Cactus And Usair

[Lrjtcaptain]

Okay, so I haven't done a whole lot of research and I've talked to a few AWA pilots to get a brief understanding.

Usair was in serious financial trouble so AWA bought them out? The AWA kept the USair name, paint scheme and all that crap? WHY????????????

Working at ORD all the planes are USAir, but the west bounds are Cactus to LAS and PHX, while the Eastbounds to PHL, PIT etc...are Usair. If there was a merger, why two callsigns, and why didn't AWA keep the name. I just ask for a brief explination as I just don't get it.

I understand for now why cactus is cactus going to PHX and LAS, and usair with there CLT, PHL, PIT etc... runs but I don't remember this happening with TWA and AAL

 

[PositiveRate]

5 pages minimum.

Cliff notes version.

- US Airways name kept for brand recognition

- Plan was to go to "cactus" once certificates merged.

- East pilots claimed it was unsafe for them to have to say "cactus" and inferred it might lead to another crash as they are already under much stress.

- Company delayed callsign change until somepoint in the future

- Now we have identical looking planes at congested airports with different callsigns - UNSAFE (LAX, ORD, PHL, LAS, BOS) - it's just a matter of time before there's a major incident when ATC gets confused.

- Word on the street is that there may be a different callsign implemented - "flag" is a common rumor.

 

[Mud Eagle]

I thought going with the USAirways name had to do with keeping the routes and gates that went with the certificate?

 

[TWA Dude]

I thought going with the USAirways name had to do with keeping the routes and gates that went with the certificate?

Nope. The name wouldn't have mattered. A better choice would've been a totally new name but of course our CEO knows best.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

5 pages minimum.

- Now we have identical looking planes at congested airports with different callsigns - UNSAFE (LAX, ORD, PHL, LAS, BOS) - it's just a matter of time before there's a major incident when ATC gets confused.


No problems with the two callsigns here at ORD. We have ASDE-X and USair cactus are only running about 3 or 4 flights an hour, If we can keep all the United Expresses seperated, then we can keep you two seperated.

 

[LearLove]

while I like the "cactus" callsign I think it is more professional to use the name of the airline - especially for a major or legacy, as they say these days. Just my 2 cents.

my vote: keep US Air.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

while I like the "cactus" callsign I think it is more professional to use the name of the airline - especially for a major or legacy, as they say these days. Just my 2 cents.

my vote: keep US Air.

So in your world British Airways (speedbird) is un professional. How about China (dynasty) or Aer Lingus (Shamrock) they unprofessional too??

Not one of your better post Learlove!!!

WD.

 

[PowerRanger]

So in your world British Airways (speedbird) is un professional. How about China (dynasty) or Aer Lingus (Shamrock) they unprofessional too??

Not one of your better post Learlove!!!

WD.

It'd be cool if Delta changed their call sign to "widget."

 

[JimNtexas]

S... British Airways (speedbird) is un professional. How about China (dynasty) or Aer Lingus (Shamrock)

WD.

Don't forget 'Clipper'

 

[LearLove]

So in your world British Airways (speedbird) is un professional. How about China (dynasty) or Aer Lingus (Shamrock) they unprofessional too??

Not one of your better post Learlove!!!

WD.

So OK maybe i wasn't super clear in my post - I didn't mean unprofessional in a bad way so to say. I actually think Speedbird is hands down the best callsign out there. Clipper - another great one that should be retired like a great athleats' jersey number.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

So OK maybe i wasn't super clear in my post - I didn't mean unprofessional in a bad way so to say. I actually think Speedbird is hands down the best callsign out there. Clipper - another great one that should be retired like a great athleats' jersey number.

You should do some research into what it took for us to get the call sign Cactus!!

WD.

 

[wms]

USAir, the legacy airline no longer exists. AWA bought USAir, kept the USAir name and is now a re-branded and expanded LCC. Just like Valujet buying Airtran, and taking on the Airtran name due to public perception.

 

[EdTeachLives!]

All of this West vs. East stuff is getting amusing as well as old. Now we have the call sign debate "cactus" vs. "usair" with the word on the street being "flag" is being considered as a remedy.

Poor choice for obvious reasons yet if they go through with that decision it will provide years of comedy on ATC frequencies.

 

[FLYLOW22]

CACTUS... what a bunch of pricks. :nuts: :nuts:

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

 

[PHXFLYR]

CACTUS... what a bunch of pricks. :nuts: :nuts:

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

We ought to fit in real well with our new co-workers,then.


PHXFLYR

 

[bearcat]

Okay, so I haven't done a whole lot of research and I've talked to a few AWA pilots to get a brief understanding.

Usair was in serious financial trouble so AWA bought them out? The AWA kept the USair name, paint scheme and all that crap? WHY????????????

Working at ORD all the planes are USAir, but the west bounds are Cactus to LAS and PHX, while the Eastbounds to PHL, PIT etc...are Usair. If there was a merger, why two callsigns, and why didn't AWA keep the name. I just ask for a brief explination as I just don't get it.

I understand for now why cactus is cactus going to PHX and LAS, and usair with there CLT, PHL, PIT etc... runs but I don't remember this happening with TWA and AAL

Well....a little different view. HP didn't have any money either. They had a CEO who sold the 'idea" of a merged airline. HP was bad (they wont admit it now) and US Air was (actually still is) worse. Parker sold the idea to invetors. HP didn't BUY US. The investors that were sold on the merged idea bought US under guidance from HP. The call sign mess is indicative of what a total HR disaster this merger is. It is going to be years before the dust settles. The HP guys made out like bandits with the seniority merge list. Everyone of them (HP) is complaining about the complaining cause they know they won that one.

Does anyone really care what call sign they use?? I could care less. A$$ Bag would be fine.

US Air is a dog and pony act right now and hopefully will change in the future, but that is YEARS away.

 

[gutshotdraw]

I'll say it again, the new call sign should be "Bad Beat." It's a poker term used by whiny players who lose hands they think they should have won (East) and occasionally by players who actually did lose a hand they should have won (West).

 

[BoilerUP]

I'll say it again, the new call sign should be "Bad Beat." It's a poker term used by whiny players who lose hands they think they should have won (East) and occasionally by players who actually did lose a hand they should have won (West).

"Hellmuth"?

 

[Tomct]

Well....a little different view. HP didn't have any money either. They had a CEO who sold the 'idea" of a merged airline. HP was bad (they wont admit it now) and US Air was (actually still is) worse. Parker sold the idea to invetors. HP didn't BUY US. The investors that were sold on the merged idea bought US under guidance from HP. The call sign mess is indicative of what a total HR disaster this merger is. It is going to be years before the dust settles. The HP guys made out like bandits with the seniority merge list. Everyone of them (HP) is complaining about the complaining cause they know they won that one.

Does anyone really care what call sign they use?? I could care less. A$$ Bag would be fine.

US Air is a dog and pony act right now and hopefully will change in the future, but that is YEARS away.

Or better yet...HP could have waited about another 2-3 months and picked up a ton of your stuff at the fire sale which was IMMINENT! SWA was circling right along with all the rest....so don't THINK that YOU (aaa) did any favors for HP! They were a much happier group prior to the merger BS!!

 

[gutshotdraw]

"Hellmuth"?

That'll work!:smash:

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Well....a little different view. HP didn't have any money either. They had a CEO who sold the 'idea" of a merged airline. HP was bad (they wont admit it now) and US Air was (actually still is) worse. Parker sold the idea to invetors. HP didn't BUY US. The investors that were sold on the merged idea bought US under guidance from HP. The call sign mess is indicative of what a total HR disaster this merger is. It is going to be years before the dust settles. The HP guys made out like bandits with the seniority merge list. Everyone of them (HP) is complaining about the complaining cause they know they won that one.

Does anyone really care what call sign they use?? I could care less. A$$ Bag would be fine.

US Air is a dog and pony act right now and hopefully will change in the future, but that is YEARS away.

Here is the thing, apparently you are one of those who failed to read the sec filings. If you ahd you would know that AWA had unrestrcted capitol in the bank to the tune of over 300 million!!

Now AWA could have waited to pick off the pieces at the liquidation sale but instead they purchased AAA the way they did. Now I realize that you wanted things differently however that is just not the case. Time to move on and either make this place go or not.

WD

 

[cactusboy53]

Don't forget.....the new callsign for Virgin America is "REDWOOD".