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Us Airways and American Airlines merge

T

TIG

I like GOOOOOLLLLD!
Some people here know that I am an airline mechanic for Us Airways. For the last 4 to 6 months my job has been rife with rumors about the merge happening. I always knew it would go through because 7 years ago the airline I worked for (American West) went through the same thing and became the new Us Airways.

I was pretty worried about the merge because my department is one that can be cut and absorbed into another department. There was also some pretty big worry that they could shut down the Phoenix hub where I work since they have others close. Luckily the way things turned out there is a better than average chance my life or job won't change but I wont know for sure for probably 2 or 3 years. Good news is I won't hear bad news for the same 2 or 3 years.

How it shakes down is that the new American Airlines will be the biggest airline in the world. The new CEO will be the one from my side of the merger (Doug Parker) who is a big fan of my station (Phoenix) and my department. The headquarters will be moving from here to Dallas/Fort Worth so that is less protection for me, but they will be keeping a significant presence here in both the corporate and operational sides.

That means they will be keeping lots of jobs here so about 80% of my worst case scenario has been taken off the table.

Bottom line is there is big news but its like the train whistle blowing. Loud and exciting but it will take a long time for the train to get up to speed and rolling.
 
Yeah, big companies like to grind those gears, and sometimes the employees get stuck in the teeth.

In a similar story, I read an article today about how Dreamworks Animation is moving pretty much everything to China. It may be a smart move for the company, but it sucks to be one of several hundred animators who are going to lose their jobs to Chinese counterparts that do it for half the cost.

Best of luck to you. At least you have a year or two to think about a Plan B, just in case you need one. Hopefully, they'll leave you alone (or promote you and give you a swanky office somewhere).
 
2-3 years seems like such a long time to me. Hopefully things remain nice and stable for you, unless of course you're a fan of excitement.
 
It took about 5 years when America West Airlines merged with (bailed out the failing) Us Airways before it actually effected my work group.

They stated that the airlines should be officially one carrier by Q3 this year depending on all the sec and government agencies signing off on it, but I think it will take longer. Then each union from each side has to come to an agreement on who will be the surviving union, then they have to negotiate a combined contract that we then have to vote on and sign THEN it effects me. We shall see. I am about 80% hopeful with about 20% chance of losing my job imo.
 
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