Open discussion on the NWA-Delta merger

We don't have Daytons here and we don't have Minneapolis Moline either. 3M is shrinking here, moving a new center to Hong Kong and hasn't built a new facility here in 20+ years.

It's tough for the families involved. But to use a worn out term "change", change happens. Always has, always will.

In looking at the smaller carriers are now going through bankruptcy too. The merger makes the most sense because out of 1000+ routes, less than 20 were head to head competitive. It's a good fit.

We now have to wonder if Delta will pay back that big state loan. I sure hope so. I'd like to more about the details of this. I hope that lawmakers think twice about doing this stuff again, seeing that it is our money.

I hope lawmakers also realize that most of the head office stuff will go to Atlanta. They have a better business climate. For all the lawmakers that want to "stick it to business" or "make the corporations pay" well, they eventually leave, get bought out, or go out of business. Taxes make jobs leave.

For the pilots, sure you have more tenure, sure you have more tight working rules, but your team is getting bought. If you don't like it, go work for one of those unstable smaller carrier or fight the deal and wait for NWA to get involved in a worse deal. There ain't a better one coming.

I also hope Unions will realize the burden of guaranteed life time benefits burdens your employer. It's killing US Auto makers and it's killing the major airlines. A defined contribution benefitt plan lets companies be competitive, a defined life time benefit plan chokes them.

Change happens.

It means business as usual to me. We waste so much time and resources on these things and get lowered productivity as the reward. It's all so silly. It need not be this way.

Merge or go broke.

Those are the only options. There are already way too many planes in the sky.

Big corporate business just got more controlling.

I remember when 3M, Honeywell, Control Data and Northwest Airlines used to be the largest employers in Minnesota. Now it is The State Of Minnesota, The University of Minnesota and Hennipin County.

"Big corporate business just got more controlling. "

Government does it every day.

"I hope lawmakers also realize that most of the head office stuff will go to Atlanta. They have a better business climate." - Winston Hey Winston, can you elaborate on that prediction a little? I've heard Atlanta referred to as "the new L.A." but considering some of the beatings they're taking (water shortages, construction business exp. some bumps from economy and new regulations) I wonder if that would affect any transitions.

Larry M. you really think this will lower productivity?

It is def. a move from going broke to this merger, Richard!

The Minnesota Dem's have been in charge for just over a year and all they can do is tax. It seems like income redistribution is the only thing they are good at or want to do. We have been "The People's Republic of Minnesota" for a long time. Reputation's stick.

Think that doesn't chime thru the national business wires? Some business will leave, some will choose other locations for their next expansion, some will go out of business. Generally speaking, most private sector companies don't want to come here or stay here.

Drought is regional and cyclical. It could hit Minnesota this year too.

Sounds like a sweet deal for you Katie.

Aunt Boni H. when you say that, how do you mean it will be more controlling? How does it affect you?

" I remember when 3M, Honeywell, Control Data and Northwest Airlines used to be the largest employers in Minnesota." - Greg Hmmm Greg, you gave me an idea for a Minnesota Business timeline.

Thanks for following up Winston.

They may still go broke Julia.

However there will be planes to sell and routes to combine, and the new Delta organization will be smaller that the two old organization.

The question is, how many international airlines do we need in the world, not how many local airlines do we need in the US.

The competition for the 'New' Delta isn't American, United or Southwest, but the likes of KLH, British Airways, Lufthansa, or JAL.

I also expect to see more local Airline companies in the US in the coming years that fly more smaller and efficient planes, with a similar size of the Boeing 727 and the 737, however, with newer designs and more efficient engines. These planes would not be designed for international use but to pack the passengers in for one to four hour flights within the US for the heavily trafficked intercity routes.

Jobs are created and sustained by small businesses. Corporations have jobs, to be sure, but have been about the business of reducing positions rather than keeping them. Corporations are not evil. They are made up of people. It has been shown time and time again that regulating corporations is necessary. They can't be trusted.

The merger is a good one. Delta and NW airlines have been struggling but each has its own niche. By combining them, the strengths of each company can be utilized to form a terrific airline. I think it is great. United and American aren't cutting the mustard anymore.

It seems this happens every time fuel prices go up, or similar. Many small discounts go under, other airlines merge to stay afloat. Prices will increase due to less competition, things will stabilize eventually, and new start-ups will re-appear. Over the years, that is how it has gone in my eyes, and I can't even remember how many airlines don't exist anymore I once used.

What the point. So they have a merger or they don't as an average traveler we are nothing but cattle. Flying sucks unless you can afford 1st class. Either way just getting on to the damn plane is torture. Flying isn't fun anymore, but fun was 20 years ago. So they spend a few billion, the traveler will still pay more and still get screwed while being packed into a metal tube flying at 2,000 ft. That's why I get drunk before I go.
The only interested party in all this are the stock holders and they are losing their shirt as the fuel rice climbs and airlines raise the ticket price to squezz out a profit and people can't afford the cost or the hassel. I'm really into and can't wait for our transportation sector to invest in High Speed rail system.
America is so far behind the cruve its rediculious. Damn it where is our bullet rail system everyone else in the industrial world economy seems to have one, even China is far ahead of the U.S. in this regard. Really who cares about another merger, get the high speed rail system built now. Airlines companies need to merge with High Speed Rail System this would reduce the need to pack airplanes like sardine cans there by making the system more flexable and fluid. The 21st century has been knocking at the door so let them in. Hey have your ever taken the bullet train from London to Paris if not there is nothing like it.
If airlines companies were smart they would have combination of rail and airline system that could put American back to work along with infrastruture improvements there by restoring this economy for the next 10 to 15 years

The idea of creating bullet train systems in America is excellent, Richard. Something tells me that the airline lobby is the reason we never got the ball rolling on that.

Deb you're so far behind on whats happening in high speed railroad that to compare Amtrack with other systems in the world beg that to keep it afloat is a poor choice of words. Soon the cost of travel by individual transportion maybe to costly try driving into New York or any other major city. As far as profit making system it should be a non-profit enterprise created to reduce traffic congestion and pollution while asking people to park their cars and take the shuttle into major city wear they can rent electrical hybrid cars (comfortable golf cart size) which allow you previlage parking almost any where within a downtown grid system. The U.S. could if it wanted to repair and upgrade infrastructure put people to work while making a modern system that reduces pollutants, reduce oil dependence and bring in increase revunes for those choice to maintain the individual driving habit. Just think a high speed rail between Indianapolis and Chicago going at 200 mi/hr, or from L.A. to Las Vegas speeding at 200 plus mi/hr in comfortable surroundings the time between the two location less than 120 minutes.
Oh then with airport system hook up to rail line think Minnapolis, MN. while waiting on my next flight out to San Francisco I had a two hr, delay. I was able to leave the airport take their rail system to the Great American Mall shop have lunch return back on the same rail system an catch my plane. That was cool!
Amtrak has its problem as all form of transportation does but this nation could do so much better and just like the government support the airlines and the farmers with oil at $113.00 dollars a barrel gas this summer will be over $4.00 dollars a gallon for sure.

Does anyone here think they'll travel less, or choose a different air carrier?

Yes that trip from Paris to Montpellier on the high speed rail was the bomb. Oh, Deb checkout my images, I have a picture of their trains.
Only if were King.....