US Travelers Wary as Airlines Merge

The computer glitch last Thursday was short, and luckily did not overly inconvenience travelers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. There was also some impact from the bump on American Airlines flights in Chicago, Miami, and Dallas-Fort Worth airports.

Passengers are hopeful and cautious about the merger of US Airways and American Airlines; hopeful all will go well, and cautious to avoid unnecessary delays or problems.

Chief pilot Tate Willworth, for Leading Edge Aviation, who flies with US Airways/American often for work, said that his luggage is lost about 3 out of 5 times that he flies with them.

He said he is hoping that the merger will improve the running of the company, but he also added:

“I see it like a pack of sled dogs, if you’re not in the lead it’s a bad view.”

The two major airline companies merged in December 2013. Since that time they have been working to bring together 120,000 employees and about 1,000 airplanes, plus nine hubs, under one unified roof. The next giant step will be on October 17, when the company will transfer the reservations system of US Airways into the American Airlines system.

About Peter Jefferson

Peter Jefferson is a full-time researcher for www.businessdistrict.com, a task he took on in 2011 when the site was launched. He brings to the position a wealth of practical experience in the field of fiscal policy, having consulted with various government bodies on revenue collection, expenditure and economic growth. Contact Peter at peter[at]businessdistrict.com