If there is a residue of concern at this late date that the death of US Airways would leave Pittsburgh without air transportation from a major carrier, put your worries to rest.
It won't happen.
We can't predict that another round of labor concessions will save the airline. But we do have to ask if the unions are willing to go the next step. What do they have to loseâ¢
Low-cost Southwest is ready to go head-to-head with the carrier in Philadelphia. US Airways chief David N. Siegel, not one of our favorite people, pleaded with workers to approach the altar of sacrifice.
"Southwest is coming to Philadelphia in May. They're coming for one reason. They're coming to kill us." That, folks, is the voice of desperation, and hardly the voice of strong leadership.
Southwest already has supplanted US Airways at Baltimore-Washington International Airport as the lead carrier, and beat it up in California. US Airways must reduce the per-mile seat cost from 10 cents to 6 cents, with two of those pennies surrendered by labor.
The pilots might acquiesce; the mechanics said no; the flight attendants are a question mark. Eight thousand jobs in our region are at stake.
So, is the union leadership acting in the best interest of the membership⢠Doubtful. And if it isn't, should we shed any tears if US Airways loses its wings?
