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Cultures Clash at Merging Airlines
US Airways and America West jets prepare to take off from the Phoenix airport last week. The airlines announced a plan to merge.
(By Matt York -- Associated Press)
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In today's fiercely competitive airline industry, both America West and US Airways are struggling to convince passengers that their fares rival those of discount competitors like Southwest with full-service amenities.
America West declared itself a low-cost carrier in 2002. US Airways has been acting like one for several years.
A chart on America West's Web site lists perks it offers that no-frill rivals don't -- first-class sections, airport clubs and frequent flyer awards to more than 300 destinations.
Among its marketing innovations, America West offers a "bill me later" ticketing option that gives travelers up to 90 days, interest-free, to pay for a ticket. It also sells gift cards at supermarkets that can be used to pay for tickets.
The biggest challenge of a America West-US Airways merger may be combining the staffs of the two airlines. For example, they must decide which pilots get the choicest routes on the largest planes. US Airways has nearly 30,000 employees, America West has 14,000.
"The problem is that US Airways employees who have survived are by and large senior employees, and they probably have significantly higher seniority than America West's," Roach said. "So their position will probably be: 'We want to merge the seniority lists based on date of hire.' The US Airways pilots will be wanting to fly the A330s and all that good stuff.
"And the America West pilots will say: ... 'You wouldn't have any job at all without us, so we'll fly the A330s.' "
Taylor, a US Airways pilot for 22 years, said he's optimistic that pilots from the two airlines will agree because they are represented by the same union and because they have all been through pay cuts and furloughs.
"Through all that pain what we have seen happen is sort of an attitude adjustment," he said. "Our expectations have been changed."
