Oberstar STILL doesn't want mergers.....

[General Lee]

House chairman vows to fight airline merger: report



1:01:28 PM ET 1/29/2008

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Democratic congressman James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee, pledged to slow or stop a possible merger between Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) and either Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWA) or United Airlines, owned by UAL Corp. (UAUA), The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday on its Web site. Oberstar said he will pressure the Justice Department and the Transportation Department to probe the deals on antitrust grounds, as well as hold hearings, the newspaper reported.




So, if we throw in a large MX facility in MSP would he mind then? What would it take? (besides keeping the name and HDQs)


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[3ds]

what else is he going to say? take these jobs out of my state? He'll probably fight this publicly as long as possible so that voters perceive he is looking out for them, otherwise those NWA (and DAL too, in GA) folks who lose their jobs are likely to vote for his opponent next election. Checkout Pardus & co to see if they're funneling some extra cash to his reelection campaign -- perhaps Oberstar's aides are forecasting he can add xxM dollars to his coffers for every week he squawks and delays a 'done deal'. That's politics for you.

As for the mx facility, sure, but it doesn't make sense to repair broken jets when they might be frozen for 3 months a year. Let's see what the MN guys on this board say about job possibilities that could appease a senator.

 

[LJDRVR]

Oberstar was also vehemently against separating the age 65 language from the FAA authorization bill, until some back room deal was done and viola - Fly till you die.

His words mean nothing, fellas. The minute this guy gets his piece of the action, it's a done deal.

 

[Flying the Line]

An undeniable dilemma.

To cut costs you must cut service. you cannot cut 850M by cutting MSP-ATL et al.

What would you expect the GA legislators to say if the headquarters were moving to MSP.

I wonder what you, General, will say in two years?

 

[General Lee]

An undeniable dilemma.

To cut costs you must cut service. you cannot cut 850M by cutting MSP-ATL et al.

What would you expect the GA legislators to say if the headquarters were moving to MSP.

I wonder what you, General, will say in two years?

Say about what? A seamless merger could be great, combining stengths and probably adding growth on the West Coast where there is a gap. A bad merger, one with overlap and needless job loss for hedge fund gain would be bad.

If no merger is allowed, well, I guess that is better than bad ones being allowed. I think we will know a lot more in the next few weeks, and then Oberstar will have his say.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Flying the Line]

Q: How will the merged company cut 850M?

A: layoffs

 

[ACL65PILOT]

There will be plenty of layoffs. Some may be pilots, but the majority will come from the admin areas. IE Dispatchers, Leadership, and their support staffs, ect. There is a lot more money spent in those areas than one might think. Plus you stop paying for the space they occupied as well. Most will just be a cut on paper, but there is a lot more than just pilots and flight attendants that are on the chopping block.

 

[johnsonrod]

Q: How will the merged company cut 850M?

A: layoffs

Please layoff jacka$$ gate agents first. I sincerely doubt that pilots would be impacted too much if the route systems are truly complementary... NWA and Delta have complementary route systems - unlike UAL and Delta.

 

[johnsonrod]

Q: How will the merged company cut 850M?

A: layoffs

Please layoff jacka$$ gate agents first. I sincerely doubt that pilots would be impacted too much if the route systems are truly complementary... NWA and Delta have complementary route systems - unlike UAL and Delta. If anything, pilot hiring at the combined carrier could be reduced going forward.

 

[jonjuan]

Please layoff jacka$$ gate agents first. I sincerely doubt that pilots would be impacted too much if the route systems are truly complementary... NWA and Delta have complementary route systems - unlike UAL and Delta.

The potential layoff of regional pilots and admin employees due to a major airline merger will also factor in to Oberstar's position for/against a DL/NW/UAL combo.

 

[John Pennekamp]

None of this should be a surprise. All of the politicians involved are going to continue to pander to their constituents, even if they know they will have no real impact. Then at least they can go back to the voters and say "I tried. I fought the good fight and lost". This is Politics 101.

 

[Dizel8]

Oberstar is a wise man. Consolidation might actually raise the fares to a more sustainable level, whereas it is much better to have low fares and the airlines barely making it.

Isn't "deregulation" grand!

 

[Tomct]

Oberstar was also vehemently against separating the age 65 language from the FAA authorization bill, until some back room deal was done and viola - Fly till you die.

His words mean nothing, fellas. The minute this guy gets his piece of the action, it's a done deal.

Typical Democrat! Lot's of gum flapping and nothing to back it up. This country always goes to H3LL when a Dem sits in the Oval Office.

 

[800Dog]

Typical Democrat! Lot's of gum flapping and nothing to back it up. This country always goes to H3LL when a Dem sits in the Oval Office.

Yes, we were really doing poorly while Bill was in office!

 

[Tomct]

Yes, we were really doing poorly while Bill was in office!

Everyone thought it was great, but hate to break it to ya...it was due to what Reagan and Bush Sr. had already set in motion years before...nice try though!

 

[zonker]

Everyone thought it was great, but hate to break it to ya...it was due to what Reagan and Bush Sr. had already set in motion years before...nice try though!

Riight. And the draft dodging drunk monkey and his 5 deferral warmongering uncle have been great for us!

 

[woody]

Yes, we were really doing poorly while Bill was in office!

When you consider the problems him and his justice department caused like letting CEO's "smoke corporate books and falsifying corporate worth" because he trimmed the justice department oversight which led to the dot.com bust and an inflated stockmarket. Not pursuing OBL and just recently having Sandy Berger stuff pertinent docs down his trousers to save his perceived legacy, (THAT LITTLE MISTAKE IS GONNA COST OUR COUNTRY A TRILLION IF NOT MORE!) How about NAFTA? (another Clinton diasaster) How are manufacturing jobs doing now?(Wanna blame that on Bush?) How about the savings and loan scandal(whitewater). The Clinton White House was an 8 yr playboy party, Our country is still hungover from the damage that BJ Clinton inflicted!!!

 

[Dizel8]

When you consider the problems him and his justice department caused like letting CEO's "smoke corporate books and falsifying corporate worth" because he trimmed the justice department oversight which led to the dot.com bust and an inflated stockmarket.

Of course the housing meltdown, Enron, no to mention the justice departments refusal to hear complaints about the intelligence agencies, spying domestically and allowing torture, well, that is so much better.

Not pursuing OBL and just recently having Sandy Berger stuff pertinent docs down his trousers to save his perceived legacy, (THAT LITTLE MISTAKE IS GONNA COST OUR COUNTRY A TRILLION IF NOT MORE!)

Pursuing Saddam like crazy, not getting OBL and generally just stirring up a hornets nest in Iraq/Afghanistan/Iran. Allowing N. Korea t have nukes and then conceding to their demands, which can only be called blackmail. Never mind the fact that we are once again supporting a dictator in Pakistan, who also got nukes and refuses to tell us the whole truth about that program, including handing over Khan. Not allowing the public to see Cheneys meeting with the oil execs and claiming executive privilege whenever illreputed dealings could be uncovered. The whole Haliburton deal stinks to high heavens.

How about NAFTA? (another Clinton diasaster) How are manufacturing jobs doing now?(Wanna blame that on Bush?) How about the savings and loan scandal(whitewater). The Clinton White House was an 8 yr playboy party, Our country is still hungover from the damage that BJ Clinton inflicted!!!

NAFTA just got even bigger thanks to Bush, how about illegal immigration, how about smaller goverment, how about spending 250 billions plus in Iraq, while barely giving anything to New Orleans, the sad state of the VA hospitals, the disaster that is FEMA, the DOJ etc, etc.

Have you looked at the dollar recently, do you think there are many countries left that has much respect for the US?

Billybob sure wasn't a saint, but Bush is, in my humble opinion, is much, much worse.

 

[woody]

Of course the housing meltdown, Enron, no to mention the justice departments refusal to hear complaints about the intelligence agencies, spying domestically and allowing torture, well, that is so much better.



Pursuing Saddam like crazy, not getting OBL and generally just stirring up a hornets nest in Iraq/Afghanistan/Iran. Allowing N. Korea t have nukes and then conceding to their demands, which can only be called blackmail. Never mind the fact that we are once again supporting a dictator in Pakistan, who also got nukes and refuses to tell us the whole truth about that program, including handing over Khan. Not allowing the public to see Cheneys meeting with the oil execs and claiming executive privilege whenever illreputed dealings could be uncovered. The whole Haliburton deal stinks to high heavens.




NAFTA just got even bigger thanks to Bush, how about illegal immigration, how about smaller goverment, how about spending 250 billions plus in Iraq, while barely giving anything to New Orleans, the sad state of the VA hospitals, the disaster that is FEMA, the DOJ etc, etc.

Have you looked at the dollar recently, do you think there are many countries left that has much respect for the US?

Billybob sure wasn't a saint, but Bush is, in my humble opinion, is much, much worse.

Everything you just mentioned other than New Orleans (which was also a potential problem under Clinton as well) Was a Legacy problem from Clinton! Enron, OBL, N. Korea,ALL of it! Dont fool yourself BJ gutted America while getting blown on the telephone. Im sorry for the rant but your veiw of history is lacking. Sorry for going this far off topic as well!

 

[waveflyer]

Woody and Tomct- you guys amaze me-- get all your current events from FOX and your degree from Rush U?
You're like a political version of Tom Cruise telling Matt Lauer "Look, you don't know. I know about these things. You don't know."

Meanwhile you got all your info from a quack

To the detriment of your profession- the Republican party does appreciate your loyalty.

Let's lay down the circular logic and unprovable conspiracy theory for a minute and just ask a simple verifiable question: Who is the first president to have never met with ALPA?

Or we can go with the old time Reagan classic:
"Are you better off than you were 7 years ago?"

Are you saying that was not a valid question and most current events are truly dictated by leaders from several years prior- where do your excuses run out?

 

[waveflyer]

I will say this: We as pilots need to develop a mindset where we DO NOT CARE who is in the whitehouse, or CARE ABOUT WHATEVER OTHER OBSTACLE IS IN OUR WAY AGAIN. THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY US. THEY'LL NEVER WANT TO PAY US. I made $20k as a turboprop Fo- after 9/11 they came to us for concessions. You'll never make a low enough amount. They will always have a case for paying you less. Then they will take their short term competitive advantage and try to make it your long term "industry standard" wage.
read the signature below- and get that attitude.

 

[Tomct]

Woody and Tomct- you guys amaze me-- get all your current events from FOX and your degree from Rush U?
You're like a political version of Tom Cruise telling Matt Lauer "Look, you don't know. I know about these things. You don't know."

Meanwhile you got all your info from a quack

To the detriment of your profession- the Republican party does appreciate your loyalty.

Let's lay down the circular logic and unprovable conspiracy theory for a minute and just ask a simple verifiable question: Who is the first president to have never met with ALPA?

Or we can go with the old time Reagan classic:
"Are you better off than you were 7 years ago?"

Are you saying that was not a valid question and most current events are truly dictated by leaders from several years prior- where do your excuses run out?

The majority of Reagans Presidency was fixing Carter's multiple disasters. Ask people who voted back in the 80's who they voted for....LANDSLIDE VICTORIES for Reagan. Search what Geraldine Feraldo heard from the US Autoworkers when she was trying to win their votes for a VP run to the Whitehouse. I am not saying that there were no mistakes made back then, but to compare them with the massive SH!TSTORMS Clinton and his regime got this country into is like comparing apples and oranges.
Now I will say that when a President takes office, if his party does not control the House or Senate...nothing is going to get done. Why...one party does not want another party to look better and who ends up suffering...THE PEOPLE!

 

[Tomct]

Wave, I do like your quote!:laugh:

 

[BigMeat]

Tomct,

Are you not the one who is a big fan and supporter of Virgin America. Do you want to keep a Republican in office in the hopes that they will allow foreign ownership and allow virgin to expand with money and support from outside of the country........Just wondering?

 

[Tomct]

Tomct,

Are you not the one who is a big fan and supporter of Virgin America. Do you want to keep a Republican in office in the hopes that they will allow foreign ownership and allow virgin to expand with money and support from outside of the country........Just wondering?

I never said that i was a big fan of VA, I just posted information that I read on ATW and heard from friends that are over there and really like it. It is not my place to say whether they made a good choice or not. With open skies coming, it won't matter. Everyone is going to be getting into bed with foreign carriers. Like it or not...it is coming...Heaven Help Us!

 

[whymeworry?]

Oberstar was also vehemently against separating the age 65 language from the FAA authorization bill, until some back room deal was done and viola - Fly till you die.

His words mean nothing, fellas. The minute this guy gets his piece of the action, it's a done deal.

Yeah, F' Oberstar. He's another bloviating politician who could care less about anything or anyone unless it serves his own narcissistic direction.

 

[LJDRVR]

Typical Democrat! Lot's of gum flapping and nothing to back it up. This country always goes to H3LL when a Dem sits in the Oval Office.

Republicans: Good! Democrats? Bad!

No offense sir, but are you for real? Both parties are wrecking the Government, making irresponsible decisions based solely on politics and personal enrichment, and you actually believe the republicans are fiscally responsible, want small government and make much better decisions than the democrats?

Perhaps you also believe people are "conservative" or "liberal".....:laugh:

All joking side, what recent successes can you point to that highlight the competence of Republicans?

 

[jke406]

All joking side, what recent successes can you point to that highlight the competence of Republicans?

No repeat terrorist attacks, for starters. And it's not from a lack of effort by the bad guys.

If you think that's something to blow off, consider how much trouble our industry would be in if there had been another such attack.

 

[waveflyer]

Wave, I do like your quote!:laugh:

Good! Now we can be friends again.

 

[LJDRVR]

No repeat terrorist attacks, for starters. And it's not from a lack of effort by the bad guys.

I'll give that credit to professional government and military personnel, not the Republicans. Bush does get credit for deciding to engage the enemy overseas (Iraq) on our terms vs. their terms and at home, but his administration is a joke and has done damage to our country that will take decades to repair.

My point is this: if you folks think the Republican party of 2007 stands for any traditional Republican values, you've been brainwashed or aren't paying attention.

Our political system is more broken and corupt than its ever been. Decisions are being made on a daily basis that run counter to sound strategic, long-term national security.

We're well on our way to becoming a second rate power, all so a few can enrich themselves and their friends. (And the people I'm talking about have an R or a D next to their name.)