American Airlines Parent Files for Bankruptcy

[Brian]

US Airways buying out AA sounds like a horrible idea. They are a really bad airline and I really dont like flying them. Oh well.

When does the Wright Amendment fully end?

[YellowRose]

When does the Wright Amendment fully end?

2014. And can't get here soon enough.

Interesting to think how Southwest Airlines has been so successful in spite of the Wright (Wrong) Amendment. Should have violated the Anti-Trust law. No telling how SWA will soar when it ends (no pun intended.)

[Uther]

Thank American Airlines for spending zillions reinforcing the Wright Amendment and driving Legend Air out of business and....

And as for unions. They just can't seem to figure that the time for defined benefit pension, huge retiree medical, etc. are in days past.

There is no viable company today that can take on the open-ended black hole of long-lived retiree pensions and medical benefits.

Life as we knew it in the mid-20th century is so, well... 20th century.

For the next 50-70 years, look at people living longer and longer, becoming unproductive, needing fantastically expensive medical care, while at the same time not being able to work. Their companies' pension plans will become more and more strained, because the companies are downsizing, thus fewer employees paying into the pension pool, putting more stress on company profits.

Look at the sectors growing in the US economy. Healthcare and services. Which of those will provide fulfilling careers for enough people to drive a strong economy? Can we still make things in the US? Heck no. Even if we could afford the labor cost, we don't have the infrastructure to assemble and build stuff like the iPad in the US. All the factories and plants are in the Asean sector.

And you can't blame anyone - everyone played by textbook rules. Unfortunately, as I grew older, I started to realize that as soon as the rules were encoded in a textbook, they became the knell of death. That one cannot survive with a herd mentality. And above all, you can't take anything at face value.

If someone says "good morning," make sure the rosy glow on the horizon is in fact the sun, and not the next conflagration starting to burn your house down.

There are cycles in the economy (large ones and small ones), and right now the labor outlook for the US economy is so terribly bleak it's frightening. And I'm not talking about the next 4-5 years, I'm talking 20-30 years.

Sorry, completely off-topic.

[Pipeline]

Can we still make things in the US? Heck no.

Totally agree. What parent wants their kids working at GE making washing machines? Most parents want their kids pushing paper, or becoming a doctor or a nasty lawyer.

By the way, don't let your kids do calculus, drink and and get behind the wheel. It's against the law to drink and derive. (Math joke)

[Common Sense Al]

Can we still make things in the US? Heck no. Even if we could afford the labor cost, we don't have the infrastructure to assemble and build stuff like the iPad in the US. All the factories and plants are in the Asean sector.

Wow... check this out:
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/47181431

I could hardly believe it!

Yes, I know they are only assembling them with (most?) of the components made elsewhere... but it's a step in the right direction. It's a sliver of hope.

[admin]

American, US Airways one step closer to merger

[CopperCanyonResident]

I saw an Uther post up just a few posts.

Is Uther dead or what? Seems all quiet from our Anglo-Saxon favorite.

CCR

[admin]

Who wants to fly American Airlines?

[admin]

American and US Airways Are Expected to Announce Merger This Week

[admin]

A Message from Tom Horton: AMR-US Airways Merger:

Today is a historic day as American Airlines and US Airways announce plans to create the new American Airlines. Together, we will create a premier global carrier with an expanded worldwide network, a strong financial foundation, a modern and efficient fleet, and the industry's best team of people who will offer an unparalleled travel experience for our customers.

Over the past few months, we conducted a thorough review of alternatives to strengthen American for the future and determined that this combination delivers the most value for our stakeholders and the best outcome for our customers and people. As a combined carrier – the new American – we will have an expanded network to even better match where customers want to fly and enhanced ability to invest in our fleet, modern technologies, and the products and services our customers value most.

We've been making progress toward building a new American – from transforming our fleet with the largest aircraft order in history, to modernizing the travel experience, and refreshing our iconic brand. This merger is our next step in the process of building the leading global airline.

American and US Airways combine two highly complementary networks with access to the best destinations throughout the U.S. and around the globe. Together we will offer our customers more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries by maintaining all the hubs currently served by both airlines.

When the new American arrives, we will provide more options than any other airline across the East Coast and Central U.S. regions, and expand and further strengthen our network on the West Coast. The combined airline will add to our reach across the Atlantic and Pacific and bolster American's industry-leading position in Latin America and the Caribbean. We'll also enhance our existing loyalty program benefits through expanded opportunities to earn and redeem miles across the combined network.

The new American will continue to give customers options for travel and benefits both domestically and internationally through continued membership in the oneworld® Alliance. As they do today, our oneworld Alliance partners will offer access to a range of destinations, airline choices, and earning and redemption opportunities.

At this time, American and US Airways will remain separate companies and you can continue to count on American for excellent service and safe, reliable travel. We expect the merger to be completed in the third quarter of 2013 and will keep you updated. I invite you to visit www.aa.com/arriving to keep up with our progress.

Both American and US Airways are distinguished by our proud histories and look forward to our bright future as we build the world's leading airline.

Thank you for your continued loyalty, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon!

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Horton
Chairman & CEO