Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport - Page 44

ATLBlaxican · #**861** Posted **Jan 23, 2008, 11:25 PM**

Just a simple question!!!!!!

If the merger were to go through, which city would make for the better headquarters and why? What are some other factors that would make a difference? To me it, seems that Atlanta would be the better fit, but I no nothing about the situation other than what I hear and would love to be more enlightened on the issue.

Trae · #**862** Posted **Jan 23, 2008, 11:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLBlaxican

Just a simple question!!!!!!

If the merger were to go through, which city would make for the better headquarters and why? What are some other factors that would make a difference? To me it, seems that Atlanta would be the better fit, but I no nothing about the situation other than what I hear and would love to be more enlightened on the issue.

Well, if Delta were to merge with NW, Atlanta would definitely be a better HQ. Atlanta has a bigger global presence and it would just make a lot more sense.

ATLonthebrain · #**863** Posted **Jan 24, 2008, 1:39 AM**

I agree that if it's DL/NW, ATL should be the clear winner for the HQ. Nothing against MSP, because I actually like the area, but ATL is now and will continue to be more prominent. MSP would continue to maintain hub status because NW has a lock of many markets in that region from the Twin Cities, and the area has a sizable population and business community.

Fiorenza · #**864** Posted **Jan 24, 2008, 4:04 AM**

There's one thing that speaks against Atlanta and for MSP. The merged entity would have to pay back over a billion in tax subsidies if the HQ were to move away from MSP.

I have another concern. If Delta in order to close the deal had to substantially pay off the unions or accept more unionization, it may be a deal-killer.

Neosoul · #**865** Posted **Jan 24, 2008, 3:19 PM**

[QUOTE=Fiorenza;3303983]There's one thing that speaks against Atlanta and for MSP. The merged entity would have to pay back over a billion in tax subsidies if the HQ were to move away from MSP.QUOTE]

True, but in order to survive, it seems like Northwest will have to merge with somebody. So they risk either losing the HQ in any scenario to Atlanta (Delta), Chicago (United), Ft. Worth (American), Houston (Continental), or Tempe (USAirways).

atlantaguy · #**866** Posted **Jan 24, 2008, 5:01 PM**

I was under the impression that Northwest was on the hook to Minn. more on the order of $300 million. Where is this billion dollar figure coming from?

Atlriser · #**867** Posted **Jan 24, 2008, 5:41 PM**

My understanding, they don't owe anything to MN. They would simply loose the tax breaks and lease breaks they negotiated through 2020 on use of facilities and taxes in MN.

Fiorenza · #**868** Posted **Jan 24, 2008, 10:10 PM**

Yes, but losing the break would be the same effect. I recall reading it's $220 million per year for several years.

Fiorenza · #**869** Posted **Jan 25, 2008, 4:42 AM**

AJC article dealing with US Air

Unity77 · #**870** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 7:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trae

Well, if Delta were to merge with NW, Atlanta would definitely be a better HQ. Atlanta has a bigger global presence and it would just make a lot more sense.

Global presence in regards to what? Sorry to burst your bubble, but the only thing Atlanta has over Minneapolis is a bigger, busier airport, which doesn't necessarily justify having the headquarters.

megalopolis · #**871** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 8:18 PM**

Well, to start, Atlanta has twice the number of Fortune 500 company headquarters than Minneapolis. So I'd say Atlanta has more of a global corporate presence for sure.

Neosoul · #**872** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 8:21 PM**

...and twice the population.

Unity77 · #**873** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 8:22 PM**

Are you serious? The Minneapolis area has 19 Fortune 500 companies. The state of Georgia has 15 Fortune 1000 companies.

Minneapolis is also home to Cargill (2nd largest private company in the country), which has a presence in just about every country.

Unity77 · #**874** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 8:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neosoul

...and twice the population.

And that means... absolutely nothing.

Neosoul · #**875** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 8:36 PM**

I don't think most people even know what Cargill is. Coke, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS are much more known around the world.

Cities
Cities with five or more FORTUNE 500 headquarters.
City State Number of FORTUNE 500 companies
New York New York 44
Houston Texas 23
Atlanta Georgia 14
Dallas Texas 11
Chicago Illinois 10
Charlotte North Carolina 7
Cincinnati Ohio 7
Minneapolis Minnesota 7
Philadelphia Pennsylvania 7
Richmond Virginia 7
St. Louis Missouri 7
Milwaukee Wisconsin 6
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 6
San Francisco California 6
Cleveland Ohio 5
Columbus Ohio 5
Denver Colorado 5
Omaha Nebraska 5
San Antonio Texas 5
Seattle Washington 5

Unity77 · #**876** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 8:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neosoul

I don't think most people even know what Cargill is. Coke, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS are much more known around the world.

LOL! So city proper Atlanta has more Fortune 500 companies than city proper Minneapolis. Big deal. The Minneapolis area still has more Fortune 500 companies than the state of Georgia. BTW, according to the 2007 Fortune 500 list Minneapolis has 8.

Also, who cares if whether or not the average person knows about a company. Businesses world wide know Cargill and that's all that matters.

STrek777 · #**877** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unity77

LOL! So city proper Atlanta has more Fortune 500 companies than city proper Minneapolis. Big deal. The Minneapolis area still has more Fortune 500 companies than the state of Georgia. BTW, according to the 2007 Fortune 500 list Minneapolis has 8.

Also, who cares if whether or not the average person knows about a company. Businesses world wide know Cargill and that's all that matters.

there there boo boo it will be okay. I know you love your city and I would do the same for mine if someone tried to go and take Delta away.

Mergers are nasty business for those on the receiving end. But trust me it will all work out in the end. NW won't be headquartered there anymore but who knows the buyout may bring so much attention to MSP that it might turn heads of other major companies.

MSP will get along just fine without NW. It may be bumpy for a while but you'll see everything works out in the end.

Neosoul · #**878** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 9:16 PM**

[QUOTE=Unity77;3313870]LOL! So city proper Atlanta has more Fortune 500 companies than city proper Minneapolis. Big deal. The Minneapolis area still has more Fortune 500 companies than the state of Georgia. QUOTE]

Huh? You realize that Atlanta is in the state of Georgia, right? lol

Minneapolis is a nice place though so please don't feel i'm criticizing your city.

By the way, can anyone confirm whether the new international terminal is officially under construction or not?

Unity77 · #**879** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 9:24 PM**

[QUOTE=Neosoul;3313915]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unity77

LOL! So city proper Atlanta has more Fortune 500 companies than city proper Minneapolis. Big deal. The Minneapolis area still has more Fortune 500 companies than the state of Georgia. QUOTE]

Huh? You realize that Atlanta is in the state of Georgia, right? lol

Minneapolis is a nice place though so please don't feel i'm criticizing your city.

Yes, I realize Atlanta is in Georgia. I'm just saying that the Minneapolis metro area has more Fortune 500 companies than the state of Georgia has Fortune 1000 companies.

Don't worry I don't feel you're criticizing Minneapolis. Please don't think that I'm rippin on Atlanta.

All I'm saying is that Atlanta is not a given for a newly merged headquarters.

Neosoul · #**880** Posted **Jan 28, 2008, 9:32 PM**

but why are you comparing fortune 500 companies to fortune 1000 companies? aren't fortune 500 the ones with larger global presence?