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American Airlines merger with U.S. Airways is a go, suggest domain registrations

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U.S. Airways has been rumored as a potential acquirer of American Airlines since the latter went into bankruptcy protection. Over two dozen recent domain registrations suggest that the acquisition is very likely, if not a done deal. On Friday, the same day American parent company AMR asked for an extension on its bankruptcy reorganization, American Airlines or U.S. Airways registered a number of domains for the combined entity. The domains were registered through DNStinations, an affiliate of… (domainnamewire.com) Altro...

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dbaker
dbaker 10
What gives them the impression that the organization registering the domains represents either company?
DashTrash
DashTrash 4
Excellent question.
tyketto
Now that I think more about it, I think this is more for preventing any sort of domain squatting, so people don't get duped into going to another site that has nothing to do with either company.
dbaker
dbaker 1
Or domain squatting.
HBFlyer
HBFlyer 1
The domains were registered by MarkMonitor which is a Brand protection company, not a cyber squatter. But I agree that this isn't necessarily a sure fire merger by any means. Just either USAir or AA proteting what could be a future brand... Personally I hope that they keep the AA brand since I think it has more Brand potential and history.
Cloudsurfer767
"AAgreed" although lately for the past few years there is surely nothing "special about them in the air"...
billykid05
billykid05 7
How 'bout a new name: American Airways
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 6
Wouldn't that be two drunks holding each other up?
TXCAVU
Good one. 2 wrongs still won't make this merger right for the flying public nor the employees.
DashTrash
DashTrash 5
That would be the most awesome Seniority List Deathmatch in the history of the industry. USAPA against APA. My money is on APA, but it will drag out for centuries.
mduell
Mark Duell 4
This merger would be the industry's greatest labor clusterfsck, surpassing even Air India and perhaps the former Olympic.
tyketto
If that is the case, then I would expect AWE to leave *A. But that would leave a ton of questions:

1. Unions. Already mentioned, won't go there.
2. Leftovers from the Wright Amendment.
3. Shutdown/consolidation of hubs.
4. *A vs. OneWorld.
5. Fleet consolidation. So many types.

Way too much to get into, but you see where the fustercluck of issues come in.
JD345
JD345 2
AA's supposed to be ordering some Airbuses anyway.
rmchambers
rmchambers 4
Yeah could you imagine what kind of a customer hating airline the combination of those two carriers would be?
sparkie624
sparkie624 2
It would truly be customer server like no one ever could imagine... And I do not mean in a good way.
ricksimon
Rick Simon 3
Service at both airlines suck, so if they do merge will they be twice as bad?
skyfly12
shawn white 2
Yippee! Now we can put the failing, bankrupt, dying airlines together! I am sure things will improve (negative)100%
RobSJC
Anyone with $$ and an address. Can register a domain name .. The question would be, Which address and telephone are being used or is it protected ? ... if that is the case then I would think some one is "playing games" .. to force US Airways to buy the domain, back from them (the registrant), if they really want it .. and a merger happens.
ralphgreener
piedmont was the better run airline. biil howard sold use out
sparkie624
sparkie624 4
You are right they were the best. I could tell you unbelievable stories about what the employees did for customer satisfaction... One even included getting the false teeth back to a 90 year old man who lost them in the LAV and aditmitally demanded them back. They dumped the aft lav (737-200) on the ram, found the teeth, rinsed them off with potable water, wrapped them up... Next was the unbelievable part. Just before he thanked us, he poked them back in and walked off... I was a Mechanic working the plane, and I have seen alot, but never that! that was back in the late 80's.
sirclown82
I hope not. American can be restored to a great airline, and they don't need the baggage and nastiness that US Air would bring to the name.
sparkie624
sparkie624 2
USAir Killed Piedmont Main Line, and PSA. I am sure what quality that American knew will be gone. I was there during the Piedmont Take Over.
preacher1
preacher1 3
I had a lot of goog friends working for Piedmont when US came in. It wasn't pretty.
preacher1
preacher1 2
You know, I have watched it since getting in there some both as Pilot and PAX. GSO has just really started recovering from all that in about the last 3-5 years, but it is coming back as a powerhouse now, finally.
lostinthe619
It still isn't according to some of the pilots I know... Horror stories, absolute horror.
preacher1
preacher1 1
What are you hearing?
jaylink1971
Jay Link 1
Piedmont was the best, ever, but they weren't in great shape financially. Weren't they in the middle of an expensive fleet upgrade? It wasn't a hostile takeover.
R123154
RICK HUGHES 1
I was also.The changes that came and the jobs lost the 1st day were astounding. U.S.Air began selling off the fixed base operations that Piedmont had and I wonder to this day where that money went.What a waste of a great airline.

TXCAVU
Was there too and flew as PAX on last Puedmont flt to GSO. Quiet ike a funeral but for the whispers of good service and flying now past. "I wonder to this day where that money went." $$$ went to the architechts of that mess. So sad.
preacher1
preacher1 2
I guess thay know better than all us unwashed, but I can't see for the life of me where there is an advantage to all this unless the top AA guys are just going to take their money and run. Everybody was talking about the union fight that AA was dealing with. Unless I'm mistaken, US Air still has unresolved union issues from it's merger a few years back. If this happens, we ain't seen nothing yet.
mikeb5618
That's an understatment. The two groups hate each other and I think they may still be operating as two separate pilot groups ("East" and "West").
preacher1
preacher1 1
I believe you are correct as far as the separate operation.DANIEL BAKER above raises an excellent question also as far company representation. They could just be registering potential domain names in hopes of it happening and making some money on the sale if it ever came about. Domain names are cheap and no requirement, at least of an immediate nature, to do anything with them, but they would be worth big $ if such a deal ever went through. My personal opinion in all this is that AA will emerge from this stonger than ever and in a position to kick some tail where they want to and that's what has brought these offers out on the table. But, there is a long way to go and it will all be very interesting.
Shadowstarz
Shadowstarz 1
Please tell me this is not real!
vertisch
Can someone explain to me how USAirways could start another merger when their last one isnt really done yet and still causing ripples in the industry.
BlazingMarauder
Brian Beard 1
Yeah, this just don't sound right.

American Airways

Naaah
toolguy105
toolguy105 1
Please say this is only a rumor. U. S. Airways ruined America West and if combined with American would make them as big or bigger then Delta or United. U.S. Air wants the International routes the domestic short haul routes will go to regional carriers under reorganization. This will be horrible for the domestic market
DashTrash
DashTrash 2
You do know America West management is still running the place......
peterqueyrel
Dude it was the other way around. America West took over US Airways, and completed the destruction of a once great airline. They kept the US Airways name since it had better recognition, and at the time a better reputation.
preacher1
preacher1 1
CBS National News was reporting this morning that U.S. Air said they were the one authorizing the domain name thing in anticipatiobn of a merger. This will be a trip.
JD345
JD345 1
Good one.
FaisalNahian
I do not think they will ever buy such domains. If they do merge they will use either current AA or US Air domain.
TXCAVU
They are so cheap...why not? If only to stir the pot.
preacher1
preacher1 1
There are 2 things that have not really been told here. 1. There is no firm offer on the table of any kind from U.S. Air. They are doing a lot of posturing, as mention in a previous FA post a few weeks back, BUT, mor importantly, there has been no word whatsoever(unless I missed it) from AMR. They seem to be methodically plodding along, working through the bankruptcy, and per their original plan, emerging on the other side as a lean, efficient, INDEPENDENT airline. Unless U.S.Air can put a good enough offer on the table that will get the attention of AMR stockholders AND be approved by the bankruptcy judge, I don't see much happening. IMHO
DeltaAirlinesTristar
What happened with Delta possibly trying to take over. I hope this merger does not go through. Even dough American is bankrupt their service still has always been perfect. Us Airways is so terrible and trashy it feels like they have been in bankruptcy since they started and even during normal operations. I hope this does not go through. US airways is a horrible airline and if it grows then god knows how horrible it will really become.
gboroflyer
gboroflyer 1
I hope it does not go through also but for the opposite reason. US Airways is doing just fine as a stand alone airline, they have held their own against Southwest at PHL and PHX. I know the Paker and Kirby are obsessed with mergers, but US does not need it.
rebelx4xchrist
Paul Smith 1
this article is so inaccurate its not even funny.
EL777Mexican
Diego A. 1
what about it is inaccurate? I agree, some of it is speculation based on published reports, and I admit I don't know the size or the airlines, but nothing jumps out at me as horribly inaccurate. I did find 2 other news outlets reporting similar information.
EL777Mexican
Diego A. 1
what I mean is, I don't see in the article where it claims the information is a fact, and clearly says it is a rumor, right?
I hope the merger does not happen, but oh well, seems like the season for mergers is still around.
rebelx4xchrist
Paul Smith 1
US Airways already acknowledged they purchased the domains for different reasons other than this.
preacher1
preacher1 1
Where and when? The domains were purchased by outside entities not representing either party. according to their other story yesterday and posted here on FA
EL777Mexican
Diego A. 1
Ok well I dunno, I'm not an industry insider, lol. But I also know to not alway believe everything a company tells the public, they are not knows to be up upfront, full disclosure and open corporations while in the planning stages of certain things, haha. To me, the domain name thing is but one of several indicators of the possibility, and I think that is where the article was going, at least that's my interpretation. So I wouldn't characterize the article as being "so" inaccurate. Maybe slightly presumptuous on that piece of info. But hey, I'm just one guy sitting on my couch, the media has more info and connections than I do, so I tend to give it "some" measure of validity, at least more than my magic 8 ball. haha.
BlazingMarauder
Brian Beard 1
This merger had "Fustercluck" written all over it. Wanna protect the US flag carriers? End domestic codesharing with interational carriers.
pakkers
There is no other logical outcome to this. We already have the new Delta Airlines (a product of Delta and Northwest) and the new United Airlines (a product of United and Continental). I think there will be a merger but the AA title will remain (rather like the CO and UA merger...CO was the financially stronger of the two partners but UA was the stronger brand, hence the decision to call the new airline "United") and the new airline will become part of OneWorld, thus leaving the 3 remaining US international airlines as members of one of each of the three major global airline alliances: AA - OneWorld; UA - StarAlliance; Delta - SkyTeam.
Moviela
Perhaps the new name will be an old name, American Airways, and they can start running this film again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCnWLR28pfE
abc123ucm
if this happens its just going to turn into a bigger airline in deeper bankruptcy.For the sake of US airlines i hope this dose not happen. and DFW kiss your ass good bye just like KSTL when american bought out TWA..
Alvarobustos47
How about, "American Airways"?
perryl99
"DFW kiss your ass goodbye"? You really think that DFW, one of the largest hubs in terms of passenger enplanings, o and d traffic, and facilities, is just going to go the way of STL?

Delusional.
99NY
99NY 1
Hey, it happened to Pittsburgh. Not b/c of a merger, but still, that airport was a pretty big player now reduced to a handful of regional flights.
perryl99
Yeah, it did happen to Pitt. Terrible thing, but the two situations aren't really comparable. Pitt's lack of o and d traffic is mainly what killed it. Having mainly thru passengers isn't a good thing for a big airport.
preacher1
preacher1 3
Sad part is that if GSO had did for US(after they bought Piedmont)what they have done for FedEx and others, they might have that hub instead of CLT. Just sayin'. And as far as DFW, the o & d pax makes a whole bunch of difference. I wouldn't look for it to go away anytime soon.
AccessAir
AccessAir 1
Pittsburgh also played host to many regional smaller cities that fed those supposed O&D flights....Now some of them are not even being served....
dbrooks84
Doing away with DFW IF the merger happens, would be stupid. AA operates three main hubs - DFW - ORD - MIA.

AA has opened and closed hubs before themselves. Nashville, Raleigh and San Jose were once hubs. AA bought AirCal to get San Jose access.

I have not understood why US Airways eliminated PIT. They did have a problem with 3 hubs close to each other. They had PIT, PHL and BWI. PHL is still a hefty hub for US Airways.

I was not surprised that AA de-hubbed STL. Too close to ORD and offered nothing special. AA wanted those international routes but little else.
TXCAVU
DFW has huge infrastructure development going on that focuses on competing with DAL for business PAX , increased cargo and point of entry for international business travelers. DFW is over 1100 miles closer to Asia than ATL.
preacher1
preacher1 1
Any Airport, especially a Hub must have O&D traffic as well as be a good connection location for for the Airline. I think PIT lost out because of not having enough O/D. STL was about the same and to boot, when Southwest came in there prior to the TWA buy, they were already killing TWA. I knew they had hubbed Nashville and San Jose at one time. I didn't know they had ever hubbed Raleigh. That must have been a good while back or in reent years, We were flying in/out as PAX from late 90's til about 05. Of course most time that was on either on the old DAL and in later years NWA. Might just have not been paying attention.lol
AccessAir
AccessAir 1
The problem was with the O&D routes for TWA, AA also abandoned a whole slew of regional markets that used STL as a connection point... OHare and DFW are too busy and STL could have been maintained and used as a reliever airport two both of the other airports...
As when USAirways pulled the services from PIT, Southwest surely came in to fill some of the gaps but they do not form any alliances with regional/commuters so once again a while slew of smaller communities get pooped on.
dbrooks84
You are right about STL when Southwest came to town. In TWA final death throws, were trying to build up O/D traffic when they purchased 100 each B717s and A318s. Too late to save them as SW was moving in on the profitable routes that TWA had. Raleigh did not last long as a hub - it was late 1980s or early 1990s. Ironically one thing that remained by AA at Raleigh is the non-stop to London. They use either 763 or 777 aircraft on the route. Also, SW also came in. I personally think that Raleigh was a poor choice of a location. Another example was for a short time Continental tried to hub at Greensboro. I think it lasted less than a year. As for Nashville, SW has made a hub there themselves.
preacher1
preacher1 1
I don't remember exact dates. I just remember an occasional flight to Raleigh, from LIT thru STL to RDU. I can remember the new terminal beig built for SWA and all. In addition, and I am thinking it was in the early 2000's, after TWA went away, we would use DAL, and they would run a 767/777 out of ATL, stop in RDU, flight # would change and it would go on across the pond to somewhere, can't remember where.Don't remember taking it but once.
dbrooks84
AA started a hub at RDU in June 1987 and disbanded the hub in 1996 leaving a few flights (like London) and AA eagle.

I was looking at the Google Earth photo coverage and the 1993 shows AA operations in full swing. RDU has to terminal areas. One (first) located on the south (actually SE) side. The new terminal is on the north side (NW) and it was this terminal AA used. This terminal building has undergoing re-development and it is not clear that it has been fully completed yet but the upper half is in use. SW seems to uses both the older terminal and the NW new completed part. Maybe they are moving to the new terminal part that has been completed.
preacher1
preacher1 1
We didn't start flying in there until about 98 and it seemed like every trip we did make, something was different. All SWA was over Midway and that just made for too long a day, which was why we used DAL a time or 2. Rates finally equalized on GSO and we found a good connection in there. Last time I was in there NWA was still flying. Seems like that North terminal was undergoing a big remodel or expansion then. Don't really remember that much detail other than you could see the new and several gates unfilled at that time.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
Never said I know everything. What is O and D traffic?
preacher1
preacher1 1
Origin / Destination
AccessAir
AccessAir 1
Dont forget AA buying Reno Air just to do away with that hub...and great airline...
dbrooks84
I remembered Reno Air hubbing at Reno being took over by AA/AMR after I made the above post. It didn't take long for AA to pull out of Reno after they acquired Reno Air.
BenKFIT
Ben Lillie 1
Nooooooooooo!
organman
Ted Wareham 1
If this happened, would US Air become American, or the other way around? (NWA became Delta, and CO became United)
TXCAVU
Former AMR CEO Crandall's take on Bk and merger:

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12228
watacat
watacat 1
US Air = Allegheny Air = Agony Air ! Anyone have a good suggestion for the new combo? Why is it when a relatively good major carrier has some turbulence, they get taken over by a second rate carrier? Witness Delta taking over NWA. Delta's best International service can not hold a candle to NorthWest's worst days. I believe in buying 'Made in USA' but not anymore when flying overseas.
preacher1
preacher1 1
tarbaby
phil gibson 1
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
Regardless of the intentions of either airline, doesn't all this hinge on the bankruptcy judge? If he views it as weak buying weaker and just kicking the can down the road he may not go for it.
preacher1
preacher1 1
Well, it's like I said earlier, I don't think AA has any intent of a merger. All this other by US and DAL is just posturing for a little self protection when AA does come out of bankruptcy, as they will come out lean,mean and swinging. I don't think they really want a merger but are trying to toss a roadblock out there to prevent that emergence.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
I can't imagine the management at AA would have any interest in this deal unless they just don't want to work anymore. If we are going to use the chap 11 BR law, may has well have them emerge as a viable company. I'm betting customers would be better served without a merger.
preacher1
preacher1 1
Problem is, the AA management may not, but if it would be attractive enough to a stockholder majority, it would sure muddy the water. As you said above though, it would all hinge on the BR judge. The backside of that though, is that if gets ugly and AA does emerges independent, management will retaliate.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 2
Get new management!
Cloudsurfer767
"AAgreed"! Although there has been nothing "Special In The Air" about them in the past few years.....
silentworld
to bullied American Airlines....get the heck out of business! I disliked American Airlines and refused to fly AA. Where is the Braniff International? I want BI back in business!
urbanxplorer90
Yawn. It never stops.
Moviela
Actually you can claim the website from squatters for a trademarked name, or a name closely associated with your organization. Squatters were shooed away from MTV, Playboy, and Freon by their rightful owners.

It is bettr, however, to avoid paying greenmail for your DNS names by registering them first.
AZAFVET
Wayne Fox 1
Won't be long and will just have one generic "Airline". Deregulation at its best.
BoeingFan59
This a good move or another UA/CO thing? Once COA merged with UA everything went downhill from there on. But I'm hoping and guessing this is a good move on US Airways's part...now I think about the merger names/liveries...I think it could be

American Airways or US Airlines
Paint stays US Airways scheme.
Lasjim
Lasjim 2
United is run by Continental management.
organman
Ted Wareham 1
Wow...I never realized that, and I used to think that United was bigger than CO....So CO sort of bullied UA around?
louisjames
lou nagy -1
*** WELL, HERE YOU PEOPLE GO AGAIN!! YOU GUYS "TRY" TO KEEP THE STOCK OF "AAMRQ" (AMERICAN AIRLINES) A FEW PENNIES HIGHER EACH TIME THESE ARTICLES COME ALONG....AND IT WORKS!!! AA RETAINS THE "PUBLICITY" and "HUMOR" in THESE ARTICLES..REMEMBER NOW, IT WAS THEN AMERICA WEST WHO PURCHASED USAIRWAYS SOME YEARS AGO and RETAIN THE NAME OF "US AIRWAYS" IT WAS, AND STILL IS, USAIRWAYS DIFFICULTY IN PILOTS UNIONS OVER SENIORITY FOR SOME FIVE (5) YEARS NOW. (AND HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD PLAY OUT IF A MERGER WERE TO HAPPEN)! AA STARTED THE FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM MANY YEARS AGO, AND ITS PRETTY EXTENSIVE. AA IS IN THE "ONEWORLD" ALLIANCE ALONG W/BRITISH AIRWAYS, JAPAN AIRLINES, IBERIA, ALASKA, ETC. IT WAS AA WHO "FOUGHT" HARD TO KEEP JAPAN AIRLINES IN THE "ONEWORLD" ALLIANCE. DO YOU PEOPLE "HONESTLY" BELEIVE THAT AA "WOULD EVEN THINK" OF A MERGER; LET ALONE W/US AIRWAYS!!
I BELEIVE YOU PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO "WAKE UP"...REALLY!! THANKS
w7psk
Ricky Scott 6
you might replace your keyboard

Looks like your capslock key is broken.
TXCAVU
Lou,

All caps are anoying...
pilot62
Really? Southwest still doesn't have southwest.com and they will never purchase it.
dbaker
dbaker 1
Southwest bought southwest.com years ago.
preacher1
preacher1 1
Funny as hell to me that when you type it in, it comes right up as that.

http://www.southwest.com
pilot62
They bought it last month....LOL

[This poster has been suspended.]

alistairm
alistairm 0
Wow!!! You and Matt are geniuses!!! You posted duplicated squawks about duplicate squawks!! LOL!! Way to go guys!
gbpack170
Jeremy Duvall -5
Eventually there is going to be only ONE global airline called Obama Air. Whites and Christians in the back of the plane, muslims, terrorists, and any other sort of evil in the front. They will be serving chicken and watermelon on a regular basis and for in flight entertainment, the movie will be The Life and Times of Karl Marx. There will be a picture of our wonderful first lady Michelle "My Bell" Obama on the tail of each plane, showing off all her wonderful, colorful dresses she likes to wear. Before boarding the aircraft, you have to say, " I hate America" or " I hate Capitalism" when you present your ticket to the agent. When using the bathroom in the plane, there is no toilet paper, just a Holy Bible attached to the wall and when your done doing your thing, just tear out a page and wipe your ass with it. LOL...
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 0
Hope you have taken advantage of your 2nd ammendment rights.
preacher1
preacher1 0
I would have loved to know what was going on in Netanyahou's head the other day when BHO told the US had Israel's back. That's about like fox guarding the hen house.lol
mattnyc
Matt Molnar -3
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

American Airlines Merger With US Airways a Done Deal, If Domain Name Purchases to Be Believed

A merger between American Airlines and US Airways could be all but a done deal, as indicated by some recent web domain name purchases.

http://www.nycaviation.com/2012/03/american-airlines-merger-with-us-airways-a-done-deal-if-domain-name-purchases-to-be-believed
Alex13
Alejandro S -1
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

U.S. Airways Merger With American Appears Likely, $14 Billion Deal In The Works To Become Largest Airline

As previously reported here at TFNJ, rumors of U.S. Airways acquiring American Airlines are starting to increase and a recent spat of domain name purchases using the two companies combined name by an unknown entity could suggest the merger is a done deal.

On Jan, 20th, we reported the terms of the deal of a possible merger which would be worth about $14 billion in a stock....

http://www.thefloridanewsjournal.com/2012/03/12/us-airways-merger-american-appears-likely-14-billion-deal-works-become-largest-airline

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