Chatter

By ike

January 17, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I think that any deal is good as long as the new company is still headquartered in Atlanta, and commited to Atlanta, no matter what the name is.

By ike

January 17, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I think that any deal is good as long as the new company is still headquartered in Atlanta, and commited to Atlanta, no matter what the name is.

By ike

January 17, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I think that any deal is good as long as the new company is still headquartered in Atlanta, and commited to Atlanta, no matter what the name is.

By John in Tampa, FLA

January 17, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Don’t mess with my Skymiles!!!!!

By James

January 17, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

I’ve been saying it all along - the Delta tails gradually got more red in color, now the widget is tilted to the ‘NW’ just like the NWA compass and now the DL widget is mostly red too.

At least now maybe we can finally get a decent number of REAL heavies in ATL. Would be great to see some of those redtail 747-400s in the new DL livery! I’m tired of looking at all those boring 767s. Of course, Delta Management wants to service the globe on 2-engine widebodies only. Go figure. If you want to be a REAL international airline, Delta, how about getting some 747s! See here for proof that Delta once had them: Delta 747

By Kendall

January 17, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

This is a story that was written years ago. You know that DL and NW have been planning this for at least 2 years. Its now just a drawn out telling of that story. Believe you me, NW and DL have had all their T’s crossed and I’s dotted long ago and Washingotn is just playing their part. NorDel or DelNor is a reality!

By Vasily D'Efferins

January 17, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Delta, like the rest of the country, is being sold off to foreign interests - the US is being globalized through liquidation. The dream that was America will soon be nothing but a memory, while the rest of the amoral Western world festering in self-deception delivers us into the hands of Islam, China, or whatever fate God has in store for the end. Who will give Sen. Isakson assurances then?

By Jack Northrop

January 17, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

Oh my God! Vassily’s right! I just looked real close at my TV and it has some sort of Japanese word on the front – To-Shee-Ba, or something like that! And I looked under the hood of my Ford pickup and it has parts from Canada AND Mexico! And even my underwear comes from some place called May-lay-sia. I can’t believe this! Next thing, you’ll be telling me William Shatner isn’t an American.

By Vasily D'Efferins

January 17, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Perhaps you are wearing your underwear over your head, Jack.

By GaLiberal

January 17, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

This is great! It would be absolutely wonderful if Air France replaced all the Delta management and then reflagged all the planes as Air France planes. As a non-US flagged carrier, they could no longer transport troops to the reckless and unnecessary wars in the Middle East. That alone would save many lives; both US and Iraqi. It would also be really great if they served French wine with French bread and French cheeses just to p** off all the Bush boot-lickers in the state.

I just wonder if Sonny and the Rethuglicons would be so quick to give the new air line as big a corporate welfare package as they gave Delta. Like no sales tax on fuel purchases which was worth $14 million every year. Lost tax money that we had to make up through higher income and sales taxes.

By Rick

January 17, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

I would LOVE to see the new airline take the Northwest name. Can you imagine the deafening sound of all those arrogant DL egos bursting?

By jj

January 17, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

gay-liberal,

You want some whine with that cheese?

By MJ

January 17, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

As long as the name Delta remains and the HQ is in Atlanta, I am all for the merger. Besides, anyone been to Minneapolis in the dead of winter…ITS COLD!! And really, there is nothing in Minnesota anyway so to have the largest would-be airline in the world based there would be obsurd! A laughing stock!

And now I might be able to get to Japan or Australia w/o having to connect to Korea which is 8-12 hours away to either place.

By Jack Northrop

January 17, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Gosh, Vassy, you’re right! You can’t do that, of course, because your tinfoil hat would get crushed.

By Johann

January 17, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

I think Delta should get rid of all its planes and just fly the Northwest and old ValuJet DC9s for all domestic routes. Put ‘em on Air France for any international flights. They’d save a bunch of money on plane leases, every flight would be full. They could fly into virtually any airport in the country.

By RNB

January 18, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

From this morning’s article “Delta May Bring Air France-KLM into Merger Talks,” by Russell Grantham:

“…could be…”, “…could have been…”, “…could be…”, “…raising the possibility…”, “…could be hoping…”, “…reportedly is contemplating…”, “…could simply be…”, “…could oppose…”, “…could very well be…”

Another quote: “People everywhere confuse what they read in newspapers with news.” — A.J. Liebling

By Rob

January 18, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

I am so glad so many people think this is great for everyone. But while you gloat about the “arrogant egos bursting” and the loss of your precious skymiles why don’t you take a minute to think about the jobs that will be lost and the thousands of employess (not just DL &NW emp.)that will have to uproot their lives while management and the boards of both airlines goes about their merry way padding their pockets with bonuses and stock options that they have earned on the back of ALL the employees that have given so much over the last few years.

By doug

January 18, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

consolidation is inevitable, put NW and delta together with a mini GO in atl and msp, leave the workers to do what they do now, attrition will take care of the overages, plug in the airfrance/KLM piece and call the whole mess “global airlines” and get on with good customer service to everywhere and keep them paychecks comin’. this engine will make it fine if we quit trying to reinvent it!

By merger_king

January 18, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

So why then has hypocrite Delta fought other mergers, citing that they “wanted to be a stand-a-lone airline”?

Didn’t the same hypocrite congressmen vow to “fight any merger or takeover”?

Why the change now?

By jeed

January 18, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Great post RNB! It makes it clear that the media tries to create news.

By Tony

January 18, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Hey James:

Thanks for a great Pic of one of DAL’s 747-100 series A/C. Few people know about this part of aviation history. Since then, the 747-100 evolved into the 200, the 300 and most recent, the 400. The 400 is now finishing up it’s midlife crisis and destined for old age. Airlines like Nordeltawest,Nordel Deltawestnorth,Delnor, whatever you want to name it, migh replace by it with the 747-800 or the BIG BUS. The 777 L?? (L for Long) might do the job. However, I’m not a big fan of two motors across the pond. (Ask British Airways). In any case, I would love to see the NWA 400’s painted in DAL livery flying out of ATL. My commute from Miami to Detroit will be cut in half. Regards, Tony NWA 747-400 Captain

By Rand

January 18, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Like Tony, I’m an NWA pilot and support the merger for no other reason than watching Mr. Steenland and his pals slink away. Please, fill your pockets (more) and just leave. We’re thirsting for leadership and direction here, attributes we’ve not enjoyed for quite some time. Hopefully, through leadership, DAL can repair and rebuild its family image, the one that my dad enjoyed when he came over from Northeast Airlines 36 years ago. If Mr. Anderson builds a company with strong, moral leadership, one that is concerned with its employees as well as it’s customers and shareholders… I’m on board. (Tony, you wanted a DAL 747 pic? You should have called! Thanks for the forum, Rand, NWA 757 Captain

By Nick

January 18, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

If Delta and Northwest do link up in a merger, which I support, it will bring NW’s horrible unions into the picture. Hopefully they won’t try to stop a merger.

Of NW’s major hubs in Minneapolis and Detroit and their minor hub in Memphis, I see Memphis disappearing as a hub due to its proximity to Atlanta. Cincinnati will get the ax due to its overlap with Detroit. So the Delta-Northwest behemoth will consist of major hubs in Atlanta and Detroit. Smaller hubs in Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and a predominantly international origin and destination airport in NY at JFK.

Nick, not a pilot, but I have played one on TV.

By A J

January 18, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

What a novelty in the airline industry to see members of ALPA at an airline (see above - NWA Pilots) supporting a Delta merger and truly believing in a better management style than what they have had at NWA for year after year. I commend you guys (as a former UAL employee) that you see the potential and the possibilities that exist with a Delta-Northwest tie-up! As a traveler, I believe consolidation is inevitable and why not ensure that you hookup with an airline who (although no where perfect) has historically treated its employees with dignity and respect and until 911 - ALWAYS - was the leader in pay scale etc (even minus union leadership in Inflight, Maintenance, Ramp and Res/Sales) - There are many Delta friends of mine that feel they have been slighted (bankruptcy etc) - however - when compared to other airline employees - competition - there is no comparison. The employees at every other carrier has given tremendous amount of give backs and I believe that a more consolidated industry will help all get back on track to a deserving paycheck and benefits! Good Luck!

By jj

January 18, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

merger-king, Your congressman isn’t opposed to mergers, just mergers that remove DAL’s headquarters out of ATL. Its called “looking out for the folks that elected you”. If there is a merger, there will be job cuts, heres hoping they can keep them to a minimum.

By DD-Debra

January 18, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

Jack - Maybe Cuba Gooding has your underwear. Did you leave it there?

By kl

January 18, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

As an NW employee, all I can say is YIKES! We’ve been hearing about a NW-Delta merger for some time now so I guess if the industry is consolidating than bring it on. A successful merger is all about how management chooses to bring the work groups together- it can be good or it can be ugly. Let’s hope that it is handled better than the NW-Republic merger!

Hey MJ, suck it up buddy, MSP is not that COLD!

kl, NWA purser

By George

January 18, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Anxiety, frustration, hope, excitement…. These are just some of the feelings bouncing around in my head. As a 25 year airline employee (7 with Eastern Airlines and 18 with Northwest Airlines), this career has been one heck of a roller-coaster ride. Now I might have to deal with potential layoffs, or having to transfer to a different city to keep my job,(I presently work in Ft. Lauderdale, FL), After the “merger”,is my pension safe?,seniority integration, medical and dental benefits, work rules, union representation or going non-union? What will happen? Are two different airline cultures going to be able to coexist? I certainly hope so. So if this “merger” does come about, I want to wish the employees of Delta and Northwest Good Luck! Were gonna need it. George the “Horrible Union” member (thanks Nick for the complement!)

By Been there

January 19, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

The employees get SCREWED again while the management gets rich. Oh, I almost forgot—the passengers will get less service at a higher cost.

By jim

January 19, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

CINCINNATI IS THE BEST RUN AND ON TIME HUB IN THE SYSTEM AND ITS ALL BECAUSE OF ONE THING YOU HAVE PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF TIME AND KNOW HOW TO RUN AN AIRLINE THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. THE OLD GUYS THAT RAN IT SO WELL LONG AGO COULD ONLY SEE THE WAY ITS BEEN CONTRACTED OUT OVER THE YEARS AND HOW BAD THE SERVICE HAS BECOME ALL IN THE NAME OF THE CEO’S AND SHARE HOLDERS. THE PEOPLE OF DELTA HAVE MADE IT WHAT IT IS WITH THE LEADER SHIP THAT ONCE WAS LONG AGO. I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE THE OLD GUYS COME BACK AND MAKE IT A GREAT AIRLINE AGAIN. WAKE UP ATLANTA BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE GIVE YOUR POPLE BACK WHAT THEY HAVE LOST LIKE CABIN SERVICE AND PAY AND BENIFITS. LIKE THE CEO OF SOUTHWEST SAID WE PAY WELL AND GIVE GOOD BENIFITS AND GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED. TAKE CARE OF YOUR PEOPLE AND THE REST FALLS INTO PLACE ATLANTA YOU STILL CAN’T FIGURE IT OUT CAN YA. “MAYBE ONE DAY IF IT’S NOT TOO LATE. ANDERSON GET YOUR MONEY AND RUN LIKE THE REST AND KEEP YOUR WHISTLES WHAT A JOKE.

By TC

January 19, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

NW and Delta are a perfect fit, and have been going back to the days of National Airlines (National to Pan Am World Airways to Delta). Delta needs the 747-400s and the Pacific routes. NW needs the eastern revenue source. A match made in ‘airline heaven’.

By Grits

January 20, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

I was with Delta in 1972 for the North East merger. It took us a while to come together, it was very bumpy at times. The Western merger went much smoother - that has to be one of the greatest merges of all times. I would prefer that we merge with UAL, but the NW merge can work.

By Sunny

January 20, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Energy is the basis for all economic development. So, as long as we are never told the truth about the worlds energy, mergers and job loss will contiue. Thank you, WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA, WORLD BANK, IMF, and the U.S. government.

By Xairliner

January 20, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Whining about the lost jobs is a joke. What about the lost jobs at Eastern, Pan Am, and TWA? Almost all of us had to get out and start over…WHY CAN’T YOU?!?! Because You’re the arrogant Delta….the mismanaged airline workers who let their naivete catch them by the seat of the pants. Your arrogance in the industry is unsurpassed!!! Unionize now or are you still so naive to think that your Board will protect you………..your Board only cares about one thing……….money !!! Then, next stop, another cash cow ripe for plundering. Oh here it comes, the old familiar “Unions can’t help us keep our jobs”….well wait till you see what they could’ve helped you with once it’s too late, suckers………

By Chuck

January 20, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

It seems that a DAL/NWA merger is favored but lets look at the bottom line and the numbers.

DELTA AIR LINES Headquarters Atlanta Hubs Atlanta, Cincinnati, New York, Salt Lake City Passenger traffic 122 billion RPMs (2007) (see notes) Revenue $19 billion Employees more than 47,000 Fleet 600 planes, including 133 CRJ-100/200 regional jets, 121 Boeing 757s,120 MD-88s, 105 Boeing 767 and 9 Boeing 777’s

Major alliances SkyTeam, which includes Northwest and Continental Airlines and a transatlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM

Worldwide Operation including Russia, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Caribbean, Asia and Latin & Central America

NORTHWEST AIRLINES Headquarters Eagan, Minnesota Hubs Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis Passenger traffic 78 billion RPMs (2007) Revenue $12.4 billion Employees 29,579 Fleet 515 aircraft, including Boeing 747s, 757s, McDonnell-Douglas DC-9s and Airbus A330s, A320s, A319s

Major alliances SkyTeam

Delta-Northwest Combination Pros: * Same Airline Alliance: SkyTeam * Current CEO headed NWA in the past * Asia Routes will compliment DAL’s Europe and South America Operations * Combined Revenue: 29.9 Billion

Cons: * fleet mix is not compatable. Only the B-757 is shared by the 2 carries. Delta has a majority of Boing aircraft while Northwest has Airbus aircraft. * Northwest flies a large number of the very old DC-9-30 aircraft that is not fuel effecient and Delta will ground almost immediately. * No large presence on the west coast. * During NWA’s bankruptcy the state of Minnisota renegotiated leases on facilities and hangers in the Minneapolis area. It stipulated that Minneaplois would be the headquarters for a long period of time. Any default on this would result in approx 245 million in payemts and the new carrier would be subject to paying these fees. * Combined revenues would not compete against a DAL/UAL merger. * If hub closures occur, there will be more job losses attributed to a DAL/NWA merger than with a United merger.

Delta-United Combination

Pros: Combined Revenue: 37.7 Billion

Fleet Mix: DAL and UAL share many of the same fleet types- B-737, B-757, B-767 and the B-777. Combining the two carriers would give Delta the status of the worlds largest operator of all of the above fleet types. Delta would gain access to the B-747-400 as well. United does operate a large number of Airbus Aircraft, but the total number of common fleet types would be stronger with a DAL/UAL Merger thus saving on parts and inventory for a larger fleet disparity.

Global Reach: Delta would pick up a large Pacific Rim operation and gain access to Australia and New Zealand route authority. This will compliment the vast European,South and Central America operations as well as the Caribbean, Middle East and Africa from Delta. A DAL/UAL merger would be a truly World Wide combination with far better route compliments than a DAL/NWA merger. Delta would als gain access to a sprawling West Coast operationa that woud Compliment Delta’s current West Coast Operations.

Hub Operations Effected: Cincinnati would be downsized as well as Salt Lake City. SLC operations could easily be merged into the San Francisco/Los Angeles and Denver operations that will have less impact on employees losing their jobs. This will be a major consideration when granting approval for the merger from the DOT.

Overall the better combination between the two would be a Delta-United combination.

By Sam

January 20, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Chuck- #1 you underestimate the importance of SkyTeam. #2 United does not maintain Pacific hub at Tokyo Narita as does NWA. #3 Domestically, many more employees and communities would be affected by hub downsizing. #4 Once again, YOU UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SKYTEAM…..

By passenger

January 21, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this

I guess the question is….is this part of the global sky team being formed. I aggree with the Oberstar. I see the news, we see a race for America staying at it’s number one position in the world. However, if I am not mistaken can any airliner, even in foreign countries, can purchase or invest in a US carrier. I saw an article where China has also trained their pilots for the USA airspace. Yes, I am concerned the more job losses and we will see more mergers with overseas airlines. From the airlines to food chains. we are a melting pot that is being stirred with some issues the candidates for Presidency, should address. Wake-up America and this my fellow passengers is not about a bag of peaneuts or a coke on NWA or Delta. This is vert serious as I believe once we lose our transportation department our country could be in trouble. Outsourcing of America has Insourced our country itself for a merger with the world itself.

By passenger

January 21, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this

I guess the question is….is this part of the global sky team being formed. I aggree with the Oberstar. I see the news, we see a race for America staying at it’s number one position in the world. However, if I am not mistaken can any airliner, even in foreign countries, can purchase or invest in a US carrier. I saw an article where China has also trained their pilots for the USA airspace. Yes, I am concerned the more job losses and we will see more mergers with overseas airlines. From the airlines to food chains. we are a melting pot that is being stirred with some issues the candidates for Presidency, should address. Wake-up America and this my fellow passengers is not about a bag of peanuts or a coke on NWA or Delta. This is very serious as I believe once we lose our transportation department our country could be in trouble. Outsourcing of America has Insourced our country itself for a merger with the world itself.

By passenger

January 21, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this

I guess the question is….is this part of the global sky team being formed. I agree with the Oberstar. I see the news, we see a race for America staying at it’s number one position in the world. However, if I am not mistaken can any airliner, even in foreign countries, can purchase or invest in a US carrier? I saw an article where China has also trained their pilots for the USA airspace. Yes, I am concerned the more job losses and we will see more mergers with oversea’s airlines. From the airlines to food chains. We are a melting pot that is being stirred with some issue’s the candidates for Presidency, should address. Wake-up America and this my fellow passengers is not about a bag of peanuts or a coke on NWA or Delta. This is very serious as I believe once we lose our transportation department our country could be in trouble. Outsourcing of America has Insourced our Country itself for a merger with the world itself.

By passenger

January 21, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this

I guess the question is….is this part of the global sky team being formed. I agree with the Oberstar. I see the news, we see a race for America staying at it’s number one position in the world. However, if I am not mistaken can any airliner, even in foreign countries, can purchase or invest in a US carrier? I saw an article where China has also trained their pilots for the USA airspace. Yes, I am concerned the more job losses and we will see more mergers with oversea’s airlines. From the airlines to food chains. We are a melting pot that is being stirred with some issue’s the candidates for Presidency, should address. Wake-up America and this my fellow passengers is not about a bag of peanuts or a coke on NWA or Delta. This is very serious as I believe once we lose our transportation department our country could be in trouble. Outsourcing of America has Insourced our Country itself for a merger with the world itself.

By passenger

January 21, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

I guess the question is….is this part of the global sky team being formed. I agree with the Oberstar. I see the news, we see a race for America staying at it’s number one position in the world. However, if I am not mistaken can any airliner, even in foreign countries, can purchase or invest in a US carrier? I saw an article where China has also trained their pilots for the USA airspace. Yes, I am concerned the more job losses and we will see more mergers with oversea’s airlines. From the airlines to food chains. We are a melting pot that is being stirred with some issue’s the candidates for Presidency, should address. Wake-up America and this my fellow passengers is not about a bag of peanuts or a coke on NWA or Delta. This is very serious as I believe once we lose our transportation department our country could be in trouble. Outsourcing of America has Insourced our Country itself for a merger with the world itself.

By Clyde Martin

January 21, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

The CEO of Delta said they would keep the headquarters in Atlanta in any merger. He did not say anything about keeping the Maintenance here in Atlanta.

By George

January 21, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

If this merger proceeds, I’d like to compare Northwest Airlines (I’m presently an IAM Union member for NWA) and Delta Airlines benefits package. I’d want to see which company offers better benefits, (retirement pension, 401K or both, medical, dental & flight). I’d also like to see which company offers better work rules (Part time/Full time ratios, which cities that are served by the airline actually have employees or vendors).This is just the tip of the iceberg. Many more questions will be asked, hopefully we can get some honest answers. Good luck to all employees affected.

George

By Kathy

January 21, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Ok, seems as if Georgia cannot keep any major company headquarters here. What are the chances of Delta remaining-VERY SLIM FOLKS. Just look at the history. Get your resume ready, it will be a bumpy ride.

By possum

January 21, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Look, it’s time to your heads out of the sand. This isn’t your momma’s or your daddy’s Delta. That airline died years ago. It’s like Tara… Gone With the Wind. It’s just another airline now. All companies have someone to run it and look out for it’s best interests. Anderson’s best move right now would be to hook-up with Northwest and try to bring back some sembalance of quality customer service. Name? Headquarters? Not important. What good is all that if the airline doesn’t survive? Call it what you want but if they merge with NW, at the end of the day we’ll all know who saved Delta.

By Ed

January 21, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

The city of Atlanta and the entire South owe a great debt of gratitude to two men who put Atlanta on the map. Mayor William B. Hartsfield for building the Atlanta airport, and founder C.E. Woolman who had the perspicacity to transform a fledgling delta crop dusting operation into the commercial airline industry headquartered in Atlanta. The new international terminal should have been named for Woolman but Atlanta’s myopic vision dictated otherwise.

By Matt

January 21, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

I flew Northwest last fall, they have the worst customer service of any airline I have flown. If this merger goes through and Northwest culture takes hold, Delta frequent fliers will be leaving by the truck loads.

By Rick

January 21, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

I think they’re already leaving. From what others tell me, Delta’s service is comparable to Northwest.

By charles aa park

January 21, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Delta and Northwest will be a good company and offer excellent flying routes and service delta has been through three megers C/S NE and Western and partial buyout of PanAM

They were successful and Delta treated the new merge people well I still believe they will do the same for the NorthWest people

By Matt

January 21, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Everyone seems to think Delta is on top of this Merger. That NWA will dissapear the the sludge that Delta has become. There is a huge Asian and US market that will not take kindly to a NWA name change. I think the new airline WILL be called NWA. And to the lady that said “there is nothing in MSP” is herself a laughing stock. There is much more going on in Minneapolis than Atlanta. Colder yes, but much more of a thriving city. Some of the largest companies in the world are headquartered there (ie. Best Buy, Target, General Mills, DQ,) the list goes on and on… I don’t live in either place, but frequent them both. Minneapolis beats Atlanta hands down!

By Wayne

January 21, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

A quick comment. An airline based in Atlanta called Northwest? Not going to happen. It will be either Delta based in Atlanta or Northwest based in Minneapolis or .. maybe a new name with a new neutral HQ city?

I am a Continental employee. I think we are hoping the govt, fearing a ripple effect of multiple mergers, somehow blocks this deal. Polluting our company with either Northwest or even United is a sad thought, if the ripple effect merger theory were to prove true.

By Rick

January 22, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Matt, I don’t think another airline bailing out a twice bankrupt CO would be called “polluting”.

By Rick

January 22, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Oops…that was intended for Wayne.

By Tony

January 22, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Hey Matt -

How many Fortune 500 Companies are based in MSP compared to ATL ? Got news for you bud - There is NO comparison between Ice City and THE ATL - Atlanta wins hands down! And please tell me why so many people move to ATL each year (may even be still the fastest growing area in our US OF A. Before you spill off your info may I suggest you do some research BEFORE!

By come fly with me

January 22, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

To George Who wanted to know more about Delta benefits well it’s going to be short. Regarding our pension it’s frozen and it doesn’t look like it’s going to defrost. Delta medical I don’t have it with them cause I can’t afford it. Besides you only get one choice United Health care not a true democracy. Delta’s work rules change like the season’s nothing is definite. The 401k they match up to 5%. FT to PT ratio doesn’t excise at Delta what ever your senority can hold. Top pay at Delta is 3161.72 after 10.5 years not including shift differential. Anything more just give us a call…….

By cincy

January 22, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

It’s really a shame that when this goes down, and it will, that the newly formed company will lose the majority of its best employees with the most experience. No matter what happens, most likely the Cincinnati hub is an afterthought and it’s sickening. As an employee of Delta I’ve traveled through all of the delta hubs and most of the other airlines hubs out there and Cincinnati is far and away the best hub in every category. Were not perfect here but were pretty close. I work in a/c maintenance as an inventory control specialist and I can tell you first hand about how bad the operations are the other stations, especially ATL and JFK. We constantly receive calls from people in ATL that hold higher, better paying positions asking us questions and using us to solve issue’s they can’t seem to figure out on there own. They constantly make mistakes and some of those mistake’s can be very costly to our bottom line. Don’t get me wrong, there are smart, well qualified employees in ATL and other stations but the majority is just plain stupid. In regards to NWA, Memphis is ok overall, Minneapolis is ok but most of the facilities are out-dated and Detroit. Oh boy Detroit!!!!! Nice terminal you guys have up there but that’s it. In my personal experience the customer service is horrible in DTW and that city is a complete joke. The state can’t keep businesses there and eventually the big 3 will be the big 2 and one or even both will leave the state. Detroit: The worst city I’ve ever been to. I’d feel safer in Kingston Jamaica then Detroit. As for United, must we say anymore than this: The CEO has been the biggest supporter of a merger for over the last 5 years. Why? It’s simple stupid!! They can’t fix the company on there own. There are so many problems at UAL I would need my own website to post them.

Like I said before it’s a real shame all of these wonderful people will be lost in CVG and to all the soon to be effected airline employees I would like to wish you the best of luck in your job search.

Signed,

“Keep Delta My Delta” that’s rich!!!!!!!!!!

By One way to Minneapolis

January 22, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Not to knock the fine folks in Atlanta, but for those of us in the know, the quality of life in Minneapolis is much better than Atlanta. We are a capitol city that has the support of the state, not loathed like Atlanta is.

We hear Atlanta’s lack of support from the state and poor infrastructure has actually been a hot topic in negotiations. Look for the combined airline to be located in Minneapolis.

By Falcon

January 22, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

Matt……Cmon dude Gimme a massive break man. Dairy Queen? Wow! Best Buy? OMG! Those are such HUGE global companies. I guess Atlanta being the home of (can you say) COCA COLA, Home Depot, UPS, CNN, (FORTUNE 500 baby) doesn’t hold any weight. Get lost MSP. Lemme further enlighten you - The Southern Company, huge banking Centers like Suntrust are here, as is Bank of America with a massive employee base here. Half the Channels you watch on your TV set are based out of ATL - TNT, the NBA TV base just headquartered here, Headline news, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, etc. Dude, the whole country gets their weather reports from the great city of Atlanta…..THE WEATHER CHANNEL. The Centers for Disease Control CDC is based here. Your credit score is based from ATL (Equifax).

And to top it all off we have the world’s busiest airport Here in ATL in Hartfield-Jackson International Airport buddy….. 84.8 MILLION passegers landed and took off from ATL real-estate in 2007. The list goes on and on. Sure, we had an anamolous drought this year but our weather under normal conditions is marvelous.

Your crappy Dome can fit inside our state of the art dome. Your MSP airport is subject to terrible snowstorms and I’m sure Delta employees and executives would much rather be here than a few hours from Canada where all the cold air comes from. So face the facts man. ATL is a much more desirable place to live than MSP anyday. Ask the Fortune 500 companies that are already here. And tell Target and Dairy Queen that their is room enough here for them as well.

Delta is the stronger and MUCH better airline and Delta more than more than likely will swallow NW whole. Some of your planes have been in service since Nixon was in office. And did you forget that NW employees don’t even like the management. Say bye bye Minneapolis. Welcome to the Empire City of the south baby. The weather’s warm, come on in.

P.S. - Dairy Queen LOL!!!! Did ya’ll here that Georgia? He said Dairy Queen.

By Falcon

January 22, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

LOL

I’m sorry, i’m still laughing my pants off at Matt suggesting the importance of the Twin Cities being the new headquarters because of Importance companies like DQ - Dairy Queen, and Target, and Best Buy. LOL!!! LOL!!! LOL!!!

And you, OneWaytoMinneapolis, Poor infrastructure. Isn’t Minneapolis the city where a whole freaking BRIDGE fell into the river.

Nice one man…LOL!!!!LOL!!!!LMAO. Ur funny. You know I guess thats why Atlanta was chosen for the ‘96 Olympics. I guess thats why ATL has hosted the Superbowl, the NBA All-Star game, The MLB All-Stargame, the NCAA national championship 2007. I guess, lol, i guess thats why 50% of all Sports stars own a home somewhere in the Metro Atlanta area….Yeah MJ has some real estate here somewhere. I guess thats why 5.8 Million other people live here. Yeah traffic is horrible, but at least our bridges aren’t falling over.

Once again, Delta is the darling of the city, and we look forward to them staying here. Go Widget!!!!

Hartsfield (ATL)= Fort Widget.

By Ken Kerr

January 22, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

The Delta/North West merger will have HQ in Atlanta and will keep the Delta name.The Mechanics,Flight Attendants,and Baggage employees of the merged company will become non union with Delta having the larger work groups.Delta Technical Operations will bring some much needed experience back for North West as they fired most of mechanics after the strike.Air France KLM will own 25% share with Air Bus overhauls going to them.Most of the NW employees will get raises,have lower property taxes,will find cheaper houses, and have much better weather. what a deal.

By GaRepublican

January 22, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

This is to Galiberal; You are a communist and should stiefel your ignorant comments. Delta is a viable and important company to Atlanta and the Ga economy. The numerouse jobs that Delta supplies in and outside it’s doors are worth more than your senseless words of hate for this country. If not for companies like this you would not have the freedom to spout off like you do and get away with it. So shut your uneducated mouth and vote for your liberal savior and see how far this country can go down the tube. DELTA I have always flown you and your people are GREAT!!! Govenor Purdue? Fight to keep Delta here in GA!!!!!

By Bob

January 23, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

Wow, I think this forum has gotten a little off track. How about getting back to some interesting commentary?

By Aquaman

January 23, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this

Hey Falcon, Can I have a glass of water…. Oh, well I guess I’ll fly to the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes, they have plenty of clean crisp H2O. We’ll send some down for you! Maybe you can send up some mud pies from Lake Lanier….

By Rick

January 23, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Falcon, actually I kinda look forward to coming back to ATL from MEM. Hopefully the kids and grandkids will come too. But I have to ask, and it requires either a yes or no answer. Can ya SNOWMOBILE in Atlanta? Ken Kerr, howdy.. you got out too soon. You, too, could be involved in all this. Like someone posted earlier, it ain’t certain this merged airline will take the Delta name. It may be better than 50 percent but I don’t believe it’s 100 percent

By Falcon

January 23, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Falcon here…

Look Aquaman, thats fine ya’ll got 10000 lakes, and i’ll be happy to pick from a number of flights to get there if i ever feel like it, using Delta Airlines all the way (whoo!). How bout we send some mud pies up there to patch up them bridges. And while ur at it, send me a gift card to Target.

Yo Rick Cmon down. Can’t snowmobile, but you can jetski. And again, with 100’s of flights to choose from Salt Lake and the rest of the midwest is 2 hours away using…..You guessed it. Delta Airlines from ATL, Ga.

DL is the better airline and atlanta is the better headquarters. See ya soon. And I agree, Cincinnati has one of the best airports in the country. Bye bye Memphis.

By Rick

January 23, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Aquaman, if I come to Minn. to enjoy any of that states 10k lakes, should I send a thank you card to the city of MSP? I would think most of those lakes were formed long before the city began. As far as Lake Lanier, do you have any suggestions for the city of ATL on how to eliminate a natural phenomenon such as drought? Falcon ATl may be a better locale for HQ, but as for being the better airline, that’s QUITE debatable.

By Soothsayer

January 23, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Compare ATL to MSP; Fortune 500 companies: ATL: Coke, CNN…

MSP: 3M, BestBuy, Medtronics, Target, General Mills, Lawson Software just to name a few.

Give the bridge refrain a break, how about that loud boom at the ATL Olympics.

Only time will tell, but rest assured Michael Vick will still be in prison when this is all settled.

By Falcon

January 23, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

Falcon here again….

Soothsayer - Go jump in one of your 10K lakes. Mike Vick might be in prison, but Northwest will be no more. Get used to it. And idiot if you look at my first post i spewed off a never ending list of fortune 500 companies and life sustaining industries that are based out of Atlanta. Compare that to Target, Medtronics and the rest.

Regardless, Northwest is a defunct airline and MSP will be even less significant to the business world than it is now. Since you have such a problem reading i will repost the city comparison again. At least we did host the Olympics, and I can go to London today and people will know what i’m talking about when i say i’m from Atlanta. Minneapolis though? Doubtful. The bridge boom was louder and more embarassing than the olympic boom. Get a life man.

By Falcon

January 23, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

ComparisonBenefits of a Delta acquisition of NW (thereby keeping the headquarters in Atlanta)

Fortune500/High Profile Companies -

Minneapolis: (Per Soothsayer, & Matt) Best Buy 3M Target Dairy Queen MedTronics Heck i’ll even give you one you left out - United Healthcare (freakin Dairy Queen).
Lawson Software NW Airlines (sic)…….

Atlanta, GA:

Coca Cola Delta Airlines UPS Home Depot Equifax CNN CDC (Centers for disease Control) The Weather Channel Chik-Fil-A Turner Studios - Cartoon Network, TNT, Boomerang, Headline News, CNNfN etc. The Southern Company Suntrust Banks Waffle House AFLAC - the duck (Columbus) Fort McPherson (Command and Control for US Forces) Dobbins Air Force Base AT&T mobility

Dudes, Atlanta ranks third in the number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered within city boundaries, behind New York City and Houston. Check Wikipedia. We are all that. This is why Atlanta will be called the home of the worlds largest Airline when the dust settles, and it will continue to fly out of the worlds busiest airport. Now put that in your igloo pipe and smoke in MSP.

By Soothsayer

January 23, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

Falcon, are you still on oxycontin? Nice list? CDC,there’s a Fortune 500
business? US Gov maybe. As for the rest, mostly associated with that second class network, AKA CNN. Atlanta is an overcooked cesspool of sweat and humidity. Some of the worst schools K-12 in the country, like the ones you went to my young neophyte. Sherman is coming your way…again…look out!

By FrequentFlyer

January 23, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Rick have you flown on a NWA DC-9 lately? I’ve flown on both airlines and even though Delta’s cust. service is not industry best, Northwest service and planes and reliability pale in comparison. This summer leaving passengers stranded is testament to the lack of care or organization. Leaving people stranded in Detroit on the runways for 8 hours, and cancelling hundreds of flights because u didn’t have enough pilots. Change is welcome.

By FrequentFlyer

January 23, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Soothsayer, your intelligence is minimal in the least. I said fortune 500 OR Vital High Profile companies. Having the worst schools K-12 in this dumbed-down US education system is not an insult at all. But sense you brought it up, Atlanta has some of the BEST and most influential higher education centers in the WORLD, of which I am a graduate of one of them thank you. I won’t name it to save you the embarassment because i can’t think of any prestigous centers of education in Minnesota. Anyway, can u say EMORY university - We have guest professors like Mikhail Gorbachev and Jimmy Carter. Georgia Institue of Technology, University of Georgia to name a few.

Its a shame you bring up all these bad points about Atlanta and how horrible of a cesspool it is…….but you know what, NW is still gonna moving furniture down south baby, right into this cesspool. Even Sherman wants to get here again. Its all about ATL buddy. I guess you think i’m some dumb southern hick, but i’d run rings around your cold butt Minneapolis Soothsayer, screamin hee haw all the waaaaay.

By Falcon

January 23, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Soothsayer, your intelligence is minimal in the least. I said fortune 500 OR Vital High Profile companies. Having the worst schools K-12 in this dumbed-down US education system is not an insult at all. But sense you brought it up, Atlanta has some of the BEST and most influential higher education centers in the WORLD, of which I am a graduate of one of them thank you. I won’t name it to save you the embarassment because i can’t think of any prestigous centers of education in Minnesota. Anyway, can u say EMORY university - We have guest professors like Mikhail Gorbachev and Jimmy Carter. Georgia Institue of Technology, University of Georgia to name a few.

Its a shame you bring up all these bad points about Atlanta and how horrible of a cesspool it is…….but you know what, NW is still gonna moving furniture down south baby, right into this cesspool. Even Sherman wants to get here again. Its all about ATL buddy. I guess you think i’m some dumb southern hick, but i’d run rings around your cold butt Minneapolis Soothsayer, screamin hee haw all the waaaaay.

By Falcon

January 23, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

Delta’s Reason to stay here

Atlanta Facts:

Click Here

Here’s sweet lake lanier pee in ur face Soothsayer.

By Rick

January 24, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

FrequentFlier, yeah i was on a 9 this past weekend, but being a 34yr employee (not to mention good looking)and knowing many crew members I’m probably treated a little better than the average passenger. But the horror stories I’ve heard have come from paying customers. I would imagine DL emps. have heard them about NW also.

By Frozentundra

January 24, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

Sounds like a football game, Falcons vs Vikings (not a vikings fan). Regarding the Fortune 500 companies…20 are headquartered in MN…19 of the 20 are in the metro area….15 are headquartered in GA. No I don’t live in MN. With that said, hubs will still be located in MSP and ATL. The headquarters your guess is as good as mine. I am leaning toward ATL and not because its a better city. Seems to me they’re pretty equal both have likes and dislikes. Can we just get back to the real issues instead of my quarterback is better than your quarterback. I WAS kinda looking forward moving to ATL.

By Falcon

January 24, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

Hi Frozentundra. Yes indeed, back to the real issues at hand. In the grand scheme of things the Delta NW merger more than likely will be greenlighted soon, and the hubs will probably remain in ATL and MSP. I think that Delta is coming into this thing from a much stronger stance than NWA though. Along with Air France, Delta is the founding partner of Skyteam Alliance. They just tightened their bond with Air France with the London Heathrow gates and shared monies, and Delta runs 80% of Hartsfield, which serves such a massive portion of the country in the Southeast. Hence, I feel that it would be the better business decision to Headquarter in Atlanta, all lake and quarterback jokes aside. DL is the stronger airline as well as the better run airline: Fewer unions, younger fleet, better product, and bigger bottom line/market share. It is the acquiring corporation. Delta will not move its headquarters north with the Maintenance Hangars still here as well as its Crown Jewel hub, and years of being anchored by the Atlanta Business community.

Just not good business sense. The marriage i would expect, should be announced soon with the Family home staying in Atlanta. Besides Delta’s planes are prettier. :)

By Soothsayer

January 24, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

Hello Falcon, Just got in, sry about the delay. First off, if Jimmy and Gorby are ur best plugs for institutions of higher learning…they’re just peanuts. MSP has several more necessary attributes; precipitation for one, lakes, not dust bowls [Lanier],the Mall of America and a pro football team! Besides, ATL is a real ‘dog eat dog’ city ;). BTW, after some research I’ve discovered that NW’s fleet is YOUNGER than DL’s. I’ve deduced who falcon really is, Richard Jewell!

By Frozentundra

January 24, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Hi Falcon, I agree the merger will be announced soon. You have to think globally not just the southeast. Remember there is Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. NWA has “beyond Rights at NRT” just like DAL does in Europe. Also Before there was Skyteam NWA had antitrust rights with KLM another Skyteam partner. NWA has received LHR slots from KLM just like DAL has received slots from AF. I’m not trying to say the headquarters wont be in ATL but there are more pieces to the puzzle. Do you think AF/KLM would want to lose NWA or DAL, no they’re working together. Do I think DAL management is better than NWA……..oh I better not answer that…..living up north and all :-)…..anyway I’m just a pawn in the big picture and I am looking forward to warmer weather and hopefully be apart of the family. Oh ….By the way my family flew on DAL last Thanksgiving (full fare) they lost our bags :-)…..so all the airlines are suffering from low moral due bankruptcy, pay cuts, outsourcing and executive compensation. I’m glad that I will be with my fellow union/association members at DAL (the other union on DAL property ). They may be prettier but they’re not BIGGER (747). :-)

By Frozentundra

January 24, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Hi Falcon, I agree the merger will be announced soon. You have to think globally not just the southeast. Remember there is Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. NWA has “beyond Rights at NRT” just like DAL does in Europe. Also Before there was Skyteam NWA had antitrust rights with KLM another Skyteam partner. NWA has received LHR slots from KLM just like DAL has received slots from AF. I’m not trying to say the headquarters wont be in ATL but there are more pieces to the puzzle. Do you think AF/KLM would want to lose NWA or DAL, no they’re working together. Do I think DAL management is better than NWA……..oh I better not answer that…..living up north and all :-)…..anyway I’m just a pawn in the big picture and I am looking forward to warmer weather and hopefully be apart of the family. Oh ….By the way my family flew on DAL last Thanksgiving (full fare) they lost our bags :-)…..so all the airlines are suffering from low moral due bankruptcy, pay cuts, outsourcing and executive compensation. I’m glad that I will be with my fellow union/association members at DAL (the other union on DAL property ). They may be prettier but they’re not BIGGER (747). :-)

By Falcon

January 25, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

I agree. The 747’s of NW are Bigger. It will be a pleasure to have those come through ATL. Ur right Frozen, with the huge order NWA has with boeing for the 787’s NW has the youngest fleet. I think they also have a few new airbus 310’s. But the massive fleet of 9’s is what brings things down. At any rate, its been a great debate and I look forward to the merger drama being over soon. I’ll be the bigger man, soothsayer, and gracefully bow out of the petty squabbling (southern gentleman). Maybe in the future u can experience southern hospitality via ATL.

P.S. - Lake Lanier is on the rise. :)

By Dave

January 26, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this

The CEO’s were both saying how great this merger would be for Delta and Northwest…but the latest news is that Steenland and Anderson disagree on how they would share power. So this is all coming down to ego’s? Forget what is best for Delta or Northwest, it is all about what is best for Anderson/Steenland. I guess they own each airline personally and can do whatever they want. It is all about me, they are taught that at Business school!

By Soothsayer

January 26, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Falcon, do u have any knowledge of NW’s fleet? They have retired numerous dc-9’s as of late, and no they never owned A310’s either. They have droves of 319/320’s, and 330’s as well. As for the CEO’s egos involved, I believe that Anderson’s trying to punk out a profitable, more modern airline to look good in front of his new employer. Additionally, NW has a sweeter deal in MSP/DTW, and a larger market share in both markets than DL in ATL. It only makes sense for them to shift their HQ northwards, despite previous assurances to GA. (Hundreds of millions of $’s at stake)

By Tarheel

January 26, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

If the combined company’s HQ go north, the GA Senators will kill the deal…..take that one to the bank.

By Fodder for the Coffers

January 26, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

I’ve noticed alot of banter on this board about dogs, and I’m not reccomending that you go back through this train wreck to check out the dog connection, but suffice it to say the analogy of dog eat dog is very appropriate in this context? Just who eats whom? Which brings us to the next point of consideration. There are some hidden jewels in NWA’s asset files:. Such as 5th Freedom rights. 5th Freedom rights go back to the end of WWII when commerce between Japan and The U.S. were negotiated. Out of these negotiations came 5th Freedom rights which were granted to NWA forever, as long as the airline operating these routes remains NWA. The way it works all other airlines can fly to and from Japan and then back to the U.S. 5th Freedom rights allows NWA to fly to Japan, pick up more passengers in Japan and fly anywhere else they wish to. I guess everyone else has forgotten about the amount of NWA’s presense in another as yet un-named major carrier. Ah Ha! the plot thickens! I’m not one to spill the beans but try calling 1-800-Continental. Ask to speak with a member of the board of directors. 10 to 1 the person you speak with will have a Minnneapolis accent. Shoot you bet’cha! Fodder for the Coffers

By humbug

January 26, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Due to the fact that Mr. Anderson was put in his present position for this express purpose, that is, dump the Delta minded executives and replace them with people who have no Delta ties to help insure that Delta becomes part of Northwest, does he, or they,have any compassion for Delta retirees, or will their benefits and pension be eliminated? I’ve heard that this is a way to reduce expenses and enlarge profits in todays executive thinking. .

By tarheel

January 26, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

If the DL folks think they are getting a raw deal, they have the means to kill this one. Case in point…..KDMD.

By FAH

January 26, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

I wish Delta would just go tits up and that Southwest would move in to take its place. Delta lost my business years ago by treating me as a second class citizen on too many occasions. It’s time to get back to the days when the flying customer is numero uno, not the thieves who run the airlines.

By Soothsayer

January 26, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Tarheel, mergers muss clear hurdles via the DOJ and DOT, approval from the House or Senate isn’t required. I agree with humbug, a merger with NW is why the board went outside for Anderson as their new CEO. [FYI: The dog references were subtle shots at Michael Vick’s dog fighting escapades.]

I miss falcon’s inane commentary :(

By Falcon

January 26, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

Soothsay, you uneducated MSP NW lover. Learn how to spell. “mergers muss clear hurdles”. Still here buddy. Regardless of whether NWA 310’s or 319’s or whatever other worthless airbuses in their fleet, when the smoke clears in this business deal, Delta will be the last man standing, Atlanta will be the new empire and you’ll be out of an airline up there in Canada. Like you so eloquently stated, $$$’s of millions of dollars are at stake. In this new america, money talks and BS walks. All those so-called Minnesota loyalties and connections will not come before the future profit potential of the world’s largest airline with a base here in a warm temperate climate. You’ll see. This time next week you’ll be eating your words and tee-teeing your pants in disappointment. Take that to the bank. NWA will be the only one going T**’s up. :o)

By Dwg

January 26, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

As a retiree with 30yrs with Delta in tours in Detroit and Atlanta in numerous below wing and above wing positions I say just keep my pension coming…please!

By to FAH

January 26, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

sit down fasten your seat belt and shut the H#** up..skymilers just need to appreciate the fact we got you there…more cheese with your whine jerk!

By Falcon

January 26, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

By the way, Soothy, do ya really need to have an experts knowledge about NWA’s “superior” fleet of 330’s and 20’s to know that the customers are still pee-ed off. The pilots are pee-ed off at the managers whetting their beaks coming out of bankruptcy. If i were one of the thousands of passengers who got stranded at the end of every month this summer on a NW DC-9 or A330, i wouldn’t care how old or new the plane was, get me from point A to point B like i paid for. This airline is doomed to fail without a merger and Steenland knows this. Now he actually has the nerve to demand power in the swallow up by Delta. Survival of the fittest, Sooth. Survival of the fittest.

Here is a sample of how NWA treats its valued employees, and why they are itching for a deal, no matter where the managememnt white castle is located: NWA employees treated like garbage

By tarheel

January 26, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Soothsayer: Who do you think funds the DOT and DOJ ? If you don’t think Senator I can’t kill this deal….think again !

By ageofpaper

January 27, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this

NWA employee’s treated like garbage, well my friend that mantra it is spreading through corporate America, my company sent us a card at home suggesting ways to save money. Going to a smaller cable package, staying away from HD as long as possible, always using generics and store brands, buying only low cost used cars etc. Then on our company web page has advertisements for new BMW’s. As much as I hate the ultra left these CEO’s need to reigned in some. What a bunch of self centered jerks. When these airlines merge it will be a blood bath except for you know who.

By ageofpaper

January 27, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

Delta will remain in ATL with merger of NWA, dont bet on it. The only thing going for Delta/NW merger is the reservations system is in one place. Since they all use TPF it would be easy to merge the reservations systems with United as well. Getting to Europe from Chicago is just as easy and with United’s western and Midwest routes the hub in Chicago could be better, plus they have two airports. A lot of the Maintenance is already is done in Canada and they would like to move more there. Chicago has better government, lots more water, better traffic, much better schools and affordable housing still on the south side of the city. The ego’s of these two self centered men NW/Delta are without bounds and in this time of scrutiny they would have to do a good job of hiding the huge golden parachute for the NW president in the event of a NW/Delta merge. The fact that the senators in Ga would block it is a joke, these two clowns were both marginalized after their failed attempt at getting the immigration bill passed, first for it and then back peddled out of it with their tails between their legs.

By ronny

January 27, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

Now the ceo’s are worried about their job’s the deal may not go thur. not to worry about the poor guys on the ramp

By FFlyerATL

January 27, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

To FAH -

Yeah - you got one hell of a great idea…We can lose Delta and its service to 481 destinations worldwide in 105 countries and replace them with Southworst - now able to take you to 1 country and Atlanta to Talahassee nonstop via 737-700 service! Makes me very very excited and what a brain surgeon idea!! LOL

By FFlyerATL

January 27, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

To FAH -

Yeah - you got one hell of a great idea…We can lose Delta and its service to 481 destinations worldwide in 105 countries and replace them with Southworst - now able to take you to 1 country and Atlanta to Talahassee nonstop via 737-700 service! Makes me very very excited and what a brain surgeon idea!! LOL

By Soothsayer

January 27, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Falcon,its called a typo you vociferous blowhard with oh so little tribal knowledge of the airline biz. NW must maintain it’s presence in MSP because of concrete agreements it made with MN and MAC, not loyalty! I typed this very slowly so you can keep up the rest of us, falconian. BTW, which airline cut a profit last quarter, dl or nw? Tarheel, ga’s senators have zero clout within the dot/doj - fact!

By Falcon

January 27, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Soothsayer - Calm down, take your medication……now take a deep breath, and repeat after me…..ATLANTA. Now in the next breath say 1,2,3, DELTA! Does that make you feel better? Good. I know more about the air industry than you think MR. Stay tuned. BTW, Man-Up…You’re starting to sound like the bed-wetting mama’s boy that you really are. “Boohoo - What about the agreements to MN and MAC?” Welcome to the corporate way buddy. The stronger company will survive. With a CEO named Steenland, you be the judge of who that is. Bye….. .. :0)

Ur annoying dude. Doesn’t Twin Cities have their own forum? Get a life.

By Fodder for the Coffers

January 28, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this

Soothsayer, you must be jokeing about the concrete committments to MAC and teh Great State of Minnesota. Since you seem to have a passing knowledge of all things frozen; do you remember the concrete committment made to Minnesota for a Reservations Center destined to be manned by descendants of Bob Dylan? Mighty thin concrete being poured there. Or, how about the planned engine shop just south of the Artic Circle in the Iron Range? The only power being produced up there is by the B-52 sized mosquitos Minnesota is famous for. I would have to say that NWA enjoys sucking the States of Minnesota & Michigan dry even more than it enjoys its typical decade long muggings of their own employees. Yep, the State of Georgia and the Delta Family are about to panhandled by there new Step-Daddies. You haven’t seen Carpet Baggers this bad since The Reconstruction Era. At least Wilson might be able to get some decent medicinal smoke down here when he starts jonesing Techwood Homes. These scumbags are so white they are going to absolutely glow in most parts of Atlanta. Northwest Airlines can’t wait to get out of Minneapolis. They’ve even practiced their mass exit plan, code named “Howdy Ya’ll”! Absolutely, Darn-Tootin!

By Rand Peck

January 28, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

I’m disappointed. What originated as an interesting forum, an opportunity for informed people to share their thoughts and information, has deteriorated into a childish, regional slug-fest fueled by a just a few. I’m neither from GA nor MN, which is irrelevant anyway, but have not been impressed with a certain few who are. I see now that there is little to learn here and will seek objective information elsewhere. Thank you, Rand NWA 757 captain

By northstar

January 28, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Okay, enough! Ya know what- IF this deal happens, and that’s a big IF, this is a 50-50 deal. Both companies have a market value of just over 4 billion, Yes, NW brings just as much to the table as DAL. Delta people…GET OVER YOURSELVES! There is going to be give and take on BOTH sides. Who cares where the HQ are-when was the last time you went to the GO? And who cares about the climate? Yes, we have seasons in the north- whatever, not everyone likes it ungodly hot and humid in the summer either like ATL. What we should all be interested in is job security and stabilization of the industry.

By Fodder for the Coffers

January 28, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Northstar & Mr. Peck, Your points are well taken. OK I promise to be nice. I want to be good but I was raised in a bad industry and I’m affraid I’ve allowed my management role models affect me more than I would have liked. Please excuse my nasty comments. Fodder for the Coffers

By Fodder for the Coffers

January 28, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Northstar & Mr. Peck, Your points are well taken. OK I promise to be nice. I want to be good but I was raised in a bad industry and I’m affraid I’ve allowed my management role models affect me more than I would have liked. Please excuse my nasty comments. Fodder for the Coffers

By Mimi

January 28, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Has anyone thought of what this merger will do to the many employees of both companies? Sure Atlanta will be fine but what about Cincinnati and other smaller hubs. Jobs will be lost causing the ecomonical decline of these cities. The goal seems to be for the excutives to get the bonuses so they can move on to destroy another company along their ladder climb.

By Falcon

January 28, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Rand. Go find another forum. Mimi the economic decline of ALL cities started with the current admin in the W.H. who made the corporate environment financially comfortable for all the Steenlands of the world. You people should have thought about that when you voted “W” back in 00 and 04.

By Falcon

January 28, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Rand. Go find another forum. Mimi the economic decline of ALL cities started with the current admin in the W.H. who made the corporate environment financially comfortable for all the Steenlands of the world. You people should have thought about that when you voted “W” back in 00 and 04.

By Mon55

January 28, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Let’s see… Jerry Grinstein said no to a merger..Jim Whitehurst said no to a merger and was being groomed to be Jerry’s replacement.. both men cared about the employees of their company. The stockholders want a merger so their pocketbooks get filled… so they wait until Jerry retires.. then stab Jim in the back by passing him up for an ex-CEO of NW who will say yes to a merger. As soon as Jerry leaves, stockholders start bringing in ex-management of NW. What that tells me is that the stockholders couldn’t give a crap about employees or their outcomes of either airline… as long as they (the stockholders) make money. This isn’t about who voted for who in what year…nor is it about ATL or MSP.. not the states of GA and MN..this is all about the greedy stockholders and how they are going to make their money at the expense of thousands of hard workers who stand to lose their jobs.

By C-OLD SOUTHERN AIRWAYS GUY

January 28, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

I AM AN ORIGINAL SOUTHERN AIRWAYS EMPLOYEE AND HAVE WORKED IN 7 CITIES IN 5 STATES AND AM PRESENTLY LIVING IN THE TWIN CITIES…AS A SECOND GENERATION AIRLINE EMPLOYEE I HAVE SEEN THE AIRLINES GO FROM A CAREER TO A JOB…EXECUTIVES THAT WERE ONCE BUSINESSMEN ARE NOW LAWYERS WHO USE THE WALMART BUSINESS MODEL AS THE PREFERRED WAY TO TREAT THEIR SUBORDINATES…SORRY IF I HAVE OFFENDED ANY LAWYERS…THE RED TAIL PEOPLE I WORK WITH LOOK BACK FONDLY TO THE DAYS IN THE PAST WHEN FORMER NW PRESIDENT NYROP OWNED ALL THE PLANES PINCHED PENNIES AND HAD THE TOILET DOORS REMOVED…MAKES YOUR BOWEL MOVEMENTS GO FASTER AND YOUR DAY MORE PRODUCTIVE…TOUGH LOVE…BUT HE DIDNT EXPECT THE EMPLOYEES TO SUPPLEMENT THE FLYING PUBLIC…30 YRS AGO YOU COULD GET A TICKET FROM MSP TO ORLANDO FOR 300.00 ROUND TRIP…YOU CAN STILL GET THAT SAME PRICE AND SOMETIMES LESS…LOOK AT WHAT HOUSES CARS AND GAS HAVE DONE IN THE PAST 30 YRS…I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE HATE THEIR JOBS AS THEY DO UNDER THE CURRENT REGIME…THE 5TH FREEDOM RIGHTS MAY FORCE THE MERGED COMPANY TO KEEP THE NAME NORTHWEST OR NWA… BUT MAYBE NOT DEPENDING ON JAPANESE LAWS…EITHER WAY THEY WILL DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO PROTECT THE NRT HUB…THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SAID NWA WILL HAVE TO PAY OVER 200 MILLION DOLLARS IF THEY REDUCE MSP TO SOMETHING LESS THAN A HUB AND MOVE THE CEO,CFO AND THE MAJORITY OF EXECUTIVES FROM THE EAGAN HDQ…I THINK THOSE PEOPLE MAY BE IN FOR A MOVE…BUT THE OPERATIONAL HQD WILL BE IN ATL AS WELL AS A MAJORITY OF THE JOBS…THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS…MSP IS A NICE PLACE TO LIVE…BUT IT STILL DOESNT SEEM LIKE HOME…AND IF I GET TO END MY CAREER IN ATL…IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE HOME…THE COLD IS AS BAD AS THE HEAT IS…YOU RUN FROM YOU HEATED HOUSE TO A HEATED CAR TO A HEATED WORKPLACE…IN ATL ITS AN AIR CONDITION HOUSE TO A…YOU GET THE PICTURE…AS FOR UNIONS…WE WILL GET TO VOTE…I COME FROM ATL A REGION NOT KNOW FOR UNIONS AND AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED A UNION IS A BIG BUSINESS…I OFTEN THINK THEY ARE LOOKING OUT MORE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE FIRED THAN THE GOOD WORKERS…BUT I WOULDNT WANT TO WORK HERE WITHOUT AN UNION…AND IF I GET A VOTE I WILL VOTE UNION…AND NON-UNIONED DELTA WORKERS SHOULD THINK HARD BEFORE THEY VOTE NO TO A UNION…DELTA WILL NEED NWA PEOPLE TO MAKE A MERGER WORK AND I HOPE IF THEY ARE TO MERGE NWA PEOPLE ARE TREATED THE WAY DELTA PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED…BUT WHAT I THINK THEY REALLY WANT…IS ANTI-TRUST IMMUNITY…IF THAT HAPPENS THE MERGER WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL TWO OTHER AIRLINES TRY TO MERGE…THE GOLDEN SHARE OF CO STOCK WILL STILL BE IN PLAY AND NWA WILL BE IN THE CATBIRD SEAT…AF/KLM DL/NWA ALLIANCE WILL PREVAIL…PEACE

By Rick

January 28, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

If they make the employees happy, service returns and this potential airline would compete with any airline worldwide.

By JM LAS

January 28, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

A DL/NW merger is a good fix for both and ATL. The question remains about the secondary hubs. Would it be in the best interest for the public to post a DL/NW route map versus DL/UA route map for public interest? I think so. Since so many are affected (employees,customers,& general public) need to see the big picture of how this becomes a major play for ATL. Atlanta is going to benefit and I think the secondary hubs will too to take off the pressure ATL will have. The “New Delta” will be an amazing chapter in airline history.

By C-OLD SOUTHERN AIRWAYS GUY

January 28, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Jim just solved the 5th freedom problem with the name change…

NeWdeltA

By Rick

January 28, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

C-COLD, did I work the atl ramp with you ‘till ‘85?

By Sky

January 28, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Facts:

NWA is older, more valuable (based on today’s MK Cap). It’s franchise is better prepared to weather the future globally…alone. Best balance sheet of ALL major U.S. legacies.

It’s major hubs are have unrestrained growth potential, with very little LCC incursion.

Northwest Airlines is one of the most venerable brand names is all of Aisa…for 60 years. Especially in the richest market on earth, Tokyo.

I don’t know what makes Delta or people from Atlanta think that 30,000 employees (who prefer to remain NWA…PERIOD!) and communities are interested in walking away from that.

Delta needs Northwest FAR more than Northwest needs Delta.

By ice cube

January 28, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

que sera sera…whatever will be will be.

Maybe the new HDQ will be in New Jersey or New York.

You know that the ceo’s are just like politicians!! They tell you what you want to hear not what they’ll really be doing!! I wouldn’t put it past them to move the HDQ to a neutral city where both airlines currently fly…maybe even DC!!

We know the BOD won’t care where the HDQ is anymore than they care about the employees or the states (MN and GA) that have given their respective airlines deals to keep them located in their respective cities.

This “potential” merger is just that, since it will all rest on what the DOJ/DOT decide. We know that the ceo’s are just in it for the ride, and to see how much of a golden parachute they can ride off into the sunset with in the end.

We could be looking at a merger of all 3 airlines—NW/DL/UA…who knows what will transpire. IF that happens we’re talking a whole new ball game!!

By Sky

January 28, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Ice cube,

You are correct of course. What will be, will be is what’s best for the pockets of the thieves at the top.

All the “little people” employees, citizens…will take what their corporate masters tell them to take…just like they ALWAYS have.

By humbug

January 28, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Why all the fuss and ignorant name calling about a DL/NWA or DL/UAL merger? We all know that the present business management attitude in this country leads to the resulting product being sold to, or merged with, a China company. Do we think that Chinese pilots being trained to fly American airspace means nothing? American business leaders and politicians are selling our country and DOJ, DOT, FAA,DL, NWA, UAL, etc., can’t stop it.

By Soothsayer

January 28, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

Falcon, u ain’t to bright, but ignorance can be entertaining. DL gets a ‘hand-me-down’ CEO, loses money last quarter, and that’s labeled healthy/strong? Well said Sky, NW rules in NRT (that’s Tokyo phalcon) in the ever expanding Asia market and that’s nothing…dumb bird. Change is on the horizon, and a lot a people/families will be affected, hopefully common sense will prevail, not pure greed.

P.S.; Falcon, the decline of the major metropolitan areas began in 1964 because of another southern sub-intellect like yourself.

By Greg

January 29, 2008 6:34 AM | Link to this

Listen folks, I’m on the NW side of the fence, and have been for 30 years. Mergers are no good for any airline employeee. I have been thru 2 already and don’t care to see another, uprooting your family etc. Also, I had the privelage to have lunch with R. Anderson in an employee appreciation lunch. He is a smooth talker. And you can have D. Steenland..Don’t believe it makes a diff wether your union or non-union, all employees suffer!

By Greg

January 29, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this

Listen folks, I’m on the NW side of the fence, and have been for 30 years. Mergers are no good for any airline employeee. I have been thru 2 already and don’t care to see another, uprooting your family etc. Also, I had the privelage to have lunch with R. Anderson in an employee appreciation lunch. He is a smooth talker. And you can have D. Steenland..Don’t believe it makes a diff wether your union or non-union, all employees suffer!

By Greg

January 29, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this

I have worked for NW for 30 years and have experienced 2 mergers. Believe me, you Delta folks don’t want to see it. Its ugly for the employees and paying pax for a long time till the dust settles. And how well do you really think this is going to work for union and non union employees? All bets are off. And “ol Richard is a smooth talker” check your pockets after a meeting with him….Good luck to all if this goes thru, it won’t be fun !

By weatherboy

January 29, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this

Delta is in a free-fall. The ‘recovery’ was all smoke and mirrors. Use your SkyMiles NOW people!

By Baybdoll

January 29, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

DELTA should keep its name and remain in ATLANTA, GEORGIA and anyone that don’t like it, needs to move up north so they can be closer to there beloved Northwest. As for DELTA taking people to war, regardless of whether it’s a military plane or civilian, if they are going to send people they are going to find away to send them and at least with DELTA they get to see some friendly faces before they have to face the enemies. DELTA belongs to ATLANTA, GEORGIA if you don’t believe it, ask the DELTA EMPLOYEES that have lived in ATLANTA all their life and worked for DELTA all their life. DELTA should remain in ATLANTA, GEORGIA and keep the DELTA name. DELTA, STONE MOUNTAIN, COCA COLA and KING MEMORIAL to name a few or trademarks of ATLANTA, GEORGIA and a part of HISTORY!!!!!

By Justine

January 29, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Charging $2 per bag while reducing the salary of sky caps to $2 per hour isjust another sign of big business greed. In other words if one checks one bag they have paid the hourly salary of that employee. Most vacationers have 2 bags so they have paid for 2 hours. When this is multiplied by 8 passengers per hour per sky cap the sky cap has paid for their salary the first hour they worked. Perhaps Delta should check themselves and see how their once magnificent passenger service has been reduced to petty greed. Then they will understand why myself and others only choose to fly them when absolutely necessary.

By Leonard

January 29, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

If the Delta-NW deal goes through, a CAL-United deal would not be far behind and then what does USAir and American do? This raises a question of whether any of these deals can really get past Justice Dept review. It is not just the impact of one merger that they will have to weigh. It is at 2 and possibly 3 major mergers that would be the end game. Once you let the Delta-NW deal fly, you effectively open the flood gates. Would this be the right thing for consumers, doubt that. Also, even with rising fuel prices, the industry as a whole is projected to be no worse than a break even performer in 08 and will likely be profitable, even in a slowing economy. So is there really even a point to this?

By Slim Pickens

January 29, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

All airlines have gone from bad to worse! Delta is at the top of the list with screw the passanger mentality. I absolutely hate to fly and will only do so if the trip takes longer than six hours to drive.

By FlyGirl

January 29, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Todays Weather Report in MSP

Rapidly dropping temperatures accompanied by falling and blowing snow and biting winds creating windchill readings of minus 20 to minus 35 degrees across much of Minnesota today will bring an abrupt end to our brief January thaw that saw a high of 43 degrees in the Twin Cities on Monday.

By Possum

January 29, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

A phone rings in Minneapolis: “Good morning, Northwest Airlines”. “Doug? This is Richard. How you doing? Hey look, you’ve probably been reading where Delta has been saying, “hey, we’re going to be a stand-alone airline”….well..things aren’t working out like they thought.” “Doug, I’m going to be blunt with ya, we need help. We need Northwest to bail us out. It seems our hummingbird butts can’t back-up our alligator mouths”. “What’s it going to take to pull this off? There’s enough here for BOTH of us. I just got this gig and I don’t want to look foolish”.

“Dick, let me crunch some numbers, I’ll call you in Atlanta tommorrow”. “It may be a good thing you haven’t sold your house up here yet…if you know what I mean”.

“Well Doug, I’m not one to burn any bridges. Hey, why don’t you c’mon down? I’ve found this little place called the Dwarf House. Great sandwiches. Don’t take too long with those numbers. I’ve got city leaders and politicians breathing down my neck. We REALLY need your help, Doug. Thanks”.

By Rick

January 29, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Heard it was so cold in MSP that Doug Steenland was seen with his hands in his OWN pockets. Can you confirm?

By Rob Leslie

January 29, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Who are we trying to kid about “My Delta”? Delta hasn’t been our Delta since the folks who came on board with Western worked to maneouver Ron ALlen and his team out. Their guy Leo was a loser from the start and the last guy stayed around to try to do damage control on a plan that was his idea and tried to look like a hero savior in the process. This new guy seems now to be made of the same money greedy stuff. What we have watched is the gradual killing off of one of America’s great companies and a good place for our sons and daughters to work.

By Sky

January 29, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

I have a NEWS FLASH for all those that think U.S. airlines still cares about employees OR passengers.

NWA/ DAL…both run by LAWYERS.

The GREAT U.S. airlines of the past were run by AIRLINE people…Pan Am, Eastern, TWA, Braniff, Delta, AA…

These companies are doomed to fail when you have this type of ruthless, self-serving greed mongers running a “customer service” business.

When they FAIL, they run to the employees or the TAX payer to bail them out…along with millions in their pockets of course.S

By john

January 29, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Someone needs to wake up the “powerful” congressman from MN. He is either trying to get a big contribution from someone or he’s been sleeping through the past 8 years. Heck, Congress couldn’t even get the big oil folks to swear-in before they testified!

By C-OLD SOUTHERN AIRWAYS GUY

January 29, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

RICK….I’M SURE WE WORKED TOGETHER IN ATL….BUT I DONT WANT TO USE MY NAME ON THIS BLOG…’CAUSE I THINK FALCON IS RICHARD AND THE SOOTHSAYER IS GOOD OLE DOUG…AND I’M AFRAID I MIGHT HAVE BEEN TO CRITICAL TO UPPER MANAGEMENT…IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME…I WORKED WITH 2 RICKS ON THE RAMP…ONE KNOWN AS RICKY RAY THE OTHER MARRIED A PRETTY GIRL FROM THE OFFICE AND HIS LAST NAME STARTED WITH A “L”…BOTH WERE IN MEM…LAST I HEARD…MAN HAVE WE LOST A LOT OF COMRADES OVER THE YEARS…I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU…THERE WAS AN OLD MAN HOW FELL OFF THIS HOUSE…HE LIVED WITH ME AND MY WIFE IN MSP…MAYBE THAT WILL LET YOU WHO I AM…

By John

January 29, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

If this ever come to be, I will be calling other airlines to see if I switch airline, if they can also accept my elite status. Delta has become such a non-player in Maine that its time to start thinking about changing airlines. Delta has not loyalty, so why so I.

By Susy

January 29, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

I think Oberstar is narrow minded

By Susy

January 29, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

I think Oberstar is narrow minded

By Frozentundra

January 29, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

hmmmm……why are the politicians sooooo concerned about their precious airlines….seems to me that they are same ones who wanted to fly from sfo-lax at the same price as from lga-dca……so you have deregulation…..whats going on now……free market…Oberstar and and all the rest, shut up…..You brought it on …so live with it…….let the mergers begin!!!!!

By Fodder for the Coffers

January 30, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this

One things for certain when dealing with Richard Anderson and Doug Steenland (Me & Mini Me); this plan was hatched along time ago it’s set on Autopilot with a predestined out come. These guys could care less about any individual airline history, and or labor party affiliations. In short they will forge these two giant companies together through whatever means necessary. The recent past would serve as a good example of how far they will go to force their own agendas. NWA proved that they will fly regardless of the FAA standards or any other government oversight. to do that you have to have friends in government pressureing those government entities in place for the good of the flying public. The Pilots have proven their collective cowardess anytime someone even remotely threatens their income which in turn removes them from either airline’s employees hope for survival with any type of decent wage. The Pilots always point to Upper management as the problem, because they are too blinded by greed to see the only difference is the uniforms. Both groups are only interested in themselves, and incredibly they both think that they are the only group truly necessary for profitability. Both groups go to extrordinary lengths riding on the backs of everyone else involved with the safe transportation of millions of people yearly. Every year the safety net gets trimmed a little smaller, work rules get tweeked a little more and a little more. Pretty soon even Federal Regulations start being ignored, and tweeked even more. The double standard, dual mandated FAA is told to ease standards to promote the advancement of the commerce of aviation. Each year this continues to spiral out of control picking up speed to the point where the only inevidible result is disasterous. Both groups growing a little bolder every passing year, convinced that they alone are responsible for holding back the hands of fate. We desperately need Airline people running the airlines and airline people controlling the pilots unions. All of the airlines and all of the unions. Once you throw a couple of Hotel Management types, or Wall Street Darlings in to the mix the harsh reality of the possible consequences of profits over safety mentality tends to bend the pointer of the moral compass of the non airline management types. Just a little more, just a little more… Delta and Northwest; take the combined mass of people, shake it up real good and in 5 years you won’t be able to tell where one starts and the other stops. 10 years and you won’t remember who worked for who or anyone who was laid off due to the merger. Good luck with that, because in the long run everybody loses.

By RockeyTopTN

January 30, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Now that Q4 and Y2007 financial results have been posted by both airlines, I find myself asking who’s really in charge here.

I’ve lived in BOTH Atlanta and Minneapolis. Both cities have their own, unique qualities. Hands down (if it weren’t for the cold), Minneapolis is the better city. I believe that 100%. HOWEVER, I am from the South. For me, Atlanta works out better because I’m close to my family. If I’m given the chance to move back South, I will be happy. Still, I will miss Minneapolis. To be one of the biggest metros in the US, the Twin Cities have a smaller city feel. The one thing I dread about Atlanta is moving back to the bad traffic, the gangs/violence, and seeing poverty on a higher level than I’m used to seeing up here. Atlanta has cleaned up it’s act a little bit since I lived there before, and I hope that trend will continue.

As for Delta vs. Northwest, who cares what the airline is named or where the headquarters is? In the scheme of things, it really does not matter as both Atlanta AND Minneapolis will remain major hubs. I think at this point it’s more important that we learn to get along. This deal may happen whether we like it or not. Bickering back and forth is not going to help anything, and nobody knows how this will turn out in the end.

Yes, Richard Anderson said he intends to keep the Delta name and keep the headquarters in Atlanta. Maybe he’d really like that. But when the deal is done, each side has to compromise. I agree with some of you who have said that Northwest does not need a merger partner. Both NWA and Delta are great airlines when looking at the FACTS. And those facts come from Financial Operating Results and numbers reported by the Department of Transportation.

Airlines Ranked by Greatest Loss, 4th Quarter 2007

Delta: ($ 70 M) American: ($ 69 M) United: ($ 53 M) Northwest: ($ 8 M) Jet Blue: ($ 4 M) Continental: $ 24 M Southwest: $111 M

Airlines Ranked by Market Cap:

Southwest $8.88B Delta $6.32B NWA $4.35B United $4.20B American $3.39B Continental $2.55B US Airways $1.20B

Airlines Ranked by Profit Margin:

Delta: 8.42% Southwest: 6.54% NWA: 6.10% Continental: 3.98% US Airways: 3.65% Alaska: 3.57% Air Tran: 2.34% American: 2.20% United: 2.01% Jet Blue: 1.43% Frontier: -2.18%

Airlines Ranked by Cash:

American: $5.39B United: $4.16B NWA: $3.13B Continental: $3.04B Southwest: $2.78B Delta: $2.39B US Airways: $2.17B

Airlines Ranked by Most Debt:

American: ($11.99B) United: ($9.84B) Delta: ($8.63B) NWA: ($6.91B) Continental: ($5.12B) US Airways ($3.15B) Southwest ($2.09B)

It’s interesting that NWA has more cash on hand than Delta. And it’s even more interesting that on top of having more cash, Northwest also has less debt.

Anyway, there’s the numbers for those of you who think Northwest Airlines is the worst airline in the world. After typing all that, I don’t feel like looking up DOT reports. But check it out yourselves if you’d like. NWA has some of the best ratings for lower consumer complaints, least amount of lost bags, on-time arrivals, etc.

I just ask that before you start dogging a city or an airline, have something to base your argument off of. If you haven’t lived in Atlanta or Minneapolis, then “dog” either one of them. If you haven’t taken the time to get the facts about an airline’s performance, whether it be Delta, Northwest or whoever, take the quiet road. It just makes you look like an ignorant southerner or a damn yankee… whichever you may be.

By larry

January 30, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

a merger of any combination would be a disaster for all employees concerned- only the CEO’s would benefit with their golden parachutes-lets hope that their egos get in the way

By larry

January 30, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

a merger of any combination would be a disaster for all employees concerned- only the CEO’s would benefit with their golden parachutes-lets hope that their egos get in the way

By Flight1

January 30, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

RockeyTopTN: I don’t know where you are getting your flawed financials, but I suggest you check google, WSJ for each companies sec filings (by far more exact than Yahoo.: JAN.30,2008 Open: 15.95 Mkt Cap: 3.95B Delta Operating Margin -0.04%

Open: 18.75 Mkt Cap: 4.31B NWA Operating Margin 13.59% NWA

Delta is NOWHERE NEAR the financial position NWA is in. THAT is a known clear FACT!

NWA is in the BEST financial position than ALL legacies…THANKS to the sacrifices of it’s employees (Now why would they do that, then turn around and give it to another airline? GET REAL!)

By Sterge

January 30, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I would like the politicians to stay out of it. They know nothing about how to run an airline. With what the airlines have been through in recent years, something has to happen. Oberstar needs to keep his nose out of this unless he is personally going to subsidize airlines to keep everything the way it is now. Otherwise, he needs to go build an igloo or hunt some moose or whatever he does in his free time, of which he obviously has plenty of.

By Sterge

January 30, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

I would like the politicians to stay out of it. They know nothing about how to run an airline. With what the airlines have been through in recent years, something has to happen. Oberstar needs to keep his nose out of this unless he is personally going to subsidize airlines to keep everything the way it is now. Otherwise, he needs to go build an igloo or hunt some moose or whatever he does in his free time, of which he obviously has plenty of.

By Rick

January 30, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Yeah, we think we have it narrowed down. We sure do miss seeing your handiwork when we open the bin doors. Hope y’all are doing well up there.

By FFlyer2008

January 30, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

With all this comparison of what airline is better? Delta or Northworst? Would someone please tell me the last time Northwest has received a top 1 or 2 honor for best of anything? I don’t recall ever reading anything about NWA being recognized for much at all with the exception of poor employee moral (bad management for year after year). How much did the employees of NWA receive upon exiting bankruptcy recently? I know a friend of mine at Delta was issued a lump sum for the hard work during their bankruptcy proceedings. Didn’t Delta’s executives forgo any monies upon their exit? Didn’t Steenland at NWA stuff his pockets with a few millions? Would someone please verify this information that works for Delta and someone from NWA? Should be a telling truth of who I would prefer to be employed by - if I were faced with a merger potential.

By C-OLD SOUTHERN AIRWAYS GUY

January 30, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

FLIGHT1…MAYBE I READ ROCKYTOP’S ENTRY TO FAST…BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU AGREE WITH HIM…THE FIRST HOME I LIVED IN IS LOCATED UNDER THE “D” CONCOURSE…IT WAS ON BELL STREET…MY FIRST THRU THIRD GRADES WERE AT MAPLE STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL…THAT WAS LOCATED UNDER THE MAIN CONCOURSE…I LIVED THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE IN COLLEGE PARK…AND THE LAST 20 YRS IN BURNSVILLE MN…SOME OF US SHOULD REREAD ROCKYTOP’S LAST PARAGARPH…

By Possum

January 30, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

NWA has had it’s problems but DL ain’t no ray of sunshine in the airline industry either. You’ve run off just as many people as NW. You DL lovers need to pull your heads out of your rectums and face reality. You are BETTER THAN NO ONE.

By Insider

January 30, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

For the airline, it’s “buy or die”. Hedge funds and large creditors own the vast majority of stock in Delta. Prior to bankruptcy, Delta employees owned roughly 30% of outstanding stock in Delta in their 40lk but that stock is gone with the wind. If any company tried to purchase Delta prior to bankruptcy, then that 30% could be used as a poison pill to block the merger. Delta employees don’t own anywhere near that amount of stock and can’t block any merger. The hedge fund boys are clamoring for a merger so they can make a few billion on the stock. They don’t care about employees, headquarters, or anything else. If Delta isn’t the buyer, then they run the risk of being bought for their routes, planes, and gates. US Air saw the chance to buy Delta at a discount during bankruptcy. The creditors saw an bigger upside potential with Delta emerging from bankruptcy as a standalone company. A US Air/Delta combination would not have been a good match. The “Keep Delta My Delta” slogan was an attempt by Grinstein to control our own destiny. He said in the hearings in Congress that he wasn’t opposed to mergers, just bad mergers. The consolidation with NW is an attempt for Delta to both survive and control their own destiny.

By resjunkie

January 30, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure who made the comment about bridges falling down in MSP, but in light of people having lost their lives I found it a disgusting comment without tact. You deserve a good slap across the face by your mothers hand.

As far as DL/NW go, I think DL is the better known brand worldwide, sans Japan. Aside from that, Atlanta is better poised to run the combined company as HQ and primary hub. Sure, ATC delays and summertime Tstorms are no fun, and MSP is not immune from those during the summer either. Spending millions every winter on deicing operations can’t be good for the bottom line.

ATL is an nicely laid out airport, easy to understand, easy to get from gate to gate. The runway expansion and int’l terminal expansion, and recently announced domestic terminal expansion are all positives.

ATL is the economic center of the South, moreso than even Miami.

MSP, well i’ve only been there a few times. A couple times in the winter (had to deice both times), and once this past summer. Stiffling heat and a horrible thunderstorm which delayed our departure by 45 minutes.

By northstar

January 30, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

resjunkie- I do agree with you that ATL is a nice (but very large) airport. IF this NW/DL deal happens I don’t believe that either MSP or ATL would be downsized. But, airport facilities have nothing to do with where a HQ should be located….which is what I think your point was. Really, who cares where the home office is? It’s probably going to go where ever they can negotiate the best tax break- Right?

By resjunkie

January 30, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

Northstar, I was actually trying to say two things at once. I hadn’t been to the gym yet so my creative writing juices weren’t flowing yet.

As far as HQ goes, I think ATL is better equiped to remain the HQ of the combined operations.

As far as the hub operations go, i’m not so sure MSP would remain. DTW and MSP are only 532 miles apart, and DTW, IMHO harbours superior facilities to MSP. Taking winter-time operations, MSP spends millions a year on deicing operations, and still sufferes from the heat and ATC issues of the summer. Sure DTW deices during the winter, but probably closer to a CVG type operation. TATL ops at DTW could easily be expanded. Score DTW 1: MSP: 0.

ATL vs. CVG/MEM combined: Well that’s a no brainer, I think both CVG and MEM would cease to exist as hubs, or one could be downsized to regional jet ops, which is almost what CVG is today. Score ATL 1: CVG/MEM 0

SLC: A world class operation that would probably only be enhanced. SLC has no direct NW hub competition.

LAX: NW/KL/AF operations could easily be moved in DL T5/T6 operations. DL doesn’t utilize all of it’s gate space as it is at LAX, especially at the 4pm/5pm/6pm hours that TATL ops would run.

JFK: As miserable a terminal T2/T3 are they aren’t going anywhere.

DL also does LOTS of point to point operations between niche markets that appeal to biz travellers, something the NW model doesn’t really follow.

From a network planning perspective I could see ATL/DTW/JFK/SLC/LAX and maybe a severly downsized CVG or MEM, but not both.

By Wellington

January 30, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

Has anyone stopped to consider the likelyhood of an Air-France-KLM style combine between the two airlines. Just a thought. Also, just a side note, DL seems to be pouring out a steady stream of freshly painted planes with the new Triangle on the tail, etc. If the merger were in play wouldn’t one assume that painting would be put on hold. It seems as if DL is proceeding as if the new airline is going to be Delta. It just costs a lot of money to paint planes and then have to re-paint them. It just smells like things are leaning toward either a combine where both airlines survive like AFKLM, OR the new business would be DL. Thoughts……….

By northstar

January 30, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

resjunkie- you seem to have this whole merger figured out…..congratulations! One thing you may want to figure in though is that our DTW hub is larger however, MSP makes more money….interesting perspective but all speculation.

By Possum

January 30, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this

Seems to me a lot of people are more concerned with keeping “our” name, keeping “our” HQ than they are with being profitable. Todays Northwest is a combination of NW, Republic, North Central, Southern and Hughes Airwest. New name? New HQ? No big deal. They’ve been through this before. They just rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The greatest threat may not come from the competition, it just might come from “y’all”.

By RockeyTopTN

January 31, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

Wellington said: “DL seems to be pouring out a steady stream of freshly painted planes with the new Triangle on the tail, etc. If the merger were in play wouldn’t one assume that painting would be put on hold.”

If Delta and Northwest merge, why would Delta need to repaint? Look at their new tail again. The “new” widget, or triangle you are talking about, is now red (not blue) and it points to the Northwest on the aircraft left side of the tail just like Northwest’s “compass” points to the Northwest. They could easily keep this new paint scheme and even use it to represent the old Northwest heritage. Vice versa, if the Delta name becomes Northwest. Either way, the paint scheme (except for the airline’s name on the fuselage) could stay the same.

By resjunkie

January 31, 2008 6:37 AM | Link to this

Northstar—-that’s the point of this thread, speculation. That’s what i’m doing, speculating. I’d rather not go down the road at cheap shots - not sure if you were being sarcastic or not but I never said I had anything figured out.

That’s great that MSP makes a lot of money, but it’s a facility that relies on a handful of Asia flights, a few int’l flights and lots of domestic. Delta’s business model leans heavily on international expansion, as we’ve seen in the last year and a half. Those few 747’s to Asia could easily be rerouted through LAX/SEA and those AMS flights could easily be absorbed by DTW/ATL/JFK.

By northstar

January 31, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

res- you’re right I’m not into cheap shots. All I’m saying is that business strategy should be driven by PROFIT not by geographical location. I’m just trying to get you to look outside of the delta box. You are preaching to the choir when you tout DL’s business model..WE have international hubs (not focus cities) at Tokyo NRT and AMS. Just some more food for thought!

By Possum

January 31, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

How long before one of “y’all” makes the suggestion that the employees chip-in and buy the new airline an airplane and call it a “gift”? They could name it: “The Ghost of Delta”.

By Wellington

January 31, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

In reference to the paint job comment, it would still be clearly obvious that that “triangle” is a DL widget. Plus the bottom of the aircraft is DL blue. And there is no blue in the NWA color scheme, nor has there been. On to meatier matters, It will all boil down to which hubs are the most profitable. JFK, ATL, SLC, MSP, DTW, along with the NRT hub. Both airlines bring value and I don’t think one is that much greater than the other, in spite of the Steenland hatred at NWA. As far as headquarters, ATL would have the edge. “Position of strength”. For all pock shotters - this is speculation, don’t take it personally.

By resjunkie

January 31, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Northstar- I am thinking outside the box, which is why I mentioned DTW being a superior facility and the fact that it would likely remain. Keeping both DTW and MSP doesn’t make sense, and doesn’t fit the business model of the likely aquiring carrier.

SEA would also likely remain as a TPAC hub complimenting LAX.

Keeping MEM and CVG do not make sense (note i’m suggesting getting rid of a DL hub).

Looking further at DTW, i’m sure the automobile industry bring quite a bit of high-revenue traffic through the airport.

By YANKEE

January 31, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

You Southern Boys just don’t get it. Maybe a bowl of grits and boiled peanuts can straighten that confederate way of thinking that you have. Richard is just smooth talking you guys into thinking everything is going to be all right. Next thing you know you will be selling your ATLANTA trinkets at a kiosk at the MALL OF AMERICA!!!

By RockeyTopTN

January 31, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Wellington said: “It would still be clearly obvious that that “triangle” is a DL widget. Plus the bottom of the aircraft is DL blue. And there is no blue in the NWA color scheme, nor has there been.”

The paint schemes prior to Northwest’s current paint scheme used blue as one of the colors. The “bowling shoe”, as many called it, was blue in the middle and expanded to a wider blue on the bottom underneath the tail. Northwest removed blue in their current paint scheme from their more traditional colors of red, white, blue, and gray to make painting of aircraft cheaper. Also, blue paint is heavier, therefore by removing the additional color from their fleet they are able to save money on gas.

By RockeyTopTN

January 31, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Wellington said: “It would still be clearly obvious that that “triangle” is a DL widget. Plus the bottom of the aircraft is DL blue. And there is no blue in the NWA color scheme, nor has there been.”

The paint schemes prior to Northwest’s current paint scheme used blue as one of the colors. The “bowling shoe”, as many called it, was blue in the middle and expanded to a wider blue on the bottom underneath the tail. Northwest removed blue in their current paint scheme from their more traditional colors of red, white, blue, and gray to make painting of aircraft cheaper. Also, blue paint is heavier, therefore by removing the additional color from their fleet they are able to save money on gas.

By KC

January 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

When do you predict the merger will take place?

By KC

January 31, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

When do you predict the merger will take place?

By BILL

January 31, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

I have been through two mergers, Neither was pretty. Both times treated as the step child. I wish this time the airline could take on a new name and have a neutral headquarters. I hope the DL people will think twice about a union. You could not work for NW without one. Try and be realistic and remember you are not working for the same people at DL anymore. If this merger happens, we will probably be working under management from both airlines. Then you will see the need for a union. I have never been to Atlanta, I have never lived in MSP, nor would I want to. I always had to commute from the west coast since the first merger of Hughes Airwest and Republic. That first merger we felt that we had jumped in the frying pan and the second merger with NWA, we knew we had jumped into the fire. I have heard nice things about Atlanta and over the years met very nice warm friendly people from the South. There will be nice people to work with from both sides. One thing I feel from reading some of the post is like here we go again. We should put our differences aside and unite as a work force and not let either management divide us. That is just exactly what they like to see. Both airlines have a lot of great employees and most of us have been abused by our managemet and the courts over the past couple of years. Hope some good will come out of this for all of us still having to work.

By resjunkie

January 31, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

Bill - DL employees have in the past shot down union attempts. Unions just aren’t seen in a favorable light in the South. Does it really protect the employee from an overzealous supervisor overcome by the micromanagement style of leading?

Trust me, i’d LOVE to go union, but would there be enough nwa employees to re-form one in the event of a merger? I just don’t think you’d have enough support from the DL frontline.

By C-OLD SOUTHERN AIRWAYS GUY

January 31, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

RESJUNKIE-NWA SUPERVISORS ARE UNION MEMBERS TOO…IT’S THE ENTRY LEVEL TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT PEOPLE THAT TEND TO GET OVERZEALOUS…LET ME SAY IT
AGAIN…THINK TWICE BEFORE VOTING “NO”…TAKE IT FROM ME…AN INDIFFERENT UNION MEMBER WHO GREW UP IN CLAYTON CO. AND WAS WEANED ON COKE-A-COLA…WHO IF GIVEN A CHANCE WILL VOTE “YES”.

By Paul

January 31, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

Oberstar is an idiot. As Mitt Romney keeps reminding us during the debates, “Washington is broken”, Oberstar is an example of a broken and clueless politician in Washington, not in touch with today’s aviation world. All he cares about is maintaining air service to small cities like Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Delta and NW match up well as far as a great complimentary route network. I hope DL and Continental don’t merge as Continental is a well run, profitable, service oriented airline that doesn’t need to change it’s corporate chemistry.

By C-OLD SOUTHERN AIRWAYS GUY

January 31, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

ROCKYTOP-F.Y.I. THE NEW NWA UNIFORMS ARE CHARCOAL GRAY WITH RED AND BLUE ACCENTS…ACTUALLY THEY CALL THE BLUE “PERIWINKLE”…

By resjunkie

January 31, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

C-OLD, if the supervisors are union then how does that protect a front line person from them riding you six ways to Sunday?

By Falcon

January 31, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

YANKEE, man u northerners are really beside yourself. Most of the arguments (ridiculous as they have gotten) are started by you. Can’t understand why you think youre intellectually superior to people from the south. Its people like you and the Soothsayer guy that bring out the worst in these forums, acting like spoiled children name calling and such.

THere have been some interesting posts in this spot. The DL, NW merger is still speculation. Although I am confident that the HQ will be in Atlanta, that still represents a small percentage of jobs affected. This will be the worlds largest airline that will see a huge amount of increased revenues if they can work with each other. Hopefully this is being considered and the loss of REAL employees, like gateagents, flight attendants, ramp workers, and mechanics, and pilots will be minimal. I agree with somehting that Wellington pointed out…maybe consider doing the AF-KLM combine where there is one company (AF) but both companies were able to keep their identity and Cultures. That would benefit everyone with minimal loss. Lets cease and desist with the ugly name calling and making fun of grits, etc. If you can’t stop you’re always welcom to come to the south and enjoy a bowl.

By northstar

January 31, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

res- six ways to Sunday? Look, if you do your job no one is going to ride you. It’s your contract that protects you regarding duty limitations, seniority, pay, sick, etc. Changes to your work environment will need to be negotiated not just taken away at will. There is nothing to fear- and if management respects you as a good employee than there should be no problem with putting their promises to you in writing in the form of a contract.

By AMT

January 31, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Have we learned nothing from trying to be the biggest (PanAM acq.)Although SOME of the routes we recieved were lucrative, the planes, Lots of ScareBus’s, were returned to leaser in 1992 and the ones Delta leased were sent back by 1993 because they were too costly too maintain. Hmmm. Oh that’s right all those execs are gone now. These guys have to learn it for themselves at our expense…of course I’m sure they all have golden parachutes also! So it really doesn’t matter what we know.

By humbug

January 31, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

It seems that all the airlines that had strong union involvment no longer exist. What protection was a union to those folks? The only thing unions do sucessfully is collect dues from the little people.

By Soothsayer

January 31, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

Hey falcon, u talk about being mature and not 2 long ago u seemed fixated on urine, peeing and such. How very adult like? U bashed MN & nw nonstop and we should just take it? I think yankee was speaking directly 2 u falcon! In any case, I still enjoy ur poorly written diatribes. Both states have a lot 2 offer, but grits or walleye seems like fairly straight forward choice!

By northstar

January 31, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

humbug- Unions can’t save poorly managed companies……

By humbug

January 31, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

northstar Then what, other than collect dues and blame every fault on the poorly managed company, is their purpose???