Philip Baggaley
Philip Baggaley
change daily gut subject
It's very much a gut feel, subject to change on a daily or hourly basis.
almost certain losses possibly profit small united
It's almost certain losses will decline. American, Continental and possibly United could show a small profit this year.
against approving change eager groups including labor precedent switch toughest voted
It won't take much of a switch to change the result, ... There's also the precedent of the other labor groups approving it, including the mechanics, who were thought to be toughest sell. I don't think even those who voted against it are eager to go into bankruptcy.
added bankruptcy financial hasten likely occur pressure within
The added financial pressure may hasten an already likely bankruptcy filing, which will probably occur within weeks.
avoiding bankruptcy chances slim
The airline's already slim chances of avoiding bankruptcy are dwindling rapidly.
environment expect external likely loss report
The external environment is still very difficult, and we expect that they're likely to report a loss this year.
airlines amount carries divert fair fix helps percent problem revenue shutting united
United shutting down doesn't necessarily fix the problem for other airlines, but it helps a lot. It does divert a fair amount of revenue to other airlines -- United carries about 17 percent of the nation's traffic.
accomplish based frame labor less likely months others strike time unions
We did that based on how much they need to accomplish in less than two months with their other labor groups. This strike stretches out the likely time frame with the others unions at least a bit.
agreement group labor largest last major mechanics pilots reach savings sought source striking
The pilots are the last major labor group to reach a preliminary agreement (except for striking mechanics who have been replaced) and the largest source of labor savings being sought by the airline.
airlines domestic fuel helping high improved load offset pricing
American Airlines is benefiting from much improved pricing and load factors, particularly in the U.S. domestic market, which are helping to offset very high fuel prices.
airlines seem shake
As we've seen, these airlines never seem to shake out.
airline anxious bankrupt below business company cutting fear levels lose passenger service suspicions wary
A bankrupt airline is anxious not to lose customers, especially business travelers, and may be wary of cutting service below competitors' levels for fear of confirming passenger suspicions that the company is not long for this world.
bankruptcy delta easier further northwest situation
A situation where you have United, Delta and Northwest all in bankruptcy does make it easier to think about further consolidation.
cash contracts fuel hopes labor losses unions
Northwest's hopes of negotiating concessionary labor contracts with its unions were overtaken by the surge in fuel prices, which deepened the airline's losses and cash outflow.