munkin2

05-20-2005, 10:41 AM

Pittsburgh,and all the leaders have built up how southwest and all the low cost carriers can help Pittsburgh out well, just start naming all the carrier that have come and gone. (I'm soon to be gone aswell and happy to go). You can't raise taxes and expect to bring people in. They never gave USAIR a fair deal, Now the bases are expected to close you hear 843 people who shop and go to school here and have housing paying taxes( I don't want them to close) What about USAIR pulling out (9,000 jobs) The training center meant pilots coming to Pittsburgh, they eat, stay in hotels and even shop, take in sports event. Well, Pittsburgh I hope you rebound but I don't see it

thank you, Lori MC

b842001

05-19-2005, 10:33 PM

Also ...why must some of you slam union workers? What about the CEO? HOW MANY CONSESSIONS DID HE TAKE???? Before you slam the average Joe trying to have a comfortable living take a look behind the desk at these jokers !

b842001

05-19-2005, 10:19 PM

When are the local politicians gonna stop playing games with the big shots at US Air? Its been clear for a long time they dont want to be in Pittsburgh ,they have treated employees like trash for the last couple years making them take cuts and relocate or layoff while the CEO and other upper management continued to make millions failing to take wage cuts while federal tax dollors were being used to bail them out of debt.I say adios, hit the road and bring it on Southwest. These 2 airlines will mean instead of 1 company in debt 1 bigger company in debt. If this was a small business that was managed as US Air was it would have closed down after the first round of bankrupsy and without help from the federal govenment. If the govenment felt it was ok to use taxpayers $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for US Air then every business in the USA that is having bad times is entitled to a US government handout, fair is fair! All I can say is the state and local lawmekers better wake up alreaddy and start looking for a replacement airline and tell US Air to move on.

AndySkibo

05-19-2005, 7:50 PM

I don't think the merger with America West will be that good for Pittsburgh (jobs and access).

America West is a "virtual airline" - maintenance, reservations, etc. are "outsourced" to vendors.

At one time American Airlines provided the reservationists, computers, computer center, etc. for America West

From what I have heard (correct me if I am wrong - this is what I have heard and not researched) their pension plan is totally "401(k) - defined contribution." No idea what their health care plan is.

I think the real pain will be in the small and medium size markets (that USAir was abandoning anyway) - while that service will probably continue through the "regional" and "supplemental" carriers using the USAir logo - that service will feed the Philadelphia primary hub - not Pittsburgh. That means to get to Ithaca or to Corning/Elmira or to Scranton - it will be a change of planes in Philadelphia instead of a through flight from Pittsburgh.

But - it's still better then the alternative (no service) -- and Southwest will be in Pittsburgh to keep them on their toes.

AZskies

05-19-2005, 6:51 PM

I don't know what the hell America West was thinking. Seduced by the siren song of yet another airline merger.. Can anyone list one of these that has really worked? This is like marrying someone who is HIV-positive. US Airways is wrapped in a death shroud, and will probably take America West down with her. This is a sad day indeed for the people of Arizona, the America West employees who have worked so hard to help the airline rebound, and for the loyal customers of America West who now have to endure the name change to US Airways- "Unfortunately, Still Allegheny"

Nothing against Pittsburgh, but your "Hometown Airline" is a disaster- poor service, inept management, antagonistic employee relations, and underutilized facilities.

This is not a good deal for America West, who will now be saddled with a mountain of US Air debt brought on by years of mismanagement and bloated payrolls. I thought Doug Parker was smarter than this.

pikapp19

01-27-2005, 2:52 PM

I lived in Pittsburgh for 7 years and now live in New Orleans, LA. I have to say that during that time I became a USAirways loyal customer and still used them until now down here in New Orleans. I can say that now I won't support USAirways anymore because I really think that Pittsburgh is getting the raw deal. I feel that it's depressing what's become of Pittsburgh Airport now that there's now hub. The sad thing is that Pittsburgh had the nicest hub of all the USAirways cities. I say it's time for Pittsburgh to do what we've done in New Orleans for years...embrace Southwest. They are cheap and nice, as well as keeping other carriers' prices low. Pittsburgh is getting a great carrier in Southwest and I hope they'll add Pittsburgh-New Orleans flights soon because I'm done with USAirways. USAirways doesn't care about Pittsburgh, so I think Pittsburgh should let USAirways go. Pittsburgh is still a very dynamic city and it's ashamed to see it get left behind by an airline. But, the clincher is that the airline couldn't afford 3 hubs, but they go and make Ft.Lauderdale a hub. I understand the economics of South Florida's location in the world, but I thought they couldn't afford 3 hubs.

OutOfHere

01-27-2005, 12:22 PM

It's amazing so many people know the problem, but Onorato and our incompetent governor don't have a clue! Pittsburgh is a dead city! There is no amount of money that will entice big business to come here or stay. We are riddled with incompetent politicians where ever you look and an archaic tax structure, and nothing is going to change. It hasn't for forty years as the area continues to fall into oblivion. Year-after-year I watch my cost of living continue to inflate due to higher taxes and other nonsense fees required to live in Pennsylvania. I am looking West and South to retire and find many areas where the increase in population has increased the tax base that in turn keeps taxes low, but not in Pennsylvania. This year?s surprise is a 23% increase in Westmoreland County taxes after a 13%+ increase just four or five years ago. My Hempfield School taxes have gone up 34% in five years so little Johnny can have sports facilities equivalent to professional sports teams. Why in the name of God would any business want to move to PA and subject their employees to such nonsense? Go South!

pghsucks99

01-27-2005, 7:52 AM

It is cheaper and easier to do business in NC than in PA. It is that simple. The region of NC (Winston-Salem/Charlotte) is booming while Pittsburgh is rapidly declining. This is simple economics and common sense. For those who hesitate to move to NC, even if you move there and US Airways goes under, you will have a much better chance of gaining good employment down there than in Pittsburgh. Face it, Pittsburgh is a has been town and will probably never recover. Common sense, go where the jobs are being created and growing. That is not Pittsburgh. Beleive me, as soon as school is over, I will be joining everyone I know in leaving this barren wasteland.

shiip47

01-26-2005, 7:43 PM

The hand writting was on the wall months ago concerning US airways future strategy. US airways is a high overhead operation and much of that cost is fixed overhead. Their operating strategy was just the opposite of what happened. Question? Why is southwest able to make money and is surviving yet US airways is just the opposite. US Airways will be gobbled up and forgotten. Move on! People are tired of hearing about it.

Frankie

mimi_1919

05-07-2004, 6:15 AM

I watched the news on 5/6/2004 and just shook my head.

In my opinion, USAirways has had an agenda since day 1. They know every step they are going to take and where it will ultimately end (with USAirways either bankrupt or out of PGH all together).

I have been through corporate downsizings 2x now (once with Westinghouse and again most recently with Dominion). Both times they let the rumor mill spread the news far before the upper managers were brave enough to stand up and tell the people what would be happening. Both times they said they really did not want to eliminate jobs but had to. Then they proceeded to chip away until a shell of the previous crew was left.

USAirways is doing the same. Asking for wage concessions (which in my opinion was needed - some jobs were severly over paid and the unions were detrimental not helping in this manner).

Then they start eliminating positions. And so on . . . .

No Pittsburgh is a 'Focus City' - That is no more than a nice way to say - WE stripped you of your HUB status and made you a 'Regular Joe'. SO why not just stand up and SAY that NOW.

I fear at the number of jobs that will be lost.

I am unemployed from my last company (read above) since Jan 2003. The job market sucks big time. Who ever is saying things are getting better is NOT looking here!!

I heard the Mechaninc say on TV last night that he did not think his job would be effected as planes are maintained based on the number of hours they fly (in other words, he felt his job was 'secure').

Let me tell ALL - there is NO security anymore.

USAirways can EASILY route planes to Charlotte for maintenance. I do believe it is their plan to eliminate the maintenance facility also.

Face it, some of these jobs are just paying too much = USAirways can move planes to Charlotte where costs would be less . . . . they will do it !!

That will leave Pittburgh with an EMPTY new airport to pay for, loads of airline personnel unmployed, pilots unemployed, mechanics unemployed. People losing their homes, etc. Since these people will be pulling in their 'purse strings' that will effect businesses in the area - and so on. It will be like a snow ball running down hill in the winter.

I DON'T see anything positive coming out of this. USAirways will probably still go belly up due to MIS MANAGEMENT. And I hate to say it - but some jobs were severely overpaid and too much overtime. In the GOOD times this was not a factor - but we are now in BAD times and it is apparent.

So many say - Southwest will come in and save the day (or some other airline). Well, I would not hold your breath.

First you will have to apply for job openings. Then you will most likely have to take a BIG pay cut because I doubt they are going to pay what USAirways does. And it is not going to be an easy transition.

Loads of people will be sitting unemployed with their unemployment running out (as is mine), looking for jobs that DON'T exist here even though "experts" say the job market is picking up. WHERE.

The stress level for these people is already off the chart and is only going to get worse . . . . you are in my thoughts as being unemployed that is about all I have to do to fill in my time is 'THINK'.

Sorry to have such a negative view - - but I tell it like I see it and I know how the Corporate folks try to smooth things over so employees have a warm feeling instead of knowing the truth. It has happened to me 2x so I know the drill.

Best wishes to all and NOTHING would make me happier than to see me turn out WRONG.