Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by NativeAtlantan

Andrea, your premise assumes that people are racially motivated, which I believe is true. Fiorenza's point is that people should not be racially motivated thereby eliminating the need for reverse discrimination, which you support.

No, that's not what I said. I don't support "reverse discrimination."

[Rail Claimore]

Delta working with pilots to make NWA merger work

By RUSSELL GRANTHAM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/09/08

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines could roll out their long-delayed merger as early as next week if the Atlanta carrier works out a related agreement with its pilots union, according to one person familiar with the talks.

However, the situation appeared to be fluid. Some people suggested Delta and Northwest could go ahead with earlier merger plans whether they reach an agreement with the pilots or not.

Continued at AJC

[ThrashATL]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

Delta working with pilots to make NWA merger work

By RUSSELL GRANTHAM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/09/08

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines could roll out their long-delayed merger as early as next week if the Atlanta carrier works out a related agreement with its pilots union, according to one person familiar with the talks.

However, the situation appeared to be fluid. Some people suggested Delta and Northwest could go ahead with earlier merger plans whether they reach an agreement with the pilots or not.

Continued at AJC

Merging without a deal from the pilots is bringing back shades of the USAir/America West merger debacle.

[STrek777]

Originally Posted by ThrashATL

Merging without a deal from the pilots is bringing back shades of the USAir/America West merger debacle.

As with the way Delta stunned the financial world and re-wrote the books on how to use bankruptcy to its fullest advantage... I think here too everyone will be going WTF. Delta has come a very long way in a very short period of time. That doesn't happen from dumb luck that takes true talent at the head of the company. I have full confidence that this merger will put US in check and lay the blueprint for future airline mergers to follow.

Sorry I have been away so long but I'm back! Did ya'll miss me?!

[ThrashATL]

Originally Posted by STrek777

Sorry I have been away so long but I'm back! Did ya'll miss me?!

You were gone?

[Tombstoner]

Originally Posted by STrek777

As with the way Delta stunned the financial world and re-wrote the books on how to use bankruptcy to its fullest advantage... I think here too everyone will be going WTF. Delta has come a very long way in a very short period of time.

I'm not sure Delta stunned anyone. It fended off USAir (and only partially due to Delta savvy--the deal has lots going against it) and has subsequently emerged with half it's promised market value (shareholders aren't exactly stunned [at least not in a good way]), cut-backs on service and a still-shaky grip on solvency (regulators aren't exactly stunned) and a range of cutbacks on Medallion benefits (Delta's highest paying customers aren't exactly stunned).

I'm a Delta supporter and Platinum flyer (which only means that my fat ass consistantly sits in their planes a lot), but I think it's laughable to say that Delta has wowed anyone with their financial prowess or "re-wrote" the books on how to leverage bankruptcy.

[sunking1056]

Not a big surprise:

Delta, Northwest reach agreement on merger
Combined company will keep Delta name, Atlanta base

By RUSSELL GRANTHAM, RACHEL TOBIN RAMOS, JIM THARPE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/14/08

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines announced a merger Monday that they valued at $17.7 billion and said will result in no hub closures and will keep the company headquartered in Atlanta.

The all-stock deal will forge an airline that will be the largest in the world in terms of traffic, but is likely to unleash later merger deals that could be even larger, including a possible deal between United and Continental airlines.

Delta and Northwest said the merged company, which will be called Delta, will result in a stronger carrier in the face of rising fuel costs and a looming recession.

The companies said Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson will head the companied airline, which will have more than $35 billion in combined revenue and about 75,000 employees.

The deal comes after the boards of Delta and Northwest held separate meetings Monday.

"In the past, we have said that we were not interested in doing a deal for the sake of doing a deal," Anderson said in a memo to Delta's 50,000 employees. "Our need to respond to the pressures of dramatically rising fuel costs and a softening U.S. economy drove us to take a closer look at all options to strengthen our future."

[john3eblover]

mmmm Congrats to Delta and Northwest

[STrek777]

Originally Posted by john3eblover

mmmm Congrats to Delta and Northwest

Isn't this just fabulous!!!! I am really excited! Feel free to check out this new website for answers to many of your questions.

http://www.newglobalairline.com/

[jpk1292000]

Originally Posted by STrek777

Isn't this just fabulous!!!! I am really excited! Feel free to check out this new website for answers to many of your questions.

http://www.newglobalairline.com/

This must be really exciting for Delta employees and it's a HUGE coup for Atlanta, assuming that it passes anti-trust laws, etc.

[NativeAtlantan]

As an Atlanta fan, I am really happy about this. I may even seek employment with the new company, especially if they locate the combined HQ in downtown or midtown.

[Andrea]

I heard a couple of Northwest people interviewed and they were less than enthused.

[NativeAtlantan]

Of course.

I will also add to my previous post that I may be looking for a job in early 2010 so by then there might actually be some jobs available at the new Delta.

[Dragonheart8588]

Originally Posted by STrek777

Isn't this just fabulous!!!! I am really excited! Feel free to check out this new website for answers to many of your questions.

http://www.newglobalairline.com/

STrek777, I think seriously that this website is trying fool everyone. As everyone know, I know very little about the airlines, but I do have a degree in Finance.

Here is how I think what the website/Delta is claiming cannot be possibly be true or make sense financially:

First, they claim that they keep both hubs in the running with little layoffs <-- that would not be cost cutting at all and how are they going to pay for all the costs? Isn't the whole point of merging is to cut costs. It is like running the same 2 companies as one with no change.

They claim that this merger will increase their competitiveness in providing services to customers. <-- While that may be true that we Georgians have more direct flights, but it keep out competitions.

If you check out flights to different destinations where Delta have direct flight and little to no competition, the fares is a lot higher compared to destinations that are serviced by airtran, southwest, or jetblue.

This in the end will hurt consumers and the employees. They will either raised the fares so high that new airline with all employees and hubs so they can be profitable. Or they will have cut a lot of jobs and hubs to maintain its competitiveness.

I'm sorry, but I think this merger will not be a good thing despite the fact that the headquarter/hub remain in Atlanta.

[john3eblover]

blah blah

[john3eblover]

man I'm excited about this merger

[Fiorenza]

The Delta side of ALPA today agreed to arbitration. The NW pilots had already agreed. That's huge. Looks as if this merger will really happen.

[STrek777]

With the price of oil closing today at over 119.00 a barrel I think the authorization for this merger is an open/shut case. Pilots will always saber rattle but in the end they too will realize that it is better to work together than to have no job at all and the same goes for all the work groups.

I am really excited about this!

[john3eblover]

man gas is freaking ridiculous. good lord

[ThrashATL]

Originally Posted by john3eblover

man gas is freaking ridiculous. good lord

How picky do airlines get now about load factor and revenue per mile now when cutting flights? Pretty damn picky I'll bet.