[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by abutterfinger25

Northwest still has its own operating certificate so they are still considered a seperate carrier, despite the merger.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe America West and US Air are still operating on separate certificates. It's been four years since they "merged."

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

I read something, might have been on US Airways' press release page, indicating the two airlines were approved for a single certificate. This release came-out about a year ago.

Along with my beloved Virgin America, I give US Airways and United two years, tops, of remaining life.

[abutterfinger25]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe America West and US Air are still operating on separate certificates. It's been four years since they "merged."

I think they are both on one cert now... Let me check up on that and I will let you know.

I can't recall when I the last time I saw American West Metal.

[PHXFlyer]

Thanks for the replies. You are both right, they are under a single certificate and have been since Sep. '07. It was two years to the day from the initial announcement of the "merger" so I expect the timeframe of the Delta/Northwest single certificate would be about the same. abutterfinger25 I don't think the livery has anything to do with the operatig certificate because US Airways started re-painting the America West planes only a few months after the merger was approved. Likewise Delta has begun to re-paint some of the former Northwest aircraft as well, most notably the 747 fleet.

What was confusing me about the US Airways operating certificate is that for the most part their labor is still divided between former America West and legacy US Air. The pillot unions are still in negotiations and the flight attendant contracts don't come up for renewal until next year I believe. The huge issue is seniority. My neighbor who was a very senior flight attendant with America West will, when the flight attendant workforce is combined, be much lower in the "pecking order" when it comes to choosing work schedules and vacation time.