The pending merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines is back in the news. And the news isn’t all bad — if you support the corporate marriage.
Delta and Northwest pilots have come to a tentative contract agreement with Delta’s management, which is a major step toward merger completion if the pilots of both airlines ratify the contract.
I lived through the US Airways-America West merger, and to this day there is still not a common contract for the pilots of both airlines. This continues to be a sore spot and a bone of contention for this less-than-stellar merger.
At least it appears that Delta and Northwest are trying to cross the Ts and dot the Is before they become one company.
However, I still contend as I did in an interview with Christopher Snowbeck of the Pioneer Press that this merger will result in a reduction in services and employees, especially at smaller airports that are served by both airlines.
I’m hopeful that the merger, if consummated, will be successful. But I remain cautiously optimistic — as should all customers who fly either Delta or Northwest.
