BigBrownDC8,
I can see where you are confused about what is actually going on with Purple/Brown/Astar. Perhaps I can illustrate to you what's happening here.
For the past several years, (even before DP bought DHL) DHL has been under seige by UPS/FedEx. Sadly, this also includes Astar and ABX Air as well now. We've been a US airline since before UPS had an airline. We are also the first freight carrier to be brought into ALPA. (Odd, National doesn't seem to think that we're a "shell company".) At every turn, with every pitiable attempt by your company to shut us down, the powers that be have sided with us. At last, your company spent a lot of money on the Hill, and got Ted Stevens (you want to talk about destroying jobs, look at this guy and the cabotage bill he just got passed) to tack on a rider to the Wartime Spending Bill, _Forcing_ DOT to hold a full-scale ALJ hearing into the citizenship of what is now Astar Air Cargo. Once again, a hearing was held, and once again, we've been given a clean bill of health. Hopefully this is the last time we'll have to put up with such blatant manipulation of the law, but I doubt it. If you are interested in facts, I suggest you check this link out. It is the full finding of the Judge.
http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchFormSimple.cfm
Type in 13089 for the Docket number. Then go to page 12, and look at the Judge's decision. It tears every one of UPS/FedEx's arguments to shreds. As far as Astar being illegal goes, we have an ACMI agreement (Just as ABX Air does) to fly for DHL in the US. That's not illegal. To DHL/DP having a strangle hold on Europe, obviously you haven't been there. I go there all the time. I'm an 8 Captain for Astar. Believe me, there are plenty of Purple and Brown planes and trucks over there. Oh, one other thing. After years of harrassment by your company, DHL/DP has finally asked the EU to investigate Star Airlines in Denmark. Do you know who they are? Just in case you don't, I'll tell you. They are the European airline that flies for UPS over there. All their work is for UPS. Welcome to my world. UPS filing charges against us is like the pot calling the kettle black. I don't mean this in an ugly way, but it's about time UPS got a taste of it's own medicine. I'd like to suggest that you stop listening to the company party line, and do some independent research (and thinking) on your own.