One of the things that could be interesting about a possible Northwest and Delta merger is that Northwest has such a strong presence in Asia and Delta might be wise to break into that market because United is so strong there. Just me thinking over coffee this morning. -----Original Message----- From: The Airline List [mailto:AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David MR Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 3:23 PM To: AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: US transport chief ponders Delta-Northwest merger By Lucy Hornby Between Delta and Northwest (and probably any other pairs of legacy airlines), there's little duplication in actual nonstop routes due the the hub-and-spoke system they have. Many of the duplicates are between Delta's hubs and Northwest's hubs, along with some long distance flights. You're second paragraph hits the hammer on the nail. The problem with airlines today is that they are ran by MBA's who see the airlines as just another business and not people who are truly interested in the airlines as a unique business. Sadly, gone are the days when aviators ran the airlines. That noise you hear are Bob Six, Eddie Rickenbacker, Juan Trippe, and other airline greats rolling over in their graves. David R -------------- Original message --------------=20 From: Michael Burris <yyz_02140@xxxxxxxxx>=20 > AIRLINE:=20 >=20 > I'd love to be the person in the middle trying to make=20 > all this work. I'd love to be the one designing the=20 > new route structures,=20 > inner business strategies, eliminating duplication of=20 > services.=20 >=20 > I'd love to work in the business side of an airline,=20 > but most everyone who has a business degree, says that=20 > you just don't join an airline on day one and day two=20 > become an expert. It takes time to learn how the=20 > business works.=20 >=20 > Mike Burris=20 > Cambridge, Mass=20 >=20