From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sun Oct 2 14:19:38 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 10:19:38 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] New US Airways making sure disparate cultures will fly as 1 Message-ID: <20051002101836.H673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 2 October 2005 ; The Arizona Republic New US Airways making sure disparate cultures will fly as 1 http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/1002amwest-culture.html --- Judy Nichols The Arizona Republic It may be fitting that executives chose a wedding theme, complete with bride and groom, to celebrate the merger of America West Airlines and US Airways. Fitting because so many mergers end in divorce. Like marriages, the ultimate success of a merger depends on how well two personalities, or cultures, combine. "The odds are stacked against them," said Jonathan Tanz, head of research for Best Practices LLC, in Chapel Hill, N.C., a merger consulting firm. "The vast majority of mergers and acquisitions fail, and they fail because of cultural integration." In this marriage, US Airways is seen as the mature, jaded partner, and America West as the enthusiastic youngster. The disparate personalities prompted US Airways CEO Doug Parker to appoint Larry LeSueur, a longtime America West employee, as vice president of culture. "Cultural integration is one of the more challenging things we have to do," LeSueur said. "US Airways is an East Coast company, built over time as a much more serious company with uniform standards for employees. We're much more laid-back." It will be LeSueur's job to make those workforces click. "It's not my job just to go around the system and have barbeques," LeSueur said. "You can't just say, 'Here's a hamburger. Have a nice day.' " LeSueur said he will work to impart Parker's message that every employee is valued. "The message is, 'We do expect you to treat customers well, and we, as a leadership team, will do the same for you,' " LeSueur said. But the US Airways workforce, which has been through several bankruptcies, along with wage and benefit givebacks, has lost trust with management, he said. LeSueur said he plans to spend time listening to their pent-up frustration and anger. Honoring past The company decided to include the logos of the former airlines that make up US Airways - Allegheny, Piedmont, Pacific Southwest and America West - on the sides of the newly painted planes to pay homage to the past. The logos were also put on a "heritage pin" that LeSueur has passed out to employees as he traveled through airports. "Occasionally, I've gotten a 'Nope, I don't want your pin,' " he said. "They're still great people who want to believe. But they may not be ready for a sense of rah-rah yet." Tanz compares the US Airways/America West merger with the Price Waterhouse/Coopers & Lybrand merger in 1998, in which he was involved. "Price Waterhouse was a staunchly old-boy kind of accounting firm, with every 'i' dotted and every 't' crossed, very rigid," Tanz said. "Coopers Lybrand was faster, more of a cowboy mentality." They began to blend cultures by cross-seeding leadership, putting Price Waterhouse leaders at Coopers & Lybrand and vice versa. "It shows you mean business," Tanz said. Tanz said many companies should think twice before walking down the aisle. "Companies often get merger madness," he said. "Everybody is in the mind-set of, 'Let's make it work.' " But they may not be meant for each other. "They should ask if the two cultures can be merged in the first place, or if they are so far apart that they will eventually find they have irreconcilable differences," he said. Mergers can have an immediate negative effect on the bottom line if workers are confused or worried, said Catherine Mercer Bing, president of ITAP Americas, which works with companies to merge cultures. ITAP was consulting with Sandoz when it merged in 1996 with another Swiss company, Ciba-Geigy, to form Novartis, a pharmaceutical research company, one of the largest mergers in history. Effectiveness changes "After the merger was announced, every team had dramatically lower effectiveness," Mercer Bing said. "The objectives of the team weren't clear anymore. The focus was on the team survival and not of effective work." Effectiveness can mean big money to the new US Airways. "With this merger, there will be about 44,000 people between the two companies," she said. "If the average worker makes $15 an hour, and I'm sure some make more, some make less, one lost hour of productivity would cost $660,000." The best counter for the negative forces is rapid decision-making and clear communication, she said. Tanz said there needs to be a clear plan for integration, and usually, the best bet is to find a third culture, rather than try to force one onto the other. In the end, like a marriage, success or failure will be very apparent. "It's impossible to have an external culture different from the internal one," Tanz said. "If the employees are happy and excited about their job, they convey that to the customer." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sun Oct 2 14:21:55 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 10:21:55 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] On the federal 'no-fly list, ' US Airways worker is grounded Message-ID: <20051002101939.R673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 2 October 2005 ; Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times On the federal 'no-fly list,' US Airways worker is grounded http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15314691&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478569&rfi=6 --- Karen Ferrick-Roman Times Staff Who is Roberta Campbell? Campbell, 42, lives in Rochester. She describes herself as a single mom and US Airways baggage handler. Twice a week, she flies to and from work in Philadelphia. But her name, for reasons that have gone unexplained to her, has caught the attention of the federal Transportation Security Administration, which is in charge of security. That means extra security clearances that add 20 minutes to an hour to Campbell's security process, sometimes causing her to miss flights. Campbell's Federal Aviation Administration clearances and background checks allow her access to the airport tarmac, inside the belly of the plane and other secure areas. But even after providing the TSA with notarized copies of her birth certificate, baptismal certificate, Social Security card and other identification, she remains tagged for extra scrutiny at boarding. Those on the no-fly list are "threats to commercial aviation" and banned from flying, said Darrin Kayser, TSA spokesman. Kayser couldn't speak specifically about Campbell's case, but said generally, others commonly caught in the net cast to prevent terrorism are people with names similar to those on the no-fly list. With the system as it is, Campbell and the others caught in the name game have no way out, Kayser said. These passengers are unable to breeze through check-in at a self-service kiosk or print a boarding pass online, Kayser said. Instead, they must stand in ticket lines and face extra security, extra screening. "There are a large number of individuals who are false positives," Kayser said, "and the airline, because the airlines are the ones processing these lists, have to clear those up." More than 100 complaints were filed against the TSA between November 2003 and May 2004, the Electronic Privacy Information Center posted on its Web site, www.epic.org, on Tuesday. Most complaints were similar to Campbell's, said Marcia Hofmann, director of the Open Government Project for EPIC, a public-interest organization. "Basically, people are being told they're on a watch list, and they don't understand why." While the call log obtained from the TSA shows that some people lodged repeated complaints about being on the list, Hofmann said, "It's impossible for us to know whether things were resolved to a person's satisfaction or not." The situation is cloaked in secrecy, trapped in a surreptitious Catch 22. "People are being flagged for some reason," Hofmann said. "Clearly, it's a case of mistaken identity, and they're not allowed to know the reason they're being flagged. It's watch-list information, it's classified information, and you don't know how this accusation is being made about you." Roberta Lynn Campbell thinks she is being singled out because her name is close to Robert L. Campbell. She's been unable to find out who Robert L. Campbell is, where he lives or why he's on the watch list. Roberta Campbell, who has 17 years' experience working on the ramp, hadn't flown since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks until January, when she took a job on the US Airways ramp in Philadelphia. When she got to the ticket counter in Pittsburgh to fly to work, she was told her name was similar to a name on the no-fly list. "I thought it was a joke," Campbell said. She waited while a supervisor was called to clear her for the flight, after she produced several company IDs and her driver's license. Since then, Campbell, her 8-year-old son and her boyfriend have been pulled off an airplane. "Everybody's watching you, and you feel this big," she said, holding up her thumb and index finger. She's missed commuter flights because of the additional time involved and has learned that not all supervisors are trained to perform the clearances. And she feels terrible approaching her US Airways colleagues at the gate, knowing from past experience that her familiar face will present them with a problem and clog their work. "They say, 'Oh no, here she comes.' I know I'm inconveniencing them," Campbell said. "I'm intruding on them; they've got to take time out for the problem child." The quest Campbell's quest to get off the list started as EPIC's Hofmann said it should: with the TSA ombudsman. Since then, it's wound through the agency, including its civil-rights office, and corporate security offices at US Airways, as well as Campbell's union, the International Association of Machinists. In trying to prove that she is herself, Campbell has produced extra identification and sent it to the TSA. That's the advised plan of action, said the TSA's Kayser. But she still isn't removed from the list, still has to show additional ID at the gate, still has to wait for clearance from a supervisor Campbell was told the FBI distributes the list to the TSA, the TSA passes the watch list to the airlines, and it's up to the airlines to remove or add people accordingly. The TSA told Campbell that she should have been removed from the list in May. On Tuesday, she told US Airways security, "My life's a living hell. I need to be removed from the no-fly list." Later that day, airline security called back with bad news. "There's nothing they can do," Campbell said. Campbell has taken her case to the union. "It's in their hands now." >From the airline's perspective, Hofmann said, "All they know is this person is on a watch-list match. Somehow, someway, all they know is there's some match. No airline wants to be the airline that let the next Mohammad Atta on the plane." But the TSA's Kayser said that some airlines don't collect all the information and their computer systems can't also make the differentiations that the TSA can. On one airline's computer system, Campbell might come up as a match. On another, she might not. "The problem is the computers the airlines have are showing she has a match to the list," Kayser said. "You should be providing as much information as possible - first, last, middle name, anything that can differentiate you from another individual. But ultimately, the (gate) agent doesn't know if you're the John Smith on the list or another John Smith." The FBI terrorist screening center consolidates and maintains all government watch lists. The central office essentially has said if people have trouble being on the list, it's not their problem. They have to talk with the TSA ombudsman. And, Kayser said, a person cannot be removed from the list except by the agency that put him on the list. Most people don't have a way to find out those details. Catch 22, all over again Hofmann talked of a nun on the list, whose colleague wrote to Carl Rove and was taken care of quickly. "That's not an option for most people," Hofmann noted. A small-plane commercial pilot, Robert Gray of Massachusetts also has landed on the watch list. Gray, a British national, sued the U.S. government in July because he was not permitted to take additional courses to be able to fly larger planes. Along her quest, Campbell has chitchatted with other airline folks, finding that the same thing is happening with other pilots, flight attendants and even an air marshal, an armed guard charged with keeping flights secure. Campbell, who documents whom she has spoken with and when, is farther along than most of them, so she hands out helpful phone numbers. US Airways spokeswoman Amy Kudwa could not say how many employees match names on the no-fly list. And TSA's Kayser could not say how many - if any - would-be terrorists were stopped at the gate because they tried to get on a plane under a name similar to theirs. For now, there's little chance to work through the system. "People should be able to sue," Hofmann said. A judge, she contended, would be in the best position to decide whether the government is correct or what the government needs to do. "There's no way my life should be in an uproar like this," Campbell said. "You sit and you wait. You pay your cell phone bills and your house bills and wait for answers." And Campbell lives with the ultimate irony. "I could go right out to the airplane on the ramp and blow it up without ever getting in that plane." Of course, for 17 years, she hasn't. Her issue isn't access to the plane. It's access to riding inside one. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sun Oct 2 14:22:36 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 10:22:36 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways revamps frequent flier program Message-ID: <20051002102157.V673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 2 October 2005 ; Burlington Free Press US Airways revamps frequent flier program http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051002/BUSINESS/510020324/1003 --- By Dawn Gilbertson Gannett News Service The combined America West-US Airways frequent-flier program isn't drastically different from each airline's individual programs, but traveler reaction will vary by mileage junkie. If you liked to use your America West miles for a short hop like Phoenix to San Diego, San Francisco or Denver, you probably won't be thrilled. The trip will take 10,000 more miles. If you've dreamed of jetting to the Caribbean on a free ticket, you'll be happy to know it'll be easier to get there and cost 10,000 fewer miles. If you're a super frequent flier, that account balance won't balloon quite as quickly because mileage bonuses are going down in many cases. But you'll be able to snag a free first-class upgrade further in advance. "This whole business is about trade-offs," said Travis Christ, vice president of marketing for the newly combined airline, now called simply US Airways. He thinks the balance the airlines struck in the new Dividend Miles program makes sense, especially given the lousy industry environment. Airlines aren't making any money with fuel prices high and competition fierce, so they have to examine every line item, such as giving away too many free seats. The combined airline, for example, decided to do away with the 15,000-award level America West had for trips of up to 750 miles. Fewer than one-third of its mileage redemptions were at that level, Christ said. Alan Anderson, a Phoenix business consultant in the top tier of America West's FlightFund program, cashed in 15,000 miles just last week for a trip for his mother from Phoenix to Las Vegas. A last-minute ticket would have been close to $300, he said, so using just 15,000 miles from his account was a "no-brainer." Still, he fully expected the low award level to go away because some of US Airways' big-dollar routes in the East are short hops. "I was going to be shocked if they retained that," Anderson said. Most airlines require 25,000 miles for flights in the continental United States, and that's what the combined airline will have. The overall changes aren't going to affect Anderson too much because he already flies enough, 100,000 or more miles a year, to be in the top level of the combined program. Those travelers get the most lucrative perks. America West fliers just below that level will be understandably upset by reduced mileage bonus levels. America West platinum members who used to get double miles on flights will now get a 75 percent bonus premium when the new rules fully kick in. The faster track to free tickets, especially luxury trips like first-class to Europe, keeps many frequent fliers loyal to a program. Already Monday there was grumbling about moving business away from the new US Airways on the forums at Flyertalk.com, a popular Web site for road warriors. Christ said the airlines took the most pains not to upset their most frequent fliers. "We're going to treat our best customers very well because they've gotten us where we are today," he said. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 3 19:57:42 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 15:57:42 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Sabre signs US Airways to DCA-3 extension but says 'every deal will be different' Message-ID: <20051003155303.E673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> October 2005 ; ATW Sabre signs US Airways to DCA-3 extension but says 'every deal will be different' http://atwonline.com/magazine/article.html?articleID=1352 --- By Michele McDonald Travel Technology Update Sabre Holdings Corp. said US Airways signed a renewal of its Direct Connect Availability Three-Year Option agreement, extending the pact one year beyond October. US Airways was the first carrier to sign a DCA-3 agreement and to join Galileo International's version of the program, Preferred Fares. In Sabre's second-quarter earnings briefing with investment analysts, chairman Sam Gilliland said the extension of the agreement incorporates "roughly similar terms and conditions" as the original. He said Sabre hopes "to provide that same value to the merged entity" of US Airways and America West. DCA-3 requires participating airlines to provide access to all their published fares, including Web fares, in exchange for lower segment fees. It was introduced in the fall of 2002 but did not begin to pick up steam until the following summer, so most contracts will not come up for renewal until next year. Gilliland said Sabre is "actively engaged" in talks with all U.S. majors, and "multiple airlines have expressed interest in being the first to renew" the agreements. "They understand the advantages in signing early," he said. He stressed, however, that "every deal will be different." Some airlines' pricing may stay neutral, he said, while other airlines may experience increases or decreases in distribution costs. "We want to be in a better place with the airlines," Gilliland said. "We are working with a number of different models." Meanwhile, revenues from the Sabre GDS were up 5.3% in the second quarter, to $428.9 million. Sabre Holdings' total revenues were $619.3 million, up 12.4%. Net income was $43.9 million, down 25.5%. Total bookings were up 6%, with a 10.9% boost in international bookings. Cendant Corp., Galileo's parent, reported net income of $387 million, down from $691 million in second-quarter 2004. Total revenues were $4.7 billion, up 8%. Travel Distribution Services revenues were $661 million, up 48%. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cendant noted that despite a 6% increase in domestic booking volumes over the last six months, Galileo experienced a $4 million decrease in domestic air booking fees. It said the decrease was driven by an 8% decline in the effective yield on those bookings. Those numbers are "consistent with our pricing program with major U.S. carriers, which was designed to gain access to all public fares made available by the participating airlines," Cendant said. In Cendant's second-quarter briefing with analysts, chairman Henry Silverman said Cendant has begun the migration of ebookers, the European online travel site that it acquired earlier this year, to Galileo and expects to complete the process in the third quarter. Amadeus had been its primary GDS. Silverman also said the early migration of Cheap Tickets to the Orbitz platform has resulted in "an uptick in conversion rates." Lodging.com and Travelport will migrate to the Orbitz platform in September, he said, and ebookers will follow next year. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 3 19:59:05 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 15:59:05 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways faces post-merger seniority, labor issues Message-ID: <20051003155756.D673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 2 October 2005 ; The Business Journal of Phoenix US Airways faces post-merger seniority, labor issues http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9575719/ --- By Adam Kress and Mike Sunnucks The Business Journal of Phoenix Labor unions with a stake in the newly merged US Airways Group Inc. anxiously are preparing for battle on a variety of fronts, with conflicts likely over layoffs and wage, benefit and seniority issues. When the merger was announced in May, then-America West Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker estimated that approximately 5,000 employees would exit once the two airlines were married. "We're not losing 5,000 jobs, we're saving 30,000," he said at the time. As it stands, the new US Airways has 37,800 employees, and that number likely will be cut by nearly 5,000 over the next two years as the airline reduces its fleet size. US Airways spokesman Phil Gee said the company is hoping to reduce its employee count through attrition. "The US Airways work force is extremely senior, and many pilots and flight attendants will be retiring," he said. Gee said if attrition doesn't lower the employee number enough, many of the decisions on who is let go will be hashed out by the unions. "The unions have yet to merge themselves, and that will be a union issue to work out," he said. "We won't have as much say as we'd like on what unions do with the seniority issue." America West officials said they had no current plans to lay people off. However, some America West reservationists received notices attached to their paychecks indicating that if they had worked for AmWest for less than five years, they could be subject to a layoff effective Oct. 1, as a result of the merger. "It is possible some layoffs will occur, but our plan is to minimize furloughs by managing through retirement and attrition. The majority of employees at both airlines are expected to maintain their jobs, or be offered employment in the new company," according to a statement on US Airways' Web site. The next 18 to 24 months will see major changes at Tempe-based US Airways as the two airlines combine work forces, airplane fleets, airport gates and other operations. That includes new labor pacts and melding multiple union agreements from US Air and AmWest. The airline will lose 51 aircraft over the next 18 months, reducing its roster to 360 airplanes. Big worries for America West's existing workers include the fact that their counterparts at US Airways tend to have more seniority and that the new airline is looking for ways to cut operational and labor costs to compete in a very tough sector with powerhouse Southwest Airlines. "Seniority is the big issue," said one union official who asked not to be identified. The Association of Flight Attendants has asked a federal mediator to step in and help with negotiations on the contract with America West attendants. AFA Local President Gary Richardson said US Airways/America West management presented a "zero cost" new contract to 2,700 AmWest attendants. That includes no pay raises or benefit hikes. Richardson said the union has put off increases before as the airline and the entire sector struggled with high fuel prices and economic aftershocks of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. "We feel our flight attendants deserve some of those work enhancements they've been waiting for," said Richardson. Working to the advantage of America West employees if they end up competing for jobs with their US Airways counterparts are the facts that the new combo is based in Tempe and that America West hubs in Phoenix and Las Vegas have been lucrative. Overall rank-and-file employees are optimistic about the merger, Richardson said. However, it is a guarded optimism considering the perilous nature of the airline industry and the history of big corporate mergers involving substantial layoffs and consolidations. "There is the concern out there because there is the lack of knowing what is the future," said Richardson. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 3 20:00:09 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 16:00:09 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways buys back ATSB warrants Message-ID: <20051003155928.K673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 3 October 2005; Business Week US Airways buys back ATSB warrants http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8D0KBN80.htm --- US Airways Group Inc. said Monday it has agreed to pay $115.8 million to buy back roughly 7.7 million warrants it had issued to the Air Transportation Stabilization Board as part of its merger with America West Airlines, which was completed last Tuesday. The warrants, which were created as part of a $439 million loan from the ATSB to America West in 2002, give the holders the right to buy US Airways Group's shares at an exercise price of $7.27 per share. The loan continues to be repaid on schedule, with interest, US Airways said. US Airways also said it received more than $800 million in new equity as part of its merger with America West, and expects to have $2.5 billion in cash after certain transactions close this week. Using cash to buy the outstanding warrants held by the ATSB was in shareholder' best interests, US Airways said. US Airways' shares added 21 cents to $21.22 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 3 20:02:12 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 16:02:12 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Pacific Exchange Begins Trading US Airways Group Options Message-ID: <20051003160145.X673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 3 October 2005 ; PR Newswire Pacific Exchange Begins Trading US Airways Group Options http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-03-2005/0004158217 --- SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pacific Exchange, Inc. ("PCX") announced at the opening of business on Monday, October 3, 2005, it commenced trading options on the following equity securities. PCX will trade in all expiration months and strike prices, including E-FLEX and LEAPS, currently in the marketplace. US Airways Group, Inc., (LCC) will trade on the March expiration cycle with exercise limits set at 2,500,000 shares. The issue will be traded by lead market makers Mark Krommenhoek and Julia Overs of Citigroup Derivatives Markets, Inc. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 3 20:04:49 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 16:04:49 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] [US Airways executive returns to consulting group] Message-ID: <20051003160301.H673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 3 October 2005 ; Business Wire [US Airways executive returns to consulting group] http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20051003005677&newsLang=en --- Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of US Airways, Jerry Glass, Returns to Ford & Harrison Consultancy Group; Glass to Lead Firm-Wide Consultancy Expansion WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2005--Ford & Harrison, one of the nation's largest labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce the return of Jerry Glass, the former Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at US Airways, to lead J. Glass & Associates - a consultancy division of the firm. Glass, a key US Airways executive who played a pivotal role in the airline's restructuring and its recent, highly successful emergence from bankruptcy, will practice in the firm's Washington, DC office and spearhead a firm-wide initiative to expand and market all of Ford & Harrison's ancillary consulting services. Glass returns to Ford & Harrison's J. Glass & Associates after working for three and a half years at US Airways. Glass played a crucial role in leading the negotiations with all of the airline's labor unions and was instrumental in the success of the overall restructuring. "When it comes to understanding human resources issues, and labor and employee relations, Jerry is the best of the best," commented John Luth, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Seabury Group LLC, a specialized investment banking and advisory firm which assisted US Airways Group, Inc., in its restructuring and is widely recognized as one of the top financial advisors and aviation consultants in the business. "He is a skilled negotiator and a trusted advisor." Glass's return to Ford & Harrison occurs just as the firm embarks on an aggressive expansion of its labor and employment consulting practice into more specialized areas such as recruiting, corporate learning, lost time management, workplace issues, and corporate restructurings. Ford & Harrison anticipates that Glass' experience and leadership will be of particular value to companies in industries facing similar restructuring issues (i.e. labor costs, pension restructuring, healthcare management, retiree issues, etc.) to those that were addressed at US Airways. "Jerry is one of the most highly recognized and respected HR executives in corporate America, clearly demonstrated by his stellar work in the success of US Airlines' restructuring," said C. Lash Harrison, Managing Partner of Ford & Harrison. "We have mandated a vast strategic commitment to expand and grow our consulting services and Jerry is the perfect person to lead that charge. We are very fortunate to have him back aboard and our clients will benefit enormously now that his expertise is available to them." "Ford & Harrison is one of the preeminent labor and employment law firms," said Glass. "In today's business climate, with many companies being forced to restructure, the firm's consulting services are in high demand. I am looking forward to working closely with my former colleagues and driving this area of the business to new heights." Messrs. Harrison and Glass are available for interviews to discuss Glass' role at the firm and, more generally, on labor and employment issues in the US market. About Jerrold A Glass In addition to recently serving as US Airways' executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Glass has served as chief negotiator for corporations in the airline, railroad and other transportation related industries. He has successfully concluded nearly 70 separate labor agreements without any disruptions to service or job actions. He has advised clients on negotiation strategies and contract proposals, with comparative studies of industry labor agreements, including pay, practices and procedures and benefit plans. In addition, Glass has provided labor analysis on contract negotiations and settlements for investment banks, financial services institutions and other non-airline companies. Glass served from 1980 to 1989 with the Airline Industrial Relations Conference, the labor policy and information exchange organization of U.S. scheduled carriers, holding several senior positions, including vice president, secretary-treasurer and director labor relations research. He is a graduate of Boston University, holds an M.P.A. with a major in management science from The George Washington University. He resides with his wife and two children in Northern Virginia. About Ford & Harrison Ford & Harrison is a national labor and employment law firm with more than 140 lawyers in 15 offices: Atlanta, Asheville, Birmingham, Dallas, Denver, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, Memphis, New York, Orlando, Oxford, Spartanburg, Tampa and Washington, D.C. The firm represents employers in labor, employment, immigration and employee benefits matters, including litigation, in issues involving national and international jurisdictions. Clients range from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized and smaller businesses. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 3 22:42:00 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 18:42:00 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways to buy back stock options Message-ID: <20051003184118.T673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 3 October 2005 ; Philadelphia Business Journal US Airways to buy back stock options http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2005/10/03/daily19.html --- US Airways Group Inc. plans to buy back $115.8 million in stock warrants issued to the federal Air Transportation Stabilization Board. The warrants, which gave the ATSB the right to purchase 7.7 million shares of company stock at $7.27 per share, were issued in 2002 to secure a $439 million loan made by the board to America West Group Holdings Corp. US Airways and America West merged last week, creating a newly organized US Airways Group (NYSE: LCC). Last week's merger ended US Airways' Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The new company has more than $800 million in new equity investments and $2.5 billion in cash, according to a statement by Chief Executive Doug Parker. "We have elected to use a portion of these cash balances to purchase the outstanding warrants held by the Air Transportation Stabilization Board," Parker said. The combined airline expects to generate annual revenue of $10 billion. US Airways is the dominant carrier at Philadelphia International Airport. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Oct 4 12:14:39 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 08:14:39 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways flight center likely to move Message-ID: <20051004081352.L673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 4 October 2005 ; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette US Airways flight center likely to move http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05277/582107.stm --- By Dan Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette There is a "90 percent chance" that a local US Airways flight center employing hundreds will move to the Phoenix area by May 2007, a union official briefed by the company said yesterday. Talk of the move, spurred by the recent merger with Tempe, Ariz.-based America West Airlines, already is dampening the post-merger enthusiasm of workers at RIDC Park West in Findlay, where hundreds of dispatchers and schedulers track the movement of planes and crews throughout the country. "If it is inevitable, tell us as soon as possible," said Don Wright, president of Transport Workers Union 545, the union official informed about the probability of a move. "Allow us to get our personal lives together. People are going to have to sell their homes and make some serious life decisions. ... Some are breadwinners. It will have a tremendous impact on a lot of families." US Airways will need separate flight control centers for about two years while it operates the former US Airways and America West on separate federal flight certificates. After that, however, the two will likely consolidate -- possibly in Phoenix. Mr. Wright said his information came from Al Crellin, US Airways' executive vice president of operations. US Airways spokesman Carlo Bertolini yesterday said he could not put odds on whether the local flight control center would move to Phoenix in May 2007 because "a final decision has not been made." The loss of the airport-area operations control center would deal another blow to a region already suffering through more than 9,000 US Airways job losses in four years and a local work force already weary from several rounds of pay and benefit cuts. New US Airways Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker has been going out of his way to woo the older US Airways workers in Pittsburgh and at other long-time bases. In a letter to employees this week, he spoke directly to these employees, saying, "I understand that you have been through a lot over the past few years and at times have felt betrayed by management. "While I wish that you all would believe that we are different and trust us out of blind faith, you do not owe us that,'' Mr. Parker said. "Trust is earned and I, along with the rest of the leadership team, plan to earn yours. I only ask that you give me the chance to do so." Concerns about more job losses could make Mr. Parker's job more difficult. After all, the dispatchers and schedulers are not the only local employees worried about what could happen next. Other jobs at RIDC Park West could be in jeopardy, too. There are more than 800 management, administrative and rank-and-file employees spread across three buildings. Beyond the flight control center, US Airways also uses the buildings to house workers in cargo, baggage services, safety and maintenance. Some employees have already been told there is chance that certain jobs could be lost to duplication elsewhere in the system, but no official announcements have been made -- yet. "That is something we are looking at in the very near term," said US Airways spokesman Carlo Bertolini. Mr. Wright, the union official representing dispatchers, is hoping to get a chance to persuade US Airways management not to move the center out of Pittsburgh. He claims the company once said it would put the control center "wherever they get the best offer.'' "I will ask them again, 'What is your intention? Are your serious about putting it where it makes the best business sense. Have you talked to the city of Pittsburgh about keeping the office here?' I think they will give me a straight-up answer." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Oct 4 12:15:31 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 08:15:31 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways moves to Sky Harbor Terminal four tomorrow Message-ID: <20051004081440.R673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 3 October 2005 ; KPHO Phoenix US Airways moves to Sky Harbor Terminal four tomorrow http://www.kpho.com/Global/story.asp?S=3932717&nav=23Ku --- PHOENIX Beginning tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m., passengers holding US Airways tickets will fly out of Terminal Four at Sky Harbor. The move is a result of the merger between US Airways and America West. Passengers holding US Airways tickets will continue to fly out of Terminal Two tonight. For passengers holding America West tickets, nothing changes. Sky Harbor plans to provide extra staff in Terminals Two and Four this week to answer passenger questions. Signs and ticket jacket inserts will be provided for passengers who fly out of Terminal Two on US Airways before October 4th, and fly into Terminal Four after the switch is made. Sky Harbor says it'll make sure those passengers who park in the Terminal Two garage before October 4th know how to get back to their cars after US Airways moves to Terminal Four. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Oct 4 12:16:10 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 08:16:10 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways pilots give tentative nod to Embraer 190s Message-ID: <20051004081532.R673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 4 October 2005 ; ATW Daily News US Airways pilots give tentative nod to Embraer 190s http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=2590 --- US Airways pilots, with an eye on JetBlue, reached a tentative agreement with the airline to operate the Embraer 190 as part of mainline service at a rate that will make the jets competitive with the low-cost carrier that launched the 100-seater."We agreed on a pay rate as well as a restriction to fly only as mainline," Jack Stephan, a spokesperson for the US Airways pilots, told ATWOnline. "That one issue was sent out for member ratification with a strong endorsement to ratify the agreement." The decision was part of an overall transition agreement between the pilot groups at America West and US Airways, both of which are represented by the Air Line Pilots Assn., as well as management, Stephan explained. The US Airways scope clause prohibited the operation of aircraft with more than 70 seats by Regional partners, but at one point the pilots agreed to allow 190 operations at the now-defunct MidAtlantic division although no 190 orders ever were placed, he said. The Embraer 170 flying originally planned for MidAtlantic has been shifted to partner Republic Airways and the aircraft sold to the independent airline. "I think the world has changed since we first allowed the 190s to be flown at MidAtlantic," said Stephan. "There was permission to fly them outside the mainline. We had a chance to revisit that issue. It became clear that it was in the best interest of our pilot groups that the airplane not be flown anywhere but the mainline." He said the pilots tied the pay scale for the 190 to the size of the aircraft and the revenue it could generate. "All we had to do was to point to JetBlue. They don't have a separate division," he noted. "If you are talking seat-mile costs, we can give you a competitive rate and let you fly that on the mainline. I think it's an improvement over what we had." by Sandra Arnoult From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Wed Oct 5 13:56:44 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 09:56:44 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways to acquire government's holding Message-ID: <20051005095608.D673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 4 October 2005 ; International Herald Tribune US Airways to acquire government's holding http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/04/business/air.php --- By Micheline Maynard The New York Times TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2005 NEW YORK US Airways has said that it will pay $115.8 million to buy stock warrants that had given the U.S. government a sizable stake in America West, which merged with US Airways last week. The two carriers formed the nation's biggest low-fare airline and one of the largest domestic carriers, operating under the US Airways name. The deal took place after US Airways emerged from its second round of bankruptcy-law protection in three years. In 2002, both airlines got loans guaranteed by the federal Air Transportation Stabilization Board, which was formed after the September 2001 attacks to oversee a $15 billion congressional bailout plan for the beleaguered industry. Together, the two airlines owe about $840 million on their loan guarantees, a spokeswoman for the loan board said on Monday. The stock warrants were part of America West's $426 million loan package, which was among the first granted by the loan board. Under the transaction, the federal loan board received warrants for 7.7 million America West shares at $7.27 each, representing roughly a third of the airline's stock. At that price, the warrants were worth about $56 million. The government had an option to exercise the warrants at any time until America West's loan was paid off, a spokesman for US Airways Philip Gee, said on Monday. Under Monday's transaction, the loan board was paid slightly more than twice the warrants' original value. "When America West received the ATSB loan, we believed taxpayers would be well compensated on that loan," said W. Douglas Parker, the former chief executive of America West, who took the same position in the merged company. "We are pleased to be a part of making that happen today." Still, the government could have gotten more if it had demanded the going rate for US Airways shares. They closed on Monday at $21.50, up 49 cents. At that price, the loan board could have collected $165.5 million for the warrants. "It's a negotiated price to buy them out," Gee said. A spokeswoman for the loan board declined to comment on how the price had been reached. In a statement, the loan board said proceeds of the sale would go to the general fund of the Treasury Department, which administers the board. Late last month, the loan board said it also planned to sell the airline's loan package to private investors. BA misses 10% return goal British Airways will not achieve its planned 10 percent return on sales in the current year because of high fuel prices, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday from London. "If fuel prices had not risen to record levels, we would have achieved it," Willie Walsh, the company's new chief executive, said of the 10 percent target. The airline is not planning any staff cuts as it prepares to consolidate operations at a new terminal at Heathrow Airport in 2008, Walsh said. British Airways is investing 300 million, or $530 million, on the move and 100 million on changes in its business-class service. Walsh faces rising fuel prices and cooling demand for air travel. Growth in passenger traffic slowed for the first time this year in August, the International Air Transport Association said on Sept. 30. London Heathrow Airport is British Airways' base and Europe's busiest airport. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Wed Oct 5 13:58:12 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 09:58:12 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] More US Airways Jobs May Move From Pittsburgh Message-ID: <20051005095733.Q673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 4 October 2005 ; The Pittsburgh Channel More US Airways Jobs May Move From Pittsburgh http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/5055040/detail.html --- Many people wondered if the merger between US Airways and America West would be good or bad for the Pittsburgh region. The latest news doesn't sound good when it comes to jobs. Channel 4 Action News spoke with Don Wright, local president of the Transport Union, on the phone Tuesday morning. Wright said he was told in a private conversation with a US Airways executive that the flight center will likely be moved out of Pittsburgh. How important is this facility? The entire airline operation is run from the flight center located in the RIDC Park West. The flight center is called the nerve center of the airline -- employing 800 people. They handle scheduling of aircraft, flight crews and reconfigure schedules affected by flight delays. Salaries range from $30,000 to $120,000 a year. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato stated publicly in the past that he was concerned about attempts to move more jobs out of the Pittsburgh region. The Transport Union said the move will likely happen during the next 12 to 18 months. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Wed Oct 5 13:59:52 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 09:59:52 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways chiefs lose pay Message-ID: <20051005095826.I673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 October 2005 ; Pittsburgh Tribune Review US Airways chiefs lose pay http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/business/s_380928.html --- By Thomas Olson TRIBUNE-REVIEW Four top executives of US Airways, including Bruce Lakefield, agreed to take tens of thousands of dollars in pay cuts when the carrier merged with America West Airlines last week, according to a securities filing. Lakefield, formerly US Airways' CEO, became vice chairman of the new US Airways on Sept. 27, when the airline completed its merger. On that date, he agreed to give up unspecified, long-term incentive plan compensation, which had been inked into his contract when he took the CEO job in April 2004. As part of his revised contract, Lakefield agreed to cap his severance pay at $1.7 million, according to a securities document filed late Monday. It stated the revision was made, in part, "in response to objections" filed in U.S. bankruptcy court Sept. 15 by the airline's major unions. Organized labor opposed management's plan to pay 23 top executives -- including the four -- a total of $12.3 million to induce them to stay through the merger process with America West. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stephen Mitchell approved the management retention plan on Sept. 16, when he confirmed US Airways' merger-reorganization plan. Three other US Airways executives, all executive vice presidents, agreed to take 25 percent reductions in base pay in connection with the merger. Each one's pay was reduced to $317,475 from $425,000, a reduction of $107,525 each, the filing said. The three executives are: Alan Crellin, executive vice president of operation; Jerry Glass, executive vice president of human resources; and Elizabeth Lanier, general counsel and executive vice president of corporate affairs. Crellin is joining the combined carrier in the same role, while Lanier and Glass remain employed only for an undefined short term through the transition, said airline spokesman Phil Gee. All three remain eligible for stock grants and options of unspecified value, the documents said. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Wed Oct 5 22:50:24 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 18:50:24 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] U.S. Airways September Traffic Mixed Message-ID: <20051005184957.M673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 October 2005 ; MSN Money (AP) U.S. Airways September Traffic Mixed http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=AP&Date=20051005&ID=5169101 --- NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. Airways Group Inc., which last month merged with America West Airlines, on Wednesday said traffic on U.S. Airways flights fell moderately last month while America West traffic was nearly flat. At U.S. Airways, September traffic declined 4 percent to 2.87 billion revenue passenger miles on a 6.6 percent decrease in capacity to 3.95 billion available seat miles. Occupancy, also known as load factor, rose 1.9 percentage points to 72.6 percent. A revenue passenger mile is one paying customer flown one mile. America West's monthly traffic totaled 1.86 billion revenue passenger miles, up 0.1 percent from the year before. Capacity expanded 1.4 percent to 2.46 billion available seat miles, but occupancy dropped to 75.6 percent from 76.5 percent last year. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, traffic on U.S. Airways flights slipped 3.8 percent to 10.26 billion revenue passenger miles. Capacity was reduced by 3.6 percent, and occupancy fell slightly to 77.5 percent. Meanwhile, America West's quarterly traffic gained 1.7 percent to 6.33 billion revenue passenger miles, with capacity up 3 percent and occupancy sliding to 80.4 percent. The company added it will continue reporting data for the separate airlines until the carrier is operating under one certificate. Shares of U.S. Airways lost 37 cents to $21.79 on the New York Stock Exchange. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Thu Oct 6 22:36:16 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 18:36:16 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Some optimism returns at US Airways Message-ID: <20051006183541.G673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 5 October 2005 ; West Allegheny Record Some optimism returns at US Airways http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/westalleghenyrecord/53156/ --- By Julie Jones, Staff Writer US Airways and America West Airlines celebrated their merger at Pittsburgh International Airport with a decorating contest, barbeque and a performance by Ambridge High School Steel Drum Band last week. US Airways chairman, president and CEO Doug Parker celebrated the merger at the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell ceremony and watched the new airline debut on the Stock Exchange under the LLC symbol. "We are confident that the enthusiasm and professionalism of our employees, combined with the experienced leadership team we have selected to run the new airline, will give us greater financial stability and competitive strength in the marketplace," said Parker in a company release. While everyone was celebrating the merger, Sally Haas, president of Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, saw both the upside and potential downside to the merger. "Certainly we are glad to see that US Airways will keep a presence here in the Pittsburgh region," Haas said. "We hope that this merger will enable the airline to expand service and accessibility at the airport and preserve the jobs of those employees who have made significant sacrifices over the past few years. "What we don't know yet is the full impact of this merger. Most likely jobs will be moved to other areas or eliminated to avoid duplication of positions," she wrote. Nonetheless, Haas sahred the optimism of US Airways employees and officials last week. "For now, we need to emphasize the positive effect that this merger has on our region! For now, it appears that we are able to keep jobs and expand service here at PIT," Haas said. For now, the new airline will operate under the US Airways name, but each airline's Web site and reservations systems will operate separately. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 7 12:21:20 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 08:21:20 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Up to 500 US Airways mechanics jobs could come back Message-ID: <20051007082108.S673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 8 October 2005 ; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Up to 500 US Airways mechanics jobs could come back http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05280/584111.stm --- By Dan Fitzpatrick As many as 500 furloughed mechanics could return to work in Moon as a result of the US Airways-America West merger, according to a top union official. "That is the first good news I have had in 10 years," said Bill Freiberger, assistant general chairman of the International Association of Mechanics and Aerospace Workers. Mr. Freiberger was citing a provision in the union's contract requiring heavy maintenance on Airbus jets to be brought in-house and a prior company decision to base that work in Pittsburgh. But a US Airways spokesman in Tempe, Ariz., said it is still too early to know if any new in-house work will result from the merger, and if so, where that work would be done. "If we need to add additional maintenance lines, it could happen in a number of places," said Carlo Bertolini, the US Airways spokesman. "It wouldn't necessarily have to be in Pittsburgh." Prior to the merger, America West had 88 Airbus jets in its fleet to US Airways' 117. America West contracted its heavy maintenance to outside companies -- which is cheaper than union labor. Mr. Freiberger argues that policy has to change if the new US Airways honors the IAM contract, signed in January, that requires heavy maintenance work to be done by union workers in Charlotte, N.C., or Moon, where US Airways maintains several hangars. The old US Airways agreed to send all Airbus work to Pittsburgh, saving 600 of the 800 local maintenance jobs. "The new company said they would honor the contract," Mr. Freiberger said, but, "they didn't like it. They were really upset." Getting the work on 88 airplanes would probably mean recalling 400 to 500 mechanics from furlough, Mr. Freiberger said. Another union official, Frank Schifano, said a couple hundred would be needed at first and maybe 400 to 500 over time. "It would be great for our local mechanics," Mr. Freiberger said. It would also be a welcome bit of good news for a local US Airways work force already smarting from more than 9,000 job losses since 2001 and round after round of pay cuts and benefit reductions. But Mr. Bertolini, the spokesman, pointed out that the combined airline still has to meld separate contracts covering 3,000 mechanics at the old US Airways (represented by the IAM) and 800 at the old America West (represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters). The National Mediation Board will determine which union represents all US Airways workers. The provisions of that single contract, Mr. Bertolini said, are still "to be determined, including the amount of work and how it is done. We need to see what the new all-encompassing contract looks like before we can answer this type of question definitively." Mr. Schifano believes the IAM contract will supersede the Teamsters contract because US Airways is the surviving company. Of course, the Teamsters could argue that America West may have changed its name but that it actually bought US Airways -- its executive team is in charge and the airline is based in Tempe at America West's old headquarters. A Teamsters spokesperson could not be reached for comment. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 7 12:23:50 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 08:23:50 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways picks up customers Message-ID: <20051007082339.B673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 6 October 2005 ; Augusta Chronicle US Airways picks up customers http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/100705/met_5374888.shtml --- ASA drives more often By Dena Levitz | Staff Writer In June, Earl and Fern Rodman saw the Augusta Regional Airport commercials telling area residents to "Fly There, Fly Home" and thought "Why not?" They're now wishing they had simply used Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport or Columbia Metropolitan Airport, as they usually do for air travel. In addition to losing some of their luggage and getting them to their final destination eight hours later than planned, the Modoc, S.C., couple say Delta Air Lines refuses to give them any kind of refund, even though they ended up being bused, not flown, to Atlanta from Augusta. "We just want something in return - discount tickets for our next flight, some acknowledgment that they didn't provide the proper value for the money received," Mr. Rodman said. "We're aging, so we thought, 'Let's take the easy route and avoid the hassle in Atlanta.' Well, they put the whole kibosh on that." That the Rodmans are still fighting to get some kind of cash for their troubles is somewhat unusual, but their problem is not. Since Continental Express left Augusta one year ago this month, much has changed for the regional facility in terms of air service. Statistics show that US Airways, although just out of bankruptcy as a company, has picked up Continental's slack and is actually gaining thousands of customers locally. Meanwhile, the dominant carrier, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, is suffering in terms of customer satisfaction and its reliability numbers. ASA, a former Delta subsidiary, was bought by Skywest in August but still serves as Delta's Augusta connection. While last year ASA completed 97.4 percent of its flights through Augusta, this year its completion numbers have sunk to 91.6 percent. August was the worst month in the last two years, as only 86.7 percent of ASA's flights ran as scheduled. Even Augusta Aviation Commission Chairman Cedric Johnson acknowledged the problem during last week's commission meeting, when he commented that if he "wasn't in his position" at the airport he'd likely be booking Delta flights out of Columbia, where the fares are a few hundred dollars less. Several times over the past year other members of the commission have questioned why passengers who paid for air service, yet got car service, are not financially compensated. ASA spokesman Todd Bailey would only say that customers are able to file complaints with Delta's Customer Care. "The customer-care representatives work within the guidelines of their overall customer-care program while taking into account individual circumstances," he said. In the case of the Rodmans, they were originally told by an operator they would get their payment back. So far, they have gotten nothing besides a letter from Delta stating that they have "no basis" for a refund. Diane Johnston, Augusta Regional's marketing director, would not comment on ASA's reliability because she'll soon be meeting with Delta representatives to talk about how the company can improve its service. But she was quick to point out how much US Airways is soaring this year with regard to passenger numbers and customer satisfaction. Last year, 33,573 passengers flew US Airways out of Augusta, and by August the number for 2005 was nearly equal that at 32,901. Better yet, Ms. Johnston said, she just learned that US Airways didn't cancel a single flight in September , which is practically unheard of, particularly for an airline just out of bankruptcy and serving a small market. "We're just ecstatic," she said. "Nationally, airlines will typically report around 98 percent if they're doing well ... 99 or 100 percent is exceptional." Even with US Airways' success, though, the Rodmans said they're reluctant to give Augusta another try just yet. "It's like they say: When you get bitten once, you're kind of leery of getting bitten again," Mrs. Rodman said. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sat Oct 8 14:10:34 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 10:10:34 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways PR chief lands at industry association Message-ID: <20051008100949.Q673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 7 October 2005 ; Washington Business Journal US Airways PR chief lands at industry association http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2005/10/03/daily43.html --- Jeff Clabaugh Staff Reporter US Airways' former director of corporate communications, David Castelveter, has been named vice president of communications for the Air Transport Association. Castelveter, 52, had served in various positions with US Airways and its predecessor airlines for 28 years, starting with Allegheny Airlines in 1977. At the ATA, a trade association for major airlines, Castelveter will oversee the association's internal and external communications efforts. Over the past year, many of US Airways' top executives have taken their talent to other airlines, or airline industry companies. Most recently, Bruce Ashby, US Airways' vice president for planning and marketing, was named chief executive for IndiGO, a new, low-cost airline in India. Spirit Airlines' chief operating officer, Ben Baldanza, joined Spirit in January after leaving his marketing job at US Airways. A month later, US Airways advertising director Barry Biffle took a top marketing job at Spirit. Former CFO Neal Cohen is now finance chief at Northwest Airlines, and former chief executive David Siegel is now chief executive at Zurich-based airline caterer Gate Gourmet Group. Siegel was replaced in 2004 by Bruce Lakefield as CEO at US Airways. Lakefield is among the handful of executives to make the move to the new US Airways that emerged after a merger of the Arlington-based company with America West of Arizona, a deal completed Sept. 27. Lakefield is a vice chairman of the merged company. America West CEO Douglas Parker continues as chief executive. The new US Airways (NYSE: LCC) has its headquarters in the Phoenix area. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sat Oct 8 14:12:19 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 10:12:19 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways dips in airport's traffic Message-ID: <20051008101116.O673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 8 October 2005 ; Beaver County Times Allegheny Times US Airways dips in airport's traffic http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15351051&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478569&rfi=6 --- Karen Ferrick-Roman FINDLAY TWP. - For the first time in the 13-year history of Pittsburgh International Airport's midfield terminal, US Airways is carrying less than 60 percent of the city's air traffic. The still-dominant airline once handled as much as 90 percent of Pittsburgh's airborne comings and goings, but that dropped to 58 percent in the airport's report on August traffic, released Friday. As a result of US Airways' downturn, the airport's overall numbers have dropped too - but by about half as much. Low-cost carriers such as Midwest Connect and America West continue to pick up some of the slack. US Airways' traffic dropped 43.2 percent from August 2004 to this August (954,857 passengers to 542,424), the airport reported. But the monthly passenger total at the airport dropped by 22 percent from August to August, from 1.2 million to 934,412. Greater competition is helping to buoy traffic, Kent George, executive director of the airport, said in a prepared statement. "Air fares have dropped here significantly, and our passengers have done an excellent job at shopping for great bargains." Southwest continues to grow here, and smaller airlines such as Midwest Connect, Independence Air, USA 3000 and Air Tran have become important players." All carriers but US Airways and Delta Air Lines reported more Pittsburgh traffic comparing August to August a year ago. America West, which recently merged with US Airways, reported a 39.8 percent increase in traffic August to August, growing from 8,948 passengers last August to 12,506. The largest percentage in passenger increase was 177.7 percent reported by Milwaukee-based Midwest Connect, which carried 32,383 passengers in August. Southwest Airlines, which launched service from Pittsburgh in May continues to nip at US Airways. Locally, it was the second-largest carrier in August, moving 391,988 passengers. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sun Oct 9 13:24:41 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2005 09:24:41 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Analysts' views mixed on new US Airways Message-ID: <20051009092254.C673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 9 October 2005 ; The Arizone Republic Analysts' views mixed on new US Airways http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/1009usairways09.html --- Dawn Gilbertson The Arizona Republic Company executives have made their pitch, over and over, on the potential of the combined America West-US Airways. With the deal closed and the new stock trading, Wall Street analysts are starting to officially weigh in. The early report card on the merged airline's prospects, culled from the first batch of research reports, is mixed. Two major Wall Street firms have the equivalent of a buy rating on the stock, and three rate it neutral. The bulls, if there are such animals today given the industry's well-documented woes and non-stop losses, say Tempe-based US Airways is well positioned to capitalize on weaker competitors' cutbacks and higher airfares. "Thank you, Delta," is a headline from one, a reference to that airline's recent bankruptcy and plans to significantly reduce flights. Those who aren't quite as high on the company say they are skeptical about the promised $600 million in improved profits from cost savings and new revenue and are worried about labor and costs. Some think the stock, up 15 percent from its first day close, has gotten ahead of itself. The new airline's stock market value, one analyst notes, is about twice that of Continental, an airline the same size by revenue. Analysts are far from perfect - some recommended Northwest stock right up until its recent bankruptcy - and they've taken heat for conflicts of interest related to their firm's investment banking business. Still, they are a key source for many investors, and their reports can move stocks. The promise and pitfalls they see for the new US Airways: ON THE PLUS SIDE - Flight cutbacks by other airlines. High fuel prices and bankruptcies have airlines slashing unprofitable routes. That gives airlines more room to raise fares on competing routes. J.P. Morgan airline analyst Jamie Baker said in a report published Thursday that this is the sole reason he has changed his initially skeptical view of the airline's marriage plans. The new US Airways joins only Southwest, AirTran and Alaska among U.S. airlines with the firm's highest recommendation. "What we specifically did not envision was rapidly retreating competition," he said. Baker estimated that seat capacity will be down at least 2 percent in 2006, the first decline since 2003. He said big, traditional airlines will take out enough capacity next year to create an airline bigger than rapidly growing JetBlue. Delta's troubles especially benefit US Airways, because of the overlapping markets they serve. Baker estimated that US Airways stands to "inherit" 15 cents of every dollar Delta gives up in revenue by reducing service. Goldman Sachs, which has a neutral rating on the stock, estimates the total windfall at $300 million in 2006. - Cash. The airline started the merger with more than $2 billion in cash and that gives it a buffer against high fuel prices and the losses they produce. "The company clearly has staying power to enable itself to continue the efforts involved in merging the two airlines," Bob McAdoo, airline analyst for Prudential Equity Group, said in his recent report. ON THE MINUS SIDE - No profits. By its own estimates, the new US Airways is projected to lose money until 2007. Ray Neidl, airline analyst for Calyon Securities, worries about the hit US Airways' cash balance would take if fuel remained high. If it stays above $65 a barrel, he estimates that cash levels would fall to $600 million by the end of 2007 absent ticket price increases, cost cuts or new financing. - Low costs, but not the lowest. Many analysts note that the former America West and US Airways already did an admirable job of reducing their expenses. But they point out that its costs are still significantly higher than discount competitors like Southwest and JetBlue. Analysts say the new airline has cost that are 15 percent below the industry biggies but 25 percent higher than the established low-cost carriers. McAdoo said the company's economics aren't ideal yet because its principal competitor is low-fare king, and perennially profitable, Southwest Airlines. - Integrating two large, unionized workforces. This has been a concern since the merger was announced in May, and it isn't going away anytime soon since it will take at least two years to combine the workforces. It is the risk that something will go wrong on this front that prompted Prudential to rate US Airways neutral, McAdoo said in his report. "We anticipate that the management of (US Airways) will successfully deal with most of these issues but anticipate there will be disappointments along the way." Baker of JP Morgan doesn't think the potential labor strife is as big a risk as many think and notes that the pilots and mechanics of both sides aren't too far apart in pay. Bear Stearns airline analyst David Strine said time is on US Airways' side. "We expect the cultures to gradually meld together without a showstopping crisis." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sun Oct 9 13:26:26 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2005 09:26:26 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways still bleeding Message-ID: <20051009092519.Q673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 9 October 2005 ; Beaver County Times Allegheny Times US Airways still bleeding http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15351140&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478569&rfi=6 --- Karen Ferrick-Roman The new US Airways is poised to fly into the future with $2.5 billion of cash tucked under its wings. But the old US Airways, as of August, was still losing nearly a half-million dollars a day. And it is expected to operate separately from its merger partner, America West Airlines, for at least two years. The old US Airways' August monthly operating report filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission showed a loss of more than $14 million for the month - a daily loss of about $455,000. If this trend continues, the company would lose about $169 million in a year - improved, actually, from past losses, but a major loss, nonetheless. The new US Airways has no tourniquet to stem the bleeding. Few changes are imminent, though the company eventually expects to save big money by merging administrators and eliminating redundancies. "Much more will have to change as to cost-savings for the new airline to do what the old could not: be profitable," said Randy Nutter, airline expert and chairman of the business department at Geneva College. Nutter has long questioned whether a legacy carrier can successfully change its stripes into that of a "low-fare, full-service airline," which the new US Airways proposed to be. "There will be things that happen over time," said Phil Gee, US Airways spokesman, "We fully anticipate it will take a while to ramp up this $600 million in cost synergies we have." Airline management couldn't make any changes until the merger was a done deal, which was Sept. 27, Gee said. Since then, some money-saving changes have been put into process, but it remains to be seen whether they will substantially reduce the daily US Airways losses. Moving the headquarters in Arlington, Va., to America West's corporate headquarters in Tempe, Ariz., will affect about 600 workers and cut costs by November. The revenue accounting department now in Winston-Salem, N.C., also will be Tempe-bound, affecting about 200 workers, the airline has said. These are the initial changes, besides combining airport space. Still, the additional infusion of dollars has built confidence on Wall Street. On Monday, Standard & Poor's removed the new US Airways from its CreditWatch, where the airline was placed because of questions about its ability to make payments within the next 90 days. Since January 2004, S&P has kept US Airways at a junk bond, B-minus corporate credit rating. It remains at that rating, with a negative outlook. "The new merged US Airways benefits from improved liquidity and a broader route network, but still faces significant challenges," wrote S&P analyst Betsy Snyder. The rating considers the airline's "relatively low cost structure and significantly improved liquidity," including $850 million from new investors and proceeds from stock offerings, as well as $830 million in cash loans from business partners. The airline remains highly in debt, compared to its capital; the debt/capital ratio is more than 90 percent, the S&P report said. The S&P rating also considers the potential problems of merging work forces. The old US Airways wrung a total of $2.1 billion in concessions from its work force, dumped its pension plans, and cut its schedule, its fleet and the number of its workers. The new US Airways apparently will shed additional positions, though it says it will not ask for more wage cuts. "Both the US Airways employees and the America West employees have made tremendous sacrifices over the years and I do not anticipate further requests for contract concessions or pay reductions," said a Sept. 30 employee newsletter message from Doug Parker, new US Airways Chief Executive Officer and former America West CEO. US Airways and America West pay scales are roughly comparable, but some work groups, such as flight attendants, have pay differences. Will the higher wage be cut, or will the lower wage be brought up to the higher level, wondered Teddy Xidas, president of the US Airways Pittsburgh local of the Association of Flight Attendants. Long-term merger plans also call for the combined fleet of 411 planes to be reduced to 360 planes. The airline has no target number for employees, Gee said, but clearly if the number of planes is being reduced, not all 37,800 workers will be needed. If the airplane-employee ratio remains the same, nearly 5,000 more employees will be trimmed from the work force. Gee and the new US Airways are hoping the cuts will come from attrition. But if other cuts are coming, it would be easier for employees to know sooner, "before (Parker) builds a trust with them," said Bob DeWitt of Moon Township, a principal in Partners for Performance consulting, which deals with corporate strategic planning. To move forward, company leaders must build trust where distrust has reigned and establish open communications, DeWitt said. But that trust-building - and improved customer service -can't begin until workers feel secure in their jobs, DeWitt said. Signs of in-fighting already have surfaced among workers, as unions try to position themselves to buffer their members from further upheaval. The old US Airways has about twice the workers of America West and, because the airline itself is older, has many workers with higher seniority than those at America West. On Monday, the president of the Pittsburgh Transport Workers Union local, representing about 120 dispatchers, posted a seniority update on the union Web site. When other airlines have combined in the past, some prevailing unions have "stapled" the workers in one company to the bottom of the seniority list - a la American Airlines and TWA, said local president Don Wright. To compound matters, the TWU International has no merger policy in place yet. Wright advocated upholding the union staples of date of hire, class and craft in dovetailing seniority lists. "We cannot change our principles because of someone else's previous actions," wrote Wright, who admitted to "open repugnance" for the America West local president's plan to blend the staffs by some other method. Still, Wright said, America West local president John Plowman is striving to represent his members. "I am concerned, though he might be setting expectations for them that he will be unable to deliver and any expectations that are not achieved could cause frustration against the TWU once we are integrated," Wright wrote. America West flight attendants also are hoping to preserve jobs and schedules at its Phoenix base, spokeswoman Mimi Rodriguez has said, though Pittsburgh local president Xidas steadfastly said date of hire is the union way. The International Association of Machinists and the Teamsters, with no lost love apparent, are looking toward the National Mediation Board and an election among workers to pick a single, surviving union. At the old US Airways, the IAM represents mechanics, stockroom workers and baggage handlers. At America West, the Teamsters represent a much smaller group of mechanics and stockroom workers. Earlier this year, the Teamsters were certified as the union to represent gate and reservation agents, but this union does not yet have a contract with America West. The Teamsters and the Communications Workers of America, which represents old US Airways gate and reservation agents, have reached an unusual agreement that geographically divides union representation between the two unions, at least for the next couple of years. That's one compromise, but how long will it last? "Already you have in-fighting," DeWitt said. "That's not a good sign." Unions, as well as management, need to have the right people on the merger bus and in the right seats, he said; the union people "have to be able to push management but not bankrupt management." Post-merger, US Airways is "a brand, new company confronted with fuel costs, competition and their internal problems," DeWitt said. "They have a lot to overcome." A recent Kiplinger Letter to clients, Geneva's Nutter said, indicated that the new US Airways still had the potential to end up in liquidation. But US Airways has beaten back that potentiality before. For survival, airline management must work with unions, investors and customers, DeWitt said. "I think they have a chance to be extremely successful and competitive," DeWitt said. "But if they do it in a vacuum, by themselves, without confronting these issues, I'm not as optimistic." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 10 17:56:05 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:56:05 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] EDS working on reservations system for US Airways Message-ID: <20051010135505.F673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 10 October 2005 ; Dallas Business Journal EDS working on reservations system for US Airways http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2005/10/10/daily1.html --- Electronic Data Systems Corp. said Monday that it has partnered with the newly formed US Airways to integrate the company's reservations systems. The reservations system currently used by America West Airlines will be expanded throughout US Airways, said Plano-based technology company EDS (NYSE: EDS). Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. EDS has provided information technology services for America West since the airline's inaugural flight in 1983, and the company has provided IT outsourcing services for US Airways since July 2001. EDS' reservations system handles 25 million to 30 million America West passengers each year. Once integrated, the system is expected to handle about 85 million passengers for the merged carrier and support service to 229 locations in Europe, the Caribbean and North America. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 10 17:56:57 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:56:57 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Air Canada seeks to operate some US Airways flights Message-ID: <20051010135606.X673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 10 October 2005 ; Philadelphia Business Journal Air Canada seeks to operate some US Airways flights http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2005/10/10/daily6.html --- Air Canada's regional Jazz airline plans to increase its trans-border business in the United States through an agreement with US Airways Group Inc., according to Toronto newspaper The Globe and Mail. Jazz's parent company, ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., has signed an agreement with US Airways, which recently merged with America West Group Holdings Corp. in a $1.5 billion deal, to operate some flights on behalf of the U.S. airline over the next five years. The newspaper cites documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The regulatory filings say Jazz will have first dibs on new cross-border routes "in the event that the merged entity plans to increase the number of 70- or 90-seat regional jet U.S.-Canada transborder flights." Jazz will have to be "competitive on price, terms and conditions" whenever it operates flights on behalf of US Airways, according to the tentative pact signed by ACE, US Airways and America West, the publication says. The filings also say code-sharing agreements are slated to be expanded. That would allow ACE and US Airways to sell more tickets on each other's flights. The Globe and Mail says Jazz spokeswoman Debra Williams declines comment on the documents. However, she told the newspaper Jazz has been expanding its U.S. destinations. "We have significant operations into the U.S., as reflected on our route map," Williams said. In May, Montreal-based ACE announced its Air Canada Technical Services division was awarded a $1.5 billion, five-year maintenance contract to service the US Airways-America West fleet. At the time, ACE, one of the investors in the merged airline, said it was "entitled to provide all available outsourced maintenance, repair and overhaul services" for the carrier in return for its $75 million investment. The newly combined US Airways (NYSE: LCC) is based in Tempe, Ariz. It is the dominant carrier at Philadelphia International Airport. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 10 17:57:45 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:57:45 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways PR chief takes new post Message-ID: <20051010135659.R673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 10 October 2005 ; Charlotte Business Journal US Airways PR chief takes new post http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2005/10/10/daily1.html --- The former director of corporate communications at US Airways Group Inc. has been named vice president of communications for the Air Transport Association. David Castelveter, 52, held various positions at US Airways, which recently completed a $1.5 billion merger with America West Group Holdings Corp., and its predecessor airlines for 28 years. At the ATA, a trade association for large airlines, Castelveter will oversee the association's internal and external communications. Over the past year, several top executives of the pre-merged US Airways have left for other airlines or affiliated companies. Most recently, Bruce Ashby, US Airways' vice president for planning and marketing, was named chief executive for IndiGO, a new, low-cost airline in India. Former Chief Financial Officer Neal Cohen is now CFO at Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ:NWAC), and former Chief Executive David Siegel became CEO at airline caterer Gate Gourmet Group of Switzerland. Bruce Lakefield replaced Siegel in 2004 at US Airways. Lakefield is among the handful of executives who have remained with the newly combined carrier. Lakefield is vice chairman of the merged company. Former America West CEO Douglas Parker is chief executive. The new US Airways (NYSE:LCC) has its headquarters in the Phoenix area. It operates one of its largest hubs at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 10 19:14:56 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 15:14:56 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways Seen With 'Low-Hanging Fruit' To Pick Message-ID: <20051010151259.S673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 10 October 2005 ; Forbes US Airways Seen With 'Low-Hanging Fruit' To Pick http://www.forbes.com/markets/equities/2005/10/10/us-airways-energy-1010markets09.html --- Market Scan Tom Van Riper A new, improved US Airways Group (nyse: LCC [1] - news [2] - people [3]) got a big thumbs-up on Wall Street Monday, as Merrill Lynch initiated coverage of the airline's merged operation with America West with a "buy" rating. Merrill analyst Michael Linenberg says the new carrier, which now counts $10 billion in annual sales, is solidly positioned as a "business casual" airline brand--a low-cost carrier that now has a national route network. With approximately $2.5 billion and synergies in place that could save as much as $600 million in annual costs, Linenberg has set a 12-month price target of $28 for U.S. Airways shares, a 27% jump from the current level. A bankrupt U.S Airways won court approval last month to embark on a "reverse merger" with America West, whereby a healthier America West became the acquiring company for a accounting purposes even as it officially became a U.S. Airways subsidiary. That set up a well-capitalized company that was able to raise $330 million in stock and convertible debt. The merged airline "still has much low-hanging fruit to pick as it integrates its networks," Linenberg says, noting that cutbacks in capacity should reduce pressure to cut fares, especially in the company's core East Coast markets. [1] http://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/compinfo/CompanyTearsheet.jhtml?tkr=LCC [2] http://www.forbes.com/markets/company_news.jhtml?ticker=LCC [3] http://www.forbes.com/peopletracker/results.jhtml?startRow=0&name=&ticker=LCC From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Wed Oct 12 02:27:08 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 22:27:08 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Phoenix, U.S. Airways workers jump into the pull for fundraiser Message-ID: <20051011222615.N673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 11 October 2005 ; The Business Journal of Phoenix Phoenix, U.S. Airways workers jump into the pull for fundraiser http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/10/10/daily18.html --- US Airways Group Inc. and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will have some fun Wednesday while they raise money for charity. Teams of employees from US Airways and the City of Phoenix hope to raise thousands of dollars for Valley of the Sun United Way and the Community Service Fund Drive as they pool their strength to pull an aircraft weighing more than 85,000 pounds a length of 15 feet. "Every day, our aircraft fly tens of thousands of miles, connecting people and communities, but US Airways and city of Phoenix employees will be making a major impact right here in the Valley by taking one of our jets on a much shorter journey," said C.A. Howlett, senior vice president for public affairs for US Airways. This second annual "Jet Pull" will take place Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the US Airways hangar at Phoenix Sky Harbor International. US Airways (NYSE: LCC) is a Tempe-based airline serving more than 225 communities in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The airline was formed by the merger of America West Airlines and US Airways Group Inc., a $1.5 billion transaction that closed Sept. 27. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Wed Oct 12 02:29:15 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 22:29:15 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Crosby's Penguins jersey pilfered Message-ID: <20051011222717.I673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 11 October 2005 ; CBC Sports Crosby's Penguins jersey pilfered http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/10/11/Sports/crosby_jersey.html --- It seems no Sidney Crosby hockey sweater is safe. For the second time in less than a year, one of the phenom's game-worn jerseys has disappeared at an airport. Crosby's father, Troy, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the Penguins jersey Sidney Crosby wore in his first NHL game on Oct. 5 was missing. The jersey was later recovered at Pittsburgh International Airport, found between a piece of equipment and a stairwell. USAirways spokesperson Davis Castelveter said the jersey was found in the same plastic bag in which it was packed and the investigation would continue. Troy Crosby told the Pittsburgh newspaper he had the white sweater in his bag when he checked onto a US Airways flight from Pittsburgh to Buffalo. "When I got the bag off [the baggage-claim conveyor] belt in Buffalo, it was partially unzipped," Crosby told the paper. "I noticed it right away." "Someone saw my name on that [claim tag]," he added. "They took a look inside, and hit the jackpot." In January, a Canadian sweater worn by Crosby in the gold-medal final of the world junior hockey championships was stolen by an Air Canada baggage handler. Jacques Lamoureux took the jersey from Crosby's bag when the phenom passed through Montreal's airport after the tournament. After getting the jersey back, Crosby put it up for auction and donated the proceeds from the sale to charity. The sweater raised $22,100 for hockey charities and south Asian tsunami relief. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:17:06 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:17:06 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Unions form association to negotiate with US Airways in future Message-ID: <20051013231610.R673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 13 October 2005 ; The Mercury News (AP) Unions form association to negotiate with US Airways in future http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/12895340.htm --- Associated Press PHOENIX - Unions representing reservation and ticket agents at America West Airlines and US Airways are forming an association to represent workers in future negotiations with the recently merged airlines, a union spokeswoman said Thursday. Members of the Communications Workers of America, which represents workers from the old US Airways, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents America West employees, voted to establish the Airline Customer Service Employee Association. "The association will work to negotiate a contract that will cover everybody," said Candice Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Communications Workers of America, which represents about 6,000 agents at the old US Airways, which was based in Virginia. The Teamsters represent about 3,500 employees at America West. The airlines joined in September and now operate out of Tempe, Ariz., as US Airways. The airline has its largest hub in Charlotte, N.C. Johnson said employees represented by the CWA are under contract. The Teamsters are negotiating a contract for America West reservation agents, ticket agents and gate agents, who voted to unionize last year. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:18:10 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:18:10 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] America West And US Airways Announce Changes To Expanded Frequent Flyer Programs Message-ID: <20051013231707.R673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 13 October 2005 ; Travel Video TV America West And US Airways Announce Changes To Expanded Frequent Flyer Programs http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=6991_0_1_0_M --- America West (NYSE: AWA) and US Airways today announced details of immediate changes to their joint frequent flyer programs, FlightFund and Dividend Miles, resulting from the merger between US Airways and America West. A new program, which will launch in spring of 2006, will retain the name Dividend Miles. Members of FlightFund, the America West frequent flyer program, and Dividend Miles, the frequent flyer program for US Airways, will be able to redeem and earn miles on flights operated by either airline beginning Oct. 5, and their outstanding mileage balance will be automatically combined and integrated into the new Dividend Miles program in spring of 2006. "By combining America West's award-winning FlightFund and Elite program with the worldwide reach of US Airways and the Star Alliance, we believe that we have created the best frequent flyer program in the nation for our customers," said Scott Kirby, executive vice president, sales and marketing. "As a low-cost carrier with nationwide and international service, US Airways offers what may be the only frequent flyer program that our customers will ever need." Beginning Oct. 5, Dividend Miles and FlightFund members will be able to earn and redeem miles to any destination served by America West or US Airways. Additional Dividend Miles and FlightFund highlights include: + A 500-mile bonus for booking online at either americawest.com or usairways.com + No more Saturday-night stay requirement for Dividend Miles awards + A single worldwide award chart with award travel beginning at 25,000 miles: In order to be able to provide members with the greatest number of award seats possible, and also due to the merged airline's expanded route network, the America West short-haul award and the USAirways.com awards have been replaced by a single, worldwide redemption chart with travel beginning at 25,000 miles. For additional information on the new Dividend Miles program including award-travel charts, please visit www.usairwaysinfo.com and click on the Frequent Flyer section. For FlightFund Elite and Dividend Miles Preferred Members, a new Preferred Program: Beginning Oct. 5, Preferred and Elite members in either FlightFund or Dividend Miles may receive complimentary first-class upgrades on eligible flights operated by both US Airways and America West. Miles and segments flown on flights operated by both America West and US Airways for all of 2005 will count toward Preferred or Elite status America West Platinum Elite members will be elevated to Chairman's Elite status through February 28, 2006. Preferred and Elite programs combine the best of advance upgrade options from both programs by retaining the Dividend Miles seven-day window for Chairman's Preferred level and the FlightFund two-day window for the Silver Preferred level: US Airways and America West have joined together to create the fifth largest domestic airline. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express operate approximately 4,000 flights per day and serve more than 225 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be accessed at www.usairways.com or www.americawest.com US Airways is a member of the Star Alliance, which was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience. The other members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, United and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. South African Airways and SWISS will be integrated during the course of the next 12 months. Overall, the member carriers offer more than 15,000 daily flights to 795 destinations in 139 countries. (AWAG) From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:19:11 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:19:11 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] EDS to integrate US Airways' reservations system Message-ID: <20051013231811.C673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 10 October 2005 ; The Business Journal of Phoenix EDS to integrate US Airways' reservations system http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/10/10/daily9.html --- Electronic Data Systems Corp. will integrate the reservations systems for the new US Airways Group Inc., the company said Monday. US Airways (NYSE: LCC) is the name taken following the merger of America West Airlines and US Airways, a $1.5 billion deal which closed Sept. 27. Under the agreement, the reservations system used by America West will be expanded throughout the combined carrier. Financial terms weren't disclosed. Plano, Texas-based EDS (NYSE: EDS) has sold information-technology services to America West since the airline's inaugural flight in 1983, and the company has provided information-technology outsourcing services to US Airways since mid-2001, the company said. EDS' reservations system has handled 25 million to 30 million America West passengers each year. Once integrated, the system is expected to handle 85 million passengers and support services to 229 locations in Europe, the Caribbean and North America. The US Airways-America West merger creates the fifth largest domestic airline. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express operate approximately 4,000 flights per day and serve more than 225 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:19:57 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:19:57 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] America West now shares space in KC with US Airways Message-ID: <20051013231911.K673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 12 October 2005 ; The Wichita Eagle America West now shares space in KC with US Airways http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/business/12877672.htm --- As it merges with US Airways, America West Airlines is changing gates at Kansas City International Airport. It will begin operations in the new space today. America West now will be within the US Airways operating area at Gates 6 to 8 in Terminal A, Kansas City airport officials said. Customers should continue to book directly with US Airways or America West, as they did before the merger. That's until the America West brand is eliminated. -- Molly McMillin From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:21:06 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:21:06 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Businesses reluctant to work with US Airways? Message-ID: <20051013232004.V673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 12 October 2005 ; Beaver County Times Allegheny Times Businesses reluctant to work with US Airways? http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15369195&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478569&rfi=6 --- FINDLAY TWP. - Once burned, twice shy. Twice burned, and a company could wonder whether to do business with a formerly bankrupt airline that didn't pay its bills - or any other business that slides in and out of bankruptcy. Would the company surrender customers to other businesses? Lose a chance to make money? Create bad karma? That's the dilemma facing TGI Friday's at Pittsburgh International Airport, which was shortchanged $50,000 by the two US Airways bankruptcies plus last month's bankruptcy filings by Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines. Though US Airways is out of bankruptcy, TGI Friday's is not accepting the food vouchers US Airways gives its customers when flights are delayed, said Larry Lang, director of TGI Friday's western Pennsylvania operations. Lang said the company accepted the vouchers from the time it opened at the airport, through US Airways' first bankruptcy in 2002 until the second bankruptcy filing in September 2004. These vouchers account for about 0.1 percent of the restaurant's volume, Lang said, $1,000 to $2,000 a week. But the restaurant had paid franchise fees and rent based on sales, including that unpaid $50,000, Lang said. To do business, or not to do business? Each company must balance potential risks against possible gains, said George Snyder of Stonecipher Cunningham Bear Schmitt PC, a Pittsburgh law firm specializing in bankruptcy. Often, the no-longer-bankrupt company is considered like any other new account, and it's not uncommon for stung businesses to resume business relations. "I think you could rationally make a case that they're in better shape financially because they've cleaned up their bills in bankruptcy," Snyder said. TGI Friday's will form a voucher policy by November, Lang said. "If we decide we're going to take (vouchers), we're going to take them all. Or if we don't take them, we're not going to take any." The airport McDonald's and Fat Tuesday also stopped accepting US Airways vouchers by the second bankruptcy filing and have not reversed their stance. They are among a handful of airport companies that are not doing business now with US Airways, said Kim Seyler, spokeswoman for BAA Pittsburgh, managers of the airpot's Airmall. One top creditor of PSA Airlines in the US Airways Express family, Four Points Sheraton in Findlay Township, was owed more than $28,300, according to a bankruptcy court document. The hotel continues to be a home away from home for US Airways' PSA and MidAtlantic Airways flight crews, said Dana Platko, guest services agent. And Electronic Data Systems of Plano, Texas, the third-largest US Airways creditor, owed more than $16 million in the second bankruptcy, announced Monday that it will combine the reservations system for the US Airways-America West Airlines merger for an undisclosed sum. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:22:50 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:22:50 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways Announces Hal Heule as Senior Vice President, Technical Operations Message-ID: <20051013232106.P673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 12 October 2005 ; PR Newswire US Airways Announces Hal Heule as Senior Vice President, Technical Operations http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-12-2005/0004166852 --- TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways Group, Inc., (NYSE: LCC), announces that effective immediately, Hal Heule, 57, senior vice president, safety and regulatory compliance, will assume the position of senior vice president, technical operations and have responsibility for the combined airline's maintenance and engineering operations. In addition, Heule will oversee line maintenance, base maintenance, engineering, reliability, materials and planning, maintenance records and support, quality control and quality assurance. Heule replaces John Prestifilippo, senior vice president, maintenance and engineering who recently resigned to accept an employment position with another carrier. In this position, Heule continues to report to Executive Vice President, Operations Al Crellin. "Hal possesses an unparalleled wealth of aviation experience and we welcome his continued leadership to the maintenance organization," remarked Crellin. "In addition, Hal will oversee our operational integration, and his business acumen and technical expertise provide the right combination to oversee the critical task of moving to one operating certificate." Most recently Heule held the position of senior vice president, technical operations at America West. Prior to joining America West, Heule was executive vice president at Strand Associates, Inc. (SAI), an aviation-consulting firm based in Genesee, Colo., where he served for six years as the project lead for client engagements for a number of major aviation companies. Prior to joining SAI, Heule was with Continental Airlines for 12 years where he held various maintenance and engineering positions including vice president of technical services. He served in various technical management positions for 11 years at Texas International Airlines, and also spent six years at Pan American World Airways. Heule holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Houston and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. US Airways and America West's recent merger creates the fifth largest domestic airline employing nearly 38,000 aviation professionals. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express operate approximately 4,000 flights per day and serve more than 225 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at http://www.usairways.com or http://www.americawest.com. (LCCG) US Airways is a member of the Star Alliance, which was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience. The other members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, United and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. South African Airways and SWISS will be integrated during the course of the next 12 months. Overall, the member carriers offer more than 15,000 daily flights to 795 destinations in 139 countries. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:23:32 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:23:32 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways names Huele as senior VP of technical operations Message-ID: <20051013232251.U673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 12 October 2005 ; The Dispatch (AP) US Airways names Huele as senior VP of technical operations http://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051012/APN/510121265 --- The Associated Press US Airways on Wednesday named Hal Heule as senior vice president of technical operations, making him responsible for the combined airlines' maintenance and engineering operations. Late last month, US Airways and America West combined operations to become the nation's fifth-largest domestic carrier. The airline has its largest hub in Charlotte, N.C. Heule, 57, had been senior vice president of technical operations at Tempe-based America West and then senior VP of safety and regulatory compliance at US Airways. In his new position, Heule will oversee line maintenance, base maintenance, engineering, reliability, materials and planning, maintenance records and support, quality control and quality assurance for US Airways, which will be headquartered here. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:26:00 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:26:00 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] BofA sues US Airways over credit card Message-ID: <20051013232332.A673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 13 October 2005 ; The Miami Herald BofA sues US Airways over credit card http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/industries/banking/12888237.htm --- BINYAMIN APPELBAUM Staff Writer Bank of America Corp. sued US Airways on Wednesday for letting another bank offer a credit card with frequent-flier miles as a reward. The Charlotte bank said it held exclusive rights to offer such a credit card. It said the airline breached that contract in August, when it sold Juniper Bank the rights to issue a similar card. The suit should not affect people who hold a US Airways card issued by Bank of America. Filed in Delaware Chancery Court in Wilmington, the suit asks the court to force the airline to honor the original deal. Bank of America said its current contract expires in December 2008. "We have been forced to submit this suit in order to protect those existing legal rights under our existing agreement," the bank said in a statement. US Airways' lawyers received the suit Wednesday afternoon and the company was not yet ready to comment, said spokesman Philip Gee. Juniper Bank, a subsidiary of British-based Barclays PLC, agreed to pay US Airways $455 million to issue branded cards with mileage rewards: $130 million in a one-time payment, and $325 million to buy miles. Juniper received the exclusive right to market the US Airways credit card beginning in 2008, after a two-year transition period in which both banks can offer US Airways cards, according to regulatory documents. While lucrative for the airline, such deals also mean serious money for credit-card companies, which gain access to premium customers. Such credit cards also typically carry bigger annual fees and higher interest rates than other cards. US Airways has nearly 27 million Dividend Miles accounts, according to InsideFlyer.com, although the airline and the bank do not disclose the number of cardholders. "In addition to the financial loss, Bank of America also hates losing access to the bodies that hold these cards," said David Robertson, who publishes a credit card industry newsletter. US Airways emerged from bankruptcy protection on Sept. 27 after merging with Phoenix-based America West to form the seventh-largest U.S. carrier. Juniper, founded in 2000 and based in Wilmington, provides credit-card programs for carriers such as Frontier Airlines Inc., Midwest Air Group Inc. and AirTran Holdings Inc. -- Bloomberg News and staff writer Stan Choe contributed. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:26:29 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:26:29 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways to add U.S. agents Message-ID: <20051013232600.O673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 13 October 2005 ; The Charlotte Observer US Airways to add U.S. agents http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/living/travel/12888434.htm --- AIRLINES US Airways will hire 30 new reservation agents in Winston-Salem to serve its most frequent fliers, the company said Wednesday. The move comes after complaints from several of the airline's elite passengers about getting more non-native English speakers on the phone. US Airways had been using more reservation agents offshore, in such places as El Salvador and the Philippines, as it was cutting costs. The airline it merged with, America West, had only domestic reservations centers in Reno and Tempe, Ariz.The company plans to begin training the 30 agents by Nov. 7. They will work with Silver, Gold and Chairman's Preferred Dividend Miles members. -- stan choe From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 14 03:27:25 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:27:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways flying back to Pittsburgh Message-ID: <20051013232629.N673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 13 October 2005 ; The Digital Collegian US Airways flying back to Pittsburgh http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2005/10/10-13-05tdc/10-13-05dnews-03.asp --- By Bryan Benner For The Collegian US Airways is resuming flights between Pittsburgh and State College effective today, nearly one year after discontinuing service. "A lot of people requested this," said Dave Neufer, manager of the State College US Airways Express operation. He said reinstating the flights is a "response to the public." The last US Airways Express flight between State College and Pittsburgh was Nov. 7, 2004. One daily arrival and departure are scheduled; the arrival is at 2:15 p.m., after leaving Pittsburgh at 1:20 p.m., according to the US Airways Web site. The aircraft has a twenty-minute turnaround and leaves for Pittsburgh at 2:35 p.m., arriving by 3:35. Flights will be piloted by Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of US Airways and one of 10 airlines operating as US Airways Express. Piedmont will operate the de Havilland DHC-8 "Dash 8," a high-wing, turboprop aircraft that seats 37 passengers and a crew of three, between State College and Pittsburgh. State College Mayor Bill Welch noted that the cancellation of flights to Pittsburgh was "only a recent interruption ... I'm glad to see that [US Airways] came to its senses." Airline access to major metropolitan areas is "certainly a major factor" in potential business growth, Welch said. Recently, US Airways has shifted more flights away from Pittsburgh. In 2004, there were 56 daily departures by US Airways mainline; US Airways Express accounted for 155 more, according to the US Airways Web site. Mainline flights have been cut by more than half since US Airways demoted Pittsburgh from a hub to a "focus city," which is a city with less air traffic. By comparison, US Airways (mainline and express combined) flies 528 flights daily from Charlotte and 472 from Philadelphia. US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said they were adding one flight per day. "[It will] just provide more connecting opportunities," he said. The cheapest price available for a roundtrip flight from State College to Pittsburgh is about $461. By comparison, a flight to Los Angeles and back costs just under $439, Castelveter said. Alaina Scalercio, an STA Travel agent, approved of the newly restored flight service as "another option for travelers." As Pittsburgh native, she said, "It's good to be able to get home." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sun Oct 16 13:28:15 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 09:28:15 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Customer service getting overhaul Message-ID: <20051016092630.P673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 16 October 2005 ; Philadelpha Inquirer Customer service getting overhaul http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/12912004.htm --- As US Airways tries to repair its image with top customers, an executive from its new partner will play a key role. By Tom Belden Inquirer Staff Writer In three decades as an airline manager, Anthony V. Mule has left the executive suite often, to sell tickets, load bags on airplanes, and serve drinks to passengers aboard flights. One recent day at Philadelphia International Airport, chatting with employees who work for him at the US Airways ticket counter, he was the first to turn and say "May I help you?" to a customer looking for information, according to one of the workers watching. But the really heavy lifting may only have started for Mule, a 10-year veteran of America West Airlines who is three weeks into a new role as senior vice president for customer service at the restructured US Airways Group Inc. Mule is in charge of helping repair the reputation of an airline that has exhausted the patience of many of its best customers - people like Richard Gelles, dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. Gelles, who flew 25,000 miles on US Airways last year, was one of the thousands of customers whose checked bags went missing for days during a service meltdown at Philadelphia last Christmas. "They really have a long way to go," he said, "not only to satisfy their customers but to match other airlines' service." Mule (pronounced myoo-LAY), 62, an ebullient, energetic native of New York's Little Italy neighborhood, could hardly be more eager to get started. And the task will not require replacing US Airways employees, whose ranks have been sapped by layoffs and demoralized by deep pay and benefit cuts, forced on them to help the company survive, he said. As US Airways struggled through a Bankruptcy Court reorganization over the last 12 months, "the management was just focused on keeping the airline alive," Mule said during a stroll through the airport on Sept. 29, two days after the airline completed its merger with America West. Although the airline has adopted the better-known US Airways name, most of its executives are from the financially stronger America West. "Now that we've gotten through that," Mule said, "management needs to redirect our energies on employees, and focus on giving them the tools they need to do their jobs," including installing additional bag-handling equipment in Philadelphia. "I'm convinced that what happened before was not the fault of these people here. Now we can't let them down... . They just need the tools - and leadership." Mule and other US Airways managers have been in a similar spot before. When chairman and chief executive officer W. Douglas Parker was president of America West in 2000, the airline was having trouble keeping enough airplanes in good mechanical shape to stick to its flight schedule. Once the airline solved the maintenance problems, more flights were on time, passengers complained less, and staff morale improved dramatically, Parker said in an interview in August in Tempe, Ariz., headquarters of the merged airline. At Philadelphia airport, US Airways' main international connecting hub and the source of a quarter of the company's revenue, service has suffered from a high turnover rate the last year. More than 600 of the 1,700 ticket agents, baggage handlers, and other airport workers have been hired in the last six months, Mule said. US Airways baggage handlers who once could make $24 an hour after a decade on the job now top out at $17 an hour. Their starting pay is $9.59 an hour. The airline has gotten better at anticipating attrition rates and having new workers trained as they are needed, Mule said. Last Christmas, US Airways had "a severe shortage of personnel, but now we are over the number of people we need," he said. Philadelphia "is a key city to our success," he added. "It hasn't been all that it needs to be." The merger comes at a time of continuing financial strain, caused by record-high oil prices, for most airlines. Analysts expect only a handful of carriers to make money in the third quarter; US Airways is not forecast to be profitable until at least the second half of 2006. Analysts consider the new management's relationship with employees among the keys to keeping customers happy. America West and US Airways will continue operating separate route systems for at least two years while union leaders who represent 90 percent of the employees at both companies decide among themselves how to integrate seniority lists. "This process has plagued other airline mergers, and brings a risk of operational disruption or added costs," Betsy Snyder, a credit analyst with Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, said in a report this month. Despite the challenges, analyst Jamie Baker of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., in a report on US Airways, also this month, said the company would benefit from recent fare increases, and by Delta Air Lines - a major competitor on the East Coast - cutting flights after it entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month. As tough as the path ahead may be, the new US Airways senior executives are optimistic about their ability to turn a profit, starting by enlisting the help of the workforce to improve service. At the Philadelphia ticket counter in the B-C Terminal on Sept. 27, the day the merger was completed, the company staged a wedding ceremony, with workers from the two carriers playing bride and bridegroom and employees giving away cake to customers. Mule helped cook 5,500 hamburgers and hot dogs for employees at an airport picnic. Some employees said the new regime seemed to have gotten off on the right foot, sending in upbeat America West managers to conduct orientation sessions about the new company, aimed at breaking through the cynicism that lingers with many workers. "I find it to be a much friendlier environment between management and employees," said Robert Megel, acting president of the Communications Workers of America local representing ticket and gate agents, the employee who heard Mule's ticket-counter "May I help you?" At the same time, Megel said, "we're just holding our breath, to see what happens, because we have all the same old [midlevel] managers here... . If all goes as we've heard it will, it gives us a ray of hope that morale is going to come back." Mule said he knew that he would "continue to hear from the skeptics. We'll work on changing their perspective. I'm not going to change their morale - they are. I'm in charge of setting up the environment." The other group that fervently hopes that the new US Airways management will make a difference is business travelers who now may start using America West flights more often because they can earn US Airways frequent-flier miles on them. "I've been sticking with this airline [US Airways] for a long time," said Steve Lapin, a sales executive from Melrose Park, who flies more than 100,000 miles a year. "From the conversations I've had with America West, it looks like it's going to be one hell of an airline. It's really customer-friendly." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Oct 18 13:00:48 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 09:00:48 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways retains Moses Anshell with lucrative ad contract Message-ID: <20051018085955.S673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 14 October 2005 ; The Business Journal of Phoenix US Airways retains Moses Anshell with lucrative ad contract http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/10/17/story1.html --- Laura Newpoff The Business Journal The advertising agency that helped the former America West Airlines fly its low-cost-for-full-service message over the past four years will continue its relationship with the city's hometown airline. Moses Anshell has been named agency of record for US Airways, the country's fifth-largest airline, now that its merger with America West is official. That dashes hopes of the Baltimore firm that worked with the old US Air. While executives at Moses Anshell say no ad budget yet has been established, the deal should prove to be lucrative for the firm. US Airways' annual advertising spending has been estimated to be at least $20 million. America West's has been reported at about $10 million a year. Both figures, however, are lower than industry rivals, such as Southwest Airlines, which spend hundreds of millions a year to promote themselves. "It's a big deal," said Louie Moses, president and creative director of Moses Anshell. It's also significant because, historically, Phoenix agencies haven't fared too well when mergers or acquisitions take place, said Tony Kingsbaker, a marketing executive in the Valley for nearly 30 years and director of public relations at Moses Anshell from 2000 to 2004. Keeping the account of the hometown carrier in Phoenix is important for the local advertising community, Kingsbaker said, if for no other reason than public perception. "Moses Anshell's retention of the US Airways business is important in terms of perceptions," said Kingsbaker, who now runs his own public relations firm. "It communicates to the national advertising community and the airline industry that the new company feels it can get quality marketing counsel and the creative product it needs to move its business forward in a highly competitive environment." Prior to Moses Anshell, America West's agency of record was San Francisco-based Publicis & Hal Riney. Moses said the firm hasn't determined whether it will need to hire new workers to handle the account. He also didn't know what kind of creative work would be launched initially. "I think we'll know a lot more in the next few months," he said. "The scale of a merger like this where the operations directly impact the customers is staggering." Scott Kirby, US Airways vice president, sales and marketing, said in a statement that "after doing our due diligence, we concluded that we already had the best guys for the job." He also said that as the airline re-introduces its new brand to the flying public, it counts Moses Anshell as among its most valuable partners. US Airways Vice President of Marketing Travis Christ said Moses Anshell knows "how to get us the best bang for the buck." From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Oct 18 13:04:09 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 09:04:09 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways adopts 'Commission Choice' incentive plan Message-ID: <20051018090049.U673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 17 October 2005 ; Travel Weekly US Airways adopts 'Commission Choice' incentive plan http://www.travelweekly.com/articles.aspx?articleid=48664 --- By Andrew Compart TEMPE, Ariz. -- An airline commission system that pays agents more if they charge their customer a higher fare, possibly without the customer's knowledge, is about to become more widely available. The Commission Choice program started more than two years ago with America West Vacations. But it proved popular enough that America West, now part of US Airways, expanded it last fall to agents who book tickets on HPagentlink.com, the airline's Web site for agents. This summer, America West expanded the program again, this time to agents who make group bookings by phone. In all cases, the program is not available for bookings made via a GDS. It is, however, about to become available for a lot more bookings. That's because, with the merger of America West and US Airways, HPagentlink has begun phasing US Airways flights into its inventory. (The US Airways flights show up on the Web site as HP*, similar to a code-share.) All inventory should be phased in by the end of this year, said Bob Beglin, US Airways director, North America field sales. How many agents will actually opt to use Commission Choice, however, is another question. Usage can be risky, and although Beglin wouldn't get specific, he said agent usage currently amounts to fewer than 15% of all bookings on HPagentlink. How it works For individual air bookings via HPagentlink, America West offers agents two fares: the published rate, and another fare marked up by 11.1%. For the published fare, America West pays agents $3 per flight segment. If any agent charges his customer the marked-up fare, however, the airline pays the agent 10% uncapped. That means more money for the airline and more for the agent, as in this simplified example: On a four-segment $200 roundtrip fare at the published rate, an agent would make $12 and the airline would pocket $188. On a Commission Choice fare of $222.20, the agent would make $22.22, leaving the airline with $199.98. Commission Choice on group bookings, available only by phone through the America West Group Department, also offers a fare marked up by 11.1%. But the commission paid to the agent is less: 5% uncapped. The reason for that difference, Beglin said, is that it costs the airline more to process a booking via the group desk than via HPagentlink. The system for America West Vacations is a bit more complex. The tour packager's Commission Choice payments range from 12% to 20%, compared with 5% to 13% for the standard commission on packages. For bookings where it is available, Commission Choice can be beneficial for both the airline and agents, Beglin said. "It is a way to increase our yield, and agencies have a chance to increase their profitability, as well," Beglin said. "We're trying to create a win-win with the agency community." Risky business Usage of Commission Choice also carries a risk, however, because one person does not win: the customer. Beglin acknowledged the risk, particularly for air bookings. The system is set up so that customers don't know the agent is charging them more than the published fare -- unless the agent tells them. But customers could figure it out on their own, and they might not be pleased. "If they have a client that's Web-savvy or checks with other agents, they are going to find the regular published fare, and they're going to wonder why their fare is 11.1% higher," Beglin said. "The agent has to know their customer and where it's appropriate to use this kind of product and where it's not." He said some agents tell the airline they use Commission Choice when they have to do a lot of extra work for a customer or when they have to reduce or forego their service fee to remain competitive. Beglin said a vocal minority of agents told America West they thought the program was wrong because the agents worked for their clients, were looking to get them the best fare possible and were up-front about their pricing and fees. "We were very sensitive to that," Beglin said. "We know it's not for everybody." That's why Commission Choice is optional, he said, and why the airline even gives agencies the option of turning it off so that none of their agents can even consider using it. Asked if the airline worries customers who discover the mark-up and the reasons for it could get angry at America West, Beglin acknowledged, "There is that potential risk." "At the same time, it's really the agent and their choice and how they do it and how they structure their other fees and the services they provide. We really see that as more between the agency and the customer," he said. Ambivalent agents Travel agents familiar with Commission Choice who were contacted by TravelWeekly.com had varying reactions to the program. One Phoenix agent, who asked not to be identified, said Commission Choice "is an opportunity to make a little extra, but it is complex to do" because America West's HPagentlink is "not perfected." "It is a costly venture and is not working well," he said. He said his agency, mostly through its independent contractors, uses the mark-up "a little" depending on the circumstances and when "we believe we deserve the extra pay" because some clients are much more difficult to serve than others. Preferred Worldwide Travel in Phoenix, which is 80% corporate, does not use the Commission Choice mark-up on air, said owner Teena Wolfe. "Customers are smart enough to check," she said. "We would rather charge the service fee so we are on the up-and-up." The agency does not use Choice to mark up tours, either, relying on standard commissions for compensation. At Academy Travel in Colorado Springs, Colo., President Linda Robison said it is her agency's policy -- though not always successfully implemented -- to book all America West air at HPagentlink. However, Robison said she doesn't mark up fares and earn the 10% commission. "We're charging a fee already, and in 90% of the cases, the 10% commission is not equal to our fee," she said. Robison, however, has been using Commission Choice to book America West Vacations, and she is not pleased with the new iteration of the program that limits her mark-up options to specified plateaus and takes away agent control over pricing. She said she previously was able to mark up America West Vacations packages by amounts at her discretion, which meant she could still keep her prices below those of other agencies. Under the new version, she complained, the supplier has "taken the competitive edge away from the sellers of its products," and the only way to regain that pricing control is by taking the only mark-up option offered for Web bookings and rebating part of it. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Oct 18 13:05:26 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 09:05:26 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] They're taking off to new careers Message-ID: <20051018090411.H673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 17 October 2005 ; The Roanoke Times They're taking off to new careers http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-36678 --- Some Roanoke-area flight attendants with US Airways are choosing alternate career routes or taking on a second job. By Jenny Kincaid 981-3235 The Roanoke Times The go-go days and glamour of the airline industry are long gone for some flight attendants who live in the Roanoke Valley. At least eight US Airways attendants here once found careers in the air to be a romantic calling. But in the past few years, the security of that livelihood has changed. US Airways filed for bankruptcy protection more than a year ago. And there's no telling what will happen through its recent merger with America West, based in Arizona. A US Airways spokeswoman said it's too soon to predict how employees' jobs will be affected. So, some attendants who live in Roanoke are experimenting with alternate career routes, reshaping their lives as entrepreneurs on the ground. Several have cut back their hours with the airline, expecting their side businesses to supplement their income. Others have left US Airways altogether. Diane Speaks still is flying with US Airways, but she's also been working out-of-uniform lately. She has turned entrepreneur, running a boutique that sells international goods on terra firma. Although it isn't as exciting as her job flying to such cities as Rome and Paris, she's searching for job security spurred by worries about US Airways. "Last year we weren't sure if we were going to be here," Speaks said. "I started thinking of stuff I could do. I love to shop. . Everything about Europe I just love." Other local flight attendants' pursuits range from selling used furniture and home products to personal property appraisal and scrapbook store sales. Most of them landed in Roanoke because they were working as flight attendants for Piedmont Airlines, which US Airways bought in 1987. Roanoke was a base for Piedmont. But leaving airline life totally isn't necessarily easy. Their careers with US Airways began as long as 20 years ago, when many of them were in their 20s. And the job has a certain vibrant image that appealed to them in youth, and still does. "The world is accessible to you through this job," Sharon Williams' boss told her when she joined Piedmont in 1983. Williams is a flight attendant who lives in Botetourt County. "There's nowhere in the United States that you can't be in five to six hours." Thousands of people start businesses in the United States each year, but flight attendants are likely a growing portion of this group. Nationally, in 2004, there were 580,900 new businesses. But almost that many . about 576,200 new businesses . closed that year, according to the Small Business Administration. >From January through August of this year, the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center counseled 171 owners of new, start up companies, said Roy Baldwin, director of the center. The organization doesn't keep statistics on the number of businesses that fail, Baldwin said. The Association of Flight Attendants, based in Washington, D.C., said the number of attendants has declined over the years. Currently, there are a little more than 90,000 attendants in the United States, said Corey Caldwell, spokeswoman for the association. She did not have numbers to compare the decline to other years, but when attendants leave "they're not being replaced like they used to be," she said. On average, flight attendants at US Airways who worked for at least 14 years made an annual salary of $33,831 in 2005, according to the association. Linda Coulter, a Roanoke resident, said "flying gets in your blood." In 1979, she began working as a flight attendant for Pacific Western Airlines in Canada before she went to Piedmont Airlines. She has worked for US Airways for 23 years. But after Sept. 11, 2001, Coulter and other airline attendants reconsidered their jobs' future. "I think we already were a little paranoid not knowing what was going to happen," she said. "We all started thinking of other avenues." Since 1995 until now, Coulter has occasionally operated a booth at several antique malls as a hobby, selling antiques and items from Europe and from her other travels. It isn't something that she wants to pursue full time. Instead, Coulter decided to try personal property appraising. She took a leave from US Airways and enrolled in classes to become a certified appraiser of personal possessions such as antiques. Last year, Coulter started Silver Lining, which she operates out of her Roanoke home. She appraises and holds estate sales. In June, Coulter went back to work for US Airways because she said she missed traveling and seeing her fellow flight attendants who are colleagues and friends. She kept Silver Lining as her fallback career. Coulter, who declines to disclose how much she charges for her work, charges a commission fee for estate sales and an hourly rate for appraisals. Her next estate sale is Nov. 4 through 6 at a house in Salem. But success in property appraisal is no snap. With the kind of established reputation that Coulter hopes to create, constant updating on how to value certain items is essential, said Tony Whitwell, who owns Whitwell & Winborne, a personal property appraising firm in Roanoke. "You've got to know what to look for," he said. Coulter still flies to Europe with US Airways about nine or 10 days a month, and she said she's trying to think positively about the airline's future. "Every airline is going through this, and they're trying to cut expenses as much as they can through any avenue," she said. "I think the airline will do fine, but it's going to take a while to see some changes." She said she wants to stay with the airline as long as she can maintain her work with Silver Lining at the same time. Diane Speaks, a Roanoke resident, left a career as a secretary at Lewis-Gale Hospital 24 years ago to work for Piedmont Airlines. She wanted her two children to see the world. Airline employees' families typically fly for free. "We took them everywhere," she said, listing cities such Frankfurt, London, San Francisco and Chicago. But after US Airways filed for bankruptcy protection, Speaks, who mainly flies internationally including a Philadelphia to Paris route, began to fear for the stability of her job. She decided to try a transition, incorporating her love of travel by selling products that she picks up in France, Spain and other countries. This month, Speaks opened She's International, an upscale boutique on Grandin Road. She sells tapestries and shawls from India, Asian jewelry, purses made in France and Italy and other goods from other countries. Speaks flies about 12 days a month with US Airways. She'd like to count on her business from She's International to provide her sole income in the future, but Speaks said she's not ready to leave the airline. She likes meeting new flight attendants on her trips. They usually have about 27 hours to explore a city before the flight leaves to return to the United States. She uses that time to shop and see each city's sights. A husband and wife team, Martha and Nick Perez, are on their way to finding a new dream through a franchise consignment business in Roanoke County. They met while working as flight attendants for Piedmont Airlines in 1980. The job remained so good that they stayed there for the next 25 to 26 years. In 1989, their daughter was born, further squeezing their time for flying, but Nick Perez said, "At the time, we couldn't afford to leave [the airline]." Later, Martha Perez realized that the challenges working for US Airways were taking a toll. She didn't like the job's uncertainty, including her retirement benefits. And increased security concerns after Sept. 11 were a bother. She also wanted to be home more with her daughter, who is 16. At one time, the Perezes sold items at antique malls on the side. Emboldened, they decided to research the consignment business. They found out about Consignment 1st, a franchise based in North Carolina, from another flight attendant couple who own one of those stores in Greensboro, N.C. In July, the Perezes opened Consignment 1st at Oak Grove Plaza on Electric Road. Their friends, Wayne and Susan Moore, also are owners. The shop sells used furniture, antiques and other household items. Martha Perez took a voluntary furlough from US Airways in September, and she probably won't return to the airline. Nick Perez still is working for the airline, though he reduced his flying hours. He flies to different U.S. cities several times a week, leaving out of Charlotte, N.C., one of US Airways' bases. "We're no longer worried about the future," he said. The Perezes and the Moores hope in the next few years to expand the business so that they can hire a store manager and unload some of the long work hours from their schedules. They'll have to learn a few tricks of the trade in consignment to make a go of it. When getting started, a new consignment business should concentrate on getting people to buy its items rather than only obtaining customers' own items to sell, said Tammy Baughman, who four years ago opened Buy the Season, a consignment shop in Salem that sells furniture and clothing. "To me, that's the biggest challenge of this business," she said. "Everybody wants to bring something." Although flight attendants often possess well-developed people skills, that's not enough to assure a successful move into entrepreneurship. "Too many people think the world is your customer," Baldwin said. "Look at who your competition is. You've got to know what makes you different or unique." Monica Collins is a local flight attendant who's had much business success. During a two-year leave that she took from US Airways after Sept. 11, she opened Scrapbooks Galore & More, a 2,000-square-foot store on Orange Avenue in Roanoke. Last year, she bought Heidi's Hopechest, a scrapbook store in Salem, and merged it into the Orange Avenue shop. After her first 15 months in business, she turned a profit, but she wouldn't disclose those figures. Can many of these attendants find a new dream in place of a failing industry? And how hard is it to give up something you love, potentially forever, for something new and different? Coulter said she isn't ready to stop flying. "After you're there for a while, you can create your own schedule," she said. "It's been a wonderful career. I still enjoy it." Dr. Neil Lewis, a psychologist in Georgia, said when people exit a portion of one career, whether they're pushed or jump, they often find another that is just as satisfying. "One of the hallmarks of our species is we are adaptable," he said. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Tue Oct 18 13:07:14 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 09:07:14 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] New Management Restores Some US Airways Extras Message-ID: <20051018090529.Y673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 18 October 2005 ; The Washington Post New Management Restores Some US Airways Extras http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/17/AR2005101701704.html --- Business Class Keith L. Alexander, Columnist It's been less than a month since America West executives took over US Airways, but the new management team has wasted no time in reversing recent cost-saving initiatives that had frustrated longtime US Airways customers. One decision revisited by the newly combined airline-- which has assumed the US Airways brand name -- involved free snacks for its coach passengers. Last month, before the merger closed, US Airways stopped passing out the snacks in hopes of saving $1 million a year. But on Sept. 28, a day after the merger's completion, executives ruled that coach passengers deserved free snacks. After all, America West passengers got free pretzels, so why shouldn't the passengers on the new US Airways? "It's something that our passengers say they liked and enjoyed with their beverages," said Ron Cole, vice president of US Airways in-flight services, a position he also held at America West. US Airways frequent fliers are hoping the merger with America West will result in a stronger, more customer-friendly carrier. The former America West executives hope it will do just that as the two carriers undergo the painful process of trying to combine operations. The process is expected to take up to two years, so the airline is trying to identify some changes that can be made quickly to keep customers happy. Another decision the airline has reversed involved reopening its airport lounge in Los Angeles. In April, US Airways closed the club to control costs. The airline plans to reopen it next month. Cole said that while many travelers are looking for cheap fares, on-board amenities often are a deciding factor in a competitive marketplace. To improve service to its best customers, the airline has announced plans to hire 30 reservation agents for the frequent flier desk at its Winston-Salem, N.C., center. The new agents will help reduce the telephone wait times, one of the biggest complaints from its frequent fliers. "One of the issues that they had is that they want to be able to get through and want to be able to get through quickly. That's why we are putting the resources to make sure we can take care of those customers," said Jeffrey D. McClelland, US Airways' vice president of administration. US Airways also has simplified its policy on last-minute upgrades and on flying standby. And next month it will reduce the fees and restrictions on excess baggage. The airline also is reconsidering a decision made before the merger to disconnect the power outlets on armrests on some of its Airbus jets. Many travelers, who relied on the outlets to power their laptops or other electronic devices, were angered by the move, which also came as a surprise to some America West executives. "This is something we are continually looking at," said America West spokesman Carlo Bertolini. One of the biggest complaints from US Airways passengers, however, probably won't be addressed for another year. The carrier's Web site has long been a source of frustration, with travelers complaining of the slowness and the difficulty they encountered while trying to search for and book flights. "I have never been able to make a reservation on it. It's a total waste of time," said Washington-based US Airways frequent flier Jane C. Loeffler, a University of Maryland architecture history professor. "What happens is that I end up calling on the phone or I end up booking online via Orbitz." Attorney Allan Miller of Springfield said his biggest complaint with the Web site was the number of times he had to reenter his personal information each time he pages through the site to find a flight. "It's incredibly difficult to navigate," he says. US Airways' previous executives had promised repeatedly to overhaul the airline's Web site, but with a bankruptcy filing, a merger announcement and emerging from bankruptcy protection, overhauling the site never made it to the top of the must-do list. Now, the airline hopes to have the site feature the same technology as the America West site, which travelers have found to be more user-friendly. But that upgrade will take about eight months, US Airways executives say. Another change US Airways frequent fliers would like to see is in the airline's culture. Several travelers, such as Donna Kamm of Alexandria and Jeffrey Kostbar of Bethesda, say they hope the airline encourages employees to be less formal in their interactions with passengers, similar to America West's more laid-back approach. The airline plans to send its employees through training to better integrate operations and adopt the best practices from each carrier, Cole said. "We're reviewing thousands of things that we do," he said, "but we haven't made any decisions as of yet" about what practices will be kept. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Thu Oct 20 02:23:23 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 22:23:23 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways says $777 mln in debt has been sold Message-ID: <20051019222253.X673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 19 October 2005 ; Reuters (AP) US Airways says $777 mln in debt has been sold http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=newIssuesNews&storyID=2005-10-19T175401Z_01_N19448112_RTRIDST_0_AIRLINES-USAIR-UPDATE-1.XML --- CHICAGO, Oct 19 (Reuters) - US Airways Group on Wednesday said debt totaling $777 million, of which $752 million was backed by the government, has been sold at a slight premium to par to 13 fixed-income investors. These loans had been granted to the former America West Airlines and US Air following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States. The current outstanding balance of the loans is $832 million, with $55 million held by two other investors. US Air and America West merged their operations this year to form a single airline. Terms associated with the loans are unchanged, with the former America West loan terminating in 2008 and the former US Airways loan terminating in 2010. "Today's announcement signifies the payoff of both the former America West and US Airways government-backed loans," said US Air Chief Executive Doug Parker in a statement The Air Transportation Stabilization Board loan program was created as part of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act. The Act was put into place to stabilize the airline industry when the private capital markets were closed as a result of the terror attacks. Shares of US Air were down 51 cents at $20.98 on the New York Stock Exchange in afternoon trade. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Thu Oct 20 02:24:16 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 22:24:16 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways CEO to speak at breakfast event Message-ID: <20051019222338.X673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 19 October 2005 ; The Business Journal of Phoenix US Airways CEO to speak at breakfast event http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/10/17/daily30.html --- US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker will headline the Business Journal's Power Breakfast event Thursday at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. There are still tickets available for the event, which is being held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The cost is $50 per ticket, and they can be purchased by calling 602-495-2182. M&I Bank is the primary sponsor of the event, which will include Parker discussing the historic merger between America West Airlines and US Airways. Parker was the CEO at America West, and continues in that role as CEO of the newly merged US Airways (NYSE: LCC). The two airlines formally merged Sept. 27, and the combined carrier is the nation's fifth-largest domestic airline, employing nearly 38,000 people. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 21 12:35:44 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 08:35:44 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways employees go separate ways Message-ID: <20051021082957.J673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 21 October 2005 ; The Washington Times US Airways employees go separate ways http://washingtontimes.com/business/20051020-105955-3210r.htm --- By William Glanz THE WASHINGTON TIMES [Photo][P1] Mary Frantz, US Airways revenue management analyst, is undecided with her next employment move, as she works next to an empty cubical. -- Nancy Pastor (THE WASHINGTON TIMES) Nearly one month after US Airways Group Inc. combined with America West Airlines to form a single airline, employees are packing boxes, moving out of cubicles and saying goodbye to colleagues. US Airways found new life in a union with America West, but its long life in suburban Washington is coming to an end. The newly formed airline makes its home in Tempe, Ariz., where America West put down roots in 1983. The deep roots of US Airways are being pulled from the ground it has held since 1949 so it can merge operations with its new partner. US Airways is relocating, even though it was twice as big and 34 years older than America West. "There are compromises in every deal. I'm sure there are many advantages to being in Arizona," said Edwin Colodny, chief executive of US Airways from 1975 to 1991, when the company was known as USAir. The main advantage of relocating is the lower cost of doing business in Arizona, US Airways Chief Executive Bruce Lakefield said when the companies announced the deal in May. US Airways employed 604 management and administrative employees and two ticket agents on six floors of a swanky Crystal City office building. The departure of those employees has amounted to a trickle so far. In November, employees are expected to leave in droves. US Airways informed the Virginia Employment Commission early last month that it would begin to shutter operations about Nov. 8. About 400 employees are leaving the airline to find work elsewhere. Most have balked at relocating. About 200 others are expected to continue working for the airline and move to Arizona. "You have such a strong job market here," said Jerrold Glass, who was US Airways' executive vice president and chief human resources officer before he left last month to start a labor and human resources consulting firm. "If you can get a similar job with similar pay, why uproot your family?" Not all employees have been given their release dates, US Airways spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said. Many still have time to decide whether to move to Arizona. US Airways will lease its office space through April 30, according to the terms of an agreement reached in bankruptcy court, and it could maintain a skeleton staff in Crystal City until then. The airline's relocation has proceeded quietly, and without moving trucks. The office furniture stays because it is the property of the building's owner. The computers, leased from EDS Corp., will be left behind. US Airways moved its headquarters to Crystal City in 1989 from a hangar at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Two years ago, CEO David Siegel threatened to move the company's headquarters to another city, arguing that it was too expensive to conduct business in the Washington area and that it did not have enough slots at Reagan Airport, where it is the largest carrier. The airline stayed, but this time, under different circumstances, US Airways is on its way out. Mr. Lakefield has finished packing and has stepped aside to let America West Chief Executive Douglas Parker, 43, run the airline. US Airways is ceding much more than its executive control and headquarters. America West shareholders own 45 percent of new shares in the combined airline, while US Airways creditors own 14 percent. The rest of the shares are owned by new investors who have injected $1.5 billion of equity into the airline. Mr. Parker and five America West board members will serve on the board of directors of the merged airline, giving the America West contingent a majority. Mr. Lakefield and three members from the US Airways board of directors will sit on the new board. Despite concessions by US Airways and its subordinate role in the union, there is widespread relief that it didn't dissolve -- either in 2005 or in 2002, when the airline filed for bankruptcy the first time. That has diminished concerns over its relocation to Arizona. "Over the last three years, nobody thought we would make it. It's great we are surviving," Mr. Glass said. Because only a fraction of the airline's employees work at the Crystal City headquarters, there has been no uproar over the move, said Rick Weintraub, who was a spokesman for US Airways from 1994 until 2002. "The vast majority of people who work at an airline don't work at headquarters. They work in airports and in airplanes, so they are not affected," he said. US Airways has lost its headquarters, but keeping the airline's name is more significant than where the company is based, Mr. Weintraub said, because it is a nod to its widely recognized brand. "They're keeping the name, and that's what's important," he said. [P1] http://images.washtimes.com/photos/full/20051020-105213-4591.jpg From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 21 23:30:54 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:30:54 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways raises more money Message-ID: <20051021192922.A673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 21 October 2005 ; Market Watch US Airways raises more money http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B1FAA8348-CF82-44DE-935E-B7FD5F524EB9%7D --- SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- US Airways Group said Friday that it's raised $113 million in additional equity from the investors that helped finance the company's emergence from bankruptcy and its merger with America West Holdings. The investors exercised options to buy another 7.5 million US Airways shares for $15 each in late September and earlier this month, the carrier said. The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline (LCC) now has $2.5 billion in cash, some of which is restricted. The combined company has raised $867 million in new equity all-in, which it says is the most of any U.S. carrier. On Oct. 19, US Airways said that it has sold $777 million in debt, with $752 million government-backed as part of the financing that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The largest equity investors are Wellington Management Co. and PAR Investment Partners at 14% of shares outstanding, according to US Airways. Among the others, America West's shareholders now own 20% of the company and US Airways' creditors own 11%. The company's stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange last month after the merger closed. See full story. US Airways' stock rose 4.5% to $21.96 on Friday. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 21 23:31:58 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:31:58 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways Gets More Greenbacks Message-ID: <20051021193120.B673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 21 October 2005 ; The Street US Airways Gets More Greenbacks http://www.thestreet.com/markets/rosssnel/10248948.html --- By Ross Snel TheStreet.com Staff Reporter The new US Airways (LCC:NYSE) is topping off its cash tank as the airline industry heads into the seasonally weak winter months. The carrier, which resulted from last month's merger of the old US Airways and America West, said it raised a total of $113 million as investors exercised all of their options to purchase additional company shares. US Airways has now gathered $867 million in equity, an amount it says is the most ever raised by a U.S. airline. The cash hoard, including restricted cash, now exceeds $2.5 billion, even though US Airways has spent $116 million since the merger to repurchase warrants from the government and $125 million to retire debt to General Electric (GE:NYSE) . Investment manager Wellington Management, along with hedge funds PAR Investment Partners, Peninsula Investment Partners and the Tudor Group, exercised options to purchase a total of 7.5 million shares at a price $15. The firms all previously provided equity backing the merger, making them major stakeholders in the new airline. News of the options exercise comes just two days after US Airways said it had found buyers for $777 million of existing debt. That allowed the airline to pay back the Air Transportation Board, which had guaranteed $752 million of the debt. The ATSB, set up in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to help the struggling U.S. airline industry, had guaranteed loans to both the old US Airways and America West. Shares of US Airways gained $1, or 4.8%, to $22.02 Friday. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Sun Oct 23 12:23:48 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 08:23:48 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways investors take up equity option Message-ID: <20051023082254.M673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 21 October 2005 ; Scoopt.org US Airways investors take up equity option http://www.scoopt.org/article26712-us-airways-investors-take.html --- Oct 21, 05: TEMPE, Ariz., /PRNewswire/ -- US Airways today announced its investors have exercised all of their options to purchase additional shares of US Airways Group common stock at $15 per share. The investors, which include Par Investment Partners, L.P., Peninsula Investment Partners, L.P., a group of investors under the management of Wellington Management Company, LLP, and Tudor Proprietary Trading, L.L.C. and a group of investors for which Tudor Investment Corp. acts as investment adviser exercised the first two-thirds of their options, which totaled approximately 5 million shares, on Sept. 28, 2005, resulting in aggregate proceeds to US Airways Group of approximately $75 million. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Mon Oct 24 12:50:00 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 08:50:00 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Low-cost US Airways hasn't meant lower fares Message-ID: <20051024084811.R673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 23 October 2005 ; Pittsburgh Business Times Low-cost US Airways hasn't meant lower fares http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9800792/ --- By Jennifer Curry Despite US Airways' merger with the low-cost carrier America West Airlines, the airline's fares for flights out of Pittsburgh International Airport have not fallen. "It's going to take a little bit of time to ramp us," said US Airways spokesman Phil Gee. "... We have to evaluate each of the new markets that US Airways flies into." The merger between Virginia-based US Airways and Arizona-based America West, designed to form the nation's largest low-fare, low-cost airline, is less than a month old, and much work remains before the two airlines' fare structures can be fully integrated. Before the merger was complete, America West officials could not study US Airways' route structure and pricing systems for legal reasons. Now, the merged company, based in Tempe, Ariz., is working to convert US Airways' old pricing system to America West's low-fare system. No big changes on horizon US Airways remains the dominant carrier at Pittsburgh International, with about 200 flights per day. Thus far, there have been few changes in fares to cities such as Phoenix, Seattle, Dallas and Atlanta, according to Terry Trippler, a Minneapolis-based airline analyst at cheapseats.com. [1] Allegheny County Airport Authority spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny confirmed that little has changed since the merger for US Airways at Pittsburgh International Airport and said it's too early for there to be a direct relationship between fares and the merger. Gee said he expects US Airways to adopt America West's pricing structure in the next couple of weeks, which will lower fares, though the extent will vary by market. When asked whether US Airways is committed to lowering fares where there is no competition, Gee said low fares are a relative term based on how low the fares are compared to other airlines. "Anytime that there's competition, supply and demand dictates what the price of the fares will be," he said. Doug Kilcommons, a director at New York-based Fitch Ratings' transportation group, said the entrance of low-cost carriers into Pittsburgh already has forced US Airways to lower its fares and the merger isn't likely to bring more dramatic reductions. "The fares have been going down in Pittsburgh since Southwest started flying here," he said. "I don't believe this new version (of US Airways) is going to really push the fare level down even further." Competition is key Pittsburgh International has seen some reduction in fares. Statistics for the first quarter of 2005, released last month by the U.S. Department of Transportation, show that the average fare fell $13, from $187 in 2004 to $174 in 2005. During this same time, US Airways continued to cut flights, enabling other airlines, including low-fare carrier Independence Air, to enter the market. Low-fare carrier Southwest Airlines, which entered the Pittsburgh market in May, also has been adding local flights. Yet, fares to some destinations, particularly those not served with competing, nonstop flights from Pittsburgh, remain high. In the past few days, a next-day ticket to Boston on US Airways cost $1,256, while a ticket to Chicago -- which is served by four carriers offering nonstop flights -- was $186. "You are paying (up to) $800 to $1,000 a ticket" where there is no competition on direct flights, executive director Kent George told an airport authority board meeting last week. US Airways' fares from Pittsburgh actually increased over the weekend, according to Philip Petrulli, vice president of the North Huntingdon-based Holiday Travel International. As one example, he said, advanced-purchase fares to New York's LaGuardia Airport rose from $148 to $500. [1] http://www.cheapseats.com From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Wed Oct 26 10:32:40 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 06:32:40 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] Wilma forces US Airways to cancel hundreds of flights Message-ID: <20051026063148.M673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 25 October 2005 ; The Arizona Republic Wilma forces US Airways to cancel hundreds of flights http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1025usairways-ON.html --- Dawn Gilbertson The Arizona Republic US Airways has canceled about 240 flights due to Hurricane Wilma's impact on Florida and Mexico. Fewer than 40 were America West flights. At least 2,000 domestic and international flights have been disrupted by the storm. At Miami International Airport, the first plane to land since the hurricane hit arrived Tuesday from Brazil, and domestic flights are to resume Wednesday morning. The Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach airports remained closed to commercial traffic Tuesday night. America West Airlines never had to worry much about hurricanes. But the airline's merger with US Airways has multiplied the headaches and financial hits from the devastating annual storm season. US Airways has dozens of daily flights to Florida and Latin America. "It's something we definitely have to pay more attention to," said US Airways spokesman Phil Gee. He added that US Airways' operations control center in Pittsburgh has plenty of experience in this area. "They're very well versed in dealing with hurricanes and inclement weather," he said. Most of the service affected by the hurricanes was expected to resume by this morning. The only lingering trouble spot is Cancun, where the airport is closed. US Airways/America West has canceled flights there until Saturday, stranding many vacationers. Passengers who had tickets to Cancun can rebook for travel within the next year. Tickets must be issued by Nov. 16. In other cases where flights were canceled because of the storm, the airline is waiving change fees. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 28 13:03:07 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:03:07 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways moving 70 jobs to Arizona Message-ID: <20051028090224.A673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 26 October 2005 ; The Charlotte Observer US Airways moving 70 jobs to Arizona http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/13002727.htm --- TONY MECIA The Charlotte Observer Fresh from its merger with America West, US Airways said Wednesday it is moving about 70 jobs from Winston-Salem to Arizona. The move will consolidate the two airlines' consumer relations departments, which handle complaints. Currently, the airline has more than 400 workers in Winston-Salem, most of whom handle reservations for elite frequent fliers. US Airways spokesman Philip Gee said the Winston-Salem workers whose jobs are moving will be offered "generous relocation packages" to entice them to move to Tempe, Ariz. "We want these folks to come over," Gee said. US Airways is Charlotte's largest carrier, with more than 500 daily flights. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 28 13:03:53 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:03:53 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways to move N.C. jobs to Arizona Message-ID: <20051028090307.H673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 26 October 2005 ; Charlotte Business Journal US Airways to move N.C. jobs to Arizona http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2005/10/24/daily32.html --- US Airways Group Inc. will relocate about 70 jobs from Winston-Salem to Arizona, the airline's new headquarters following its recent merger with America West Group Holdings Corp. The move will combine the two airlines' customer-relations departments, which handle complaints. Affected employees will be offered relocation packages to move to Tempe, Ariz. Those who decide not to move will be offered severance packages. US Airways, which operates one of its largest hubs at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, completed its $1.5 billion merger with America West in late September. The consolidated company (NYSE:LCC) took the US Airways name. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 28 13:04:37 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:04:37 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways to operate Cancun rescue flights Message-ID: <20051028090354.W673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 26 October 2005 ; The Business Journal of Phoenix US Airways to operate Cancun rescue flights http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/10/24/daily51.html --- US Airways will be helping hurricane-stranded passengers in Cancun, Mexico, get back home. The first 203-seat flight will leave Philadelphia Thursday morning, packed with water and supplies. The flight will depart Cancun for Charlotte, N.C., with passengers a few hours later. The second 190-seat flight leaves Phoenix Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Arizona time. The flight will leave Cancun at 2:45 p.m. local time and arrive in Phoenix at 5:30 p.m. local time. Once they arrive in Phoenix, passengers will have to clear customs. If Phoenix is not their final destination, they will be accommodated by US Airways to their final destination, airline officials said. US Airways will operate relief flights again on Friday at the same times. Scheduled service to and from Cancun is expected to resume on Saturday. US Airways (NYSE: LCC) is a Tempe-based airline, born through the merger of America West Airlines and US Airways. It provides service to more than 200 destinations in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 28 13:05:39 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:05:39 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways to Help Tune Poker Skills Message-ID: <20051028090453.W673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 26 October 2005 ; Card Player US Airways to Help Tune Poker Skills http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_news/detail.php?p_id=650 --- The World Poker Exchange is Sponsoring In-Flight Video Tutorials Soon, poker players flying to their favorite poker rooms can pick up some tips while up in the air. The online poker site The World Poker Exchange has teamed up with U.S Airways to include poker tutorial spots on Overture, the airline's award-winning in-flight entertainment program. The 90-second instructional spots are taken directly from the World Poker Exchange's new tutorial DVD series, "In the Minds of the Poker Pros." The tutorial spots will run on all US Airways video-equipped flights that are two hours in length or more. Each spot will feature insight into the best minds of poker. Professionals such as David Sklansky, Todd Brunson, Mike Matusow, and Kathleen Watterson will provide detailed analysis of real-life poker hands and situations, and pointers on how to play various hands. Fifteen spots will be available. Passengers traveling from 25 domestic and international markets served by US Airways -- including New York City, London, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and San Diego -- will be able to watch the spots. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 28 13:09:41 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:09:41 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways to shed 70 positions at unit Message-ID: <20051028090539.J673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 27 October 2005 ; Winston-Salem Journal US Airways to shed 70 positions at unit http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767775614 By Richard Craver JOURNAL REPORTER US Airways Group Inc. said yesterday that it would eliminate 70 more jobs in Winston-Salem as part of consolidating its consumer-affairs division at its headquarters in Tempe, Ariz. Counting the 268 jobs being cut as part of the transfer of its revenue-accounting operations at Madison Park to Tempe, the airline has said it will eliminate at least 338 local jobs. America West Holdings Corp. completed its purchase of US Airways on Sept. 27 after US Airways emerged for the second time from a Chapter 11-bankruptcy reorganization. The airline kept the US Airways name. Phil Gee, an airline spokesman, said that the 70 consumer-affairs employees were told that April 28 would be the division's last date of operations in Winston-Salem. The division would have about 120 employees in Tempe, Gee said. "All of the representatives will be guaranteed a position in customer relations if they choose to relocate," Gee said. Those representatives will be offered a moving package. "We're very serious about keeping as many of those employees as possible," he said. Gee said that other members of the local consumer-affairs work force, such as managers, analysts and administrative staff, could apply for other jobs with the airline. He said that some of those employees, if offered another job, would not get a moving package. Employees that are not transferring will be eligible for a severance package if they work until April 28. The conversion is part of the airline's plan for becoming a low-fare carrier that can compete better with Southwest Airlines Inc. and JetBlue Airways Corp. Gee said he did not have an update on when the airline would begin eliminating the 268 local jobs in the revenue-accounting operations. Employees were told in September that the transfer could begin in October or take several months. Once the revenue-accounting and consumer-affairs divisions are transferred to Tempe, the airline will have about 772 employees in the Triad. That includes 621 at its reservations center off Hanes Mall Boulevard and its staff at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. Gee said that although the local reservation center is "operationally critical" to US Airways, the airline has not made a final consolidation decision on the division. The work force at the local reservations and Dividend Miles centers was 1,600 as recently as August 2004. Piedmont Airlines, which was started in Winston-Salem and which US Airways bought in November 1987, had about 5,600 employees in the Triad at its peak. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 28 13:11:05 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:11:05 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways flying relief to Cancun Message-ID: <20051028090942.L673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 28 October 2005 ; Beaver County Times Allegheny Times US Airways flying relief to Cancun http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15462393 --- By: Karen Ferrick-Roman - Times Staff Today, US Airways is making its first relief runs to Cancun, Mexico. The airline will fly a 203-seat Boeing 767 from Philadelphia this morning, carrying water and supplies, and return, loaded with passengers, to Charlotte, N.C., said Amy Kudwa, airline spokeswoman. The second flight, a 190-seat Boeing 757, will leave later this morning from Phoenix, with water and supplies, and will bring more passengers stateside. US Airways passengers will receive first priority, Kudwa said, though passengers from other airlines will be carried as well. Two other relief flights will operate Friday. Scheduled service to and from Cancun is expected to resume Saturday, Kudwa said. US Airways ended up canceling about 270 of its flights over a weeklong period since Hurricane Wilma hit, Kudwa said. US Airways makes about 3,200 flights daily, including 58 daily at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Fort Lauderdale airport was not expected to open until this morning, though US Airways has resumed trips to Orlando and Fort Myers, Kudwa said. US Airways' merger partner, America West Airlines, had to cancel only a handful of its flights because its destinations largely were unaffected, Kudwa said. US Airways Express operations also did not feel great impact from the storm, Kudwa said; most of US Airways' Florida flights and all of its Caribbean trips are made with mainline jets. Apple Vacations, which sells packages from Pittsburgh to Caribbean resorts, started sending in 15 planes a day Tuesday to rescue its stranded travelers, said Sharon Kingerski, an agent with Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Moon Township. From usairways at vision.moundalexis.com Fri Oct 28 13:12:21 2005 From: usairways at vision.moundalexis.com (Daily US Airways News) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:12:21 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [US Airways] US Airways sending Phila. flight, others, to Cancun Message-ID: <20051028091106.B673-100000@vision.moundalexis.com> 27 October 2005 ; The Business Journal of Phoenix Plenty of jobs available in Tempe, US Airways says http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/10/24/daily58.html --- The merger between America West and US Airways will bring several hundred new jobs to Tempe. "The jobs will range from management positions, airport positions and IT positions," US Airways Group Inc. spokesperson Zoe Guynn told the Phoenix Business Journal Thursday. Guynn said the airline is planning to host a job fair at its Tempe headquarters by the middle of November. Specific details are expected to be announced shortly. Meanwhile, 70 employees affected by the closure of a customer-relations center in Winston-Salem, N.C., have been offered jobs in Tempe. Guynn said not all of the employees wanted to make the move, so those positions will need to be filled as well, as the airlines combine their operations under the merger. US Airways (NYSE: LCC) is a Tempe-based discount airline serving more than 200 destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. The airline is the result of the $1.5 billion merger between US Airways and America West Airlines, a transaction that was announced in May and closed Sept. 27.