The merger of USair and Delta, if it happens, will result in the biggest U.S. airline. Other airlines will follow. Experts says this will lead to fewer however bigger mega airlines. Some major cities will have 1 airline flying to few cities. The quality will go down and prices will go up. Your thoughts.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
I think that the two worst flying experiences I have ever had were presented to me by Delta and US Air. My thoughts are why have two bad, big airlines when you can have one huge bad airline.
Posted by Kiernan (Member # 3828) on :
I'll second that about US Air and Delta. The flight attendents were surly. The flights were terrible. The American Federation of Musicians is boycotting Delta because they refuse to allow musicians to bring their violins and violas into the cabin, even if they buy a seat for it. Would you trust your $50,000 violin to airline baggage handlers?
I met a Southwest pilot who claimed that US Air was the most incompetent airline on the planet.
"In a market where we charge $200 and make money," he said, "they charge $600 and lose money."
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Interesting post Kiernan - As a former US Army Bandsman and still amatuer musician, I'm inclined to honor AFM's boycott of Delta!
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Kiernan -- hmmmmmmm, what about bringing those bagpipes on board Delta/US Air?
Hee-hee Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Kiernan -- hmmmmmmm, what about bringing those bagpipes on board Delta/US Air?
Hee-hee
THAT could be considered terrorism!
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
I would not hold my breath on this merger:
1) Delta is treating this as a hostile takeover.
2) US Air's debt rating is well into the junk range.
3) FAA, FTC, SEC, and perhaps the new Congress are all going to weight in on it during regulatory hearings.
Posted by gp35 (Member # 3971) on :
Even if it fails, it might spark similar ideas in other airlines.
Posted by Cloudboy (Member # 4588) on :
Um, I don't think it's the flight attendants who would have a problem with the instruments - it's the FAA carry-on regulations. You cant have large objects like that lying around the cabin in case of an emergency.
As far as the merger goes, it IS hostile, which means that if the shareholders approve, even if Delta management doesn't like it, they are sold. But don't expect a lot of good to come out of it. The mix of equipment is terrible, the workplace cultural policies would clash, and routing would be a nightmare. And there are just too many other airlines out there who want to jump at a piece of it. Even if the big airlines cut back, there are many really small lines out there eager to fill in any gaps.
What this means to rail is that not a lot of new opportunities are going to be opening up. And prices aren't likely to rise (beacuse other airlines will take up the low fares), so it's not going to be any more attractive to take the train. Conversely, it doesn't mean more competition for the shuttle flights, because the number of slots will still be limited, just under a different company.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
As far as i know, there is no FAA regulation that covers instruments as carry-ons. Individual carrier have their own policies which may include the necessity to buy a seat for the instrument and limitations on where the "passenger" can be seated. It must, of course, be belted in.
I agree that the mix of equipment and cultures doesn't seem right. And there have already been informational picket lines because the seniority issues at America West and US have not been resolved.
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