RUMOR: Alaska to Buy Frontier!!

[flying4food]

Alaska to Buy Frontier!!

Heard that one while riding the bus at DEN yesterday!! Has anyone else heard this nasty rumor??

 

[JJJ]

That one seems to come up every 6 monts or so.

But maaaaybe this time it's true.

 

[Big Duke Six]

C'mon now!

Oh man, I haven't even started class yet and now I have to go buy a new hat...

 

[AK737FO]

Old rumor, New month

It is nice to see a rumor of us buying someone, rather than American buying us...
Some at ALPA, who like rumors, would say that is why the company asked us to take a 23% pay cut.
I wouldn't bet on us buying anyone, or ALPA agreeing to giving them the money to do it with.

 

[Midnight Mike]

Well, Alaska is known as the Last Frontier.

 

[flx757]

Re: Alaska to Buy Frontier!!

Heard that one while riding the bus at DEN yesterday!! Has anyone else heard this nasty rumor??

It would definitely be "nasty" from AS point of view. I certainly hope this is not true. I can't see how this would bode well for Alaska.

I have spent the past month at the Flight Operations and Training Center (my new home), and have not heard this talk going around the building. Many bigger fish to fry right now than this.

 

[furloughed]

Hey flx757 I thought you worked for AirTran? Did you change jobs lately? Congrats.

 

[flx757]

Thanks...

Yep...I work for Alaska now in their training dept. I feel very fortunate indeed to be with such a fine company.

 

[Midnight Mike]

Thanks...

Yep...I work for Alaska now in their training dept. I feel very fortunate indeed to be with such a fine company.

If you bump into a MD80 instructor named Carter, smack him on the side of the head for me, tell him that Midnight
Mike says hello.

 

[flx757]

It will be a pleasure.

I can't help but bump into him. He's right in my way, anywhere I need to go....

 

[YeOldeProp]

Dunno about the Frontier rumor...but maybe you heard they're planning on buying "Rainier Beer". If you're on a noisy flightline, the words may sound similar. And, from what I hear about Alaska folks having a good time, buying out the beer company makes sense (though it won't replace Alaskan Amber...). Just a thought as we wait for Alaska and a few others to start opening up their interviews...

 

[D-Bo]

I highly doubt that rumor. From hearing the CEO talk on several occassions I couldn't see Frontier consider that idea for even a second. Does Alaska even have the money to buy Frontier? Plus, the price tag would probably be heafty.

 

[crashpad]

'AlaskaFrontier' would be a great name, but it'll never fit on the side of the plane. (dr suess)

 

[becket]

Alaska could buy frontier several times over. I highly doubt they would however.

 

[Rhino]

flx757

Working in the training dept, what is the latest? Any good rumors to share with those of us waiting to start training with Alaska???

~Rhino

 

[av8instyle]

Rumors?

The sky is falling.

 

[Herk2Wrench]

Actually, if you look at the market caps of the companies, they are about the same (600 mil). most mergers go for about a 30% premium. I doubt Alaska could buy them even once over. If they were to bring Frontier costs up to their own, the value in Frontier would be gone. Now maybe Frontier could buy Alaska but...

 

[av8instyle]

I doubt Alaska could buy them even once over.

maybe Frontier could buy Alaska but...

Thanks...but no thanks.

 

[becket]

Alaska has enough cash on hand to cover their market cap plus 30%. Since mergers are most often deals with a combination of cash, assets, and stock. I assure you, Alaska could most handily cover their market cap over and again.

 

[flx757]

Re: flx757

Working in the training dept, what is the latest? Any good rumors to share with those of us waiting to start training with Alaska???

~Rhino

Rhino,

No rumors, good or bad. It's kind of quiet on the training front. I am currently going through the MD-80 program with 4 pilots who were displaced from the 737 in LAX to the MD-80 in SEA, and there is a 737 class going on as well with guys displaced from the MD-80 in LAX. At least that's the way I understand it. But, I'm still kind of new, and not really up to speed on the plans. I'm still trying to feel my way along and just get through my own training right now. But, if I hear something, I'll be sure and pass it along.

 

[100-1/2]

"Rainier Beer" Gone Long time and I cry every time I pass the brewery and see that rediculous Tulley's sign. Yes, the coffee. All these California nutcases moved in and overdid the whole Seattle and Coffee crap. First, it was Olympia being bought by Anheiser Busch, then out goes Rainier. I couldn't stand it any longer (**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** near went dry without a local beer and surplus of loco beer-nuts -ie Californians) Moved out east and drown my sorrows with a new friend, Sam Adams.

As for buying Frontier, why would AK threaten its' relationship with Horizon and the new incoming Rj's servicing (competing) most of Frontiers routes. AK has (always) a good N-S market from Mexico to Alaska and Horizon filling in the gaps in the middle and branching out east to feed the machine.

100-1/2

 

[Lord Stanley]

It is indeed an old rumor that's been floating around for the three years I've been here but the fact that QX is flying, or will be flying RJ's in Frontier colors does add fuel to the fire. I'm not sure if it would be good or bad for the pilots at both company's but my commute from SEA to DFW would get easier. Maybe even a layover at home.

 

[Singlecoil]

As for buying Frontier, why would AK threaten its' relationship with Horizon and the new incoming Rj's servicing (competing) most of Frontiers routes.

????

Alaska owns Horizon. Threaten its' relationship? Everything Horizon does is at the blessing of Alaska.

 

[AK737FO]

sing it!

Singlecoil,
Can I get an AMEN brother!

 

[Singlecoil]

AMEN.

Incidentally, how do you ANC boys feel about the 200's going away and the 300's showing up? At least that's the latest rumor...

 

[AK737FO]

Mudhen's forever!

I already learned to type (and fly) once - back when I was a new hire. I'm sure I could learn it again.

Our base is so senior, left seat is pretty much locked up for the next decade... anything that brings growth will be welcomed by 95% of us. There are a few old timers who won't like the FMS and the glass.

Personally, I would would hate to become a "real" airline pilot, 3 and 4 day trips - hotel vans, bad hotel food, having to share the front lav and galley with the "A" F/A and pax rather than an igloo of freight. But change is inevitable. Being a CA in 6 to 8 years rather than 12 to 15 would be nice, but being home almost every night is hard to beat. I think my last flight to SEA (and night away from home) was back in early August. It would be nice to be on a 3rd margaritta in P.V. rather than the 3rd missed approach in JNU. And yesterdays walk around at FAI when it was -30F was a bit refreshing...

Pro's and Cons... I am just enjoying each day in the Mudhen, knowing that it's time is short and that our ANC base will someday see some big changes.

300's with a door. That rumor has been around awhile, but seems to have returned. I won't believe it till I see it sitting on the ramp, with a smiling face on the tail and they send my butt to SEA for a typing lesson.

 

[av8instyle]

That rumor has been around awhile, but seems to have returned. I won't believe it till I see it sitting on the ramp, with a smiling face on the tail and they send my butt to SEA for a typing lesson.

Finan was in ANC a few weeks ago discussing that very issue with T.S.
They are looking at 300's, and a couple of vendors to put doors on them.

 

[crashpad]

I think they'll be a merger/code share when Alaska gets Airbie.

 

[Rhino]

getting the 300s

Yesterday I spoke with a supervisor of maintenance for Alaska Airlines. He is a Master Chief in my Navy Reserve squadron, and he was explaining to me that the -200s were going away because of an expensive maintenance check that would be due in the near future, and that instead the company will be leasing the -300s for less money. He also said there would be no net increase in total aircraft (as of the current plan that may change tomorrow).

Being home for dinner most every night sure sounds great!

 

[FL510GV]

Home For Dinner?

Rhino,

You're home every night for dinner now...