence than your wilting retirement funds, looking back on your legacy at a bankrupt company and entering the potential dementia evident by your comments.

Oh well, sticks and stones…

Aside from our debate disagreement here, we still hope that the impending winter of your life fares better than the financial results of your professional efforts at DAL. Also, aside from being a customer, but, also, as a significant investor in Delta, we are still motivated for the airline to reach the best level available.

Be safe at the bingo games!

By Wally Bird

November 20, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

Actually, the expression “pompous a*” comes to mind when referring to M. Gold Medallion.

By Buckhead Too

November 20, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

ATL Gold Medallion,

You’re right on target.

I love a comment like Wally Bird’s above. Aside from his opinion of your pompous opinion (aside from his small minded profanity), it also seems that he is another wannabe, like Blog Reader, who wishes that he could share your position and security.

Your long messages are tough to plow through, but the message regarding DAL is clear. It just seems that its a bitter pill for some to swallow so they resort to the childish attacks.

By LA Delta Guy

November 21, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

You know, this 2nd rate airline, also known as US Airways, and their takeover bid need to go and shove it. Go and buy Hooters Airlines or something, thats more your speed. Someone said in an earlier blog that US Airways is ghetto, I could not have said it better myself.

Just so you know Delta and friends in Atlanta, where I lived and grew up for 20 years, I have to go to Las Vegas next weekend and sure, could I get a ticket on a US Air flight for about $100? Sure. Do they have a ton of flights to Vegas from LAX? You bet. Would it be convenient for me? Very much so. Will I buy one? HECK NO!! You know, I think I will drive or fly Southwest. I would rather give my money to the oil companies for gas in my car than give a dime to that ghetto airline.

And one other thing, anyone who thinks living out west is great, don’t buy it! I have been out here for 5 years and it sucks!!!!!!! Nothing good has ever come from the west and America West/US Air blends right there w/ everything out here that sucks. Too many people (half of which are not even in the country legally), cost of living is ridiculous and the liberalness of people is downright disgusting. And thats only the at the top of the list. It makes you want to move to Canada. I have been to Phoenix a few times and its just a pile of sand w/ a few buildings coming from it. They look like sand castles or something. What a disaster if Delta would have to move there. Fight’em off DAL and make US Ghettoways go back to where they belong, hanging out and calling themselves cactus (LAME!!!!) and w/ their head in the sand those people seem to love.

By Reality Today

November 21, 2006 01:13 AM | Link to this

The AJC, 11/20/2006

“Richard Aboulafia, airline analyst at the Teal Group said ‘the value of close relationships between corporate and civic leaders is overblown.

Airlines answer to shareholders, he said, not the communities in which they operate. Atlanta and other locales must make solid business cases for expanding routes or adding jobs because airline investments aren’t charity.

‘Delta Air Lines and the new South grew tremendously after World War II, and Atlanta has been the epicenter,” Aboulafia said. “Those things would have happened with or without Delta. It didn’t hurt that Delta’s headquarters was in Atlanta, but it wasn’t the cause. Atlanta’s economy and population made it a sensible place to expand — and that’s still the case today.’

Aboulafia and other experts believe a US Airways-Delta combination would face difficult operational choices.”

Looks like the recommendations to prepare yourselves individually for a takeover of the former Almighty Delta is on the horizon like some of the previous bloggers have predicted. It must be tough to read in the Atlanta paper that Delta just happened to be around when Atlanta boomed. Not the other way around.

Just think, even the hometown southern newspaper is ready to cozy up to the prospective new buyers just to cover their advertising income.

Financially Troubled Delta Air Lines

The survivors are circling. Get used to it and get ready. It gets allot worse before it gets any better.

By PHX USA CAPT

November 21, 2006 01:25 AM | Link to this

On top of everything else stated in this blog about DAL, it’s clear from LA Guy’s comments that racism still runs deep in Atlanta and Delta.

Sand heads referencing Arab Americans or other culture in PHX. Disparaging remarks regarding the immigration situation in SoCal and Arizona. Intolerance of another political perspective (liberalism) in the West. After only 5 years, I wonder if he has cleaned the red clay off of his all shoes, or at least the ones that have fully attached soles. He clearly misses his old past time of strolling though the woods with his toothless cousins looking for another male stranger with a very pretty mouth.

Look at the scoreboard, LA Delta Guy; whether it’s us or someone else, you still lose.

By Bargain Seeker

November 21, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know if and when the Delta memorabillia from the crew store underneath Concourse A is going to be sold off in a “going out of business” sale?

Maybe I can get a head start on eBay before the glut of playing cards and captains’ uniform coats.

By Jborodawg

November 21, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this

Blog, blog, blog; or should I say, blah, blah, blah. This blog asked: What’s your reaction to the news? Would this be a good deal for Delta? Should Delta fend off the hostile bid?

Terrible idea financially. Massive debt in the competitive and cyclical airline industry at this time would only spell disaster. Therefore, it’s not a good deal for Delta, nor USAirways. Concomittantly, Delta should fend off this bid.

Parenthetically, Mr Grinstien has said, “… the airline industry has a long history of failed mergers that “over-promise of synergies and under-delivery of results.” The creditors committee plays a key role in supporting the reorganization plan and picking Delta’s board after the airline emerges from bankruptcy. Likewise, the Air Line Pilots Association also has a large stake, with a $2.1 billion unsecured claim stemming from a concession deal earlier this year. Federal regulators will scrutinize the deal. DL and US have the most heavily overlapping route structures of any possible combination of major carriers — which might create too much dominance in some markets. Noted Mike Boyd, an Evergreen, Colo., airline consultant, “I don’t think they will spend 10 minutes looking at this proposal before they turn it down.” Best wishes to DL to stave off this costly and ill-advised takeover attempt.

By USAirways III

November 21, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

Wally Bird,

It’s ironic that you should callATL Gold Medallion a pompous a$$. That’s what the rest of the industy’s crewmembers have been thinking of Delta’s for decades.

By Ex-Delta Employee

November 21, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

This blog has been so disappointing in the name calling and accusation and finger-pointing.

I am sorely disappointed that a company (USAir) that has gone through a combined three bankruptcies, laid off thousands of people and terminated pension plans, has $8B to go buy another company. There is something wrong with this picture and something wrong with bankruptcy laws that would allow a hostile M &A from a company that was forgiven their debt.

I do think & hope that Delta can be more successful on its own but any arguments or debates on this website appear to be ridiculed and scorned rather than viewed objectively.

By LA Delta Guy

November 21, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

Hey Captain Ahab, yeah you PHX Capt, nope, I still have the red clay on shoes but you can’t see it b/c of all the sand I had to trek through to get out here thats covering it up.

“If its not us its going to be someone els.” So Mr. genius how did you come to that shrewd comment? You are so gullible. You just read what all these so called economist say and run w/ it. Economists are like weather men, they can’t predict anything tomorrow much less 3-5 months from now. You and your cactus boys need to stay out of the sun, its cloging your brain.

And what did I say thats so racist? Does Phoenix and Arizona have mostly sand? Yes. Are a ton of people in the country illegially out west? Not sure if you remember seeing the marches a few months back, there is a reason why illegal immigrants were marching their Ahab. And your own state has border patrol, or minute men, forget about that too? Is the cost of living ridiculous in CA and AZ? The highest in the country. Whats so racist? Just b/c you can’t stand the truth that your city of Phoenix is a dust bowl in the middle of nowhere, don’t go turning it around saying that I am a racist. If you want to start throwing things out, you are an idiot for saying that and for you lack of knowledge. Take your head out of the clouds Ahab.

By PHX USA CAPT

November 21, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

LA Delta Guy,

Wail all you can now. No one outside of your crew lounges cares. The rest of us are rejecting your kind of racism demonstrated at the Hollywood Laugh Factory last Friday night.

The fact that you initiated your first rant by bringing anyone’s culture into the debate betrays not only your underlying racism, but your looming insecurity with possible layoffs and bottom seniority. More, your tantrum betrays your toothless and barefoot company culture. Aren’t you missin’ that white boy banjo player on the porch in the hills north of ATL? Or, as your racism indicates, maybe you still long for the past days when you had Tom’s singin’ an ole negra song for your DAL massa’s.

Keep your Lester Maddox and J.B. Stoner comments to yourself to keep from further embarrassing your defaulted organization. Just like the DAL financial “wizards” your time on top has gone with the wind.

By Bernie Markme

November 21, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Delta Pilots, welcome to the real world of corporate America. I don’t feel one iota sorry for you—pick yourself up, dust off your pants and redefine yourself like 67% of the white collar workers in metro Atlanta and the rest of the U.S. Thank your UNION for the mess you are in…Actually I feel sorry for the other airline employees that aren’t protected by a Union while you guys feasted like PIGS and never backed off your demands. I’m glad you have gotten a 2x4 across your head!

I’m self-employed, and I do not receive a paycheck on the 1st and 15th. I do not have a health insurance plan. I’ve used my 20 years of corporate work experience building a network across the Southeast U.S. to rely on my income generation.

We all need a kick in the butt to keep us on track. You’ve got yours. Let’s see what you’ll do to redefine yourself!

By Roeting

November 21, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

I could not agree more with Mr. Markme. As a retired naval officer, I have observed many naval reserve squadron Delta Pilots. Their union mentality of “what’s in it for me?” over the overall good led to several of them being relieved from the active flying Naval Reserve. In fact, the Jacksonville reserve squadron had their CO and others relieved for their behavior during Desert Storm.

It’s a shame that the other non-union DAL employees have been drug down by the determination of the over compensated pilots to achieve the highest industry wage after UAL’s pilot contract regardless of company finances. Even their resistance to revise the contract as their company sunk further into bankruptcy appears very self-centered. Unfortunately, in the event of a merger, watch to see if the ALPA pilots exert any effort to assure their DAL non-union “family” positions.

By Bernie Markme

November 21, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

I did not mean to be as harsh as the email read. Mr. Roeting was very eloquent and more realistic in his comments. The Union and the top Dawgs in the Delta hierarchy are equally to blame.

In this day and age, there does not exist job security. Its up to each of us to redefine ourselves so that we may succeed in the future. These days, its all about short term profits and performance. It has to be frustrating for any employee (regardless of company/industry) that is exceeding their job performance goals only to find the rug pulled out from under you because of a big uptick in fuel prices or hot shot executive decides its time to cut employees to guarantee his year end bonus.

Let’s take back control of our lives and not let these companies decide our financial well being! See me if you are interested!

By SLM

November 21, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

Just finished reading this article … http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/delta/stories/2006/11/21/1122bizdelta.html and was wondering, but does U.S. Airway seem a little too arrogant here??

I mean, these two statements just reek of arrogance … “Our proposal is just better. For everyone,” the Tempe, Ariz.-based company said in a bluntly worded newsletter it sent employees entitled, “For The Record.” WTH do they think its better when there will be a reduction in flights since US Airways and Delta fly alot of the same routes and will have alot of duplicate flights and when airfares will just go up even more??

This statement is also quite arrogant … “Delta’s standalone plan — no matter how good it may be — cannot possibly offer an expanded route network, more destinations and a better frequent flier program,” US Airways said.

Why do they think that it cannot be better? I mean U.S. Airways flies less routes and has less passengers than Delta and those routes that U.S. Airways flies are alot of the same ones Delta flies. Not to mention Delta has a big international presence whereas U.S. Airways does not. So given all of this, IMO, U.S. argument just doesn’t hold water. I mean seriously if this happens, U.S. Airways will not be making Delta better since Delta already has a wider range and better selection of flights and more passengers than U.S. Airways does. I think this merger benefits one company and one company only … U.S. Airways. It sure as hell doesn’t benefit Delta in any way, shape or form IMO.

By Bargain Seeker

November 21, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

For Just Finished Reading:

Your last summary: “I think this merger benefits one company and one company only … U.S. Airways. It sure as hell doesn’t benefit Delta in any way, shape or form IMO”

USAirways: $8 Billion to offer Delta: Zip in cash

Stock Price Today: US Airways - the highest of the big 8 at around $65. Delta = $1.45 with the big jump from $0.75 last Friday with the US Airways announcement.

Management is legally bound to choose the best deal for the remaining stockholders and creditors. They have to justify there decision to the federal bankruptcy judge. Unfortunately, all of the rah rah sentiment doesn’t get into the picture.

By SLM

November 21, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

Sorry Bargain Seeker, but your point is????

By LA Delta Guy

November 21, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

SLM, US Ghettoways is just that, ghetto! And they need to use these cheap bush league tactics to try and win approval from the public b/c they know they have no support except for the liberals in Arizona. There is a reason why Delta does not want them and there is a reason why they are second rate.

As for you Capt Ahab, keep quiet and go play in your pool of sand you call a backyard. No one wants you, no one wants your crummy company, no one except for US Ghettoways!! You can’t take the truth, thats all it is and need to throw out nasty comments to make yourself feel good. I am not surprised though from a 2nd rate capt (good thing I am not on a plane you fly! Good god I would rather walk.) at a 2nd rate company. Stay in Phoenox, NO ONE WANTS YOU!!!!

By SLM

November 21, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

You know the way I see things is that only one company knows what’s best for Delta and that is Delta and no one else and certainly not U.S. Airways. For U.S. Airways to make the statements they did in the article I referenced above is just complete arrogance on their part. They actually think they’ll make Delta better? I think not.

Bargain Seeker, I think I understand the point you were trying to make (when I read your post initially it just wasn’t clear to me exactly what you’re saying, but I see it now). It seems to me that you are assuming that Delta will not come out of bankruptcy in February and if they don’t you do have some very valid points, but I feel certain that they will hence the points I made in my post.

By Blog Reader

November 21, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this

I think it is time to shut down this blog. It has become too toxic.

By Delta Wife

November 21, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

Look at the history of US Air it’s unstable. Star with the wreck they caused at Pedmont Air and work your way in the present. In 2001 United Airlines was trying to take over US Air. When that failed US Air went in to bankrupcy. US Air wasn’t out of bankrupcy very long before they were back in it.

With all that being said take a long look at airline alliances. US Air is not a big player. They are a Star Alliance member. Who is the big airline behind the Star Alliance….United Airlines. Does it seem strange that approxamtly 18 months ago United hired a firm to look in to the “possiblity” of merging with Delta. Keep in mind the merger between UAL and US Air was rebuffed on antitrust grounds. With that being said let’s assume that UAL would again be rebuffed in merging with Delta on the same antitrust grounds. However, if US Air makes a bid with United quitly backing them it sets United up with a nice hand of cards.

Why do I think US Air is making this run at Delta. They have “Little Airline” syndrom, or the men and women that run US Air do. Delta it’s time to stand up pull together and show the other airlines that your not going quitly in to the night. Delta has some of the best employees in the airline industry. My family is a Delta family and we support Delta Airlines as a STAND ALONE AIRLINE!

By PHX USA CAPT

November 21, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

LA Delta Guy “Wannabe” or “Never Was”:

What’s wrong now? Don’t you realize that we don’t have any worries in this debate? Purchase or not, the worst we USAirways folks can do is continue our growing new airline. On the other hand, you see the fictitious “above all” Delta going down the tubes; ripe to be bought off the street like one of those girls you dream of on Hollywood Blvd. Yours is the future in question and it’s not looking good. Sure you’re crying because the descendent of “pee wee” America West and USAirways is in a position to buy your job and you’re not big enough to determine the outcome either way yourself. Sure, your being an insecure about what you can really accomplish outside of a sheltered “family” like DAL, you rant and rave at anything. That’s why you introduced your racist remarks into this blog to start with.

Is it just because you’re not man enough to make it LA? Yes, the competition for a date in Hermosa or Huntington Beach is allot tougher than your catching a cousin at your inbred family reunions on Lake Lanier (Gainesville side for Delta of course).

If we purchase your name, your position at the bottom of the seniority list (if not furloughed), is not going to have much choice on what left over Delta junk or with whom you fly. Of course you’re now going to be checked on new tougher pilot standards that may exceed your slack capabilities (Check the FAA enforcement investigations into Delta’s “buddy up” check airman program). It’s more difficult to buy an “up” at Flight Safety than pass an in-house “wink/wink” DAL check. Better get some extra time back into the Virginia Avenue simulators to bring yourself up to our norms. Of course, Delta has set the industry records for landing on the wrong runways or the wrong airports (Madill or TPA - who knows?). Also, check the FAA statistics for the past three years of “special interest” for unauthorized Runway Incursions. Unlike the financial pages, but along with delayed arrivals, this is a list that Delta ranks among the leaders. We’ll have to make sure each of you boys are identified as “special” and schedule flight O/E tutors to ensure that you do not increase the expenses through your continuing demonstrated incompetence or FAA violations.

Yea, we “Sand Wizards” are looking forward to putting you red clay racist “chillin’” in your proper place. Come to think of it, being so immersed in Atlanta heritage and all, wasn’t your former minor league ball team the Atlanta Crackers? Great name choice for DAL folks like you who can’t make it in the real competitive world outside of North Georgia.

Maybe you can find some “loser,” pocket-protector encounter group in L.A. for you to cry with. We’ll be out enjoying reading the nation’s business pages listing the stock prices so diverse between our two organizations. Check it out on your own AJC business web page. USAirways has the highest per share price and is climbing. DAL is the embarrassing lowest among the big eight listed. In fact, the best thing that has happened to your price is the notice USAirways paid to those meager cents last week. You should be thanking us!

BTW, isn’t your DAL pension partially tied to the $1.00 stock? It’s really going to be hard to find any LA chicks while you’re handicapped with your native Georgia dental work and a $1.00 future.

Oh well, as another blogger said, yanking your chain, like taking a dog for a walk, has become tedious.

Professionally, its tough luck - you lose.

By Lighten_up

November 21, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

Merger to Create World’s Largest Bankrupt Airline

From Scrappleface:

If the U.S. Airways buyout of Delta receives regulatory approval, industry experts said it would make the resulting company the largest of the world’s bankrupt airlines and a strong candidate for a future government bailout. U.S. Airways yesterday announced it would offer Delta’s creditors $8 billion in stock, cereal boxtops and S&H Green Stamps and would name the merged firm Delta Airlines, which the source called, “one of the most recognizable brand names in the non-profit airline industry.”

“The synergies are incredible,” said an unnamed spokesman for U.S. Airways, “There’s a lot of overlap in areas of incompetence, customer dissatisfaction, mismanagement and hubris. Thanks to economies of scale, together we can achieve new levels of mediocrity.”

The source assured investors that the new Delta Airlines stock would make “an excellent tax write off, and a great way to add balance to your portfolio of growth stocks.”

By robert

November 21, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

As a Usairways flight attendant for almost 19 years. I have to say that i was as stunned as the rest of the world with this announcement. I my self have very mixed emotions about going through what will be my 4th merger. What i will say is that irregardless of what airline any of us have worked for over the years we’re all proud of where we came from and though change is VERY difficult, it’s an unstoppable part of life, and in this industy you have to be willing to adjust and move forward or get left behind. I would have loved nothing more than my company to have emerged from chapter 11 as a stand alone carrier, but thar was not possible in this day and age. I come from a long line of Delta family members, my mothers a flight attendant, now retired, my brother works on the ramp and several now deceased relatives. So i fully understand how the Delta people feel, and i sympathize with you. Should your comapny’s plan prevail, let me be the first to say CONGRATS! But if it does’nt, do yourself a favor and go with the merger with an open mind. There can be a lot of positive things to come out of this, and we all will have to learn to work together without the hate…Good luck to all involved

By US CP

November 21, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

PHX USA CAPT-

You will find yourself to be wrong.

You have been drinking Doug’s Kool-Aid.

Him saying, “Delta’s stand-alone plan —no matter how good it may be — cannot possibly offer an expanded route network, more destinations and a better frequent flier program” is simply another one of his outright lies, known to be so by him.

DL flies to exactly 94% of US stations, and DL has a much larger destination list than US…particularly internationally. If yopu are a captain you know basic math. How does that mean that DL gains from US’s much smaller route network? DL has more destinations than US. How does DL gain destinations through that when only 6% of US stations are not served by DL now?

US now has the worst FF program in the USA. US blackout dates have increased by 100%, US capacity controls have increased by 42%, US upgrades for Chairman’s Preferreds are now only 40% of what Silver Preferred were two years ago, US discount fares are now 22% higher than average discount fares amongst all carriers on individual domestic routes in the USA, the US international fleet is the smallest of any carrier in the USA with no new heavy aircraft being delivered until 2013, US/HP reservations systems have now taken longer to merge than any other airline merger in US history, US is removing F seats in record numbers, US operating statistics (load, RASM, CASM) are statistically no better than 40% of other USA carriers, US flight attendant turnover has doubled in the last 16 months….the list is endless.

I promise you this with the data to support it…US is now in a death spiral with noweher to go UNLESS they acquire someone.

I would much rather go without the current US than go without DL when it comes out of bankruptcy on its own. If you were to have dinner with both Parker and Grinstein, you would get what I am saying in less than 10 minutes. Parker is an empty suit (as is Kirby and Eberwein). Give him one more year and that will be clear to any and all observers.

By PHX USA CAPT

November 21, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

Hey US CP,

You were already identified earlier as a DAL sneaky guy. However, it doesn’t matter because the points you raise are worth consideration whether or not they’re accepted. We all should study the points you raise, as well as others, for each airline’s folks to determine what’s best for us.

However, I can’t resist giving smack and b_tch slapping LA Delta Guy for his whining about LA living. The social opportunities in the South Beaches put old Buckhead on Saturday night to shame. Sometimes, returning the trash talk diverts the attention enough to regain perspective. If he didn’t like it, he wouldn’t have asked for it. It seems that he is a loyal guy and gives out as much as he gets. Probably, if we met in ATL or PHX, (of course we wouldn’t know it) we would all be more than willing to discuss together the serious issues here.

As potential mergers go, it isn’t yet time to get excited about this one. Remember the NWA/DAL rumors not long ago. Just before that, NWA and AirTran were hooking up because Joe Leonard had bought a house in Minneapolis. Before that, everyone was concerned that Continental was tied into the DAL Reservations system. These things come and go all of the time. It’s just that the DAL personnel haven’t previously been as exposed as the rest of us.

Also, it can be time of reminder for those of us in ALPA to require that our national elected officials develop reasonable and fair merger processes. If our employee groups could be ready “just in case,” perhaps it would assist others, like the non-aligned folks at DAL to more seamlessly come together.

LA Delta Guy: Our blogs are even now. Let’s get on with the issues.

US CP: Thanks for your thoughtful points.

By Ex Delta Employee

November 22, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this

Don’t understand this bigger is better senario. Not just Delta, but most airlines have focused on creating route structures that are more profitable by: * Reducing Aircraft type (US Air & DL Aircraft do NOT have synergies); maintenance fees, flight crew training, etc. are all factors * Reducing unprofitable domestic routes * Figuring out that lean management doesn’t just mean less people but improved efficiencies and processes —- this is what DL has done through it’s reorganization efforts.

USAir will destroy all these efforts.

By US CP

November 22, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

PHX USA CAPT-

I live in PHX, have not flown DL for exactly 5 years since Leo Mullin stranded me at JFK and paid for nothing even though I was flying F class, and never worked for DL. I do, however, fly about 75% of the time throughout the world. I am starting to fly DL this week in international paid J class, however.

My vote goes with DL only because DL screwed me but once, but never lied to me. Doug and his outright and puroposeful lies (despite his habitual attendance at Paradise Valley Methodist church)regarding allegedly “low fare carrier”, “full service airline”, “putting customers first”, “7-day upgrades for CP’s”, “24% reduction in fares since the US merger”, “expanded route network”, “one-time charges”, endless and increasing nickels and dimes from customers, and “better frequent flyer program”, should give every single stakeholder (Department Of Justice, Delta creditors, passengers, NY bankruptcy court, FAA, DL executives and employees, US employees) great pause due to ongoing and habitual ethical lapses and disconnections from customers under Doug’s newfound operating philosophy developed during the last 15 months as his head has swelled for no apparent or justified reason.

By Michael in Phoenix again

November 22, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Man, reading comments from the employees has been somewhat interesting.

I’m speaking to HP/LCC people and Arizona residents who come on here.

Now I’m just another passenger (actually I haven’t flown in a few years and the last time was a DL flight BEFORE 9/11) and all I care about in air travel is 1) low prices 2) safety and 3) excellent service. I will probably take Greyhound or drive places because I hate the idea of having to take my shoes off, throw away my toothpaste and bottled water or whatever the latest TSA restriction is, and be frisked by 50 million guards in a line two hours long. I’d rather take my chances on the Interstate.

That having been said, those of us here in Arizona need to see how Atlanta feels about this. Delta Air Lines was a hometown company that brought a LOT of national and international recognition to Atlanta and the South. For Atlanta to lose Delta is to lose a piece of its identity. Think about how we as Arizonans felt when Doug Parker orchestrated the US Airways purchase and we lost the America West name. America West was like our Delta. Now we are about to do the same cruel thing to Atlanta.

I used to live in Atlanta and they are very partticular about their national reputation. They are very concerned about being seen as a national player and want badly to be thought of in the same cosmopolitan ways as Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and not as a bunch of Dukes of Hazzard bumpkins. Losing Delta will mean a piece of that respect is gone. So please, Phoenix, don’t expect Atlanta to let their hometown airline go without a HUGE fight.

By couchpotatoe

November 22, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

ho! ho! ho!

By NastyNoble357

November 22, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Why do people keep bringing up what US Airways did in the past. Why do people keep saying that US Airways is a company out of bankruptcy trying to by Delta. Hello People…. It’s US Airways by name, but it’s really America West. America West was never in Bankruptcy. They were the only major airline not to go into bankruptcy if I can recall. America West is just doing the same thing they did for US Airways for Delta, which is save Delta, while making the old America West the best LCC in the nation. America West has only merged once. They don’t have all the bad history like the original US Airways. That’s a big reason to merge with Delta and use the Delta name. This supposedly bad company has the highest shares on the market. I wonder why? This so called company has hired over 4,000 NEW employees since America West and US Airways merger.

If Delta and all their employees are so happy with what Delta has become let them continue to get laid off, and benefits taken away. Delta doesn’t care about it’s employees. So if the new company is going to help you keep your job to support your family. Get on board. If you will be able to take more Non-Rev trips get on board. If you are able to get unionized and get pay raises get on board. Who cares where the headquarters is? If your going to lose your job or have to move than I can see the concern. If you work at the airport or another facility that you will continue to work, who cares who the CEO is. You didn’t have anything to do to get him there in the first place. The people in Atlanta aren’t looking at the bottom line. Delta is real close to being no more if they dont get approval with the courts.

If you travel Delta because of thier prices and cities that they fly to. How can this not benefit you. Most companies that are bankrupt can’t give good deals. Most companies that are bankrupt can’t make improvements to their programs and facilaties. As a traveler all that matters is that you get a good deal to the city you want to fly to with the least amount of stops.

The employees and passengers should be on board for this if it happens. I can understand keeping your independence. Guess what??? Just like everything else Delta has done for you, you have no say so at all. As long as you get great service at low rates all while getting to your destinations safe and on time who cares who the CEO is??? What has the current CEO of Delta done that is so damn great anyway?

By Michael in Phoenix again

November 22, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry, Delta needs to stay independent and prove it can compete in the current airline environment. I will not get behind further consolidation in tthe airline industry. It is BAD for customer choice. It is BAD for keping air travel affordable for the middle class average vacation/leisure traveler. Is Southwest going to be the only affordable option for air travel in 10 years???

I would have liked for America West to stay independent too, but so far buying USAir actually HELPED USAir and cleaned USAir up when that airline was a turkey. I mean, the great Christmas sickout of 2004???? What the heck was THAT all about??? USAir’s actions pre-merger did NOT show that they needed to remain independent and I think pre-merger USAir employees would agree.

But Delta is a different story. I think with the right people and the right attitude Delta can stay as Atlanta’s independent, hometown airline.

By US CP

November 22, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

Nasty Noble-

Like most US supportors and DL detractors, you are factually wrong on endless numbers of issues. America West was bankrupt for 2.5 years from 2001 to 2004. That is twice as long as any currently bankrupt carrier, and tied for the longest ever in the USA.

The new US is MUCH worse, in all measurable ways by customers than the America West before it for endless reasons, some of which I posted within the last few days here.

A whole new round of US bad history was started by Doug Parker on September 20, 2005. If you fly much, you know that everything on the “new US” has gotten much worse than the “old US” and the old “America West”.

Don’t you worry at all. DL will save itself, and without an acquisition US will continue to become inconsequential and then disappear due to their lack of aircraft, disdain for customers, and proliferation of factually false information about themselves by Doug Parker, Scott Kirby and Elise Eberwien. Almost 100% of what now comes out of their mouths is false, and known to be false by them…proven by documented public information.

US is RIGHT NOW practicing demand destruction for air travel, while the other domestic and nearly all international carriers are improving service and quality with increasing profits and RASM.

Oh…by the way…Gerry Grinstein was CEO at Western Airlines when he did not fight DL acquiring Western. I flew them all of the time in the mid-80’s mostly because he was connected with customers and fired his executives who weren’t. He then went on to lead Burlington Northern Santa Fe, bring them into the 20th century, and then turn them around. He is 5 times the person and senior airline executive than the sum total of all senior US executives. Because Doug has no connection whatsoever with customers and markets, neither do any of his senior executives. THAT will be the cause of his and US’s failure. …and US’s and DL’s failure together if his idiocy is allowed to continue.

Also, when you do your research, you will find that all those flight attendant hires have been because of turnover…not because Doug know’s how to grow businesses organically. His business model and philosophies prevent organic growth.

By ramsey

November 23, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

Best news I have heard in a while now in the business world. I used to be a Delta flyer until I discovered how rude their employees or one of them is in Minneapolis that have me now flying American, Northwest and AirTran now. Flying to Atlanta tomorrow on Airtran and New Orleans next week on American. This would mean that those bad contracting workers in Minneapolis would be jobless!!! GO USAIR, hope you take it or United those!!

By cal

November 23, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

I think the loudest opponents of this deal are the folks at Delta headquarters, you know, the one’s that made alot of really bad decisions that helped put Delta in the mess it’s in. The rank and file loyal employees have been put through years of on the job hell. And then came paycuts, benefits cuts and well earned retirement benefits cuts etc…. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a very large profitable company, To receive a raise and maybe a bonus, How about being proud of the great company that you helped to make? That is how it was at one time. Remember? Obviously it hasn’t been that way at DL for very long time. Maybe, it’s time for a new direction!!

By US CP

November 23, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

Cal-

The NEW direction is DL emerging on its own, and the people most opposed to this move are those of us who fly, or used to fly US/HP a great deal. If you have not seen the total degradation in US during the last 15 months, you are not flying much. US is going nowehere because not one other carrier is following its moves…not one. Without an acquisition US and its customer deceit are dead. They will cease to exist in 12 to 18 months. Doug needs the mass of a bigger airline to survive because he cannot do it with his ability level alone, as the result of his new-found dislike for customers and employees while he blindly pursues temporary and fleeting shareholder returns for an exceedingly brief period of time. Now that more and more people are onto him it really won’t last much longer.

Everyone (passengers, creditors, DOJ, employees, DL) calls his bluff by preventing this merger. His oxygen supply and the exhaust that he and his senior executives emit and breath will be cut off.

I guarantee it.

By Cal

November 23, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

US CP you must need glasses, or, you are at DL headquarters. The numbers show a much different picture. US is better capitalized than AMR.

By US CP

November 23, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

Cal-

Nope, I live in PHX. US is better “capitalized” (you need to refer to it as market cap) only due to a very brief temporary spike in market cap. If you know financial markets, you know that. Their plan is to use CitiGroup funds, their inflated stock value, and nothing else. In technical terms, that is not US’s “capital”.

US stock has no legs, because their goodwill is sinking faster than any other currently traded public company. That is why Doug wants to do this deal quickly AND why Doug and US will fail and disappear if it does not occur.

If you want air travel to stay on Doug’s miserable track, where customers pay directly for Doug’s foibles, keep supporting it.

But, almost nobody else is following Doug in any way. I suggest that you take a few flights on UA, AA, WN, CO, DL, BA, NZ, or any of 14 other major carriers to witness the degree to which all other major carriers are ignoring Doug and US…completely. That is why Doug is so worried. Nobody really cares about him. He has to have mass (size) in order to gain any attention from anybody.

By Mike

November 24, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

I’m a Delta (and sometime US Air)passenger. Delta is not perfect. Its employees have been raked over the coals. Its shareholders have been zeroed out. But Delta is night and day better than USAir. With all they have been through, DL employees care, and try; USAir employees have no tools to help them — their computers are ancient, their reservations are awful, they lose more bags than anybody and can’t find them, and they are hostile, morose, and USAIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWFUL That’s what’s in store for Deltra passengers if this deal were to go through. Delta pax can kill the deal by ORGANIZING and persuading Delta creditors and USAir management that they will boycott USAir now, while the deal is pending, and any resultant carrier if it should go through. USAir can’t manage their last America West deal, and customers suffer: they will nnt be able to manage a far bigger one , and DL pax will pay the price. We don’t have to be pawns, if we join together to boycott the deal; after all, all the high finance whizbangs on Wall Street can’t make up for a major passenger decrease. And for those of you unhappy with Delta’s service, consider what you will have after this proposed deal. A major drawdown of Charlotte and Atlanta hobs, consolidation (read “decrease”) of frrequency, higher fares, less choice, and poor service across the board.

By Hagan Thomas

November 24, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

Hope DELTA, an institution, can be saved.

Though Delta Airlines has long been in some financial difficulties it has on many occasions found its’ way out and remained autonomous and a friendly and loved corporate citizen and benefactor of Atlanta, The State of Georgia, and more than likely other communities of The U.S. it is part of. Perhaps this will be accomplished again without a very important airport being diminished or a reputation, Atlanta’s or Georgia’s, being diminished as well by a corporate move or any type of downward change in DELTA particularly the possible loss of the name of the carrier too. Additionally, with the planned, hoped for, deserved or undeserved in some minds, growth of the region(s) and state by Delta’s continuance what effect will be felt in these areas by a change of this sort in Delta. Particularly what of highspeed rail lines and service that would benefit the city and the state and long has been a want for the future that really seems about now or almost now? As I get older and have read of these things many times and time frames it would seem when those time frames begin to arrive a shame to miss out on seeing what the capitol city of the state I was born in and the regions of that state it affects would be like.

If only sometimes debt or redesign of corporate things and problems could be wiped out as simple as HGTV. Reading about Seattle, Akron, and Saint Louis where differing degrees of harm or lack of harm have occurred through the loss of a sizable corporate citizen maybe Atlanta too will be just fine should the worst happen and surely it will be definitely fine should it not happen.
Maybe it is just simply up to US. May have to wait a little bit Little Apple but still Big A.

By MC

November 25, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this

I can tell so far that Mr. Parker couldn’t give two sh!ts about what happens to Atlanta if his plan gets the green light, and equally uncaring (derisive, even) are some US cheerleaders on this blog.

That is what turns me off so much to this. Are we Atlantans and we Georgians supposed to hand our state’s largest employer over to people who just want a pay raise out of it—and quietly? F!ck no. Go mess up some other city’s economy, or better yet, bear the load of your own corporate mistakes.

By David

November 26, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this

It never ceases to amaize me the short sightedness of people in the Atlanta area. Once Delta is swallowed up by whomever and Georgia loses another corporate entity, it won’t just be the Delta employees that suffer. I lived through the downsizing of the automobile industry in Michigan in the late 70’s and early 80’s and to see unemployment at the 25% to 50% in many if not most cities in that state——it was felt by all who resided in that state. From gas stations, restaurants, retail stores, malls, small towns, large towns and everything inbetween— the poverty started and they still haven’t fully recovered some 25 years later. So for all those who don’t care if Delta stays or goes, or those, who worse, want to see them go—I can’t wait till you feel your share of pain. And leave no doubt that you will feel your share. Yup the merger means higher airline fares, and it has been a long time coming. You all have been too comfortable with 200$ round trip tickets coast to coast. It’s about time ticket prices go up. Airlines have been too long selling 1$ hamburgers for 50 cents and thinking they can make a profit. What a shock it is going to be when the general public or small businesses find themselves haveing to pay 1000$ for a ticket they were use to paying 300$ for. I’ll feel real sorry for these same folks then as well and be laughing at them as they write in complaining tickets cost too much!!! Good luck Atlanta and Georgia, rough times are near and no one will be immune. Just one more notch till these free loaders realize what it means to lose all these corporations to other states.

By US CP

November 26, 2006 03:28 AM | Link to this

David-

Rule one of airline economics is that airlines raise and lower fares VOLUNTARILY. It has nothing to do with customers, particularly when people like Doug have completely disconnected with customers. From Phoenix to Frankfurt is now $180 each way, and the planes are only 2/3 full.

This is a fact: the only reasons fares are low…with nearly every single carrier now profitable…is because service is so miserable, worn out, and game oriented through capacity controls, blackout dates, ever-changing fares, purposefully misleading advertising.

There is no need for higher fares because carriers are now cash flow and profit positive, but there is a need for an improved value equation such as provided by Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Korean Air, British Airways, Jet Blue, and 14 others. Doug and his team are actually attempting, because of their lack of seasoning, to lead the USA air travel industry into oblivion and in a direction that is the opposite of the rest of the global air travel sector.

USAir can’t manage their last America West deal, and customers suffer: they will nnt be able to manage a far bigger one , and DL pax will pay the price.

By MC

November 26, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

Just wrote this…my thoughts.

By Jborodawg

November 27, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

Please read this and see if this is what flyers in ATL and throughout the DL system want: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/15708209.htm

By Former EAL

November 27, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

WAKE UP ATLANTA. The times have changed. How long can the airline industry and Delta continue in business without actually having a business model that works. For Delta to be making it, you would have to roll back the clock to the “good old days” when you had Eastern as the primary competitor.

Just for the record, a lot of good Atlanta folks were displaced and lost everything when Eastern’s wings were finally clipped. Everyone at Delta sighed, oh, well that’s just business. So why should this deal be treated any differently? The truth is Delta has failed through it’s on arrogance. US may fail at it’s attempt. But you can bet someone else will step up while DL is still in bankruptcy because this opportunity is too good to pass up.

At the very least DL will never be the same after this. I know this because of my experience with EASTERN. And remember no one ever thought PAN AM or TWA would ever fail, either.

By Mark Parker

November 27, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

The merger will not take because:

• 3 out of 4 flights on the east coast will be on one air line. Also the Charlotte hub and Atlanta hub are only 30 minutes flying time from each other. Therefore the Justice Department won’t allow it due to monopoly concerns.

• Boeing, which is one of Delta’s largest creditors won’t allow it because Delta exclusively flys Boeing aircraft and US Airways flys Airbus Aircraft. In fact, US Airways has already ordered the A350. Boeing will lose money in the long run and they know it.

• Delta plans to emerge from Bankruptcy prior to the Feb 15th deadline.

By US CP

November 27, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

Former EAL-

You have forgotten one very big point…EAL employees wanted EAL to fail. If you flew US much, you would know that they are failing too. If you want to see arrogance, check out how much contact Doug Parket and Scott Kirby have had with any customers, and what input they have sought from any customers, during the last 15 months. Zip…zilch…nada. DL is a lot healthier than US right now, and will be around a lot longer than US because customers have no place in Doug´s business plan. He lacks the fundamental ability to merge shareholder desires with customer desires, as is done in every single other growing and successful business. Not one customer has gained one thing from the US/HP combination. Their very temporary spike in stock price has come nearly exclusively from customers through direct mistreatment, false advertsing, and actions that will be classified soon as consumer fraud. There is no skeleton and no muscle on the US body.

If this merger were to occur, 2 companies will fail. If it does not occur, only 1 will. That 1 is US. It cannot survive at its current relative size because the crowd that is abandoning them is increasing geometrically. That is what has Doug worried, but he won’t give up on his failing business model due to his lack of seasoning.

By Former Eastern

November 27, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that Doug Parker is only doing his job and giving accountability to the shareholders, bond holders, the communities US serves by: raising the stock price adding value to a strong franchise and lowering fares on average 24% in the cities served. And yes, I predict, those nasty labor contracts will be agreed to in short order. I think he has earned his salary.

The situation at Eastern was a very emotional and gut wrenching one, to say the least. And to have some moronic idiot (US CP) make a crack pot comment like “They wanted Eastern to fail” is utterely ridiculous. Until you’ve been there “Shut your pie hole” and grow up.

By ra

November 28, 2006 04:46 AM | Link to this

Let them merge. Keep personal feelings out of it, and stay focused on the business opportunity.

By US CP

November 28, 2006 07:50 AM | Link to this

Former Eastern-

I worked for Eastern from 1989 to 1991 at MIA, and was an eyewitness to it. Check your facts and stop believing Doug and breathing his exhaust. His 24% reduction in fares was only on full Y fare bases and only on routes where US competes with DL, AA, CO, WN and NW. He never disclosed that fact last week along with that statistic. Only 12% of coach fares are sold at full Y at US. If you want to care about a 24% reduction, driven by carriers other than US, on only 12% of fares you are Doug’s kind of guy.

For the last 11 months US has had the lowest fare to nowhere from anywhere, despite Doug, Scott and Elise marketing it falsely (repetitively, in writing and all over evry one of their stations) as “the world’s largest low-fare, full-service airline”. Do a comparison shop between any 2 cities on Travelocity or Orbitz, and you will change your tune. Lowest fare bases on US now average 36% higher than 11 months ago and 24% higher than prior to 09-11-01. US is the highest, or tied for highest on 74% of all fares. Doug never mentioned that, even though those fare bases are what 88% of US tickets are sold at.

That’s outright deceit…just like Borman and Lorenzo at Eastern when I was there.

By Former Eastern

November 28, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

Maybe so, I’m sure all the other airlines fares could be picked apart too. Check out DL if you want to see a convuluted fare structure. I think it’s pretty darn smart to charge what the market will bare. No shortage of passengers yet.

By US CP

November 28, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

What#s happening at US is an exact repeat of what happened at W.T. Grant stores and at A&P Foodstores in the mid-70’s. People keep coming in but almost nobody comes back. For those 2 companies that lasted for 2.5 years, then they disappeared.

US is turning off an increasing percentage of passengers, faster than any other USA carrier according to DOT statistics and publications such as Conde Nast Magazine. None of Doug’s team has ever studied the “A&P Syndrome”, though. A&P was the single largest retailer in the USA in 1971.

If everybody let’s US die, all flyers will be better off, fares will be lower, and carrier profits will be healthier.

Doug simply does not know how to lead in a win-win manner (shareholders and revenue sources), that’s all. He needs size (mass)to survive so that US can manipulate and control the supply/demand curve. If he gets that, we (all passengers and his employees) lose. …big time.

By JC

November 28, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

What does US CP mean? I haven’t seen Delta mentioned in Conde Naste in a while. With load factors close to eighty percent and new planes on order I don’t think USAirways is going to go out of business any time soon. Unfortunately for the employees, US now has the lowest labor costs in the industry. For this reason alone it will survive and outlast any of the others. Funny thing about labor unrest, it can be remedied overnight with pay raises. And even if payrates go up at US they would still not be the highest. Southwest now has that distinction and flat profits to prove it. As for Delta, third place in any industry is the worst place to be. Either lead, follow, or, get out of the way.

By Mwbeach

November 28, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this

Delta is a broken airline. I just returned home from 4 days of flying the line at Delta, something I have been doing for the past 19 years, and I can say without hesitation that if Delta dosn’t get bought out by somebody that understands this service industry, it will not survive alone. Good Luck US air

By Fly Girl

November 28, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Hey Mwbeach…Since you are so negative, please leave so the rest of us can save Delta. Why are you still with us if you are so sure of failure? I love my job & it shows…obviously, you cannot say the same. We need people to get out there & give 100%. If you can’t do that, move over… I’d love to have 19 yrs seniority. If it’s so much better out there, go find it!