Will the Latest Airline Merger Mean Friendlier Skies?
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The merger of United and Continental will leave the US with just four major airlines. Will the combined carriers stop losing money? Will they reduce passenger options and charge higher fares? Also, the FBI arrests a suspect in the attempted bombing of Times Square, and the US Supreme Court has closed its massive bronze doors to the entering public. They’ll still be used for exits.
Banner image: The new airlines will feature the Continental livery, logo and colors with the United name.
Making News
Suspect Arrested in Attempted Times Square Bombing ()
Just before midnight at New York's Kennedy Airport, the FBI arrested a suspect in Saturday's failed bombing attempt in Times Square. Attorney General Eric Holder says there is no question that Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad was involved in a "terrorist plot." We get an update from Tina Susman, of the Los Angeles Times, and Bruce Hoffman, Professor of Security Studies at Georgetown University.
Guests:
- Tina Susman: National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, @tinasusman
- Bruce Hoffman: Professor of Security Studies, Georgetown University
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Main Topic
Will the United-Continental Merger Mean Friendlier Skies? ()
Two years ago, Continental Airlines backed away from merging with United. Last month, United began a flirtation with US Airways. Suddenly, Continental had a change of heart, and over the weekend completed what some airline experts are calling a shotgun wedding. United and Continental now plan to become the world's largest airline, if they get past anti-trust laws and union contracts. But it's a marriage of convenience, not love. United is known for canceled flights, lost baggage and surly employees. Continental is famous for customer satisfaction. Can those cultures merge? Is consolidation the only way airlines can stop losing money, when Southwest is gaining market share and showing a profit? Since de-regulation, most mergers have not gone smoothly. We hear the pros and cons of the next one.
Guests:
- Jad Mouawad: Airline Correspondent, New York Times
- Loren Steffy: Business Columnist, Houston Chronicle, @lsteffy
- Severin Borenstein: Professor of Economics and Public Policy, UC Berkeley
- Vaughn Cordle: Managing Partner, Airline Forecasts
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Reporter's Notebook
Supreme Court: Use Side Entrance ()
No longer will Americans seeking justice in the highest court of the land climb the 45 marble steps to the US Supreme Court. The six-ton bronze front doors have been closed to entrants, although they will still be used by those leaving. Two justices opposed closing the doors, beneath the inscription "Equal Justice Under Law," calling them "a metaphor for access to the court itself." Jeffrey Rosen is Professor of Law at George Washington University.
Guests:
- Jeffrey Rosen: Professor of Law, George Washington University
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